War of the Hearts

Title: War of the Hearts



Author: Dragonchild



Beta: Tieo



Warning: Strong language, violence, character death, and more.



Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7 or any of it's characters. All of that belongs to it's owners Square-Enix.



Chapter One



xoxoxoxoxoxoxo



The next morning found Cloud up early actually excited to get to his punishment. As he packed his Shinra uniform into his Shinra issued pack, he couldn't help but think about how much control Shinra had over his life. Shinra told them what to wear, what to say, how to act. But if he were to speak against it, rebel against the conformity he would have no choice but to go back to Nibelhiem a failure and labelled as a supporter of the Wutanese.



The Wutanese was a group of people stationed in Wutei that currently had control over the planet; they claimed to be a government. Up until the Shinra Power Company started to build their own military force the Wutanese government were the only super power available. Though they didn't act like any government that Cloud ever had any experience with they called themselves that, whether or not they went by that name because it was an intimidation tactic or not, Cloud didn't know. The only thing that was certain about the Wutei army was that they were a force that, until the great General Sephiroth came around, was unsurpassed. People chose sides now the Government or Shinra. The two forces were on the brink of war, and Cloud wanted to be sure he fought for the right side.



He stopped to look at the last two things to go into his bag. The only items that hadn't been given to him by Shinra, he knew he couldn't fail. Two picture frames that he took everywhere with him to remind him why he was here. The first a photo of his mother smiling as she baked cookies in the kitchen. She always worked hard to make life better for Cloud, even if it was just sweet treats sometimes. The second picture was of Tifa, smiling as well, as she stood in front of the water tower before her mother had died. He kept this picture to remind him of the promise had had made her a top that very tower, just months back.



Firming his resolve to do well over the next couple of days, to try to impress the first class SOLDIER and the Turks. Before lights out, the night before Cloud had gone over the assignment page that the General had given him. It didn't tell him much, just that himself, one SOLDIER, and two Turks were going to Bone Village. Apparently something unusual had been dug up. Cloud had no clue what it was, since he didn't have authorization to such information. He knew it must be something important if they were bringing in a SOLDIER. With any luck, he'd find out what it was. The buzzing of his roommates alarm broke him out of his thoughts. He finally shoved his picture frames into his bag and left the room, in search of an early breakfast.



He made sure that he was at Captain Williams’s office early, since that was where he was told to report to. Turned out he wasn't the first one there. Sitting at the Captains desk was a dark haired man wearing the SOLDIER violet. Was this the SOLDIER he was going to be working under? He waited in the doorway for the Captain to wave him in.



The SOLDIER stood as Cloud entered the room, Captain Williams introduced them. The SOLDIER took Clouds hand enthusiastically. “Drop the Major Fair part just call me Zack. Nice to meet you Cloud.”



Cloud was honestly taken aback, never before had a commissioned officer ever called him by his first name. It had always been Private Strife. “Nice to meet you too uh... Zack.” It was also strange to be calling a commissioned officer by his first name.



Zack just grinned. “Seph told me about your punishment so don't expect me to go easy on you.”



“Seph?” Cloud questioned as he followed Zack out of the office and into one of the elevators without as much as a farewell to the Captain.



“Yeah, General Sephiroth.”



“You call him Seph?!” Was this guy that close to the General?



“Yeah he hates it.” He paused to laugh to himself. “I'm surprised he even allowed me to be bumped up to first class. Even if he is giving me lousy missions. This is my first mission as a first class. “



“This is your first mission?”



Zack scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “Yeah, at least after this one it'll no longer be my first. Heh you could say I'm a first class mission virgin.”



“I guess.” Cloud responded, thinking to himself that it didn't make much sense.



Eventually the elevator made its way to the main level, where the lobby was located. In the time Cloud had been at the Shinra building, he had only been here in the lobby a few times. Since he rarely went out into the city, and if he did he usually went out a side exit.So naturally the size of the room awed him. Standing near the main doorway were two men in Navy blue suits.



Zack casually walked up to them and introduced Cloud. The first, a tall man without a hair on his head, shook Clouds hand and introduced himself as Rude. The second, a slightly shorter slimmer person with fiery red hair said his name was Reno. Introductions done they all headed out of the building and piled into a military truck. The three were discussing something very quickly; Cloud couldn't keep up with them. So instead of listening in on a conversation he probably shouldn't be listening to anyway, he chose to stare at the passing scenery and ignore the motion sickness rising in his belly. He wondered where they were heading as they passed more and more buildings. It wasn't long before this question was answered. Near the edge of the plate they were riding on was a helipad, with a large black Shinra helicopter.



“Isn't there a helipad on top of the Shinra building?” Cloud wondered out loud.



“Yep.” Reno, the redhead piped up. “Only we're not allowed to use it since 'there is things of more importance then this' bullshit.” He mimicked, Cloud guessed it was the president he was imitating.



“We're lucky we get to fly there, we almost had to take a boat.” Rude added.



“Oh.” Cloud made himself a mental reminder not to ask stupid questions; after all, he was trying to make some impressions here. He followed his companions off the truck and onto the waiting helicopter listening to the one called Reno complain about the truck ride. This would be the first time Cloud had ever rode on a helicopter. He had expected to find a pilot ready and waiting, but was surprised to find it empty and quiet. The charm of having a helicopter ready to go was a bit exaggerated in the movies. Usually they were already running and you'd have to duck your head under the blades. This one sat silent.



He was ready to ask why it wasn't running but silenced himself; reminding himself he was trying not to appear like a complete idiot. Though his question was answered when Reno sat up in the pilot seat, instead of sitting in the back with everyone else. Cloud sat opposite of the SOLDIER and the remaining Turk, he felt waves of excitement start to grow as the engine started up and he could see the blades begin to turn outside the windows.



Once they were up in the air and Clouds excitement gradually wore off, he fell into a conversation with the SOLDIER. Rude the Turk remained quiet. “So what exactly did you do to get them to send you to Seph?” Zack asked.



