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 its characters. All of that belongs to its owners Square-Enix.

Chapter Two

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

When Cloud and Zack had emerged from the forest, the workers were all shocked. Word had spread that they had disappeared into the forest and no one had expected them to return. Zack recounted their tale to Cook as he and Cloud ate their first meal in two days. Cook listened patiently nodding at appropriate spots in the story; Cloud watched his reaction as he inhaled the food supplied to him. The Turks stood nearby Cloud ignored them, more interested in what the workers, the ones with experience with the forest, would have to say about their miraculous appearance.

Zack finished the story and Cook took a minute to think about what they had said. The mess hall was quiet with the exception of the sound of Zack and Cloud eating. At length Cook spoke. “The forest must have been tired of you being there.”

“The forest was tired of us?” Cloud asked, curious as how the forest could tire of their presence.

“They say the forest is alive, if it is then it could have possibly bored of the two of you and spit you back out to us.” Cook clarified.

“So you’re saying that it wasn't because we just happened to be near the entrance and Cloud just randomly went the right way?” Zack questioned.

“Well that could be a possibility as well, the only way to know for sure would be to go back with the Lunar Harp and see if you'd be able to pass through that way.”

“Okay that's it!” Zack yelled, suddenly slamming his fork to the table, causing Cloud to jump. “I'm so sick and tired of this bullshit. There is nothing in the ground around here but rocks, dirt, and materia. All of you idiots could dig for your entire life and never find that thing, besides if you did Wutei would just take it from you. Why dig for something you'll never have and something that will never benefit you?”

“Hey!” Reno of the Turks spoke up, the first thing he had said since arriving earlier. “We're not here to question their work, if they want to dig for the Government they can dig.”

Cloud looked between the red head and the SOLDIER, tension was building.

“Whatever, I'm getting out of here.” Zack stood and left the mess hall.

Rude crossed the short distance from where he was standing next to Reno and faced Cook, still sitting across from Cloud. “What about the object they first saw when they entered the forest?”

“The red Materia?” Cook grimaced a little. “We should have warned you about that.”

“Warned us?” Cloud asked looking up suddenly.

“We've seen it before; no one knows exactly what it is, a creature or something else. It seems to try to lure people into the forest though. A trick for sure.”

Cloud crossed his arms annoyed, if only he had known that before he never would have led Zack and himself into the forest like that. “Do you think it could be materia?”

“Don't kid yourself... kid.” Reno said taking Zacks seat. “That could have been anything, but I doubt it could be materia, materia doesn't move.”

Cloud looked into his lap. “It really looked like materia though.” He was sure of it.

“None of us have ever had a good look at it, no one dares go any closer to the trees to look. The most we've seen is flashes of light and colour.” Cook added. “Sounds like you've had the best sight of it, better then anyone else. You just might be right.”

“That whole place is fucked up.” Reno said.

“We needn't concern ourselves with it any longer.” Rude said.

Cloud moved his head to look at him so fast it almost felt like he gave himself whiplash. “Needn't concern ourselves?!”

“We have completed our assignment and now that the two of you have been returned to us safe and sound we should head back.”

“Aww, just when we're all getting to be friends.” Cook said almost laughing.

“Don't forget, we're technically supposed to be enemies.” Reno said standing from the table. He and Rude left the mess hall, leaving it empty with Cloud and Cook.

“Enjoy your meal?” Cook asked looking at the young cadet.

“Anything would taste like a five star meal after that experience.” Cloud said looking at his empty plate feeling satisfied.

“Bet you a cool glass of beer would top puddle water any day.”

“I'm not old enough for that.”

“Shame.” Cook stood to leave. “Coming with me or do you plan to lick that plate clean?”

“Well the offer does sound tempting.” Cloud said giving his empty plate another look, before standing and following Cook out of the hall.

It was late afternoon, and not many people were working anymore. They stood around talking amongst themselves giving Cloud curious glances when he walked past. Cloud did his best to ignore them feeling conscious about their eyes on him. He followed Cook into his tent; tension's easing as soon as he was behind the heavy canvas and away from the stares.

“Why is everyone staring like that?”

“We've had a few people disappear into the forest before, you and your companion are the first to come back.” Cook sat on a folding chair set up in the corner, it sagged under his weight. “They are just curious as to why two fellows such as yourself, have managed to survive such an ordeal.”

