AN: Thanks everyone sooo much for all the great reviews!! Wow, I knew I liked Rush, but I didn't expect my readers to get so attached as well. Your reviews really helped this next chapter get up and running surprisingly fast. Anyway hope this is up to your expectations. Enjoy!
The flower girl knelt down in front of the newly opened blossoms. Even far away from her church flowers grew and reached for her wherever she went, even in a drought stricken region such as this one.
Arieth suddenly stopped and looked up, something had happened. As a Centra she was more closely connected to the planet and the lifestream than anyone else. She felt its flow, felt the constant stream of consciousnesses as they returned to the lifestream.
She always knew when a mission went badly. Anyone she met, even briefly could always be felt entering the lifestream. It was this connection to the planet that kept Cloud temporarily sane, since Rain departure. For she could always assure him Rain was still alive.
But what was this presence? It was a stranger to her. She had not met or known this person of that she was certain, but Rain's presence was so strong in this soul's memory and being that its presence practically called out to her. This person had been close to her friend, close and had died suddenly.
Her heart ached for her friend's lose and though she could do nothing to comfort her in person... she closed her eyes calling for the Centra within the lifestream to guide this...boy? Yes, he had been a boy not quite a man when he had died. Her heart felt more at ease as she sensed her people's presence suddenly surround the boy offering comfort and assurance.
Arieth suddenly had the feeling they weren't doing this as much for her sake as for Rain's. Like they felt sorry for her, but why would such an ancient race have pity on Rain?
Arieth wasn't meaning to be cruel with such a thought, but Rain's pain after all was no more than what countless others had felt in the past. Something else was going on. She could feel it. The Centra had a connection to Rain, but why and for what purpose, they were careful to keep from her. They were planning something!
The helicopter was carrying them quickly back to Midgar, and the occupants in the back were quite and thoughtful as they looked at the lone occupant that seemed out of place among them. Who seemed determined not to meet any of their eyes, but had his gaze fixed on a bare spot above their heads and had not moved from it in the last two hours.
Sephiroth could see the worried look of Zack's face as he starred at his friend, longing to want to help, but being kept at a distance. Strife was not the only one hurting by the loss of the cadet. Sephiroth knew Zack had been close to the cadet as well, but Zack had lost more than his fair share of friends during the war and knew how to cope, and help others through their loses as well. Strife's reaction though was different and Sephiroth had to admit not what he expected.
The cadet had not even uttered a word when the last remains of the lifestream had disappeared taking Rush's body with it. Strife had refused any words of comfort or touch from Zack and had stood alone off to the side while they waited for the chopper to come pick them up.
Sephiroth had purposefully taken the spot next to the boy, knowing how his presence and closeness seemed to make the boy nervous and fidget, hoping to get an emotional reaction of any kind from the still figure. Nothing, he did not even stiffen or slightly move to the side at the uncomfortable closeness.
Sephiroth's eyes narrowed. It was unnerving how still the boy was. He had seen plenty of troopers deal with grief before and the only ones that were ever quite and emotionless were the ones that were still in shock. Strife looked far from shock rather that he was hiding behind that expressionless face.
So lost in thought that Sephiroth didn't notice they were landing until the soft bump of the tires hitting the tarmac alerted him of their arrival. As soon as the engine began to whine down Strife was up off his seat and through the chopper doors. Sephiroth and Zack close on his heels.
Zack caught Sephiroth look and the message behind it. Don't let him go back to the barricades.
Zack nodded in agreement and turned to the retreating form, "Cadet Strife."
His tone was formal and clipped, a commanding officer speaking down to a subordinate.
Sephiroth knew how Zack hated to pull rank especially with his friends, but it had the effect of halting Strife in his tracks, though he did not turn around.
"It's too late for you to return to the barracks. You will accompany me back to my quarters. You can rejoin the cadets in the morning."
The clenching of the fists at the boy's side showed his aversion to the order and was proof that it was necessary. The boy should not be left alone and if there was anyone who could get through to him it was Zack.
Strife finally nodded his head in acknowledgment, but still did not say anything. He waited for Zack to catch up to him, and then followed him off the tarmac.
