#cloud zack

The world stood still. As Cloud soared through the sky, his hands clamped beneath Zack's armpits, he knew he'd left a piece of himself behind - lost somewhere in ShinRa with his dreams of becoming a SOLDIER. He wondered what Soshi might have said.

But I can fly.

Cloud had noticed his back aching as if the muscles had grown ten times too big, but a wing was the last thing that crossed his mind. The aching had peaked on the rooftop, his heart racing in terror, certain a few bullets were about to send him tumbling off the roof. And then it had burst from Cloud's shoulder like a spear, stretching into its true shape in seconds.

It should have shocked him more than it did. In the back of his mind, Cloud wanted to yell, but his instructors had always told him, "When the time comes to panic or take action, to run from the sight of blood or bandage up a severed limb - you'll get the job done. Trust me. Panicking will be the last thing on your mind."

And they were right. Instantly, Cloud had known he could escape.

Midgar spread below them, dusted in morning mist and shimmering with lights in the darker districts. Cloud thought of it like an inverted sky built into the land. Stars among people. If only it felt the same at ground level.

Closing his eyes, Cloud concentrated on his new found strength and the rippling sensation in his back; a rough wave of energy every time his wing beat against the wind-currents. He knew he couldn't go far, not whilst carrying Zack, but for one brilliant moment Cloud considered this a gift.

Zack squirmed in his grip and Cloud felt his arms trembling, fighting to hold on. He opened his eyes and looked down. Zack was failing his legs, staring at the drop below him intensely; as if he believed he might fall the second he glanced away. Cloud tightened his grip, trying to give a reassuring squeeze. Neither of them could speak above the wind, but Cloud wanted to say that he'd never let him fall.

Wind made Cloud's eyes water and chilled his arms, but Midgar was soon behind them and he knew he had the strength to reach one of the mountainous outcroppings. The wasteland proper stretched into the horizon. The divide between Midgar and the wasteland was so severe, divided by a literal wall, that it took Cloud a moment to realise where the buildings had gone.

He flew to the east, his eyes on a narrow pass, and began their decent.

The parched earth looked a lot more solid with each second they got closer and Cloud tried to focus, tried to slow down.

"Careful!" Zack cried, feet treading the air again.

"I'm trying!"

Cloud saw no easy way of landing. How did he minimise his forward velocity with only one wing? "Get ready!" he cried, and let go of Zack a few metres above the ground. He disappeared from sight the second Cloud let go, but he heard him yell in surprise and hit the ground hard.

Cloud travelled forward a few more yards, struggling to pull his feet underneath him and turn his wing out to catch the air. It wouldn't cooperate! He touched land on his tiptoes and only made it a few paces before he lost balance, tripped in a crack and skidded across the ground, hands first.

For a moment, all Cloud could hear was gravel resettling, before Zack started coughing on the dust behind him.

"You alive?" he called out.

Wheezing, Cloud sat up as tremors coursed down his legs. "Yeah," he said, looking up at the strip of sky now so far away. They sat in a gorge. The land rose up either side of them for miles, cut away over thousands of years by a river that had eventually run dry. Different colours patterned the bedrock and boulders blocked parts of the natural pass. Where did they go now?

Cloud tensed, staring into the shadows ahead of him. What if Zack didn't want to go with him? Why should he? Cloud couldn't go back, not without proof that he wasn't a monster, and he couldn't expect Zack to ruin his reputation by helping ShinRa's newest target. They'd probably list Zack as 'abducted'. Cloud hid his face in his hands. What had he done? It was all his fault!

If ShinRa didn't find them, then the Turks surely would. He'd heard about them. Men in suits, deadly and cold-hearted. They wouldn't even let Cloud draw breath to explain who he was, they'd shoot him on the spot. Cloud realised that the one person he needed to confess, was now well protected in a medical lab and surrounded by SOLDIERs. Maybe Sergeant Gomez would report his absence, unless this had been the plan all along - to test on him.