Cloud stood in the entranceway, he felt a little awkward. After all those stories, and all that trepidation he had felt about the forest he had still gone in there and even more managed to get out. “Do you think that the forest is really alive?”

“Hmm, hard to say.” Cook leaned back; the chair gave a threatening creak in complaint. “Stories are just stories right, but every story must have a grain a truth to it. Otherwise, where would they come from? Those trees are holding a secret for sure, but what? We'll probably never know.”

Cloud looked down to his hands, folded into fists. “It looks just like a normal forest, but we found something strange in there.”

“You found something strange? Another object?” Cook was suddenly intrigued.

“Well no, it's probably not very important but...” He trailed off moving one hand to his pocket. He pulled out the shells and showed them to Cook. “We found these.”

Cook picked up one shell and held it up to the light. “Interesting. You must have found them deeper in the forest; we've never found anything like this near the edge.”

“Isn't it unusual to find something like shells so far away from the ocean?”

“Well not if someone took them there.”

"“They were all over the place, buried under the dirt like rocks.” Cloud clarified. “We had thought that someone brought them first too, but there were just too many.”

Cook handed the shell back. “Who knows maybe there once was a civilization that worshiped them or something.” He laughed as if the idea was ridiculous.

Cloud shrugged. “Maybe there was. I should check in with the Turks.” Cloud excused himself and left the tent, mulling over the things Cook told him.

He made a beeline for the Turks tent, knowing that they would be there. Rude said that they would be leaving soon, he knew that they would be in putting their things back together. He could see the helicopter they had arrived in sitting silently in the distance. He hated the thought of having to ride in that thing again. True enough inside the tent the Turks and Zack were finishing putting things together and rolling up their sleeping mats.

“Are we really going this soon?” Cloud asked before anyone had even looked his way.

Zack looked up, disappointment evident in his eyes. “Yeah, even though it would have been nice to stay a little bit longer just to rest up sadly we don't get that choice. We've got to report back into Shinra HQ. As it is, we're already late. You and I are probably going to have to report in about the forest, I doubt they'll accept it as a decent excuse.”

“You don't think so?” Cloud asked as he went to help Zack roll his sleeping mat.

“Think about it Cloud, it's not like we just lost our way... that place was weird.”

“I don't think either of you should say anything about the forest.” Reno said, suddenly appearing behind Cloud. “At least the weird stuff.”

“We can't cut facts when it comes to reporting to the General.” Zack retorted.

“You think he's going to believe you when you tell him you went chasing after flying materia in the night? You think he'll believe you when you tell him that the forest let you go? That it was bored of you?” Reno was in Zack's face pushing for a fight.

“How do you intend to explain why we're so late getting back then? We were due back yesterday.” Zack retorted not backing down.

“So you just shave the stuff that the two of you dreamed up and-” He was cut off by Zack's fist.

Zack lashed out landing a solid hit across the Turks jaw, making him fall back into the tent floor. Cloud froze as he watched the two military experts stare each other down. Before Zack had, a chance to brace himself Reno leaped up pulling a weapon out of what seemed like nowhere narrowly missing cranking the SOLDIER on the head. Instead, Zack had reached up and grabbed Reno's hand around the electro-rod. They moved about the tent as in some sort of sick parody of a dance. Cloud didn't know what he should do, he knew that they shouldn't be fighting, but he also knew that he didn't stand a chance against the two if he were to get involved. Luckily Rude was the one that stepped in. With exactly two confident strides, he crossed the distance from the bag he was packing to the fighting men and with exactly two well-placed cuffs on the back of either of their heads the fight was broken up.

“What happened in that forest no one knows, not even those two.” He said as he gestured toward Cloud and Zack. “We will tell them that they went into the woods to examine the area the object was found and got lost in the dark.”

It was silent for awhile, both Reno and Zack just stared in disbelieve at Rude as if neither of them could believe that he had stepped in between them. Cloud was the one who broke the silence. “I think that sounds like a good idea.”

“A SOLDIER doesn't just get lost.” Zack said crossing his arms, actually sounding put off at the idea.

“You did get lost.” Reno said before turning and leaving the tent.

“Where are you going?” Rude inquired.