As the two figures disappeared, Angeal and Genesis appeared on either side of him. Angeal let out a deep breath and Genesis muttered that he wanted a stiff drink, and then grumbled how unfair it was that SOLIDERS were not capable of getting drunk and Sephiroth after a night like this one had to agree.
Zack slid his card through the card lock and the door clicked open.
He stepped though then clicked on a light and stepped back, waiting to Cloud to enter. The boy hesitated, seeming reluctant to step though the door.
"It's all right Cloud come on in. I'm sorry about that back there, but I thought it might be better for you to have a little more space than your bunk."
Cloud stepped forward at the familiar friendly tone in Zack's voice once again. Zack smiled and shut the door.
"Are you hungry?"
Cloud looked at him with expressionless eyes, "I could use a drink."
"Okay, what do you want I don't have much, but..."
He stopped when he saw Cloud move over to the bar in one corner of the living space. It had been there when he had moved in fully stocked. Not that he used it. When he wanted something to drink he went out. Besides he didn't know what to do with all the fancy bottles it had on display.
"I was thinking of something a bit stronger."
"Chocobo, I don't know if that is a good idea. You're underage." Zack protested uncertain.
Cloud gave a smile, though it lacked the warmth of a smile, "Don't worry Zack I have never gotten drunk and it wouldn't start now, even if I wanted too."
He started grabbing a variety of bottles and placing them onto the counter, "Do you have a preference?"
Zack could feel his jaw drop, "You know how to mix? Cloud you are fifteen! Where did you learn?"
Again that eerie smile, "Oh, here and there, I take it you don't have a preference. I'll just make you up something."
With an elaborate flair, Zack watched as Cloud flipped opened a couple of bottles. Not seeming to need to even measure and dumped them in. After shaking it a couple of times he poured it into two glasses and handed one to Zack.
"It's called 'Heaven's Special'."
Zack took it warily, wondering if he should be stopping this, but then took a sip. His eyes widened in surprise, "Hey this is pretty good."
Cloud smirked at his reaction and chugged back his drink in one shallow gulp.
"Hey, go easy! This stuff is pretty strong!"
"Want another one?"
Zack took the glass from the boy's hand and set it on the counter, "I think that is enough for you."
Cloud looked at him amused, but allowed Zack to take the glass, then walked over to the couch and flopped down facing the back of the couch.
"I'll take the couch, if that is all right."
Zack walked over and stood over the still figure of the boy.
He frowned, "No, Cloud you go ahead and take the bedroom, I take the couch."
The couch was near the door and there was no way Zack was going to take a chance with letting him sneak out. He was now just beginning to understand Cloud and his behaviour, and what the kid needed and it was not being allowed to go off on his own.
Cloud turned over and Zack did not miss the irritated look that crossed his face before it disappeared.
"What? Why?"
"You are my guest. Just watch out and don't trip over the clothes on the floor. I haven't done laundry yet this week."
Cloud starred at him and Zack wondered if he was going to have to physical pick him up and lock him in the room, but then he stood up and walked over to the doors that lead off the living and kitchen area.
Without even saying goodnight the door closed up and Zack sighed. This was going to be a long night.
Rain stumbled her way over to the bed and sat down.
She had been surprised by the outer condition of the apartment, which was neat and well put together. This room though seemed more suited to Zack's character. It was a mess! No, more like it had exploded! Clothes were handing off of everything, even off the ceiling from the light fixtures. She looked around glad for the distraction, but all too soon the pain returned in waves that made her gasp.
She had known the pain, guilt and agony Cloud had felt when he had lost Zack, but to actually experience such a loss for herself! It brought a whole new level of rawness and torture to the memory. For that was just what it was a memory. Zack was alive now, sleeping in the next room. Rush was dead and would not be coming back. He was gone!
Suddenly the agony felt too strong and she had to move! Had to do something to get rid of this anger, this pain!
Picking up a black jacket she found on Zack's floor that looked relatively clean. She pulled it over her tattered cadet uniform.
Quietly she opened the door. It was dark now in the outer room and Rain took that as a sign that Zack was asleep.
