Once More, With Feeling... – Chapter 19: Mission Somewhat Possible

Summary: It helps to have a cyborg from the future on your side, Cloud starts phase one of his past-altering plans!

Author: Illusor Meaneld

Rated T: for Descriptive violence and injuries, No Adult Situations, No Cussing.

Disclaimer: I did not create, and do not own the characters from Final Fantasy 7, They are owned by Square-Enix, and I am simply borrowing them for my own (and hopefully your) enjoyment.

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As Cloud made his way back inside the Shinra building, his entire demeanor changed. He knew the access codes he had used could not be traced. He had changed clothing in the bathroom of a small restaurant, one that he knew was out of the way and laxly managed, no one had noticed the stranger who emerged from the single room instead. The carefully prepared equipment ended up in his pockets, while his 'change of clothing' was stashed in a back corner of the same restaurant's storage room. He had gone in a scrawny blonde fourteen year old in casual clothing. He had exited a non-descript janitor. Messy brown hair covered his face and the dark blue faded coveralls he'd picked up at a resale store, covered his entire body, heavy leather work-gloves, and the cheap sneakers were the final touches. During the week Cloud had slowly made himself two fake Shinra Identification tags, not the keycards that would get him around, he had the access codes provided to him for that by Shelke herself (before he went back in time), but just picture ID's … they wouldn't hold up under scrutiny, but Cloud didn't expect to get any of that if he did this right. Once inside the building, Cloud made his way intently to one of the Janitorial closets, picking up the rolling trash-can he'd made sure would be inside, along with a number of towels and other amenities draped over the handles.

He wheeled the trashcan through the halls, just like the real janitors did. With no urgency, but a simple sense of boredom, rattling door handles as he passed to ensure they were locked. It didn't take him too long to make his way to the Science department. He had already mentally mapped the route, and knew exactly where all of the video cameras lay, and exactly when all REAL cleaning crew passed by. There were in fact cameras right outside the Science Department doors, most people didn't understand that they were there to figure out which experiments escaped when they did. Regardless, Cloud knew of those too, and he also knew where their blind spots were.

Casually Cloud wheeled the trash can down the hallway, never looking up or around, he only paused to stretch and turn, tucking himself and the trash-can out of view of the camera's and tucked into a corner a few yards from his destination, right next to an office door. Cloud moved quickly, removing his 'coverall' and carefully folding it up inside the trashcan itself, inside the all encompassing outfit he had hidden a lab coat. In his pocket was a comb and mirror, which he used hastily and carefully. Under the leather gloves he had already been wearing latex ones. Perfect for entering codes without leaving prints, and something half the scientists around here wore anyways. Low-heeled shoes weren't completely comfortable, but Cloud knew how to manage them. He continued down the hallway as a bespectacled, absent-minded looking, young female scientist. The second fake ID card Cloud had contrived very carefully snapped into place, a clipboard held loosely under one arm. The wig was double-checked for its stability. Long brown hair tucked up in a bun, with just a few strands loose completing his look.

Cloud walked intently, now his stride had purpose. Once inside the doors of the Science Department Cloud relaxed, there were no recording devices in here, at least not any that would be active at this time. Hojo forbid security cameras in his domain. Shelke's memory had been fuzzy as to where she'd been held within the building after her capture, but Cloud knew exactly what he was doing. He walked up to one of the many computers; accessing it easily with some of the codes he'd been provided. It only took Cloud a second to find Shelke's files, they were in the "hidden" Project Deep Ground folders Cloud pulled up almost absently. He scanned the information carefully, and after a moment simply nodded. He had two discs in his pocket, on the first, he saved every single piece of information he thought might be pertinent, then in went the second. He'd recorded this code pain-stakingly, Shelke had spent nearly a day making certain he'd memorized it down to the exact punctuation marks. Now he grinned as the complex virus rooted itself in the system. That one would set Hojo back for weeks!

Cloud continued on through the labs, accessing secret doors without hesitation, and within a matter of minutes he located his target. Thankfully they hadn't finished construction on the "underground" laboratories just yet. So Shelke was being held in a small room in a hidden off-shoot from the main labs. The small nine-year old child did not look up when Cloud walked in.