“I was caught fighting in the hallways.” Cloud explained.



“What?! You're kidding that kind of shit happens all the time, why the hell would they send you here?”



Cloud shrugged. “I guess they were just tired of dealing with me. I get picked on a lot”



“Kids can be cruel, but I guess sometimes it just has to be expected.”



“What do you mean by that, it has to be expected?”



“Well just think about the environment you're all in. It's one big competition, after all only so many are accepted into SOLDIER. It's a limited number and there are a lot of people who want to fill it. So if they pick off a few of the little ones early who's it gonna hurt? Besides the ones they're picking on?” Zack rationalized.



“Obviously you were never bullied.” Cloud remarked feeling a little bitter.



“Well not a lot. Not never but it wasn't constant or anything.” Zack gave Cloud a smile. “So exactly how many fights are we talking about here?”



“Well it was just three this week. I can't really count them all I've lost track.”



Zack burst out laughing. “That many and you're still here?!” He laughed some more, while Cloud only scowled. “You're going to go places kid. I wouldn't worry about it.”



“You think so?”



Zack was about to respond but was cut off by a violent shake. The whole helicopter was jerking around, Rude jumped to his feet and moved to the cockpit. Cloud and Zack remained in the back, Zack looking stern but calm Cloud on the other hand was panicking. He dug his nails into the seat and had his eyes closed, trying his best to block out the outside world.



Luckily, it didn't last long, soon the aircraft stilled and Rude returned to his seat. He provided an explanation to which Cloud was grateful. “We, uh, just hit a crosswind, but we should be there soon.”



“Thank goodness for a second there I thought we were about to die.” Cloud spoke up.



“It's a common occurrence.”



Zack leaned back. “I wasn't worried... Well not a lot. I'm not to sure on reds competence up there.”



The helicopter suddenly swerved to one side and Reno's angry voice could be heard. “Don't make me come back there, because I will.”



Zack laughed the threat off, while Cloud clung to his seat again. He was beginning to wish that he was back at the Shinra building being bullied rather then sitting here in this death trap. The rest of the trip was silent, Cloud was still skittish, Rude was his usual stoic self, and Zack was not permitted to speak as he was most likely to harass Reno again. Cloud didn't mind the silence though; it gave him time to think. So far, this supposed punishment was fairly easy, if you didn't count the near death experience. What would it be like once they actually get to Bone Village?



Before he knew it, they were being lowered down back to the ground Cloud couldn't wait. He never thought he would miss solid ground so much. He was the first one off, and was faced with the small group waiting for them, once everyone was gathered one man stepped forward out of the group.



He shook hands with Zack and introduced himself. “Greetings the names Cook. I'm in charge here, trust me when I say we're all glad to see you.”



Cloud who stood in behind Zack and the Turks looked at this 'Cook' with interest. He was tall and heavyset, with dark skin unlike anything he'd seen in Midgar or back home in Niblehiem. He took note of how Cooks brilliant white smile stood out against his dark complexion. As the rest of his entourage went down to business, Cloud took in his surroundings. There were several tents set up almost haphazardly around and only a few wooden structures erected on the ground. Though the main structure was made out of bones, a giant ribcage by the looks of it. No wonder they called this place Bone Village.



Before he could wander anywhere Zack gave him his first job. He was to secure their sleeping arrangements. Even though everyone was sore that it wouldn't take them long, Cloud was a little after that trip here. Zack wanted to be prepared, so Cloud was introduced to a man named Marsh. Marsh took Cloud to one of the tents, which looked to be made of a heavy canvas. The inside was bare with the exception of a few rolled up mats to one side. Cloud took the initiative to unroll the mats and set up, just in case they wound up staying the night



He found though once he was done that he wasn't quite sure what to do. He sat and relaxed for a while but after only a short time, it was apparent that the others wouldn't be coming back anytime soon. Deciding that it would be best if their bags were in the tent as well. He left to retrieve them from the helicopter, on his way he ran into the ever-helpful Marsh.



“Heya Cloud.” Cloud could tell that Marsh was of the friendly sort. He was short just and inch or two taller then fifteen year old Cloud. He had a dark complexion as well as most people did up here he noticed, though the darkest by far was Cook.



“Hi.” Cloud managed.



“So what 'cha doin' now?”



“I was just going to take our things back to the tent.”



“Well I'm done me duties fer the day I'll help ya out.” He offered.



Cloud accepted his help gratefully, and the two of them managed to bring all of the bags to the tent in just one trip. Cloud and Marsh sat in the tent and Marsh explained things about Bone Village to Cloud. What they did there, where everyone was from, things of the sort.



“Yep, most of us 'ere are hired out from Corel.” He explained. “We're supposed ta report any findings to the Wutei government but the higher uppers decided to bring this last thing to Shinra. Not sure wha' it is or nuthin.”



“So you don't know then?” Cloud asked out of curiosity.



“Nah, I don't know nuthin about nuthin. It's a big step though, keepin' something behind Wutei's back like that.” Marsh looked to his feet. “Gutsy move, lucky no ones reported them yet.”



Cloud nodded his agreement but before he could respond, Marsh lit up with another topic. “You seen the forest yet?”



“No, not up close at least.”



“Tha's good, no one likes the forest. Best ta avoid it.”



This peaked Clouds curiosity. “Why would I avoid it?”



“'Cause it's cursed. Ya go in the forest and you ain't gonna come back out.”



“You mean they get lost?” Cloud tried to rationalize.



“Nah, dude. The forest likes eat's 'em or sumthin'.”



They sat in silence for a while as Cloud digested this information. Could it actually be possible for a forest to eat someone? But if no one ever went into the forest, how anyone would know that someone just didn't get lost?



“That's were we found it.” Marsh continued.



“Found what?” Cloud inquired.



Marsh shrugged. “We don't know what it is. Tha's why you're all 'ere. We found it on the edge of the forest. Dug it outta the ground. It looks like a rock.”