Reno's response was muffled through the canvas as he walked away. “To get the chopper ready.”

“I guess we really will be going soon then.” Cloud said looking over his shoulder at his bag. He didn't want to go back yet even though he had gone through a terrifying ordeal in the forest and worked his fingers to the bone, digging and running errands back and forth; he was fond of this place. He got along with the workers here far better then he did with the other cadets back in Midgar.

“Can't stay forever.” Zack said picking up his bag and followed Rude out of the tent.

Cloud had one last look around the tent he barely got to spend any time in, looked at the empty floors and canvas walls before picking up his own bag and exited the same way as the others.

The helicopter was already running when he arrived at the makeshift pad. A group of people were already there talking to the Turks and SOLDIER. Among the crowd, he could spot Cook and Marsh. Marsh gave Cloud a hug and promised to visit him if he ever found himself in Midgar. Cloud hadn't realised that he had actually made some good friends while he was here.

As much as he wanted to remain there at Bone Village, and leave the stress and pressure of the Shinra SOLDIER program behind him he knew he had a duty to do. With thoughts of his promise to Tifa and his mother, he turned his back on the people he met and disappeared into the helicopter, taking a seat next to Zack. He watched the group on the ground wave goodbye and watched as they grew smaller and smaller and eventually disappear. He leaned back into his seat and sighed, he kept his eyes on the window watching the empty sky.

“Well I'm glad to be out of there.” Rude said, disturbing the quiet.

“You are?” Zack asked.

“I wish we could stay longer.” Cloud said, finally looking away from the window. He looked Rude over unsure why the Turk would be wanting to go back to actual work in the Shinra building. Then he noticed it, a metal case set on the seat next to Rude. “Is that the object?” He questioned, recognising the case.

Rude gave it a quick look. “Yes.”

“You brought it with you? I thought you were just supposed to look at it there.” Cloud wasn't sure why this thing was with them now, the thing that he desperately wanted to know what it was.

“They allowed us to take it.” Zack added in. “The scientists are going to have a better examination of it when we get back to the Shinra building.”

“The scientist's?” Cloud had heard of them, and of all the horrible stories of what they did to their subjects.

“Yeah, Hojo's passing it off to someone.” Zack said casually.

Cloud remembered seeing Hojo once a fellow cadet had pointed him out in the hallways. Cloud shuddered when he thought about the man's appearance and the stories that went along with it. “Are you sure that's a good thing to do?”

“Of course it is, they'll be able to know more about it then we will. They can look at more of it then just its appearance.” Rude explained, setting one hand on the metal case.

“Look at more of it?” Cloud winced at another stupid question.

“Yeah, you know stuff like what's it made out of, structural settings, yadda yadda science talk. You know that kind of stuff.” Zack said slinging one arm across the back of Clouds seat.

Cloud nodded, feeling stupid for asking a question he already knew that answer to. Some impression he had made, he had gotten a first class SOLDIER lost, asked numerous stupid questions, and on top of all that effectively made sure that they were all late checking back into Head Quarters.

“I sure hope that the trip back doesn't take too long.” Zack said turning his attention to the window.

Cloud nodded his agreement, stomach feeling queasy already from the movement. They sat in silence for a while, Reno sometimes conversing with them from the front. Just small talk, nothing more about the object or Clouds apparent ineptitude. It wasn't long before an hour passed, and Cloud was bored out of his mind. There was nothing out the window really to look at, just the same old clouds and nothing but water passing under them. Zack had fallen asleep, and Rude was as quiet as usual. He sighed as he leaned against the window, wishing he was able to fall asleep as easily as Zack, at least then he wouldn't have to worry about the unease he felt in his stomach. He hated getting motion sickness and he was hoping that the trip back would go as well as the first trip. That didn't seem to be happening, Reno wasn't helping much at the controls. The ride had been a little rocky for the last half hour and was steadily getting worse. A large bump was enough to wake Zack next to him.

“Huh? Wuzzat?” Was Zacks sleepy reaction.

“We seem to be having some turbulence.” Rude said from his seat, releasing his seat belt to move up to the cockpit with Reno.

Cloud's stomach twisted into a knot, he closed his eyes and concentrated on not spewing his lunch. He had made it to Bone Village without feeling sick, why oh why couldn't it be the same on the return trip? Rude hadn't made it to the cockpit before another rough patch sent him flying into Zack. In fact, everything seemed to be tossing and turning, far worse then they had when they had hit that crosswind first time around.