"Shelke?" Cloud called quietly, the brunette blinked, glowing blue eyes slowly rising. Cloud quietly cursed, she'd already had Mako injections! She stared at him blankly, for several moments she did nothing, finally she frowned.

"You're new."

"Yes…" Cloud did not have to try and alter his tone, he hadn't quite hit his voice changing yet. "Shelke, I have a few questions for you."

The girl before him, sitting as she was on the floor beside the white-sheeted cot, sighed in resignation. "Ask them."

"How long have you been here?"

Shelke frowned again, "I don't know."

Crap. "Where did you come from?"

"I…. I don't…" the child's face scrunched in distress, "I don't know."

Cloud couldn't stifle his sigh. Hojo certainly hadn't wasted any time! He tried not to feel guilty, there wasn't anything he could have done! It was a stroke of luck as it was that Reno had insisted on his little 'sleepover' thing. Originally Cloud hadn't thought he'd get this kind of opportunity until he'd gotten his SOLDIER Internship, … or perhaps not even until he'd made SOLDIER itself. He shuddered at the thought of the poor child in Hojo's clutches for months longer, … well, he was here now, so he was going to start making things right.

Cloud bent down carefully, "Shelke, you may not remember, but I know who you are. I need you to come with me alright? I promise they won't do anymore painful tests on you."

Glowing blue eyes blinked a few times, and finally a shy smile spread across the little girl's face. Cloud answered it with one of his own.

"C'mon, let's go." He grabbed her hand gently and picked her up. Even for his small teenage body she was light. He had no trouble carrying her to the pile of empty boxes he knew they kept in the back. He kicked loose a particularly large one and set her gently next to it. "Shelke?"

"Yes?" Her eyes were locked on Cloud in wonder, as if she expected this to be a dream.

"Can you curl up inside this box?"

Glancing down at the cardboard case in question, her forehead wrinkled in thought, "Probably."

"Could you try?"

With a brief nod the girl carefully climbed into the box, after much shuffling and readjusting she was inside enough for Cloud to close the flaps.

"Just try to be quiet alright? It might be a bit bumpy, but I won't drop you, I promise to take care of you okay?"

Shelke nodded, and stilled. She had been in the labs long enough to learn obedience. Carrying the box was a bit more awkward, and Cloud had to cautiously adjust his hold a few times before he settled his balance. He took one deep breath, held it, and sighed. The impassive mask dropped over his face once more and he strode from the room. It wasn't too far from Shelke's hidden room to the door he had entered through, but his arms were burning by the time he stepped outside of the Science department. He walked as sedately as he could with his load until he reached the alcove where he'd stashed his stuff. As gently as he possibly could, Cloud lowered the box into the trashcan, making absolutely certain it was kept upright, he had disguised the can before so it looked full, now he had the box underneath the garbage 'props' he'd assembled. Complete with heavy plastic bag around the edges.

"Can you breath okay?" Cloud whispered softly, thankfully the security cameras weren't sophisticated enough yet to receive sound.

"Yeah." He heard the muffled reply. "Where are we going?"

Cloud couldn't resist a smile, "We're going outside. Just be quiet a little bit longer."

She did not answer again, but quickly hushed, not even wriggling in her tight container. Cloud took a few moments to adjust his appearance, the hair came down and was thoroughly mussed, his blue coveralls replaced. Within moments he was a male janitor once again. His senses were highly attuned and his nerves strung, but Cloud managed to look just as bored walking out as he had coming in.

Once outside the Shinra building, Cloud wasted no time. He changed into a "generic" casual outfit he'd purchased, one different than what he'd worn earlier in the day, the wig remained in place but he pulled the mess into a quick ponytail. Another outfit was withdrawn from its hiding place in his pockets, and he quickly insisted Shelke put it on over her previous clothing. When a "brother and sister" walked down the street hand in hand, no one even spared them a glance.