“A rock?” No one would have brought the Turks all the way up here for a rock.



“Yeah, that's wha' it looks like, but it ain't what it acts like.” Marsh stretched his legs before standing up again. “Real purdy colour though.”



Cloud sat stunned for a while. They were up here for a rock; they had to come to look at a rock dug out of the ground where rocks come from. A rock that didn't act like a rock. A rock that they had been investigating for about three hours now, looks like they would end up staying the night.



“Hey Cloud? Did ya hear me Cloud?” Marsh said interrupting Clouds thoughts.



“Huh? What? Oh sorry.”



“S'okay. I was just saying that I gotta go. Things ta take cara, see ya around though.”



“Yeah it was nice talking to you.” Cloud waved his new friend off and began to wonder what he was supposed to do now.



Hours passed and Cloud wound up helping the Bone Village workers prepare for dinner, with still no word from Zack or the Turks. Dinner was taken off to the guests and Cloud sat in the mess hall with the village workers. He had looked at the skeletal building from the outside with curiosity and was surprised to find out that inside were rows upon rows of tables. Quite spacious seeing as how the floor stepped down and there was a loft toward the back. The tables never filled up, even at the most crowded point of mealtime there was lots of room. They could have done with removing a few of the tables but everyone seemed to enjoy the space. Cloud certainly did, compared to the cramped eating quarters in the Shinra building this seemed like he could have had a table to himself. The elbowroom was nice.



Cloud was just starting in on his dessert when Cook approached him. “Greetings kid.”



Swallowing his mouthful of chocolate pudding he gave Cook a smile. “Hi, is the meeting finished?”



“Pretty much. Everyone’s pretty tired. I'd suggest heading back to your tent when you're done.” Cook continued on his way, stopping once to speak to Cloud once more. “I'm sure the Turks have got something planned for you.”



“Oh, thank you.” Cloud said more out of a formality then actual thanks. He was starting to enjoy his time in the village, now he was probably going to get started on that punishment thing. He submitted himself to his fate and headed out to the tent, after thoroughly enjoying his pudding of course.



True enough the Turks, Rude and Reno sat waiting for him on the mats he had previously laid out. Zack was stretched out near the back, seemingly asleep. “Hey look who it is.” Reno suddenly burst out once he spotted Cloud.



Was that cards in his hands? “We've an assignment for you.” Rude continued.



Yep definately cards they were playing cards. “It's a doozy too.”



“An assignment?” Cloud was more eager to hear about the assignment rather then how hard it was.



“Yep, you're going to help clean the latrines.” Reno laughed. Clouds face fell at the idea. How exciting going from scrubbing toilets at the Shinra building to scrubbing toilets at Bone Village. “Oh by the way.” Reno continued. “Good job with setting everything up, I'm impressed.”



Cloud beamed; at least he had made a good impression. “I guess I should get to work then.”



“See you later.” Reno called out as Cloud left the tent again.



Indeed Cloud had to clean some toilets as well as some sinks, the floor and the tile backsplash. He wasn't alone though; there were regular workers who were paid to clean. In fact according to one person he was talking with they all rotated jobs, one week they'd be cooking in the kitchens, another week they'd be cleaning the mess hall, etcetera. The only thing that everyone did all the time, every week, every day was dig. Seeing as that was the main purpose for any of them being there. Cloud thought it was a good system; everyone seemed to be happy here he didn't sense any animosity between any of the workers. In fact, the only thing that seemed to upset anyone in the village was the object that had been dug out of the ground. Whatever it was Cloud wanted to know what it was and he wanted to know posthaste. He knew from asking around about it, that no one knew what it was or what it did. The only way he'd find out anything was through Zack and the Turks.



He swore that he'd do whatever it took to find out, even if it meant befriending the crazy redhead who had tried to kill them all. Waving good-bye to his fellow toilet scrubbers Cloud made his way back to the tent, noticing how dark it was all of a sudden. The village was fairly empty only a few bodies moving here and there and one lone person up on a cliff digging away. He enjoyed the sound of his footsteps crunching in the gravel and the low murmur of people in the tents. It was hard to believe that the ground he was walking on contained such a secret...



The next morning didn't lead to their departure in fact it didn't lead to much. Cloud followed his group down to the mess hall for breakfast engaged in conversation with Zack. As much as Zack claimed to enjoy the blondes presence he still wouldn't spill on the object, Cloud had learned this quickly and were now discussing the merits of Renos mullet.



“I must admit that stunning colour does make one stand out in a crowd but it’s the haircut that makes everyone stare.” Zack quipped.



Cloud laughed. “If he were to take it out of the ponytail he'd fit in at a hockey game. Hockey Hair!”



“Ha ha you two. You're just jealous you don't have such fantastic hair.” Reno fought back. “The two of you look like you got in a fight with a chocobo and lost. Particularly you chocohead.” He said motioning to Cloud.



“Hey!” He retaliated.



Unexpectedly Rude let out a chuckle from the front of the group. “Chocogel.”



“Whataya know he does speak.” Zack laughed, which was rewarded with a scowl.



Cloud laughed along with Zack and Reno, while Rude only made a sound of acknowledgement as they took a seat in the bone mess hall. He enjoyed his breakfast and the easy conversation with his companions knowing what was to come later that afternoon. He had been informed that he was to spend his morning after breakfast running errands for the SOLDIER and the Turks and the afternoon he was on digging duty, helping Marsh and his crew up near the forest. He dreaded going near the forest after everything Marsh had told him the day before. He had spent some time looking at the trees from the entrance of the sleeping tent, they seemed harmless enough but no one knew what was beyond those trees. What was there that kept people from re-emerging? He didn't want to go anywhere near it.



