Becoming SOLDIER

The anxiety was beginning to eat at Cloud’s worn nerves. Even so he felt a rush fed by his own rage; the motivation of proving himself and making it into SOLDIER far out weighing the nagging pull in his gut. It was as if his mind was warning him what his body would not. Every ache was becoming numb as the adrenaline began to fuel him; making him forget the condition of his body. The closer and closer he came to his own battle; the less pain he felt and the more anxious he became. A small part of him recognized that his mind was trying to reason with him; but he ignored it’s logic. He refused to be beaten; his stubbornness, pride, and rage burning through him and thus burning out all logic.

His eyes focused intently on the door in front of him; Zack had already gone in. He wondered how Zack was doing; the thought made him smile. Of course he was kicking the poor beasts ass and was now coming out with a million unique cheesy one liners to boost himself further. Cloud chuckled softly at the image of whatever monster they pitied against Zack trying desperately to chop it’s own ears off just to silence Zack’s excessive ranting.

Cloud mused that even during training together he would try to come out with witty comments as he caught the upper hand. The blonde pointed out that it really wasn’t very distracting and very few unrefined troops would ever really fall for such antagonism but never the less Zack argued his point. The raven went on to say that even if distracting or antagonizing didn’t work it was always fun to get a rise out of someone.

“Strife; Cadet Strife! You‘re up!”

Cloud snapped his eyes up to his superior blinking a few times before nodding and stepping forward. The door was opened and the blonde’s superior gestured him to enter, “Good luck Cadet.”

Cloud offered a quick smile before he once again grew serious. Gripping the practice sword in his hands he stepped into the room and made his way to the center. Once standing in the center of the room he noted how large it really was; far larger than he had imagined. He hadn’t even suspected the sight before him in all honesty. He figured it would be an average gym like room; maybe concrete floors or plain white walls. Instead there were few scattered tree’s and a grass floor; it reminded him of some of the thinner areas of the woods back in Nebelheim. The dirt and grass was lifted quite a bit; presumably from the previous fights. Some of the green stained with splashes crimson. The boy’s nose twitched at the copper scent of fresh blood; he prayed that none of the cadet’s blood mingled with the creatures they had to battle. Though he knew that it was inevitable and quite a few cadet’s had most likely been injured, he’d like to think that they all made it through without any serious wounds. Well; most of them anyway. More importantly he hoped that Zack’s own blood wasn’t mixed in with the splatters littering the ground beneath his feet. He quickly dismissed the thought; it was foolish of him to think Zack would be so weak. The boy probably didn’t have a scratch on him.

A loud voice echoed through the room over loud speaker cutting him off from his thoughts, “Cadet Strife; Are you ready to proceed with the next part of the exam?”

Cloud nodded and offered his voice as loud as he could; he felt the strain and burning pain rip through his vocal chords as he spoke in such a high volume, “Yes Sir! I am ready to begin!” The blonde swallowed hard hoping to coat his dried throat with his saliva; but it did little to help.

“Very well; we are now releasing Behemoth. Best of luck Cadet.”

Cloud readied his sword as he looked forward to see a gate rising in the near distance. Cloud watched as the beast, finally freed, took a few steps forward towards him before coming to a complete halt. The beast’s glowing yellow eyes bore into the blonde’s form as if contemplating the best way to devour what he saw as a meal standing humbly before him. The beast’s fur was a bright purple; the claws and long forward arched horns a midnight black; it’s teeth an off white almost yellow which glinted in the light due to the excess saliva coating each tooth. A large bushy mane of orange and red stretched from the beasts head down to the center of it’s back. As Cloud studied the beast he noted how feline in appearance it seemed to be. Almost like a lion on steroids; the beast was built with ripped muscle visible through it’s fur and a long powerful tail stretching behind it’s body.

He could do quite a bit of damage with that thing…

Cloud dually noted that moving behind the creature would prove to be a fatal mistake; one he was not willing to make. He quickly scanned for a open area for attack; it seemed the best way was to approach the beast from it’s side. It’s front legs were shorter than the back; his reach would be limited, clumsy, and slow. If the blonde could attack from the side he would be able to dodge the sloppy swipes of it’s large claws. With a quick nod to himself it was decided and he sprinted forward toward the large animal.

