Sorry it took me so long to update. Someone very close to me passed away and it made it very hard for me to sit down and write. So if this chapter is a little off, it's cause I have not written in a long while. I hope to be updating more, I got some ideas for this story. :3

Hope you enjoy~!

Zack tilted his head back against the wall he was leaning against, snapping his phone shut, and stuffing it in he pocket. He had promised the blonde cadet that they would train the whole week before the cadet had to go to camp. He and Cloud had trained many times before, and Cloud always beat him to the training room they always met at. That's why Zack couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He had beat the blonde to the training room, and the other was now thirty minutes late.

The raven pulled out his phone once again, hoping to see a missed call icon on the screen. He had called the other almost three times now, hoping Cloud was just worn out and sleeping in. But when he was met with no missed calls, he knew something was very wrong. Zack stuffed his phone back into the pocket and made his way to the cadet barracks

As Zack stepped out of the elevator, he was surprised by the lack of activity. Normally the barracks were buzzing with energy, manly after the entry exam. He shifted out of the way when a group of cadets walked past him to the elevator. The SOLDIER made his way over into the small lobby that was to the right of the elevator, where multiple chairs and couches were set up. He pulled his phone out once again, checking it quickly be for scowling and putting it away. Still nothing.

Zack sighed as he realized that he had moved before actually thinking through everything once again. He only knew Cloud saying in the barracks, but he had no clue what room number he was in. Plus he didn't have a key card to enter the younger man's room. He lanced over to the elevator, weighing his options of going all they way back up to ask the secretary where the boys room was. The feeling in his stomach made him feel like he didn't have the time for that. He scanned the small lobby, jogging over to a huddle of four cadets that he had seen before.

"Hey!" Zack greeted, smiling warmly as the surprised cadets. The quickly straightened up, standing at attention. Zack laughed, waving his hand dismissively at them. "No need for that. We are just friends down here." The cadets relaxed, nervous smiled crossing their faces.

"What can we help you with, Zack?"

"Would any of you know where Cloud Strife's rooms is? I was going to train with him today but he hasn't shown up. It's not like him." The four murmured amongst themselves.

"He's the one with really spiky blonde hair and is really quite right?" Zack nodded. "Oh, he is in the 400 hallway. His room is at the end of the hallway. 410, I think." The raven haired man smiled at the, thanking them before running off to the young cadets room. He quickly walked down the hallway, scanning the number plates outside the doors until he saw the one he needed. Zack stood for a moment outside the door, fist clenched as his stomach churned in worry. He and Cloud had grown very close over the months they had know each other, and Zack felt a closeness he couldn't explain. The thought of something happening to the younger male made his heart hurt.

Zack took a deep breath before raising his hand and tapping his knuckles on the metal door. He listened closely for any movement. Nothing. He knocked again, this time harder.

"Cloud!? Hey, it's me, Zack!" He yelled, pressing himself against the door this time to try and hear more. After what seemed like a hour, he moved away, fear finally completely taking over. Blue eyes landed on the silver handle that stuck out from the door. Cloud always locked his door, he had started nagging Zack to do the same since the SOLDIER never did. Still he reached a gloved hand out, wrapping it around the metal and pushing down. His eyes widened as the door clicked open.

"Shit…" He took a step in, the door closing behind him. "Could? You here Spike?" Zack called, taking careful steps as he walked into the small living room. No lights were on and it looked like nothing had been moved at all. The sound of a struggled cough caused the man to jump, head snapping to the left. He noticed a door slightly cracked open, a soft light showing through the dark. He quickly made his way over to where the noise had came from, pushing the door open slowly and glancing around the slightly lit room. There he saw the blonde curled up on his bed, his breath coming out in harsh pants. His cheeks were flushed and he was sweating. Zack quickly ripped off the glove from this right hand, pressing the back onto Clouds forehead.

"Damn it… he's burning up! He was fine yesterday…" Zack gently sat on the edge of the bed, his hand resting on Clouds shoulder before he began to shake the other awake. He was still worried since the other seemed to have a fever, but he was happy to see the other still alive.

Cloud let out a raspy groan as his body was shifted, he felt hot and cold all at the same time, and everything hurt. The feeling of something running through his hair calmed him slightly.