It was to Clouds disappointment that the afternoon came quickly breakfast had disappeared in a flash and the errands, silly things like running for coffee or taking charts back and forth between the Turks and the village elders. The elders really weren't really old, not what Cloud expected elders to look like in fact that was more of a title then anything else, seeing as the men who made up the council of the elders were still quite young. They were the small group that lead the workers. They were a curious group that wanted to know everything the visitors were doing so it was up to Cloud to check in regularly, the job assigned to him by and impatient Reno. Reno disagreed with the elders keeping track of them constantly, fairly put off when they insisted to know his actions at the bar the night before. Cloud had to climb up to the loft in the mess hall where the small bar was locate three times after he had returned from cleaning the latrines. So morning errands completed Cloud found himself dreading the walk up toward the cliff and closer to the trees.



He was following Marsh and once the Corel native noticed Cloud starting to lag further and further behind he stopped to wait for the blonde to catch up. “Somethin' wrong?”



“Sorry.” Cloud said still not speeding up his pace. “I'm just nervous.”



“Ah, don' worry 'bout the diggers. They ain't gonna hurt ya.” He laughed.



“No it's not that, the forest kinda freaks me out.”



“'Cause of what I told ya before?” Suddenly he burst out into loud laughter; he seemed to laugh a lot. “Don' worry 'bout tha' jus' don' go in the woods an' you'll be fine. Bein' close to the trees ain't gonna hurt ya none.”



Cloud gave him a weak smile, still feeling the nerves twist up his stomach. “Thanks.”



Soon enough he was introduced to several dirt covered workers and handed a shovel. He was given an area to work and told to dig. He watched observing the others around him; some had large garden shovels like himself while most had smaller tools spades and brushes. While he was just meant to dig out a larger area to a certain width, the workers with the smaller tools did the precision work. They were the ones that actually pulled the treasures out of the ground. What Cloud thought was strange was that they were digging out items, ethers, potions, hypers, things of that sort. As he dug keeping one eye on the trees, he wondered if someone came at night and planted the items for the workers to dig up.



Just as he was taking a break, taking large gulps of water from a bottle handed to him from another worker he was approached by Cook, who slapped him firmly on the back making him cough up some of his water.



“Heya kid how goes the digging business?” He burst out in his usual booming voice.



“Fine as long as I actually get some of this water to my stomach.”



Naturally, his laugh would be just as booming as his voice. “Great to see some humour in ya.”



“Yeah... if you want to call it that.” He turned his attention back to his water finishing off the bottle.



“So what you think of the fellas?” He questioned as he sat next to Cloud on the disturbed ground.



“They're nice enough, showing me the ropes I guess.”



Another booming laugh a single loud syllable of amusement. “Not like it's too hard.”



“How long have all of you been doing this?” Cloud had wondered, the view from the cliff showed evidence that the entire area had once been excavated like this at least once before.



“Oh hell if I know, they're always bringing different people around and sending people home, before all of us from Corel came here there were folks from Gongaga digging away. As far as I know they've been digging here for as long as the Wutanese government has been around.” He explained. “Your friend said he was from there, Gongaga.”



“Hmm.” Cloud responded, mind concentrating on what Cook had told him. “What are they looking for?”



“The Wutanese? Oh they’re looking for the key to the forest.”



“The key?”



Cook gave a smile to Clouds ignorance. “Sure, the story goes that the only way to successfully pass through the forest is to put it to sleep with the Lunar Harp. I guess the goons running the Wutai government want whatever is in the forest.”



“The Lunar Harp? If they've been digging this long and haven't found it... why haven't they given up it's just a story after all there's no proof that it even exists.”



Cook shrugged. “I guess they really want to get to whatever is behind those trees. Well I'll let you get back to work kid, see ya at dinner.”



Cloud watched the large black man walk away and wondered about what he had told him. They were looking for something called the Lunar Harp but had found something else instead and they turned it over to Shinra rather then the Wutanese government like they should have. Whatever was going on it wasn't making any sense to him.



The afternoon passed quickly and Cloud was more then happy to step into the showers to wash the dirt and sweat away. He stood in the water for a while just enjoying the feeling of the water hitting his sore shoulders and soothe his aches and pains away. He understood how this was a punishment now. He was surprised as he stepped out of the shower when he saw Zack standing there waiting for him.



“Zack!” He exclaimed clutching his towel closer to himself.



“Hey hurry up and get dressed. I want to take you somewhere.” With that he was gone leaving Cloud to wonder just what he was planning.



Curiosity getting the best of him he quickly got changed back into the regular grey cadet uniform luckily dirt and sweat free. Zack was waiting for him outside of the shower tent, usual smile in place. For a SOLDIER he seemed to smile a lot.



“So what is this about anyway?” Cloud said as he followed Zack up toward the dig site.



“You'll see just be patient.”



Cloud decided not to question Zack any further and silently followed him up the metal ladder to the area he had been working in earlier that day now dimmed by nightfall. It was empty, he and Zack being the only souls within the vicinity. Cloud felt unnerved being so close to the trees this late at night, particularly without having any of the experienced workers around. What alarmed him further was when Zack headed straight for the tree line.



“W-wait Zack what are you doing?!” Cloud burst out having long stopped following Zack in favour of standing and watching.



“I want to show you where they found that thing.”



“What thing?”



“The thing we were brought up here for. Dur, what other thing could I be talking about?” He rolled his eyes like it was the simplest thing in the world.



“Why would you show me that?” Cloud questioned, still not moving any closer to the trees.



“I thought you might be interested. Come on it's just some trees don't be such a baby.” He crossed the distance between himself and Cloud in a few easy steps and grabbed him by the wrist this time dragging him closer to the trees. “I want to know if we can find more.”



“Find more what?”



“Full of questions tonight aren’t you. More of that thing.”



“What thing!?” Cloud was beyond frustrated, what was it that had been found and why would Zack want to find more?



“I told you that already.”



“But what is it?”



“Sorry bud, can't tell you that. Can't say that I rightfully know myself.”



Cloud watched as the trees loomed closer and closer with every step. He hadn't been this close before not even that afternoon when the area had been bustling with workers.