Softly she treaded across the floor, toward the front door. Just as she grasped the door handle, a lamp came on, on the far side of the room where Zack sat in an armchair.
"Where are you going, Cloud?" Zack's voice was void, expressionless sounding so unlike Zack.
She didn't move away from the door, "Out!"
"It's too late to train; besides you're not allowed to train at that level alone."
"Who said I was going to train? I could just be going for a walk."
Zack stood, "Because I know you Cloud, or people like you and how they react to pain."
Rain winced to think who that person was. Part of her didn't want to think she had any similarities to the silver haired General, but then part of her remembered what kind of person he was now and the statement could be taken as a compliment. Still she challenged it.
"And how do people like me react to pain, Officer Fair?"
Zack didn't even blink at the formal term, though it hurt him. He desperately wanted to be Cloud's friend right now, but knew right now he needed to be his superior.
"You look for a fight, something to release your pain upon."
Zack was shocked at the glare he received.
"And I would have had my release if you hadn't dragged me up here." The words were spat at him.
"You weren't going to return to the barricades." Zack was curious, "Where were you going to go?"
Cloud's eyes flashed and Zack saw the trace of mako began to stir within the blue depths.
"I would have volunteered for an extra patrol duty and found some dirt bag in the lower plate to beat the crap out of."
Zack sighed, "It would have done you no good. He wouldn't have given you a good fight. You couldn't have gone full out on him."
Cloud raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and who do you suggest then?"
Zack spread his arms and grinned, "Me."
He watched as Cloud's eyes widened in surprise, "Come on Cloud, I'm here right here, right now. You don't have to go easy on me, but know..." Zack eyes briefly showed a little of the pain and anger he himself was feeling, "I won't go easy on you either. Rush was my friend too."
Rain shook her head, "I won't fight you Zack. I have no reason too."
Mako suddenly lit Zack's eyes, "Then I'll give you a reason."
Before Rain could blink Zack suddenly lunged forward. His fist crashing across Rain's face, making her flying backwards against the door.
She raised a hand to her throbbing cheek, shocked.
"You hit me!"
Her shock quickly turning to anger, "You hit me!!"
With a scream of fury, Rain lunged at him. Lashing out with first one fist and then another. Zack dodged both easily, but not the foot to the stomach. He landed on his back on the coffee table and the glass top shattered under his weight.
Not giving him time to get to his feet again. Rain was on top of him slamming her fists down on his face again and again, not really doing any real harm. Zack's arms were crossed protectively in front of his face, blocking most of it.
Zack bucked his hips up sharply and to the side, throwing her to the floor.
She rolled to the feet not even bothering to catch her breath. She attacked him again, hitting and kicking with deadly force, but she wasn't the only one throwing punches now.
Zack too was attacking with a speed and strength only found in SOLIDER. It forced her to withdraw many of her attacks and form a defence.
Green eyes watched from the reclusive shadows of the kitchen. As the two continued to pound and throw each other around the living area, crashing into furniture and walls. It was only when Zack had Strife pinned against the wall that the first words were spoken.
"He shouldn't have had to die!" The words were soft. A whisper, but Sephiroth heard them as clear as day.
Zack was suddenly flying back, but this time managed to regain his feet without falling.
Strife's face was an expression of pure anguish and he screamed.
"They were kids! Stupid, cowardly kids! Who had never even shot at anything alive no less killed anyone. They shouldn't have been out there!"
Sephiroth felt a sharp pang at the words. Though he knew the cadet hadn't directed the words at him, it still struck him hard. He had not been there to protect his men, and only one had made it out. That shouldn't have happened. Not with both him and Zack on the mission.
He was surprised at Strife's next words.
"I should have saved them."
Zack immediately replied softly, "You couldn't have known what was going to happen, Cloud."
"But I should have!" Strife shouted angrily and for the first time since the cadet's death a hint of a tear appeared in the Strife's eyes.
"I hesitated! I held back until it was too late! If I had acted earlier, if I didn't expect them to act like troops instead of boys... blast it! They couldn't even comprehend a simple command like take cover. Three of them died right there, because of it."
Sephiroth saw Zack wince, and Strife moved forward until he was standing in front of Zack again, fists flying.