Zack caught Rude quickly and held him firmly at they were all crashing into one another and Cloud felt his head bump the window a few times. Faintly he could hear the blips and beeps of what he assumed to be warning signals in the cock pit, laced with Renos cursing of course. He helped Zack assist Rude back to his seat so that he wasn't moving about the cabin. All it would take was a knock on the head and Rude could be in trouble.

“I think we're having some problems.” Rude said calmly once he was strapped back into his seat.

“No shit.” Zack said harshly.

Cloud leaned back into his seat, praying silently for the ride to end. One peak out the window and he forgot about the rough turbulence. They were falling, he watched as the ground was rushing up at them. “We're going down.” He cried out in a panicked voice.

A yell from the cockpit was the only warning they got. “Hold on tight it's going to be a rough landing!”

They struck the ground; Cloud could see dirt fly up out the window as the blades bit into the earth. He braced himself against the armrests on his seat and tried his best to block the world out. They weren't crashing they were still back in Bone Village, Cloud was asleep in his tent. A burning sensation on his cheek told him otherwise. Something had cut him, probably a piece from the hull of the helicopter, as they skidded within the craft across the ground. It seemed like hours before it came to a stop. Sudden stillness and a soft hiss sound, pressure releasing from somewhere. Cloud didn't dare to move he joints stiff and knuckles white from holding onto the armrest so hard.

“Everyone okay?” Rude said unbuckling himself from the seat.

“Yeah, I think I'm okay.” Zack said also freeing himself from his seat. “Cloud?”

Cloud didn't respond, he stared straight ahead. He was shocked that they had actually just crashed just like that like a rock from the sky.

“Cloud?!” Zack was suddenly in his sight.

“Huh? What?”

“He seems to be alright, nothing major.” That was Rude's voice Cloud was able to identify. “I'll go check on Reno. Get him out of here.”

“Right.” Zack agreed, reaching down to release the seat belt that held Cloud in place. Cloud stopped him, moving his hands from the armrest. “Cloud?”

He could feel it, the nausea returning. “I think I'm going to be sick.”

Zack rushed Cloud out of the helicopter through a hole cut into the side. Cloud barely had time to make it away from the wreckage before he spewed his lunch over the ground. He could faintly hear Rude yelling something as he tried his best to keep his stomach in place. Zacks hand rested lightly on his back, Cloud knew he was trying to ease his discomfort.

“I gotta go see what Rude needs, you going to be okay?” Zack asked calmly.

Cloud nodded, not wanting to open his mouth again. He rested one hand against a cluster of rocks not trusting his knees to hold him up. He didn't want to focus on what had happened or the tossing in his belly, although that one didn't seem to be working very well. He lost it two more times before he tried to move away from the rocks. As he stood there, trying to get everything back together, he could hear the SOLDIER and the Turks moving about the wreckage, they sounded concerned. As soon as he felt confident that his legs would hold him up, he turned to go help them out. He was glad to see that at least the ruins of the helicopter wasn't burning. As he approached the wreckage he could see Zack and Rude carrying something, he started to feel concerned when he saw a flash of red hair. Ignoring the queasiness he still felt, he ran the rest of the way. Just as he feared the Turk looked unconscious, his right leg looked torn up.

He helped brace Reno when Zack started to slide after part of the uneven ground gave way under his foot. They moved him to a safe place away from the wrecked helicopter, Cloud stayed with him under Zack's orders while he and the other Turk removed the rest of their belongings from the helicopter. Cloud had no other choice but to sit there with Reno's head in his lap watching the other two. They seemed to be taking their sweet time, obviously discussing something with Cloud out of hearing range. Cloud scowled as he wondered what they could be talking about. The weight in his lap and the concern in his heart was what kept him in place. Eventually they returned lugging whatever the could find still in decent shape. Cloud was relieved to see that his bag was still in one piece.

Zack sat next to Cloud on the ground, sighing. “I can't believe all the bad luck we've been having. What the hell happened?”

“We won't know until Reno wakes up.” Rude said also sitting on the ground metal case with him.