“Zack I'm sorry but I don't want to go in the forest... It eats people.” They were nearly at the edge now.



“Don't tell me you believe that crap.” Zack started stopping just in front of the first few trees. “They are trees, they are wood, they exist on sunshine and rainfall not human flesh Cloud. Trees don't eat people, a few folks go in too deep and get lost and everyone goes crazy and start making up stories about how the forest is alive. Cloud it's not alive it can not trick you and for sure, it can't be put asleep by some stupid harp. Now come with me before I make you go scrub tonight’s dinner pans.”



Cloud nodded his head, voice trapped in his throat. He was surprised to find that even after they had passed the first few trees, his feet felt light and if he looked over his shoulder he could still see the tent set up near the edge of the woods. He breathed lighter when he saw that Zack was stopping at a place that the light still shone and he could see civilization. If he turned his eyes deeper into the woods all he could see was darkness and tree limbs. He moved into position next to Zack looking at the obviously upturned dirt. The only spot past the first tree.



“This is where they found it.” Zack explained.



Cloud looked at the spot it was unremarkable just dirt and more dirt nothing of the object remained behind. The only strange thing was that there was no evidence of other spots being dug up. “Why is this the only spot they dug in?”



“What?” Zack looked at Cloud then back at the ground.



“There isn't any other spots of disturbed ground just this one.”



“I dunno... maybe it was sticking up a bit.” Zack took a guess.



“Marsh said it looked like a rock. Why would they dig up a rock?”



Zack stared at the spot and Cloud could see his brows furrowed in concentration. A quiet murmur passed his lips obviously a question not necessarily directed to Cloud. “Why would they?”



Cloud continued to observe his surroundings as Zack mulled over his thoughts. He wasn't familiar with what breed of tree it was that made up the majority of the forest, they looked different from the ones that grew in his mountain town. They were tall and imposing no wonder people were afraid of them. He had been terrified of the forest but now that he was standing amongst the trees, he didn't feel the trepidation he once did. It was nightfall so it was only natural that it would be dark amongst the trees the limbs blocking what little moonlight there was. He looked further into the wood picking out more trees as his eyes were slowly adjusting to the lighting and something caught his eye.



“Hey!” He exclaimed and began to move after the object. It was a glint, something red, something catching the moonlight and reflecting it back to him. Not only was it obviously, something that didn't naturally belong in a forest but it was moving. His feet moved faster as he went after it, before he knew it he was running.



He could hear Zack chasing after him. “Cloud hey Cloud stop! Don't go that way!”



His warning went unheeded as Cloud was far more intent on catching the glint in the night. What he didn't expect was for it to vanish. One moment he had his eyes trained on it and the next it was gone as if it had never been there. When he looked back to see Zack chasing after him he paled when he noticed he could no longer see the camp.



Zack finally caught up. “What the hell are you doing Cloud?”



“I saw something.”



“What?”



He looked to his feet feeling ashamed, he just hoped that he hadn't lead them to far into the forest to get themselves lost. “I don't know.”



Zack was furious Cloud could tell even before he started yelling. “What?! You went running off into a forest you were terrified of just moments before to chase something you don't know! What the hell were you thinking?!”



“I'm sorry it was just so strange...” Cloud looked up to Zacks angry eyes. “It looked like Materia.”



That statement seemed to calm Zack down. “Materia?”



Cloud nodded. “I think, I mean it kinda looked like some of the Materia I've seen in class. Round kinda shiny like it's been polished. Red... a summon Materia?”



Zack nodded. “How did you see something so far away? Where is it?”



“It was moving, in between the trees. It just disappeared when I got close to it.”



“The Materia was moving Cloud?”



Cloud nodded again, choosing to sit and lean against a tree suddenly he felt weak. Zack sat next to him and let out a sigh. “Materia doesn't move on its own Cloud.”



“I know that!” He defended. “But that's what I saw; I said it looked like Materia not that it was... I could have been some sort of animal as far as I know.”



Zack shook his head in a negative. “No ones ever seen a living creature in these woods Cloud.”



“How could they, no one ever goes in here.”



Zack laughed whole-heartedly and rose back to his feet. “Come on lets get out of here.”



Cloud took the hand that was offered to him and was pulled to his feet, the two turned back in the direction they had come by. He felt strangely at ease considering he was far deeper then he had ever wanted to go and couldn't see anything but trees. He and Zack joked back and forth about flying Materia and how in some cases would make a better weapon then some of the Materia offered out there. Cloud had seen some of the poorly hewn Materia out there, it was always found at a lower price and had a rough surface rather then the smooth polished exteriors of the manufactured Materia that Shinra was responsible for. When they had gotten to the point of laughing about just throwing Materia at their enemies Clouds sense of ease had lessened since they had been talking and walking for a while and there was still no sign of camp. Zack seemed put off as well, pausing to try and glimpse up at the sky with no luck the tree branches were to thick.



“I don't mean to alarm you Cloud but I think we should wait until morning before we go any further. At least with daylight we can trace our footsteps back to camp.”



Clouds heart immediately began to pound in his chest. The forest was going to eat them. “So... What are we supposed to do until then?”



“I guess we just sit down and get some sleep.” Zack said as he found a wide tree to lean against motioning for Cloud to sit next to him.



“Both of us... sleep at the same time.” Even though the forest had proven thus far to be devoid of life, not including the mysterious Materia, the thought of them sitting there completely unguarded unnerved him.



“Don't worry you get some sleep and I'll stay up then I'll wake you and you can keep guard.” Zack explained as if it would ease the boys’ fears, which it didn't. “That way we'll both get some rest and we'll both be safe at the same time. Now sit down and get some sleep.”



Cloud sat next to Zack and leaned against him tucking his head under the SOLDIERs chin. “I guess that's better then nothing.”



Zack ran his hand along the blondes back trying to ease his worries. “I promise nothing will happen.”



