Silmeria - This idea has been sitting in the barn for a while and why not give it a try and see how you guys like it?

Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII

Chapter Three - The Day of the Apprentice

Ifalna tutted lightly, reaching over and placing a weathered hand over Cloud's to stop him from pouring the hot mixture into the bowl. "Nay, my love, that part comes next to last or else the potion will turn into a sleeping drought. Do you remember your reading?"

Cloud nodded, his cheeks turning red at the slip before lowering his head to the large tome. "Yes madam, the passion flower comes next to last when creating healing potions, but due to its calming effect, it can also be used for sleeping droughts." Cloud leaned back, his lips tight at his mistake. "My apologies, madam, I almost ruined it."

Ifalna shook her head, her tied braid swaying with the movement. "You don't need to apologize for every little mistake, Cloud. You are an apprentice and you are allowed a certain number of mistakes. We have plenty herbs and teas to practice upon, but it is when you actually start to gain a clientele that we start to worry whether or not that you know that lavender is used to calm ones nerves before bed and Valerian is used as a sedative. As your training increases, you will have to take extra care when learning what is what and who is for who."

"Yes madam." Cloud murmured before resuming his stirring, as Ifalna resumed her work, her humming echoing throughout the hallow workshop. They had been mixing, boiling, chopping, pressing, and boxing for hours and Cloud felt weary but he complained little, grateful that he had a full stomach and a roof over his head for the long winter. It had been a month now since he started staying with the Faremis' and the grief of his parents death was little more than ache and he worried if he got over their deaths too quickly, but Ifalna laid his worries to rest, stating that grief takes different forms and some healed quicker than others. Cloud was grateful, no longer thinking that his emotions were wrong that his heartache was nothing more than a little ache in his chest now and again.

Regardless, his parents were missed and held on to their images in his mind and was worried that he would forget his father's booming voice, his mother's soft smile. Cloud shook his head, setting the mortar and pestle down when the door's bell tinkled and the smell of sandalwood and roses drifted up his nose. He looked up, his normal, cheerful greeting on the tip of his tongue when it failed as Zachary's violet eyes fell upon his own. The man stood at the counter with a small, predatory smile that reached his eyes and Cloud couldn't help but flush at the sight of it. Weeks had passed since the incident, and Cloud did not expect to see Lord Fair again, but here was, in all his pristine glory, but he was not here alone.

"What a quaint little apothecary." a light, sugary voice stated forcing Cloud to approach the counter and see a red-headed woman wearing a deep green cloak and looking around with a small smile. "The ones in Junon are a bit larger, but don't have a warm feel to it like this one does."

"I am glad that you like it, m'lady. My madam owns it along with her daughter." Cloud kept his eyes on the woman as she continued looking around, picking up bottles before setting them down. "Is there anything that caught your interest, m'lady?"

"Not particularly." the woman joined them at the counter, placing her arms around Zack and Cloud didn't miss the quick frown that was thrown for the action. Interesting. "Lord Fair wanted to visit, but he hasn't told me what ails him."

"I have been trouble sleeping, Lady Cissnei." Zack patted the woman on the shoulder as she wandered off again allowing Zack to turn back to him with a small smile and darkened eyes. "I don't have a beautiful Omega to warm my sheets."

Cloud stood shock still at the counter, his face burning as Zack scanned his face, that smile still present. He didn't-the man didn't speak Nibel, did he? The man couldn't have possibly know his native language.

Could he?

"Y-you know my native language?" Cloud tried cautiously, almost twitching in excitement when Zack nodded his head, his own lavender eyes bright with amusement. "How? I mean, what use would it be for you to learn it?"

"We're having this conversation, aren't we?" Zack smiled melted into a grin as he watched Cloud's cheeks becoming a rather endearing red. "I think it's worth it if it means that I can talk to you without interruption." Zack leaned closer, his eyes darkening further underneath the dull lighting of the room. "I think it's soothing to have another that can speak your language, right?"

"Of course. It can also mean that you can seduce me without others knowledge." Cloud smiled, smug when Zack let out an amused snort before pulling back and grinning in Cissnei's direction whom had taken to having a quiet conversation with Ifalna, but their fun came to abrupt halt when the door opened and Aerith appeared with a smile that froze when she noticed Cloud and Zack's closeness.

"Visitors." Aerith approached her mother and Cissnei, her smile sharp and her eyes even more so. "My name is Aerith. Aerith Faremis, it is a pleasure to meet you...?"

"Lady Cissnei Shinra of Junon, Cousin to Alpha Rufus Shinra of Junon." Cissnei smiled when Aerith was quick to curtsey. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss. Aerith. Your mother is wonderful and so kind for taking Cloud in."

"Yes." Aerith turned her attention to Zack who wanted to shrink under her attention, but stood tall, blocking Cloud from her sharp gaze. "It seems that he and Lord Zachary have become fast friends." she curtseyed in Zack's direction, the movement mocking and made the hairs on the back of Zack's neck rise in irritation. What a little minx Aerith could be when she was angered.

"It is good that a man of Zack's station to be friendly towards the common folk. It helps to have many on your side should the need to have allies arise." Cissnei looked at the clock, her frown marring her beautiful features. "My apologies, but we must return home, we promised a late lunch with the council. Zack?"

A flash of disappointment crossed Zack's face, but it was gone quick as it had appeared. With a quick bow in the direction of the ladies, Zack turned on his heel and moved towards Cissnei, holding out an arm for her to take before acknowledging Aerith and Ifalna again.

"Good day to you ladies. I will visit again soon."