Zack pulled one bag forward, one Cloud was sure hadn't been removed when they arrived at Bone Village. He pulled out a pile of material and tent poles, it was a regulation Shinra tent. He sorted out the broken poles from the ones that remained unharmed. Then some potions and ethers out of another bag, he lined them all up and gave Rude a nod. Cloud guessed this had something to do with what they were discussing before.

Rude stood and Zack followed suit. “Cloud I'm going to give you some orders and I expect you to follow them exactly.” Zack started. Cloud nodded in understanding. “Good. I want you to stay here with Reno take care of him, explain everything if he wakes up.”

Cloud watched as Zack balled up the tent material, Rude lifted Reno's head from Clouds lap and Zack put the Material under it. “That'll let you do some work.” He motioned to another tent bag. “Between the two tents enough tent poles should have survived to set up at least one. Move him into the tent, watch for any monsters that might show up, and make sure you treat him with the potions if he wakes up he'll need them. Rude and I are going to scope out for the nearest village for help; we're not sure where we landed so we can't be positive on how far we are from anyone.”

Cloud nodded his understanding, feeling a little stunned. Were they actually going to leave him by himself to take care of the Turk? After giving once last glance at the fallen Turk, he found his voice. “Why are you leaving me behind?”

“We guess that you'd rather be here then out there by yourself.” Rude said gesturing toward the horizon.

“Rude's going one way I'm going the other. If we don't find signs of anyone with in an hour we'll head back.” Zack explained.

Yes, Cloud decided they had definitely discussed this before. “O-okay then.” He resigned himself to his fate.

“Take care of him.” Rude said placing one hand on Cloud small shoulder.

“Yeah.” Cloud looked up the other Turk; he could see concern cross his face, despite the sunglasses that hid his eyes. “I'll do my best.”

He stood there watching the two walk away in opposite directions, Zack one way, Rude the other complete with the objects case. He gave Reno a quick glance before setting himself to work. He pulled out the other tent, checked it for any holes, sorted out the broken poles, and began to set the structure up. It seemed some of that basic training was actually paying off, he thought back to the multiple times they had to set tents up and tear them down in class. The tent went up without any major problems aside from the final pole snapping as he tried to tighten that material around it. Luckily, a few extra poles had survived, he thought as he pulled out the broken piece. Once that was set up and he had moved their scant belongings into the tent, including the potions, he turned his attention back to Reno.

He was still unmoving upon the ground. Cloud sat down and again moved his head into his lap, he wasn't sure if it would be more comfortable for the Turk or not but he felt better with the weight there. As he sat there watching the Turk he wondered if he should move him into the tent, but seeing, as he would have to move him by himself Cloud guessed that for now the fresh air would probably be better for him. Instead he peaked at his wounded leg, Rude had set it in a temporary split as a precaution they didn't think that his leg was broken. It was wrapped from top to bottom in gauze that they had surfaced from the aircrafts first aid kit, Cloud could see blood starting to seep through in some spots. He sure hoped that Zack or Rude could find some help somewhere, he knew that they didn't have any more gauze to change Reno's bandage with and he wasn't sure how long this one would last. He sat back and ran his hands through the red hair, trying his best to calm himself. He didn't know how much time had passed, had it been an hour? Were Zack and Rude going to come back soon?

When a cool breeze began to blow Cloud decided to try to move the Turk into the tent. Thankfully, there had been a level spot close by so that he had a good place to set up the tent without having to worry about moving the Turk too far. He took care not to bump or graze his leg and managed to get him into the Tent a little surprised with himself for being able to do it by himself. Sense of accomplishment behind him he settled back in with Reno's head in his lap again. Again, he began to wonder where the other two were, and if they were okay.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Not long after they had settled into the tent, Reno began to stir, shifting uncomfortably in Clouds lap. Cloud wondered if he would be able to administer a potion to the Turk if he still wasn't awake. He did his best to calm the older man by running his hands soothingly through his hair and over his cheeks. Which seemed to calm him a bit, at least it eased his breathing. Still Cloud sat there, eating himself up inside with worry and fighting back tears that he knew would come all to easily if he kept thinking the way he was. He knew he had to stay strong; he shuffled through his bag trying his best to stay still for Reno. He pulled out his pictures that he had carefully hidden under an old shirt. To his dismay the glass in the frames were cracked and broken, yet he could still see throughout them and look upon the faces that were his inspiration. He ran a finger over one of the cracks as he looked into his mothers chipper face. He'd stay strong with them by his side, even just a picture, how could he fail?