He wasn't sure when he drifted off to sleep but Cloud was slowly eased there by the hand on his back and the heat of the body under his head. He must have been exhausted from the days work and the trek through the forest for him to drift off so easily. When he awoke the next morning, he was greeted by the sight of a softly snoring Zack. He stiffened in a panic, muscles tense in anticipation of the worst. He could picture a hideous monster waiting for them to stir just behind a tree or a band of Wutanese bandits wanting to take any SOLDIER they could get their hands on into custody. When he moved from the warmth of Zacks arms, he was slightly surprised to find nothing. No hidden figures, no scheming Government officials, nothing but trees. He stood, knees popping and back stiff in protest to the uncomfortable night on the ground. He had made it only a few steps from the spot they had slept on when he heard Zacks groggy voice.



“Is it morning already?”



Cloud turned around, angry suddenly at the dark haired officer. “You promised me that you would wake me for my shift!”



“So I fell asleep before your turn. Nothing happened Cloud, see we're perfectly fine and it's morning now so we can find our way back to the village.”



Cloud looked around, nothing looked familiar each tree the same as the next. Looking to the ground hoping to find some sort of trace of the way they had come the night before but finding no clue. His heart fell when he noticed that it looked like they had just been placed in the spot they stood in. Nothing was disturbed, the ground showed no evidence of their track. “How are we going to find our way back?”



Zack seemed to be studying the ground as well. “That's strange.” He murmured obviously noticing the same thing Cloud saw. Nothing.



“It looks like no ones been here in years if ever.”



“There must be some sign of us getting here last night.” Zack was on his hands and knees examining the ground closer. Cloud watched him as he concentrated on the ground, but obviously found nothing that would help them seeing as he sat back with a sigh.



“I'm sorry.” Cloud offered knowing that it was his fault that they were in this predicament. “I wish I hadn't run off last night.”



“No it's okay... we really hadn't gone that far. I think I just lead us farther in instead of taking us back.”



Cloud shook his head disagreeing with Zack. “We shouldn't blame any one I guess.” He looked around at the trees surrounding them. In the sunlight they didn't seem so menacing everything had a green hue since the sun was passing through the leaves filtering through he colour pigments to bathe everything in a healthy natural glow. “We'll find our way out.”



“I think I understand now.” Zack said dusting the dirt from his pants. “How the forest can eat you. The trees swallow you in and don't spit you back out.”



“What if we pass through them and come out the other end.” Cloud joked.



“Toilet humour this early Cloud?” Zack teased.



Cloud laughed feeling his anxieties melt away. “So I guess we pick a direction and keep walking, we're bound to find an edge somewhere.”



“I guess that's what we do.” The settled on a direction guessing that they were heading east back toward the village, but they couldn't be sure. Neither of them could remember what side of the tree moss was supposed to grow on even though they didn't find much anyway the moss softening the ground they walked on rather then the sides of the trees.



A few hours passed and they had continued to walk in their easternish direction but hadn't seen anything other then the same trees over and over.



“Do you think we might be going in a circle?” Cloud questioned following Zack over a fallen tree.



“All the trees look the same who knows we might just be.”



Cloud remained quiet for a little while still following the path Zack made for them through the trees. “I'm hungry.” He finally said at length.



“Me too.” And that was that, after all there wasn't anything to scavenge for and unmistakably no one had thought to bring food with them. No wonder there didn't seem to be any animals in the forest.



“I wish we had the Lunar Harp.” Cloud piped up thinking back to the stories Cook had told him.



“That's just a story Cloud; no one will ever find that thing.”



“It's still nice to believe.” Cloud countered, imagining that if they had the mysterious harp with them they might just be able to make it through the woods.



“Over the hill and through the woods off to Grandmothers house we go.” Zack sung quietly under his breath.



“My Mom liked that song.” Cloud said equally quietly, remembering the nights at home and the fairy tales and songs his mother would sing to him.



“I'm not even sure if those are the right words.” Zack said finally stopping to lean against a tree. “I can't remember a lot of my childhood stories. Just bits and pieces.”



Cloud nodded, familiar with the feeling. “My Mom really liked that sort of stuff; she had a big book a fairy tales she used to read to me every night. I can barely tell each story apart now.”



“Fuck, you think we'll ever get out of here?” Zack said looking up to the tree branches. “Hey...” He said before Cloud could respond to his first question. “You any good at climbing trees Cloud?”



“Yeah, used to do that all the time back home.”



“Good, now scamper up that tree like you were trying to scare the living daylights out of your Mom. Parents hate it when you do something dangerous like that.”



Zack boosted Cloud up to the lowest branch and nervously Cloud made his way up the tree. The branches seemed strong enough to hold his weight but he still tested each one before climbing higher. He managed to make up to the top, clinging to the branch beneath his shaking body. Popping up above the foliage, he was disappointed to see nothing but green leaves and branches. No sign any direction of where the Village might be. He shimmied back down the tree and was helped down to the ground by Zack.



“So any luck?”



“Nothing, just trees, trees, and more trees.” Cloud sighed feeling hungry and thirsty. “I'm starting to think that this forest is a Government conspiracy.”



“Why would you say that?” Zack questioned. Sitting next to Cloud who was trying to catch his breath from the climb.



“It looks like the trees were planted in such a way to trick you. Every few feet they look like they're in the same position... maybe that's why we think we're going in circles.”



“Hey you were the one that said you thought we we're going in circles. You honestly think that the Government came here and planted these trees hundreds of years ago?” Zack asked in disbelief.



“Well when you put it like that... I guess not.” Cloud dug the toe of his boot into the dirt, wishing he could stay out of trouble. The sat in silence, both lost in thought. Zack watching Cloud dig into the ground. He kicked up peoples and dirt one particularly stubborn rock flew and bounced off a tree. Cloud stopped noticing the odd shape; he stood crossed the small distance and picked it up examining it. “Hey Zack... is this a shell?”



He handed it to the SOLDIER for a second opinion. Watching as he turned it over in his fingers. “What the hell?”