"I...should... have... saved... him!" His words were emphasized with a punch following each one.
But what concerned Sephiroth was Zack was doing nothing to stop them. Just let each one hit with a sickening sound against his face.
Sephiroth was about to step out when he noticed the punches were getting weaker and weaker and were falling from Zack's face to his chest, before stopping altogether.
Cloud suddenly backed away from Zack frantically. Obviously horrified at what he had just done and Zack had to admit, it hurt! Cloud had not pulled his punches, and his face was throbbing, but Zack's concern was hardly for himself, especially when Cloud let a wail and fell to his knees.
He glanced over where he knew Sephiroth waited in the shadows and nodded reassuringly. He then walked over to Cloud who now made not a sound. Only the slight shaking of his shoulders gave away the fact that he was crying.
Sitting down beside him, Zack put his arm around the boy's shoulder and pulled his head into his chest and Zack couldn't stop his own tears as they both mourned for a friend.
A while later Zack collapsed onto the couch. Cloud had finally cried himself to sleep and Zack had moved him into the bedroom. The kid was exhausted and would probably sleep until the afternoon. It was already late and the sun would probably rise within the hour.
As he sat down he felt the shadows move and Sephiroth sat beside him. They sat in silence before the General asked, "Will he be all right?"
Zack signed and tilted his head back, "Ya, it will be tough though. Rush was the only friend Cloud had here."
Sephiroth nodded. It was true the small boy was the only one Sephiroth ever saw Strife hang around.
Zack rubbed his face painfully, "But he's strong. He'll make it, now that he has started to grieve."
Sephiroth was suddenly curious, "Who was the person you compared Strife too before?"
Zack looked over at him and smiled, "You."
Zack actually laughed at Sephiroth's expression.
"You two are more alike then you realize. I bet you would get along really well if you could just get him to relax around you."
"That won't happen as long as he is hiding something."
Zack nodded thoughtfully, "Another thing you both have in common. You like to hide things that are important. You do it so easily that you don't even realizing you are doing it most of the time, but you hate it when other people do it. You don't like being around people you can't figure out. That's probably the reason why you can relax around me. I'm an open book. Don't think I am unaware of it."
Despite Zack's lack of attention span, he could be quite observant when he wanted to be.
Sephiroth starred at his friend who now had his head tilted back and eyes closed. Zack looked worn-out, tired, hurt and sad.
"I am sorry Zack."
Zack didn't even open his eyes, "I know you are."
Sephiroth raised an eyebrow in surprise and Zack open his eyes, his voice unnaturally quite. "Don't think I didn't hear your heart stop when Cloud said they shouldn't have had to die. Right before he blamed himself."
A pause, "Cloud doesn't blame you, nor do I. I was there too Seph. You take too much on your shoulders."
Sephiroth nodded his head in acknowledgment part of him relived. He didn't think he could stand it if Zack turned against him.
Zack leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.
"What are you going to do now about Cloud? I know you saw those monster's bodies, Rush was in no condition to help. He did that alone and without a blade or ammo. Only three were shot, and even those ones were head shots. Markson was right. The boy does fight like a SOLIDER."
Sephiroth was silent for a moment, then got up and started for the door, "We'll give him a week to deal with the loss of his friend, before we confront him. After that I will have answers Zackary."
Zack fully stretched on the couch with a groan. Somehow he was going to have to get Cloud to come clean before that. It wouldn't go well for him if Sephiroth had to drag it out of him, which would happen. Zack actually had been impressed Sephiroth had held off this long. Now to come up with a plan!
"Don't plan, Zack. You need to rest, you look horrible." Sephiroth's voice came from the open doorway, where he had paused.
"Leave Strife to me."
Zack sat up. Okay now he really needed to come up with a plan!
Sephiroth starred down at Markson who was looking at him in distain.
He didn't mind killing in the midst of battle, against an opponent with a weapon, but he hated performing these executions.
Shinra had not delayed long before handing out Markson's sentence. The night had not even passed before the order for Markson's death appeared on Sephiroth's desk.