A weak voice broke his thoughts. “What you got there?”

“A-ah.” Cloud looked down to see Reno, eyes open even though they were clouded with pain. “I didn't think you were awake.”

“Can't sleep all the time.” He tried to sit up only to grimace in pain and lay back in Clouds lap. “I guess this is more comfortable anyway.” He tried to joke.

“I have some potions for you.” Cloud reached over for the potions, glad that he had the sense to place them close.

“Thanks.” Reno said with gratitude

Cloud did everything he could to make Reno comfortable, fretting over his leg and trying his best to find a comfortable head rest for him. However, Reno decided that he was most comfortable on Clouds lap.

“Where is everyone else? Are they okay?” Reno finally asked, once Cloud seemed to have settled down.

“They're okay; they've gone to find help... They've been gone for awhile though.” Cloud felt his fear start to return.

“Don't worry about them; they're both trained for these kinds of situations.” Reno reassured him. “You know you never answered my question from before.”

“What question?”

“What were you looking at before?”

Cloud looked to his bag where he had stashed his pictures again. “Just pictures.”

“Just pictures? They must be something special if you brought them along with you.”

“One is my Mom, the other is a girl I know from back home. They're just pictures.” Cloud reaffirmed.

“Whatever you say.” Reno tossed the topic off and they sat in silence again.

Cloud sat there uncomfortable with the silence knowing that the red head was awake. He knew that Reno was a bit of a talker and his sudden silence unnerved him. Yet Cloud didn't know what to say to break the silence.

Finally, Reno spoke again. “So you like this girl?”

“What?”

“The girl in your picture, you like her right?” Reno must really like confrontation Cloud guessed.

“I used to.”

“What happened?”

Cloud was starting to wonder if he liked the silence better. “I don't know, I guess just time away. I don't know why I liked her much to start with.” Was he actually saying this?

“Let me guess cute face right?”

Cloud nodded. “Yeah, I come from a small town so I guess all the boys liked her.”

“She's a little short on personality then?”

“What?! Why would you say that?” Cloud pulled back a little affronted.

“Hey I'm just taking a stab in the dark here.” Reno said, trying his best to shrug in his position. “Why don't you know why you liked her then?”

Now it was Clouds turn to shrug. “Well I was never popular back home. I got left behind a lot, but I made her a promise I guess that's why I still have her picture, to
remind me.”

"What did you promise her?”

“What's with all these questions?” Reno was delving into private parts of his life he never really wanted to admit to anyone.

“Hey I'm just making conversation to make the time pass. Now answer the question.”

Cloud frowned but answered anyway. “I promised her that if she ever was in trouble that I'd come back and save her.”

“Once you become a SOLDIER?”

Cloud nodded.

“What if it never happens? What if you never make it into SOLDIER?” Reno questioned.

“That's not an option.” Cloud's face turned grim. What if he didn't make it? “I'd still have to come rescue her.”

“Sounds like she's the one who likes you.” Reno said from Clouds lap.

“What? No, she wouldn't like me.”

“You’re just in denial now, what girl would make someone promise something like that if she wasn't interested?”

“She's just trying to humour me.” Cloud felt self-conscious.

“I guess.”

They slipped into silence again, giving Cloud enough time to mull over the things Reno said. Could Tifa really like Cloud? No that's just ridiculous, there were a lot of boys in Nibelheim that were a lot better then Cloud, taller, more confident, better built. There was no way Tifa would like him. Besides, his thoughts began to wander to his time in the forest with Zack, the kiss under the tree. No, no that was wrong he knew that much. Though it felt good for something so wrong. He sighed as he tried to make himself more comfortable on the tent floor without disturbing the Turk.

“I'm tired of laying here.” Reno said looking up at Cloud. “Help me sit up.”

Cloud did such, wincing along with Reno every time he had to move his leg. He wasn't sure why but he felt guilty for the Turks pain. “Are you okay like that?” Cloud asked once Reno was sitting up.”

“Yeah it's fine, not the first time I've been injured yo.” From his sitting position, Reno was able to inspect his leg for the first time. “It's a bad one too.”