"Good Day, My Lord and Lady." Aerith and Ifalna murmured, bowing their heads with small, tight smiles in Cloud's direction to which he was quick to bow his head to not only hide his disappointment, but his flushed cheeks as well.

"Good Day to you, My Lord and Lady." Cloud intoned, keeping his head bowed, almost jerking in surprise when Zack approached again, placing a gloved hand on the counter that separated them more than just physically.

"You are in the beginnings of becoming an intelligent healer, Cloud. Best of luck to you."

Cloud raised his eyes, peaking at Zack from underneath his bangs and gave the lord a small, but tentative smile. "My Lord is very kind. I will continue to do my best and serve Madam Faremis to the best of my abilities."

"See that you do." Zack leaned in a bit closer. "You should raise your head more often. I feel my day won't be complete without seeing those beautiful eyes and smile. Until we next meet, Cloud."

"Until we next we meet, Lord Fair."

Zack grinned, a pleased look gleaming in his eyes as he turned, gathered Cissnei on his arm, and gave the ladies of the house one last murmur of farewell before leaving the store, and its occupants and apparently, Cloud under Aerith's chiding wrath.

"Mother." Aerith began, exasperated as soon as she was sure that Zack and Cissnei was out of earshot. "I told you to keep them separated."

"Oh, dear, it's just harmless flirting." Ifalna winked in Cloud's direction. "I am sure that Cloud knows that it's just harmless fun, right, Cloud?"

"Of course." Cloud smiled, ignoring the pang in his heart at the thought. He wondered, was it really that bad or impossible for an Alpha of Zack's status to look in his direction? He understood that his bloodline was poor and his lineage all but non-exsistant, but surely there were nobles that fell in love with a common woman and man? Surely, the man or woman couldn't care less?

Or, maybe, Cloud was just being a sentimental fool.

"I did not mean to make you upset." Ifalna murmured, startling him as she placed a hand on top of his own. "But, darling, you must understand that what your heart wants is not what the Goddess will adhere to, you understand? Reality is a harsh mistress and even if you and Zack wanted it, the world will not bow to your desires. There are those who will destroy you in order to preserve his line."

"There are those who are even more cruel than the Nobles of Nibelheim." Cloud paled at Aerith's murmured words before nodding his head, ignoring how his heart skipped a beat and sunk at what was lost. He was a commoner and Zack was a Lord.

It was horrifying that such a simple thing interfered with happiness.

"What a wonderful Apothecary." Cissnei murmured, her lips pulled into a smile from underneath her hood. "I would like to visit again." she tugged on Zack's own cloaked arm when the man didn't respond. "Is something the matter? Am I boring you?"

"No." Zack responded, giving the woman a charming smile. "Not at all. Yes, the Faremis Apothecary is one of Midgar's best and I visit often."

"Because you are often ill?"

"Well," Zack grew sheepish when Cissnei gave him a strange look. "It is because they are good people. Ifalna is a good woman, she reminds me of my mother."

"Oh, and Miss Aerith? Whom does she remind you of?"

"A sister that the Goddess never blessed me with, I'm afraid." Zack smiled, albeit sadly which caused Cissnei to flush with shame at having being caught. It was good for her, Zack thought with a bit of cynicism, that she judged him far too quickly.

For it wasn't Aerith that he had his gaze on.

The smell that he had tried so hard to rid himself of was back in full swing, clogging his nose and causing his muscles to relax which was dangerous considering the area they had frequented, but Zack was too far gone to care.

He had spoken to Cloud. An actual conversation.

Zack was on a high that he never wanted to come down from.

The Omega was just as beautiful as he remembered with blonde hair bright as the sun and eyes blue as the sea. He wanted to run his hands through that soft hair and kiss those equally soft lips.

"Are you listening, Lord Fair?" Cissnei teased, her sweet voice drawing him back from his daydream. "Or, were you daydreaming?"

"My apologies." Zack raised up a hand to block the sudden burst of sun that came down on them. "I have a lot on my mind and I'm afraid that I am not the best company. My apologies once again, Lady Cissnei."

"That is quite alright." Cissnei smiled, the motion thoughtful as they continued along the crowded path. "What was that man's name again? The one standing at the counter?"

"It was Cloud, I believe." Zack responded smoothly. "Why do you ask, my lady?"

Cissnei smiled, the motion smooth as water and Zack was suddenly very wary. "He's quite beautiful is he not? And yet, he smelled of the forest, a smell that I'm not too agreeable with, yes?"

Zack clenched his jaw at the insult. Obviously the woman's nose needed fixing. Cloud didn't smell of forest. He smelled- Zack came to a stop, drawing a soft gasp from Cissnei who gave him a concerned look.

"Lord Fair? Did I say something wrong-?"

"No." Zack murmured, a thought entering his mind that he found impossible, and yet, completely plausible and wonderful all at once. Surely, that sweet, sweet Omega couldn't be his soul mate?

Could he?

"Come." Zack urged gently, guiding Cissnei towards the carriage that waited at the end of the road. If he could rush home then he would be able to catch Nanaki, the Archivist, before it was too late. "Let us head back to the manor for tea before dinner, shall we? Or, is there somewhere else you would like to go?"

Please say no, damned woman.

"No." Cissnei responded, blessing him with his wanted response. "I am here for the week and we can explore more of the city at a later day. The walk and visits to the shops have exhausted me. Please, let us return."

Zack's lips curved, an excited light entering his eyes at thought of finding the answer to his question-of whether or not Cloud was his soul mate. He couldn't wait.

"Of course." Zack murmured. "Let us return."