He tossed it back to Cloud. “Sure looks like a shell.”



Cloud felt the surface over looking at the fan shape of a classic symbol for the beach. They were to far away from the ocean for a shell to be here. Some one must have brought it here. “How could this have gotten here?”



“If we find a skeleton somewhere we'll know.” Zack said standing again. “I just hope that we'll find a stream somewhere soon. We can last a while without food but we'll be in trouble if we don't find water soon it's been too long already.”



They set off again still going in their easternish direction. Cloud followed behind Zack playing with the shell in his pocket and watching his friends face contorted in worry. He was worried himself, his mouth feeling parched and his stomach growling. There had to water somewhere around her for the trees to be growing so well.



Cloud had been so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed when Zack stopped in front of him, causing Cloud to bump into him. “Hey Cloud. Do you think that maybe a long time ago this area might have been under water?”



Cloud shrugged. “You mean like hundreds of years ago?”



“Maybe... maybe even thousands of years ago.”



“I guess it could have... why do you think that?” Cloud questioned, coming around Zacks side to look at him inquisitively.



Zack didn't answer right away; instead he leaned over and pulled something from the ground. Cloud watched curiously noticing a tightly spiralled shell in the SOLDIERs hand. “Another one?”



Zack examined it turning the shell over in his hands, running his fingers over its surface. “How many of these do you think we'll find if we look?” He moved his toe through the dirt disturbing the surface and bringing to light many different rocks and pebbles but no shells.



“They might be spread out through the whole forest.” Cloud reasoned, watching the dirt fly.



“Let’s take another break.” Zack said.



Cloud agreed not wanted to travel any further; they had been at this all day so far. He leaned against Zack and they collapsed onto the ground together. Falling into a comfortable snuggle Cloud closed his eyes. They must have fallen asleep for the next time Cloud opened his eyes the shadows were longer and the slight breeze that had accompanied them earlier had increased. He felt Zacks arm wrapped protectively around him, when Cloud shivered slightly from the wind Zack woke.



“Hey what’s going on?” He inquired, looking around sleepy eyed.



“Sorry the winds just a little chilly.” Cloud spoke.



Zack rubbed the sleep from his eyes using that hand that wasn't holding onto Clouds thin shoulder. “I guess the weather's turning for the worst. Maybe it'll rain and we can catch some to drink.” He offered, again trying to look up through the trees.



The wind seemed much worse above them rattling the leaves so that there was a roar of the branches. Cloud shivered again, suddenly worried about the storm overhead. They say you should never be under a tree during a thunderstorm, what if that was what this is? “Zack what if there’s lightning?”



“Don't worry Cloud, we'll be safe enough. Let’s find somewhere to take shelter.” Cloud not being sure where they would find something like shelter silently followed Zack letting the more experienced Shinra employee use his expertise.



It was just starting to rain when they found it. A tree with large roots protruding from the ground, making a hollow just big enough for the two to fit into. They crammed in pressing their backs against the dirt wall behind them. Cloud yelped and pulled away when he felt something dig into the small of his back. He turned around to investigate, ignoring the concerned look in Zacks eyes, sticking out of the wall was yet another shell. He pulled it out, looking at the large spiral, working its way to a point. He looked over the incandescent surface as he sat back holding it so Zack could see it as well.



“Told ya we'd find more.” He laughed pulling the blonde close to him.



Cloud pocketed the shell with the first leaning into Zack. They sat in silence watching the rain fall feeling warm from each others body heat filling the small space. Cloud wondered if he would feel this comfortable with anyone else. He could never picture himself sitting this close with his roommate or anyone from the Shinra building. He was a romantic at heart and in the past had thought about waiting out a rainstorm with Tifa, he had dreamed about it too. Usually they would be standing under the awning of the traveling Materia merchant that would sometimes pass through Nibelhiem during the summers watching the rain fall and splash against the roof of the Old Shinra Manor. Maybe he'd have his arm around her, like Zack did now, or sometimes he would hold her hand. The rain would always continue, Tifa would get cold giving Cloud the excuse to hold her tight... then... then they would kiss short and sweet. It always was a dream and now here he was snuggling with a 5'7” male SOLDIER. He let out a small disappointed sigh, it was still kind of romantic he guessed, besides the fact that he was thirsty and hungry and lost in the middle of a forest with a bad reputation.



“Hey Cloud check it out.” Zack pointed toward the base of the tree just above their heads where water was gathering in a little dip. “Have a drink.” He pushed Cloud a bit urging him to stand.



He stood and brought his mouth to the little puddle and slurped it up quickly, watching as the heavy rainfall filled it again in no time, he slurped it a second time feeling refreshed. When he sat, again Zack stood for his turn. It wasn't the best tasting water, but to Cloud it was heaven soothing his parched throat and filling him just a little. At least he knew they wouldn't dehydrate anytime soon, as long as the rain held up long enough. The continued taking turns lapping up the water when enough had collected until they both felt satisfied. Then they sat back down resuming the position they had been in when they first found the dry hollow. “Let’s spend the night here Zack.” Cloud said suddenly feeling his eyes grow heavy.



“Sure we'll have to wait out the storm anyway.” Zack said leaning forward to look up at the sky, what little he could see of it. “Looks like it might last the night anyway.”



“Mmm.” Cloud responded, not looking forward to another night on the hard ground.



“Hey Cloud.”



“Mmm.”



Zack leaned down and planted a kiss on Clouds lips, short and sweet just like he pictured in his dreams with Tifa. But this wasn't Tifa... but it felt just as good so he leaned into it and pressed his lips back. Pulling back only when he realised what exactly he was doing. This was Zack, a first class SOLDIER, a guy! Zack pulled away as well giving Cloud as much space as he could in the cramped confinement.



“Sorry I didn't mean.” Zack started to apologize but stopped.