Cloud had nowhere to go. He couldn't involve his mother or Tifa, but he couldn't live in the wasteland or in other cities, either. Cloud looked at his unnaturally coloured hands. No one could hide him.

Looking up as his wing, Cloud flexed the tendons, wondering if he could retract it again. It didn't look hopeful. He was a walking beacon, or, technically, a flying one. How long would it take for the Turks or the air-patrol units to find them?

"I'm sorry," Cloud said, not looking behind him. "I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble. I wasn't thinking. I can't take you back but… If I leave you here, at least it'll look like you weren't trying to help me."

"What are you talking about?" Zack whispered. He heard Zack get up to his feet and move closer.

Everything was ruined. Cloud wanted to run and hide and never look back. After everything Zack had done for him, Cloud felt more than grateful. He wanted to go back to the virtual training room and get to the next level, he wanted to go to the noodle bar again and he wanted to have that date. He wanted Zack.

But Cloud realised, too slow, he couldn't trust anyone now. In fact, what if Zack had somehow informed ShinRa of their location! He was bound by duty and honour, after all! He had all the latest gadgets, he could easily switch on a tracking device. Cloud leapt to his feet and turned on Zack, accidentally knocking the latter's hand away. He had been about to touch Cloud's shoulder.

"What is it?" asked Zack, a hint of caution in his stance. Even Cloud couldn't fault him for that.

"I…" He stopped, lost for words. From the look on Zack's face, Cloud no longer feared him giving away their position. Anguish shadowed Zack's eyes and spoke of how much he cared. He cared. Cloud knew he could runaway this very moment, and Zack would let him escape.

"I…" His heart and head both wanted to speak. Both wanted two different things. With a sad smile, Cloud decided it was best to say nothing at all.

He stretched out his wing and bent his knees.

"Cloud!" gasped Zack.

But Cloud looked away, peering up at the strip of sky. He noticed it wasn't tinted quite so green from all the city's pollution out here. With a strong push his feet left the ground.

"NO!"

A solid object smashed into his midsection and wrapped around him in a vice-like grip. They flew backwards, the breath knocked from Cloud's lungs, and together Zack and Cloud hit the dirt. The shock forced them apart and they rolled onto opposite sides of the gorge.

Wheezing, unable to get his breath back, Cloud's eyes watered and blurred. In seconds he felt Zack hands on his shoulders and let himself be pushed over. He stared up, blinking hard to get a clear view of the SOLDIER leaning over him. Blood oozed from several cuts on Zack's forehead and his face was powdered with dust; the dirt already embedded in his long hair.

"You think you can run away?" he cried, voice rough. "Do you think you can just leave me here?" Zack shook his head and screwed his eyes shut. When he opened them again, Cloud noticed his tears like a spear to the chest. "Well you and everyone else! Does no one trust me? Do you think I'm that bad of a friend?" His voice broke on the last word and Zack bowed his head.

"No," croaked Cloud, "you're my best friend."

Silence.

"I don't know what's happening," Cloud said. "I'm not - I'm not hiding anything." He wanted to reach up and pull Zack close. The earth seemed to be spinning beneath him and a tingling filled the back of Cloud's head. They were so close, he just wanted to breach the last distance between them.

"I might be a SOLDIER," said Zack, "but that doesn't mean I won't ignore protocol. I'm sorry that - I'm sorry this happened. Just don't… You can't…" The gap between them grew smaller. "Please…"

Zack lowered to the floor, half on top of him, and they melted together in a fierce hold. A feeling of wonder and remorse exploded inside Cloud's chest. At last! The circumstances were not what he'd dreamed of, and they could only get worse, but they were together. Out of everyone on the planet, Zack chose him.

Cloud smoothed his hands over Zack's shoulders and into his hair, overwhelmed by a feeling of need for this man. He wanted to know every curve of Zack's body and every dream in his head. He pressed his cheek against Zack's and, as his fear dissipated, he couldn't help but laugh - hot tears spilling into his ears.