Cloud took the pedestrian route into the slums, he didn't dare leave any train records despite the many unorthodox codes he had in his possession. It took longer, but it was by far safer. When he reached the bottom of the long stairs, having had to carry Shelke most of the way, he was winded. He paused looking around, the Sector 5 slums were somehow more depressing at night, despite the fact the lighting never changed. This was the one part of his plan he hadn't quite finalized. How was he going to convince Aeris to take in Shelke? He hadn't had a chance to meet up with her and make friends yet!

He heaved a heavy sigh, "I hope Aeris goes for this," He mumbled under his breath, Shelke, who was still quiet in his arms looked up in puzzlement.

"Hope I go for what?" A lilting voice interrupted Cloud's thoughts, the blonde turned slowly, and blinked several times at the bright green eyes, glittering with amusement as they watched him.

"Aeris?" Cloud gaped,

"Took you long enough to say hi." A 15 year old Aeris giggled, "A couple of friends of yours already stopped by… They said you'd be coming."

"What?" A couple of friends of his?? "Who said I'd be coming??"

"Oh come on Cloud," Aeris grinned, walking forward to rest a hand on his arm. "They both said you'd know who I was talking about."

Cloud frowned, pausing only a moment to set Shelke on her feet next to him. They both? … two people? … wait… it couldn't be… "They… They came and talked to you?" Cloud'd eyes were wide, "Wasn't that kinda weird?"

Aeris giggled again, "Meeting myself and her boyfriend? …Maybe…" her brown hair swung around her head as she shook it, finally her bright green eyes settled on Shelke, "So, are you going to introduce me to your friend?"

Shelke's glowing eyes were wide, her gaze flitted to Cloud and back but she said nothing,

"This is Shelke," Cloud explained, he leaned down to his young charge, "Shelke? This is Aeris, feel free to talk to her, she's very nice."

"Flatterer." Aeris smiled, before kneeling before the young girl, "Hello Shelke, it's nice to meet you! Would you like to come see my flowers?"

Shelke's gaze dropped to the ground shyly for a few moments before she nodded, "Yeah… I don't remember what flowers look like."

Aeris' smile became a bit sad as she glanced at Cloud, taking Shelke's hand gently. "We'll just have to remind you then."

"She needs to be kept out of sight." Cloud explained, as he released Shelke, "I was thinking… maybe that you could um…"

"I'm sure my mom would love her to pieces." Aeris grinned,

Cloud blushed, "Yeah that…" Aeris didn't look the same, but she acted just like Cloud remembered; protective, knowledgeable, and wise beyond her years. A few more brief instructions later, and Aeris was shooing him off, reminding him that he couldn't stay gone for too long or he might get in trouble.

"They're watching out for you,… did you know?" The young half-Cetra called behind her as she left. "Keep making them proud."

Cloud smiled, shaking his head, they'd never mentioned that they could communicate with people here. It made him happy and nostalgic to think about it. So they were watching out for him eh? Cloud chuckled as he turned away, jogging back to the stairs connecting the Slums to the upper plate. Well with THEM on his side, he wasn't so worried about the future.

He made it back topside a lot faster, midnight had passed and it was now early morning. The backpack he'd stowed was retrieved, and everything he'd used for his 'mission' was packed into a single plastic garbage bag. Dressed once more in the clothing he'd worn during Reno's hang-out party, Cloud carefully dumped his disguises into a dumpster, peeling off the latex gloves last, a fire materia carefully obtained at a pawn shop made short work of the evidence, and the smoke inside the metal container was barely noticeable. He trotted back to Reno's apartment, locked the door behind himself, carefully replaced the key he'd borrowed and glanced around. Reno was still snoring, having wrapped his arms around a chair-leg and snuggled next to the piece of furniture.

Cloud spent several minutes fixing the room… "Fixing" as in making it as messy as possible, he spilled alcohol on his clothing and on the couches, leaving a couple of slowly dripping bottles on the floor. He ground chips and snacks all over the carpet. Removed couch cushions, knocked over a chair or two, and left the freezer open. Finally he laid himself down on the messy floor, rolled around until he was covered in the mess he'd made and curled up to sleep.

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