Cloud wasn't paying attention he was focused on the dirt wall next to him, looking at a tiny shell near his shoulder. Another one, he left it though no point in picking them all up. His first kiss, it was everything he wanted it to be. Well almost, it had the right elements the rain, the chill in the air, the protective arm; he was supposed to be with Tifa though. He started to convince himself that it didn't matter, he liked Zack maybe not like that but he was still a friend and at least he wasn't drunk or something like that. He waited awhile before he addressed Zack. “I'm sorry for pulling away like that.”



“No don't worry I understand, I shouldn't have done that in the first place.”



Cloud gave a little chuckle. “You realise we're having one of those awkward conversations you see those lovey dovey couples have.”



Zack laughed. “Aww man I promised myself I would never have one of those.”



Cloud laughed along remember many situations when he had gone into the little cafe situated on a corner near the Shinra building and seen the infamous couples sitting in their booths holding hands apologizing to each other for some stupid fight or something equally stupid. Cloud never wanted to be them either. “Okay so let’s make a deal. No matter what happens between us we'll never ever be one of those cafe couples.”



Zack shook Clouds hand. “It's a deal.” He leaned forward to look at the sky again. “Looks like the rain is starting to let up now.”



Cloud listened for the raindrops indeed they had lessoned but hadn't gone away completely the wind had died down and darkness was upon them now. “So we've been in here for a whole day now.”



“Yep... hopefully not much longer. Let’s just get some sleep and concentrate on getting out of here tomorrow.” He shifted his arm around Cloud again, it was the only way they could fit both their shoulders comfortably inside of the hollow. “You're okay if we both sleep?”



“Yeah... we've been in here this long without seeing anything. I doubt we'll be overtaken by monsters all of a sudden.” Cloud felt safe in the woods, despite the fact the day before he had been terrified of it and had spent 24 hours trapped in the leafy dungeon. It didn't take long for sleep to come.



xoxoxoxoxoxoxo



The next day found Cloud and Zack still walking in their easternish direction, with far less motivation behind their steps. Hope that they would find an edge to the forest was growing dim and the puddles of water that had been left behind from the nights rainfall had almost dried up by now. They had stopped during the early morning to quench their thirst again. Cloud was getting frustrated with each step they took. He was tired of looking at the trees they all looked the same, he was tired of occasionally finding shells, and he was tired of the fact that there was no sign of that mysterious Materia he had seen.



“I'm tired of this.” He finally voiced his opinion.



“Yeah join the club.” Zack sounded equally frustrated.



“I'm turning around.” Cloud couldn't be sure, if they were walking in circles or if they were just going deeper and deeper into the forest. Either way he couldn't just keep walking like this. Just like that he turned heal and started walking the direction they had come from, leaving Zack behind.



“Cloud you can't do that.” Zack ran after Cloud and grabbed him by the hand, trying to stop his advancement. Cloud was far too stubborn and fought Zack every step of the way. “What are you going to achieve going that way?”



“Well if I go that way for another two days I might end up where we started.” Cloud countered.



“Are you saying that I've just lead us farther into the forest?”



“No! I mean who knows where we are. Whenever we trying climbing the trees to have a look around all we see is trees! The forest eats people Zack not literally but it's eaten us and we're not going to get out of it.” Cloud was upset, no he was beyond upset he could feel tears pooling in the corner of his eyes and his vision was beginning to blur.



Zack pulled him into a hug. “Fine, if it'll make you feel better... we'll go back the way we came.”



Cloud hugged him back. “I just want to go home.”



“Lets move, just standing here won't do anything.” Zack took Clouds hand and they started to walk back the way they had just come. Moving their feet at a slower pace, they almost seemed like two lovers out for a casual walk in the park rather then two friends lost in a forest of myth. “So what do we do if this doesn't work?”



“Curl up and wait for death.” Cloud tired, fearing that it might have to come to that.



“Don't say that Cloud, not even close to being funny.”



“I never said it was supposed to be funny.” He scuffed his feet along the surface of the ground as he walked, much like he used to do when he was a child reluctant to go to the store with his mother. “It might just happen.”



Zack sighed as he stopped their slow walk, squeezing Clouds hand reassuringly and pulling him into a hug. “I promise you I won't let that happen.”



“Zack you can't promise that because you can't guarantee it.” Cloud said slightly muffled by Zacks chest.



Zack reached down and grabbed Cloud by the chin forcing him to turn his eyes up at the SOLDIER. “I'm promising you Cloud.” Still holding Clouds chin, he used it to pull him closer and kissed him again. “Feel better?”



“Are you going to make a habit of this?” Cloud questioned smiling in amusement, trying to remain casual.



“Only maybe.”



“What kind of an answer is that... only maybe. That doesn't even make sense.” Cloud mimicked as Zack pulled him along again.



“Come on just keep walking.”



They walked together hand in hand and watched as slowly trees and hidden shells passed them by. Cloud noted that something was changing, the lighting. It was getting lighter the branches seemed to be spacing out and before they knew it the camp was back in sight. Zack stopped still holding Clouds hand making him stop too. “How the hell?”



“Who cares we're out!” Cloud was beyond happy he was ecstatic.



“But we walked in one direction for nearly two days, how could we get back here in less then 10 minutes. This is fucked up.”



“Maybe we were just going in circles and we were close to the village this whole time. I'm beyond caring right now I just want to get something to drink and a square meal.” Cloud was antsy standing there amongst the trees while he knew there were lots of people out there and a hot meal waiting for them.



Zack nodded. “I'm so hungry.”



“So why are we waiting lets go.” Cloud pulled Zack along the rest of the way they broke out of the forest into the light. The workers pulled back in surprise at the sight of the two Shinra reps who were covered in dirt and sweat. Cloud saw their surprise and couldn't keep the smile from his face; he never thought the sun would feel so good.



xoxoxoxoxoxoxo



Author Notes: There she is the first chapter. It's long O.o, I put a lot of work into this and I'm trying my best to have it fit into the storyline. Mind you Crisis Core is going to throw all of that out the window. Remember kiddies to read and review.