Normally unless they were on the battlefield, Sephiroth didn't perform executions himself. Turks usually handled integrations and executions, but this man had once been a SOLIDER and Sephiroth handled issues regarding his SOLIDERS personally.
SOLIDERS were a small elite group. They looked after each other and handled problems among each other themselves, rather than let anyone in.
"Markson, for deserting Shinra and you position in the midst of battle and for crimes against the public people your sentence is death."
Sephiroth spoke the words without emotion.
Markson's lips tuned up in a sneer, "And they sent you General as my executer. I'm honoured, but tell me something. Once you're done carrying out justice on me are you going to do the same to Shinra? After all I have done no crimes, which they have not also committed.
Sephiroth didn't say anything and Markson took his silence as denial.
His voice grew angry and insistent, "Tell me something I have done that Shinra hasn't done already? The Tyrants have no alliance, no interest besides its own in mind, but Shinra is no different. I killed innocent people I admit that, but so does Shinra. On a much larger scale then I ever have, with this war they started. Tell what right do they have to judge me?"
"They do not. I do." Sephiroth finally spoke, "You were once a SOLIDER. My SOLIDER and you have disgraced us with your actions."
"And by serving your own justice you do what Shinra ordered you to do. You really are just a dog of the military." The condemned man hissed.
A sword suddenly dropped at Markson's feet. He looked at Sephiroth in surprise.
"Pick up the blade; I will give you one last chance."
Markson slowly picked up the blade his eyes never leaving Sephiroth's face. Then he charged! His blade hitting the General's only once before Masamune tore his chest open.
Markson eyes widen in surprise and Sephiroth kept him on his feet, grasping one shoulder as the man gasped spitefully, "Dog of the military." before slumping dead against the general.
Sephiroth removed Masamune, letting the body drop to the floor. He looked down at it angrily, yet not without sympathy.
Dog of the military, not likely! If Markson had refused to pick up the blade Sephiroth would have let him live. Not without a punishment that would have made him wish he was dead, but Sephiroth knew that would not happen.
There was only one way to stop eyes so filled with hate and blood, but Sephiroth drew comfort in the fact that in some way he had made his own decision regarding his SOLIDER. Even if the outcome was what Shinra had wanted.
Rain ran down the hallway, she was late for class again! Not that it was her fault; the officer at simulations had kept her longer than the others. Not that her materia instructor would believe that.
She was back to taking the deserted hallways again. Things had gotten worse since her return to regular class three days ago. She had been moved to a different squadron and if she thought her formal teammates were bad, these were just downright hostile.
They hadn't laid a hand on her yet; something about being the only cadet to survive her squadron's massacre made her a taboo to human touch, at least for right now. There were other ways they showed their hostility though; she had been in trouble with the officers none stop due to their antics.
Her body suddenly stopped on its own accord and she looked down. This was the exact corner where she had first saved Rush from their fellow cadets in what seemed a life time ago rather than just a month.
She never thought she would miss someone's presence she had known such a short time so much, but with one's absence another seemed determined to fill its place.
Zack had been around her constantly in between classes, never leaving her a moment to herself in her free time. He would suddenly appear out of the hallway draping one lazy arm across her shoulder insisting on doing something, whether it coming up to his apartment for a movie or going out into the city. At times it was hard to believe Zack was in his mid twenties and not the teenager he acted like.
She was glad for it though and welcomed the company and distraction. Rain could still remembered Zack's face when he had ambushed her in the hallway wanting to take her out to a certain bar he knew and she had accepted without any augment.
She had enjoyed being in the familiar surroundings of a tavern. She could almost imagine Tifa behind the bar of Seventh Heaven. Though in this life Tifa had not become a bartender she could still make a mean drink and the birth of her famous Heaven's Special had still been born.
In all their time together Rain couldn't help feel Zack was pushing in his gentle way for something.
Rain was jerked out of her trance like state by the sound of voices further down the hall. Crap the custodians were here already! That meant she had wasted fifteen minutes starting at the floor! She was so dead!
Taking off at a sprint she arrived at the training matt a minute later.
She came to an abrupt halt. Everyone else was in a straight line going through drills, and there was no way she could sneak in unnoticed. Hurriedly she made her way to the end of the line getting into the rhythm of doing as many squats in as the time allowed.