Behemoth’s muscles contracted quickly regarding the on comer. The beast lunged forward to bare it’s full weight in a effort to crush Cloud; the blonde quickly rolled to his right narrowly avoiding the attack. He felt the ground impact and roll over every muscle making him regain his footing a little sloppier than normal and with a low grunt of pain he swung the sword above his head to slash down at the beast’s arm. The sword effectively sliced through the skin and the beast bellowed at the freshly opened flesh. Without warning behemoth pushed itself to stand on it’s hind legs using it’s tail for balance and thrust itself sideways using his uninjured arm to attack Cloud.

Cloud’s eyes widened at the unexpected maneuver; he quickly guarded himself behind his sword and attempted to jump back. He proved to be seconds to late as the claw ripped the sword from his hands and the sharp tip of one of it’s nails sliced cleanly through his uniform shirt. His hand went instinctively to his now exposed chest to feel for any wound; luckily the attack hadn’t grazed his skin in the slightest. The moment however contracted his muscles tightly causing him to wince. His exposed chest and toned stomach were retiled with purple and blue hues visible for the proctors to see; but he didn’t have time to think of such things. The beast dropped down to the ground and quickly charged him. It’s immense paws shook the ground under it’s massive weight; Cloud only had enough time to leap forward and roll to dodge the massive creature. Cloud muffled a cry of pain by biting his lip as he stumbled back onto his feet. The numbing effects of the adrenaline seemed to be wearing down. His body was becoming heavier and he was quickly growing tired.

I need to finish this and quickly…

Cloud’s sword caught the corner of his eye; a glint of hope radiating from the shining blade stained in a light crimson. But before he could snatch it he yet again had to jump back to avoid another swing from behemoth. Once at a safe distance he sprinted towards the sword; unfortunately behemoth was not to far behind.

The beast lowered it’s head as it charged forward; Cloud’s feet pounded quickly against the ground but not quick enough. Behemoth’s horn managed to catch under his foot and the beast rose it’s head sending Cloud a few feet in the air. The cadet’s eyes widened as he saw the ground quickly coming closer and closer as gravity pulled him down. He instinctively reached forward to brace himself and almost just as instantaneously cursed mentally at the reaction. His wrists bent at an obtuse angle as his full weight crashed down on the appendages. This time Cloud didn’t muffle the loud and sharp cry of pain. His wrists collapsed under him and the boy fell forward to land on his back. He turned sideways as his eyes squinted finding and focusing on the blade merely inches from his reach.

Cloud inhaled a sharply as behemoth’s giant paw landed only inches from his head; the beast’s own head moving closer to it’s victim. Cloud slowly and cautiously pushed himself with the ball’s of his feet trying to back away from the beast; his arm reaching back blindly trying to find the blade’s hilt. The beast released a low growl; the sticky hot breath washing over Cloud’s paling skin. Anxiety turned into desperate fear and suddenly everything hurt. His vision was becoming shaky; his eyes completely unfocused. He was tired; he wasn’t prepared. Though he thought he might be able to pull this one out of a magic hat it now become obvious to him that his decision was not only the wrong one; but one that could cost him his life. Self-doubt began to eat at him; and mere milliseconds seemed to turn into an eternity as he and the beast were locked in on each other. Thoughts of his death; images and the reality of his seemingly hopeless situation. Would someone come in time? Would someone save him before it was to late; realize that he was facing death? He imaged Zack jumping through the door and cutting the beast down in front of him.

Cloud froze; No…No I will do this on my own…. The boy’s fists balled tightly as his nails dug into the hard earth beneath him; I can’t… I won’t rely on someone to save me… I’m not weak…

The beast’s seemed to move in slow motion as it’s jaws widened it’s neck craned to snap forward and snatch the boy’s life.

I’m not weak!

Cloud’s eyes widened as he snapped back into reality; kicking himself from the ground he flipped backwards scooping up his sword and landing on his feet. The jaws of the beast snapped just short of him. The instant his feet touched the ground he leap forward and drove the sword between the monster’s eyes.

Behemoth let out a agonized roar as it pushed itself up onto it’s hind legs rearing it’s head from side to side. It’s cry died quickly as the beast toppled backwards landing against the ground causing the ground to quake.

Cloud’s breath rasped between his lips as he struggled to push and pull the air from his lungs. He fell forward to his hands and knees and smiled at his accomplishment. His eye lids growing heavy and the adrenaline completely escaping his senses. Cloud heaved against the pain now overwhelming his body; he pushed himself to far. Every muscle that had been numb only such a short time before now burned with a fresh and agonizing frequency of pain.

The boy’s last words barely audibly made it past his dry lips before he fell forward and blacked out, “I’m…not. Weak…”

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“What the hell do you mean I’m not allowed to see him,” Zack cried outraged at what the nurse before him had just said.