"Spiky, you awake?" Cloud blinked his eyes open slightly, his eyes taking longer than usual to focus in the dim room. His breath caught in his throat when his eyes met with Zacks.

"Zack?!" He squeaked out, his cheeks growing more red. He tried to sit up, only to get dizzy and fall back. Zack reached out and caught the other before he hit the bed.

"Hey, calm down." He snickered. "Don't move too much, you're burning up. How do you feel?" The raven asked, gently laying the younger man back down the the bed. Cloud throw his arm over his face, covering his eyes.

"I feel like I'm going to die…" A shiver shot through his body, reminding him that he was only in his pants. "And cold…" Zack smiled at the blonde, standing from the bed and picking up a blanket that had made it to the floor at some point in the others sleep. He tossed it over the others smaller frame, chuckling as he watched the blonde snuggle slightly into the fabric. Zack reached out again, placing his hand on Clouds forehead once /

"I'm going to run a get you some med's, alright? While I'm out you take a shower and change. Those are your uniform pants, so I bet they aren't that comfortable. I'll be back in five seconds!" Cloud lifted his arm slightly from his eyes, looking at the older man. He let out a sigh before nodding, slowly lifting himself up. Cloud reached over to his nightstand and grab the key card that he had placed there the night before.

"Here, so you can get back in…" Zack smiled, taking the card and heading out. Cloud flung his legs over the edge, and stood, only to lightly kick something. He felt his heart froze and quickly reached down and grabbed the syringe from the day before. Memories started to flood his mind. Was this the reason he was sick? He opened the drawer on the nightstand, tossing the syringe in before slamming it shut. He was just glad that Zack didn't see that. He really didn't want to have to explain everything to his friends and get him dragged in. He made his way to the shower that was attached to his room, grabbing a pair of sweatpants before locking the door. He hopped Zack came back soon.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X

Zack stepped out of the elevator the quickly, making his way up to the receptionist. She shot him a look before letting out a sigh, setting her pen down.

"Can I help you?"

"I need some medication for a friend, he got sick over night." He dug out his ID card. When you finally made it up to SOLDIER you were allowed to get medication without any trouble. The receptionist looked it over before handing it back.

"Go ahead back to the doctor. Tell him what you need." Zack shot her a smile before walking back to where the doctors office was. He knocked, waiting until he heard the man on the other side to come in. He pushed the door open and was greeted by a older looking man with long black hair and glasses. He wasn't the normal doctor. The man pushed his glasses up before leaning forward on the desk that was in front of him.

"I'm Professor Hojo. I'm standing in for the doctor while she is doing so tests. How can I help you?" He asked in a flat tone. Zack shifted as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I'm I need some medication for a friend. He is running a fever and coughing." Hojo nodded before looking truing around and looking through the many shelves stocked with medicine.

"And who is this for?"

"Cloud Strife. He is a cadet." Hojo halted for a minute, before grabbing two pill bottles from the shelf. A smile creeped up on his lips as he put them into a small back and handed them to the SOLDIER.

"Ah, I have seen him before. You must be Zack. Do take care of the boy, I can see him doing great things in the future. Tell him to come see me if he need more. But the illness should pass in about 24 hours." Zack let out a nervous laugh before taking the bag and heading for the door. He didn't like the fact that Cloud had been around him, but he really could do anything about it.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X

Cloud looked up from where he was lying when he heard the door to his room open. He gave a weak smile to the other when he was handed a small bag."Thanks you, Zack. You really didn't have to do all this." Zack waved him off going to the small refrigerator Cloud had and grabbed a water. Cloud read the bottles, and grabbed the right amount of each one. He thanked Zack again before taking the medication and laying back down. Cloud let out a yelp as he was shoved over, looking over in shock as Zack flopped down on the bed next to him.

"Zack? What are you doing?" He asked, sitting up slightly to look at his friend better.

"You need someone to watch after you, besides it's late and I don't feel like going all the way back up to my room. So i'm just going to crash here." Cloud felt his face heat up. He opened his mouth to argue but knew once Zack decided on something there was no hope in changing. He lied back down. Zack watched as within minutes the cadet was asleep. The moment he had stepped out of the doctors office, he felt something was wrong. He would protect Cloud no matter what. He shut his eyes before drifting off to sleep himself.