"I'm sorry," sniffed Zack, his words echoing against the hollow of Cloud's neck. "I don't know what this is, but we'll fix it." He pushed up and looked Cloud dead in the eye. "Something's going on, and I'm gonna find out what. I'm gonna find Angeal, I'm gonna prove he's not a traitor, and I'm gonna help you!"

"But, won't they demote you? Or arrest you?" Staring up into such a determined face made Cloud feel older than he really was. He already knew Zack's answer, and he prayed that nothing would tear them apart.

"I told you why I wanted you as an apprentice, Cloud. First Genesis disappeared, then Angeal, now you're being tested on… But I didn't tell you everything. When you were out of sorts a while back, I was sent on a few missions with the leader of the Turks, and sometimes Sephiroth. You probably didn't notice I was gone, but we found a lot of trails that seemed to go no where."

Cloud's face burned with embarrassment. He hadn't noticed. In fact, the weeks during his recovery and coming to terms with Soshi's death had passed in a blur.

"Hojo isn't the only super scientist around these parts. There's another one, he's called Hollander - just as wacky, and he's working with Genesis. I don't know how exactly, but they're playing around with human experimentation and I know they've done something to Angeal - brainwashed him maybe. Genesis speaks in so many riddles though, it's impossible to get an idea of what they want. But Cloud…" Zack's gaze travelled to the wing sprawled across the ground. "I've seen this before. Genesis has one and… And so does Angeal."

"They do?" Cloud rubbed his eyes, drying his tears, and pushed into the sitting position. They remained close and, inch-by-inch, Zack wrapped his hand around Cloud's.

"Cutting out all the crap I went through to learn these things, yes. They do. I didn't think you'd be a part of it but at least you're still here, right? You've not disappeared." He squeezed Cloud's fingers.

"I won't disappear. I promise."

Zack smiled briefly, before misery swept over him again. He touched Cloud's cheek and the sensation fluttered through his head, like falling through silk.

"Do you know what Angeal said to me not too long ago?" he said. Cloud didn't waiver from his steady gaze, dreading the answer. "He said, 'Our enemy is all that creates suffering'. He meant ShinRa. And then he disappeared, even though I said I'd help him. Thing is, I don't know how I can help… All I know is, SOLDIER doesn't mean monster. It - it can't."

There was a thud behind one of the boulders. Jumping out of his skin, Cloud almost hit Zack in the face in alarm. They've found us already? They both scrambled to their feet, a black feather brushing past Cloud's nose. He looked up and saw more of them spiralling downward.

"Well, isn't this endearing," said a mirthless, drawling voice. A figure dressed in cardinal and ash-grey rose to their feet. "Legend shall speak of sacrifice at world's end. Quietly, but surely."

"Genesis!" cried Zack, pushing forward. "Are you following me? What's happened to you?"

Even though Cloud had never seen much of Genesis in person - only a few glimpses at his induction ceremony - he could see that Genesis was altered. His red hair and the shoulders of long, signature coat had been bleached of colour, and it seemed the affliction was seeping down his body. And, just as Zack had said, a glistening black wing stretched from his left shoulder.

Genesis sneered at Zack. "If you still have to ask, Puppy, maybe you're in over your head. I'm not here for you."

A chill sank into Cloud's bones, but he held onto his courage as Zack threw out a protective arm in front of him.

Genesis sighed, as if dealing with Zack was hardly worth the effort. "All that awaits you is a somber morrow, no matter where the winds may blow," he said. "We may be monsters now, even you, Zack, but within that boy resides the gift of the goddess."

Cloud glared at the finger pointing at him, daring him to make a move.

"What the hell are you talking about?" cried Zack.

"I should have been the hero," replied Genesis, "but Sephiroth is instead. Petty, in hindsight. Now, what I want most is the gift of the goddess. Only Hollander can stop the degradation process - only he can save us from being monsters, and he's going to do it with that boy. Cloud, if you'd be so kind…"

Genesis stretched out his arm and wing, as if beckoning Cloud to come and stand by his side. Cloud considered him and his unnatural looks. Whatever was happening to his body was probably happening to Cloud, too. Degradation didn't sound good. Did Genesis know a cure? Was that the gift of the goddess?