“We don't have any gauze to change the bandage either.” Cloud looked to his bag. “I don't think anything in our bag's are clean enough either.”

“It'll be fine for now.” Reno said tentatively picking at a red spot. “If those fuckers are gone too much longer we might just have to improvise though.”

Cloud nodded his agreement. “I hope they'll be back soon, they've been gone too long.”

“That might just mean that they found help.” Reno said reassuringly.

“Or they fell down a cliff and can't get back.”

“You're too negative. Try to think up a little, I'm a little shocked how someone so cute can be so pessimistic.”

“Cute?” Cloud caught that one.

“Yeah cute, got a problem with that?” Reno said not backing down from what he had said earlier.

“Yes, I'm not cute.”

“Well you're certainly not some big macho thick headed SOLDIER brute like your friend there.” Reno said, obviously referring to Zack.

“I will be.” Cloud said quietly, after all that was his life ambition.

“You should try out for the Turks, you’re smarter then the SOLDIERs more calculating you'd fit in with us real well.” Reno said pulling Cloud closer despite his leg.

“The Turks work over the law.” Cloud had heard stories about what they've done, they were assassin's, they did Shinra's dirty work, brought in the people they wanted for SOLDIER didn't even matter if that person wanted to be a SOLDIER or not.

“That's what makes it so much fun. This here what we're doing now.” Reno gestured to the tent they were sitting in and toward the wreckage; they could see
though the tents only opening. “This is what makes it so much fun, it's living on the edge, and it’s making the most of your life while you still have it.”

“It's putting your life in danger.” Cloud moved back, not caring if he hurt the Turk or not. “We all could have died in that crash, and that's not an honourable way to go that's not defending our values or what we'd want to die for.”

“Do you think it'll be that much better being in SOLDIER?”

Cloud's voice caught in his throat, he hadn't thought of it that way. “SOLDIERs do more for the people then the Turks do. You're the Presidents lap dogs.”

“Hey! The Turks are a lot more respectable then many divisions in Shinra. They do shit there you couldn't even dream of.” Reno grew defensive. Each standing up for their end of the milita scale. “We're above the military, not the law.”

Cloud pulled his knees up to his chin and formed a pout, he didn't like loosing arguments. “You're still murderers.”

“SOLDIERs are worse.” Reno looked Cloud over; Cloud could fell his eyes moving over him. “Aww come on it's not all bad, C'mere.”

Reno pulled a surprised Cloud into a hug. “What are you doing?”

“I'm cheering you up.”

Cloud did his best to pull away; this normally wasn't what people did after an argument. “I don't need to be cheered up.”

“Sure you do.” Reno didn't let up his grip and pulled Cloud closer. “Here's the final trick.” He placed a wet sloppy kiss on Clouds cheek.

“Eww.” Cloud protested.

“Aww, he's so cute.” Reno sang out in a singsong voice, before planting another one on the other side. “I could do this all day.”

“Stop!” Cloud did his best to wrestle away, but to no avail. He ended up with yet another sloppy kiss on his face. “I mean it!” Finally as a last resort Cloud pulled
back an arm and firmly hit Reno's injured leg.

Reno yelped in surprise and pain, Cloud used this to his advantage and moved away as fast as possible. “Ow! And you say I'm a dirty fighter.”

“I told you to stop.” Cloud said defending his actions.

“I can't help it when your so little and cute.”

“Stop calling me that!” Cloud formed another threatening fist. “I'll hit you again.”

“Okay, okay you don't have to tell me twice.” He moved back, using one arm to brace himself up, and the other rubbed gingerly at his leg. “Doesn't change the fact
that you're still cute.”

“I warned you!” Cloud made a motion like he really was going to attack the sore leg again, but pulled back last second to enjoy the wince the Turk made. “That'll show you.”

“You're no fun, can't take a joke to save your life.” Reno sulked.

“I don't get how Rude can put up with you for so long.”

“That's because he loves me.” Reno said with a smile.

“Speaking of Rude... I wonder how far away those two are?” Cloud mused.

Reno shrugged. “Go check you might be able to see them if they're coming back.”