"Cadet Strife!"
The office's bellow hurt her ears, and she had to bite her lip to keep from retorting. She had been on particular emotional roller coaster lately so her self control was not at her strongest. Never the less she bit her tongue and stepped forward. She had arrived late after all.
The officer strode up to her and looked down at her in irritation, "This is the second time you have been late to my class this week, Strife."
"Sorry sir!" She gave the correct response, but didn't put any feeling into it. It would have been wasted anyway and she didn't have enough energy to afford wasting it on this dooshbag.
The officer sneered, "Well, cadet since you obviously have no desire to show up on time, I don't want you in my class. You will run an errand for me instead."
An errand?
He walked over to the corner of the room, when he turned around he had a folder in his hand. He threw it at her chest and Rain's quick hand kept it from dropping to the floor, though she was tempted.
"Deliver that file to the labs on the lower floor."
He had already turned his back so he missed the expression of Rain's face. The labs! She could already feel her heart beating in an unusual rhythm. She could barely walk into the infirmary without hyperventilating, no less go into the actually medical labs and she wasn't the only one.
All the cadets stayed away from that level. None really believing the stories that circulated in the army, but no one willing to prove them wrong, even the officers hesitated going to that level.
Obviously this guy thought he could just hand that off on her, unlikely!
"Sorry, sir I can't."
The whole room went silent and the officer froze before slowly turning around.
"What did you say? You can't? I don't see anything wrong with your legs, besides the fact they are a little slow on getting to places on time. That will hardly affect you here, there is no deadline so you would be pretty hard pressed to screw it. In fact I don't want to see your face back here today, Strife. You'll have to hope you can catch up on today's lesson later. Now get going cadet!"
Rain still didn't move.
The officer narrowed his eyes, "I will have to take it you mean you 'won't' and if that is the case I need to report your behaviour to the General, Strife. Do you think that wise? Your behaviour is already being monitored."
Rain turned and slowly moved out, resisting the urge to smash that smug look that crossed the officer's face. It wasn't that he had won, she just couldn't risk meeting the General like this, unguarded.
Zack, she could trust Sephiroth...she didn't know where her feelings regarding that man came into play. She'd have to risk going down to the labs.
In and out! In and out! She told herself. They'll probably have a front desk and I can drop this off with the secretary. It's not like it was going to look like the Nibelheim basement down there.
In no way feeling the need to get near the floor any time soon, she abandoned the elevator in favour of the stairs. It would take probably a good hour to get down that many floors, but it would give her the workout she would be missing in class.
All too soon though she reached the floor, stairs after all may not be the quickest means of transport, but they did unfortunately, eventually get you there.
She stood for a moment before the door, which opened out onto the floor. Contemplating going back up the stairs, even from here she could smell that repulsive stench that seemed to frequent every infirmary and lab.
Taking in a deep breath through her mouth, she opened the door and stepped through.
It was dark inside, the central lighting being dim and yellow, the bright, white light being over only certain desired spots, like over counters and...
She froze!
The steel bed frame in the far corner of the room was complete with metal shekels and head restraint. It looked exactly like the one in Cloud's memory that he had grown to hate so much and had caused both him and Zack so much pain.
She took a step back ready to bolt. General or no General there was no way she was staying in this place.
The officer had better hope the file wasn't important because it was going in the trash.
Just as she was about to turn a arrogant voice made her catch her breath!
"You boy, what are you doing down here?"
Rain remained still, telling herself to keep breathing, to remain calm against the suddenly violent urges the man's voice brought to her mind.
She turned her voice amazingly steady, "Just dropping off these files Professor."
The man was just like Cloud remembered him.
Professor Hojo!
AN: Ha, ha been waiting for this meeting for a long time! The next chapter is going to be soo much fun to write! Anyway like I said before hope this chapter was up to your expectations. I know you all were really looking forward to Rain`s emotional meltdown and I tried to make it as dramatic as I could, while still staying true to her character. I mean come on, Rain is like Cloud! She doesn't get all loud and sobbing or at least not in front of a lot of people. Make sure and let me know what you`re thoughts are!