“I’m sorry but I can’t disclose that information to you cadet; I suggest you return to your barracks or sit down and wait patiently,” the nurse dead panned obviously not entertaining the raging raven haired male.

The nurse quickly turned and walked away as Zack let out a low aggravated growl as he ruffled the hair on the back of his head rather roughly. He plopped down in a free chair in the waiting area. Pushing his hands into his pockets he arched his head back to stare up at the ceiling with a grimace plastered across his face. “Dammit Cloud; what happened in there….”

Zack’s eyes closed as he tried to still the painful heavy beating of his heart. The familiar pain in his chest made his eyes close even tighter as he held back aggravated tears.

Right after he had completed the last part of his physical exam; mostly endurance and responsiveness tests; he had eagerly waited for his friend outside the room where the first part of the exam took place. By the time he got there it was only a few minutes later that the officer at the door had touched his ear piece. Whatever they told him doubled his eyes in size and shape; and almost as quickly as the expression overcame him he told the remaining Cadet’s there would be a momentarily delay before the exam continued. With that the officer disappeared in an instant behind to door and left the cadet’s minds and mouths to wander. Talk about the cadet who entered and the possibilities of what may have happened to him caught Zack’s ears. He knew they were talking about Cloud; Cloud was the one in there; Cloud was the one in trouble.

A fear Zack had never felt before swept over him; a paralyzing fear. One that left him breathless; One that allowed him to hear every loud thud of his beating heart pumping blood through his veins. He swore he could actually hear the blood flowing throughout his body. He stood still for what seemed to be forever before he came back too; another cadet noticing Zack’s distant fearful eyes caught his attention by waving a hand rapidly in front of his face. But his attention quickly shifted to the fast approaching sound of feet echoing into the room and closing in on the door to the exam room. Zack’s heart seemed to stop as a med team rushed into the room; minutes later emerging with the blonde cadet. Zack pushed through the swarm of cadet’s who gawked at the sight of their fellow unconscious cadet and stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes caught sight of his friend. His chest and stomach exposed; his hands lay limply at his sides and head turned to the side. Before he lost sight of them exiting the area Zack jogged to catch them but was stopped short by a firm hand on his shoulder; Zack turned to whomever stopped him a wild and fearful look glazing over his eyes. His superior shook his head and informed Zack that he would have to wait.

After Zack successfully demanded where they were taking Cloud Zack was off; and here he was. Waiting; again.

“I’m here to see Cadet Strife,” a low monotone voice caught Zack’s ears at the mention of his friends name. Just as Zack turned to inform the newcomer he was shit out of luck the same nurse that turned him away spoke up for him, “I’m sorry Sir but I’m afraid that….”

Zack’s brows furrowed and he looked over to the two; what a surprise she sure as hell didn’t hesitate to tell me off…; Zack thought bitterly. His eyes fell on the individual standing in front of the nurse. He wasn’t very tall; maybe a inch or two off from Cloud. He had a mop of messy brown hair and burning blue eyes; the boy was slender but Zack could tell he was a powerhouse of compact muscle just from his stance and the way his uniform fit him.

“Cadet Heero Yuy,” he cut her off swiftly in the same dead tone of voice before repeating his purpose for being there in the first place; this time speaking slower, “I’m here to see Cadet Strife.”

The woman frowned before looking down on her charts; Zack’s jaw almost fell when he heard her speak, “I’m sorry Sir; I’ll take you to see him right away.”

Zack leapt from his chair and pointed an accusing finger outraged, “Hold on a minute! Why is he allowed to see Cloud,” Zack knew he sounded childish but he didn’t care, “He’s the same rank as me! What reason is there in allowing him to go in?!”

Zack stopped short as Heero’s eyes sideways on his; Zack’s own blues narrowing at Heero’s cobalt.

Heero turned his focus back on the nurse and motioned for her to lead the way; with a quick nod and short glance at Zack she did so. Zack silently fumed in place as his hands gripped tightly at his sides. Who the hell is that guy anyway?! Zack’s brow creased as he blinked repeating the cadet’s name; it sounds so familiar…. Heero…Heero…..

It hit him… Heero; Cloud had spoken about him before. Zack felt a strange feeling weighing in his chest and a sickening gut wrenching feeling ripping at his stomach. Something he could faintly remember feeling the first time Ralph had approached them that day on the train…. Jealously…. No… Protectiveness…Right? But… why…Heero’s not a threat.. So .. What is this feeling?