"We're not going to hurt you," Genesis added.

"Don't move an inch," said Zack, and Cloud shrank from his hard glare. "What do you think you're doing, Genesis? I told Angeal I'd help, but this - all the people you've hurt… Where's your honour? You're not taking Cloud, do you hear me? You're gonna spell everything out for us, and with none of your damned LOVELESS quotes!"

With a flutter of his wing, Genesis hoped onto a boulder and stared down in disdain. Cloud watched in awe, wishing he looked so magnificent. But he clenched his hands, telling himself to stay strong. Zack would get them through this, he'd figure something out. All Cloud had to do was fight at his side and help him find the truth.

"It doesn't matter," said Genesis. "You'll go to him yourselves. Hollander is in a ruined bath house in Modeoheim."

Zack growled, reaching for his shoulder as if groping for his sword - the one he'd dropped on the roof. "And what makes you think I'd be so stupid as to go there?"

"Because Angeal's waiting for you."

The words hit Cloud as much as they affected Zack. He worried what this would make him do as he watched Zack turn away. Cloud tried to catch his eye, wanting to comfort him and grab his shoulders to shake a smile back onto his face. You can fix this, he thought, you always take things in your stride. No matter how he willed for it though, Zack didn't take it well, especially after what Genesis said next.

"He expects you to honour your promise."

"SHUT UP! You don't know anything about -" But as soon as Zack began, Genesis flexed his wing and took off, feathers falling like snow. "DAMN YOU!"

As Zack raced off to stand in the centre of the feather storm, Cloud felt a lash of pain shoot down his arms and through his fingers. He held his breath and kept quiet. Whatever was going on seemed important and it directly involved him now. Cloud thought about running and going into hiding again, but the fiery aching in his joints told him things were going to get worse for him. Degradation, huh?

Perhaps this was the mayhem Zack had tried to prepare him for. He'd wanted to train Cloud, he'd wanted to his trust and he'd wanted to tell Cloud: something is wrong with our job. He hadn't taken Zack seriously. It had seemed more like stress talking and, really, what did Cloud care about the finer company politics? He had Zack Fair's attention.

Stupid of him.

Closing his eyes, a dark, hollow fear opened up inside. They had to run, and they had to run now. Gathering the rest of his new found strength, Cloud concentrated on moving his wing and began charging at Zack. He thudded into his back, feet already hovering off the ground, and wrapped his arms around Zack's waist.

"Hey, what are you doing?!"

"We're going to Modeoheim," Cloud said calmly, eyes fixed on the winding route of the gorge.

"The hell we are!"

"You need to face Angeal." They streaked between the bedrock, following the dusty trail. Cloud hoped to put more distance between them and Midgar before arching into the clear sky. "And I need to find a cure."

Zack didn't answer, his hands tightening around Cloud's forearms.

"Can you get out your PHS?" asked Cloud. "I'm not sure how to get there."

They sailed the winds for a good few miles before a village came into view. They descended into an empty field and, after a long hour of rest, Cloud struggled and spasmed as he concentrated on retracting his wing. It would take practice to use it properly, and he didn't relish the thought. Pushing it out had felt like ripping open his back, pulling it back in didn't feel any better.

Sweating and shivering, he clung to Zack as they walked onward through the fields.

By night time, Zack announced that they weren't far and would reach Modeoheim by tomorrow afternoon. They found an abandoned barn and decided to spend the night there. Zack wrenched aside the rotting door and bounded inside.

"Woah, check it out!" he cried. "This thing is pretty decent."

Warmth filled Cloud to see some of his usual cheer again. Zack had been brooding all day, not that Cloud could blame him. He followed him inside, listening to bats flutter in and out near the roof. Just as he made it to the back of the barn, a jarring stab of agony went from his head to his toes.

Unable to hide how much it hurt, Cloud strangled a cry of surprise and buckled. In a flash, Zack's arms were around him. Cloud wanted to burst. If his arms hadn't felt severed, he would've have held him back. His skin felt ready to split open like plum left out in the sun. Even so, Cloud's face burned for different reasons and his overwhelming affection for Zack only made everything seem more hopeless.

"What's wrong?" asked Zack. "Are you hurt?"

Cloud shook his head.

"Don't worry. I've got you, man. C'mon." Half dragging him, Zack helped him to the wall where they sat down. He gripped Cloud's arms as if afraid of letting him go.

They stared at each other. Despite the searing, pulsing discomfort in his body, all Cloud could think about was the rippling, twisting desire in his stomach. With a smile, Zack pulled him between his legs and held him close, chin resting on Cloud's head.

Their bare arms touched like fire meeting wood. Each brush burned like being glazed by the sun and, for a moment, Cloud couldn't move. He clung on as if his will alone would keep them together, keep them safe.

Trembling, head bowed with shyness even still, Cloud raised himself nose to nose with the one person he'd been dreaming about all these weeks. Zack's hand flowed up his back, over his shoulder and cupped his cheek. Heart pounding so hard Cloud wondered if Zack could hear it too, he closed his eyes and absorbed the amazing allure Zack held over him.

A soft kiss met Cloud's lips. Pleasure ruptured inside his head and he smiled at Zack's gentleness. The discomfort in Cloud's joints ebbed away as they moulded together over and over again. He was certain he'd never find anyone else who'd kiss him like this, who'd make it feel like his whole body floated off the floor. Of all the things he'd dreamed of finding in Midgar, this surpassed them all.

Neither of them suffered the cold that night as they lay wrapped in each other's arms.

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They should be asleep by now.

Tiptoeing through the corn-stalks, resisting the urge to brush pollen off of her suit, Cissnai peeked inside the barn. Yes, there they were, entwined together and snoring like they hadn't slept in years. It warmed the cockles of her heart. Idiots. They'd been so easy to find.

Her cell phone buzzed in her back pocket. Dashing away from the rotten doors, Cissnai flipped it open. "Hello?" she whispered.

"Cissnai, have you found anything?"

She looked back at the barn, torn by duty and friendship. Perhaps she could confront Zack and ask him what was going on. She found it hard to believe that he was working with Genesis and Angeal. "No sir, nothing to report yet."

Tseng sighed down the microphone. "Keep looking."

"Yessir."

Despite not setting his alarm, Cloud awoke at 5AM. Four months at ShinRa had etched a new routine into him. He sighed and stretched when he read 'SUN' on his digital clock. What was he supposed to do today? Sunday, there couldn't be much, there never was. With a gasp Cloud jerked and sprang out of bed. He stood there, bare feet tingling against the cold floor and laughed. Were his memories correct?

Tousling his hair and rubbing his eyes, Cloud rushed to the showers. He couldn't stop smiling and his fingers trembled, even when he stood under a warm shower head. He let the water pour over his face until his eyes felt stuck together, when he realised: where was he supposed to be meeting Zack? Groaning at their idiocy - a knot forming in his stomach - Cloud rinsed and dressed. For the next few hours he and his classmates had cleaning duty in the mess hall, but did Zack know that? Would he wait? What time did he expect Cloud to show up?

Striding to the cafeteria, preoccupied by these questions and gnawing on his lip, he was surprised when someone sprung from a door on the left. Cloud yelped and tried not to grimace when he recognised who it was.

"Good morning, Professor Hojo," he mumbled.

Hojo's eyes widened and he ignored the clipboard he'd been studying.

"Why, you look familiar," he said. "Very familiar." The greasy man narrowed his eyes and adjusted his glasses to read the name tag on Cloud's uniform. "Ah, Strife! Yes, an interesting case." Cloud took a step backwards, unable to shake off the impression that Hojo had never really forgotten. "Why didn't you return for your check up, hmm? It's been almost a month. How's your head? Been feeling ill at all? Nauseous? Stiff joints? Itchy eyes?"

"No - I've been fine." Cloud forced a smile. "I should go. Thank you for your concern."

"Ah, ah! Not so fast." Professor Hojo snatched his elbow and held it firm. "You have unfinished...therapy to undergo."

"I-I'm sure I don't need it anymore." He tugged to free himself but the old man had a bonier grip than Cloud would've given him credit for. "Sir, I've been told I'm fine. I have to be on parade."

Hojo smiled, or, Cloud supposed that's what he was trying to do. It was more like a leer. "And who told you that? A doctor? Hollander maybe? Oh, but that's right. I'm the only qualified super-scientist around here now!"

"Er..."

"Exactly. You can't trust an unprofessional opinion on these things. You hurt yourself pretty badly. I remember, I would never forget a worthy specimen - I mean patient." The man chortled. "Forgive me, I've been teaching nurses in basic-training this morning how to do an autopsy. My mind is tangled with terminology!"

He released Cloud's arm and peered into his eyes. As he considered fleeing from the unnerving professor, he thought he saw a flicker of concern. What was it that terrified Zack? Was it some irrational phobia Cloud didn't know about? Maybe Hojo was just weird. Some people were like that. He was sure Director Lazard wouldn't employ anyone with malicious intent. Thinking about it, what could Hojo get away with? If harm came to Cloud surely it would be noticed and Hojo would lose his job. Why would this lonely (and admittedly creepy) man risk that over an insignificant cadet? There was no reason for this man to wish him harm.

"That's OK," Cloud murmured. "What's wrong?"

Without replying, Hojo removed a torch from his pocket and shined the light into each eye. "Don't wriggle, boy, I can't get a good look otherwise."

"But, what's wrong?" Cloud stared at Hojo's wrinkled forehead as the light blotted out the rest of the corridor.

"I'm not certain." Hojo's creep-tastic leer returned. "But your pupils don't - well, they don't look right. You're not on drugs, are you?"

"What? Of course not!" Did it look that way? He tried to edge away again, his stomach grumbling. "I really need to -"

Hojo glared. It was the kind of glare Cloud's instructor made when a cadet spoke out of turn, or the look his mother gave when she knew the truth.

"I think you should have your follow up inspection," said Hojo. "It won't take too long. If you don't, I'll being speaking to your commander." Another warbling laugh escaped him. "Come along, I've things to be doing, experiments to be run, patients to examine... I'm certain I know just what to do with you - what's wrong with you, I mean. A slight reaction to iodine, perhaps?"

"But I'm not..."

"Cloud," he said with a stiff lip. Stepping to the side, Hojo waited for Cloud to begin heading in the direction of the labs.

"I haven't given my instructor any warning," he tried as a last attempt to bail.

Rolling his eyes and waving his clipboard, Hojo began steering him forward by the shoulder. "I'll write you a note." Cloud couldn't help but think of Zack handing him a scribbled-on bit of paper. "Goodness," Hojo muttered to himself. "The young have no regard for their health or how useful they can be. You'll do nicely, nicely..."

Sighing, Cloud let himself be directed down the corridor. He supposed it was better than swilling a dirty mop across the floor or listening to Yuki boast about the latest slum-girl. Would a letter from Hojo hold the same amount of calibre as one from Zack? It wasn't worth worrying about. Instead, he peered at what the professor carried close to his chest. The clipboard in Hojo's hand was battered and he tried to catch a glimpse of what was written on it.

"What did you use to help me recover, sir?" he asked.

"Hmm?" Hojo peered at him from under his round glasses. "A new formula I've been working on. Nothing a healthy SOLDIER in training can't handle."

"But I'm not a SOLDIER yet."

"Yet. I've, er, I've read fascinating reports about you. All commendable."

There were commendable reports about himself? Cloud grinned, wondering which subject his instructors thought he was best at. He personally felt it was combat. When his next report card came through, he fantasised about seeing 'outstanding' from Takihiro. With Zack's lessons in the VT-room he knew it would be a kick in the teeth for Takihiro to concede that Cloud was a fair fighter.

"Thank you. I didn't realise."

"I said 'commendable'. That's nothing to be proud of yet. I'm sure that'll soon change."

The only person they came across was Sephiroth and Cloud saluted him, staring after the great General once he had passed. Had he just received a small nod from the most famous man in the Eastern continent? He grinned to himself, watching Sephiroth's hair sway from left to right. Today was going to be awesome. Cloud had passed the General and later he was going to be spending time with Zack. Could a cadet get any luckier?

In Hojo's lab the lights were tinted green and yellow. It turned the metallic surfaces blue and hindered how well the corners of the room could be seen. A glass cabinet on the far side held numerous unidentified objects and liquids. One was a decanter filled with floating amber beads. Cloud stared at them, fascinated by the display of colours and how they refracted light.

"Take a seat," said Hojo. He gestured to a reclining chair opposite his desk. The fettered surface was well worn. Cloud lowered into it and perched on the edge, too uncomfortable to consider relaxing into its wide arms. He stared at Hojo as he snapped on synthetic gloves and removed a green vial from the cabinet. The professor shook the vial and the liquid inside glowed. Removing a petri-dish he scrapped out a bit of the gel it contained with a spatula and transfered this sample to the glowing vial. Shaking it again, the vial turned turquoise.

"What is that?"

Hojo's mind had wandered and he looked up as if he didn't know where the voice had come from. "Just something to finish off what we started."

Cloud scrunched his nose.

From the back of the cabinet Hojo now removed a needle. He slotted it onto the vial and as Hojo approached with the needle raised, Cloud slid back into his seat - shoulders raised. It was Zack's fault he was imagining all kinds of awful things in that vial. It was silly to assume this slightly insane professor would do anything irrational. At a gesture from Hojo he pushed his sleeve up and bore his arm. A wet swab was then brushed over the area about to be pierced.

"This might sting," Hojo mumbled.

Cloud stared at the floor and pressed his lips together, trying to keep his breathing steady. When the tip sank into his flesh he winced but nothing more, refusing to appear weak. Cloud felt the liquid enter his arm. A steady stream that seemed to increase the pressure in his veins. It began to burn and he clenched his jaw, eyes squeezed shut. "And this... How will it complete the treatment exactly?" he whispered.

"Hopefully, you'll never be as fragile as you are now."

"What?" He glanced across at Hojo to find the man staring at him, watching his face. The burning reached his fingertips and turned into a tidal wave of agony. Cloud almost yanked his arm away, gripping the chair until his knuckles felt frozen. There was no one else around. The only person who had seen him with the professor was Sephiroth - if the General had cared enough to notice him. It was only when he saw Hojo standing opposite him that Cloud realised the needle was gone.

He shook in his seat, unable to form words with a numb mouth. All he could say was 'ow' over and over again. The flames beneath his skin spread throughout his body. Head too heavy, limbs like ice, organs squeezing and convulsing. Cloud whimpered before realising he should trust Zack's judgement from now on. If there was a 'from now on'.

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It was one in the afternoon. From experience, Zack knew that the cadets had finished their work an hour ago. He strolled back and forth outside the gates, swinging his arms. How stupidof him not to mention a time and place. Would Cloud even think to come here? Beginning to feel impatient after a long hour in the sun, Zack decided it was time to hunt him down. What a nuisance. ShinRa was enormous. Half the day would probably consist in finding Cloud. If he didn't have a PHS, Zack was going to take him out and ensure that he bought one.

The courtyards were quiet and no one had seen Cloud Strife. Staff in the main entrance said they had swapped duty since this morning and the cadet barracks were full of boisterous recruits, but no Cloud. Where was he supposed to begin searching? Did Cloud have a place where he liked to hang out? Maybe Cloud was looking for him, too, and they kept missing each other.

Checking the time, Zack noted it was 1:45PM. He huffed, already fed up of searching. He took a deep breath and stopped for a drink from one of the fountains, then resumed the search with determination. If only ShinRa wasn't so damn big or the weather so hot.

When Zack made to leave the cadet-area, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he came face to face with a tall cadet he thought he recognised. There was something familiar about his large forehead and plum lips.

"Can I help you?"

"Good day, sir." The cadet gave a small bow. "Did I hear you asking for Cadet Strife?"

"You did. Have you seen him?"

"No. He wasn't on cleaning duty with the rest of us."

Zack placed his hands on his hips, troubled. He couldn't help being concerned, but he was Cloud's superior and he would prefer not to tell him off for skipping duties. "Why's that?"

"I don't know, sir. He just didn't show up. I didn't see him in the canteen for breakfast, either."

Cloud wouldn't skip his duties just to meet up with Zack, would he? If that was the case, Zack would have to be 'responsible' and reprimand him. In a way, the idea that Cloud would do such a thing made him smile. Daft bird. If that wasn't the case however, then where'd he go?

"Do you know where he might have gone?" Zack asked.

The cadet shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"Not to worry. Keep your eyes open. If you see him, tell him he's in almost-trouble with Zack." He noticed the cadet's face sour as he came to attention, making Zack unease; twisting his stomach like a punch to the abs. What had he done to offend this guy? "What's your name?"

"Yuki Enix, sir," his attitude crept into his voice. "I was with you during the ShinRa Infiltration. Have you forgotten?"

He realised at once that he'd offended Yuki. Zack favoured Cloud too openly and he struggled to hide how ashamed he felt. Professionalism had never been Zack's strength. He wanted to be everyone's friend, even if he knew this was impossible, and vowed to himself - on the spot - not to allow any cadet to think he was undervalued. "Enix, of course. Thank you for your help."

"I know you think Cloud is above average, but you should get to know him."

"Excuse me?"

"He's good with a sword but you don't know what he's really like."

"'What he's like?' Are you bad-mouthing your peers?"

"No sir. Good luck searching. I have to go." Yuki left with a curt nod.

Zack wasn't sure why he felt threatened. He watched Yuki return to the barracks and then headed off.

Cicadas had nested in the few trees on campus and Zack stopped in the main courtyard to think. He watched cloud-shadows pass over the grass and let the droning insects numb his concerns. It seemed important to understand Yuki's words. The glass buildings towering around Zack intensified the sunlight and, overhead, he heard a chopper. The world was moving but, right now, his worries seemed greater than the world.

He headed up to the virtual training floor and stared out one of the windows. Midgar crawled with activity, thousands of people. It overwhelmed him and Zack sat on one of the benches. Searching for Cloud in a place like ShinRa was pointless without clues. As he sat listening to the lights humming with electricity and the wind against the glass, Zack realised what was going on.

Cloud stood him up.

This had never happened to him before and imagining that Cloud would be the first to leave him hanging left a stabbing sickness inside. Zack pictured Cloud's sweet face and tried to recall the eagerness in his eyes, but he couldn't. Perhaps he had seen only what he wanted to see. You don't know what he's really like. Was Cloud a guy who enjoyed attention?

Zack hid his face in his hands, humiliated.

His PHS buzzed and it was a moment before he answered the call. "What's up?"

"Hey buddy, wanna hang out today? I know you don't have any work." It was Kunsel and Zack struggled to reply. He wanted to mope and nurse his injury. "Zack?" But he realised Kunsel would make him feel better.

"Yeah, sure. Where abouts? My place?" He hadn't invited Kunsel over in too long.

"For real? Yes! You're quarters are sweet. I'll be there in half an hour."

"Alright, see ya."

"You OK?"

"I'll tell you when I see you." Zack hung up and stared at the floor for what seemed like ages. Rooted to the spot, his thoughts spiralled around Cloud and Kunsel. Did he wait and hope that this was a misunderstanding, or did he give into Kunsel?