Cloud took his suggestion and left the tent behind, making sure that the Turk would be fine first, and climbed up on top of the ruined helicopter to get a good view that their surroundings. He couldn't see anything in any direction, yet he didn't want to give up hope. He shielded his eyes from the afternoon sun and squinted into the distance. His heart fell when still there was no sign of either body walking toward them. How could they both have disappeared? Did they want to leave Cloud here wondering if they were okay? He sat on the wreckage sincerely wishing that he could have stayed behind in Midgar, and listening to his stomachache rumble in protest. How much worse could this trip get to be? He made a vow to stay out of many fights as possible if he ever made it back to the Shinra building. He really missed having a bed to sleep in, even if he had to put up with his roommates snores. He missed warm meals from the cafeteria and the smell of the change room. What he needed right now was a hot shower with some flowery shampoo to wash his miseries away. At least the sun felt good on his back. No this was bad moping about wasn't going to help the situation, they had to figure out where they were. He turned his eyes back to the scenery to see if he could spot anything that they might have missed earlier, there must be a landmark or something close by. He couldn't even be sure if they were anywhere near Midgar. Though considering how long they had been in the helicopter before they crashed they couldn't be to far off. Perhaps if they could figure out what direction it was they would be able to walk the rest of the way back. If they were south of Midgar they would be in luck Cloud knew from class that while everything directly North of Midgar was essentially barren there was a town not to far south of the city. He heard rumours of other small settlements in the southern sections of the continent as well. But the only one who would know exactly where they were was... Reno!

He burst back into the tent, full of questions for Reno. Why he hadn't asked them before he wasn't sure. “Reno!”

“What? Do you see them?” He asked leaning forward.

“No but I might be able to figure out where we landed with your information.”

“Ah right.”

“How far were we from Midgar when we started having troubles? What route did you take? Where abouts where we supposed to arrive?” The questions started to
pour out of Clouds mouth faster then Reno was able to answer them.

“Listen kid. It's not a very far trip from Midgar to Bone village it's almost directly north of the city. They'd have a better chance of running into the city's lower barricades then to find a settlement or anything like that around here.”

“Oh, really?” He couldn't say he wasn't disappointed, so they had landed North of the city. “So then... maybe they'll luck out and someone will see them from the city.”

“C'mere Cloud.” Reno gestured Cloud to sit next to him. “The fact is that we're not to far off from the city it would be a little better then a days walk from here, but the chances of someone seeing us from their living room window or something is zero to none.”

“What do you mean?”

“The people in the slums might just take someone in if they were to find someone wandering about outside of the city, but they're all blocked in. The folks on the upper level have their heads stuck up their asses so far they're not aware of anything anymore.” Reno explained, pulling a distressed Cloud into a hug. “I know you're just trying your best to get us out of a sticky situation and I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me, but you really are pretty innocent when it comes to the workings of the outside world.”

Cloud leaned into the hug, the first thing that had felt secure since they had landed here. “We won't be stuck out here forever.”

“The best bet is that they'll come back and all of us will set back out toward the city together, we've got the best chance doing that.”

“Are you sure?” Cloud questioned.

“Fuck no.” Reno looked down to Cloud snuggled into his chest. “But can anyone ever be sure?”

“I guess... I'm just worried about them, after the forest and now this. I don't think that I can handle the stress much longer.”

“Some SOLDIER.” Reno joked.

“Hey!” Yet despite the insults he didn't pull away from that warm body, he felt safe there. “What happened? Why did we crash?”

“Mechanical failure.” Reno said simply, as if it was something he was used to.

“Mechanical failure?” Cloud echoed.

“Yeah--- we did have a--- little--- problem on the way up north but I didn't think anything of it, just thought something had caught the rotor temporarily. Heh, I
guess I thought wrong.”

“No shit.” Cloud was a little put off, why the hell would he not have something like that checked out? “You mean you knew that it was having problems? What
happened to the crosswind?”

“I just told Rude to tell that to you guys, I didn't want you to worry.”

Cloud pulled away from his safe hug as if he had been burned. “You lied to us, just to keep us from being concerned?! Don't you think that would have been the smart thing to do? Don't you think that maybe you should have checked it out by now? We would have been at home with a square meal in our bellies by now if it wasn't for you incompetence!” He felt tears start to form in the corner of his eyes; he was tired and hungry and wanted nothing more then a real bed to sleep on and a hot meal.

“Hey don't forget I got the worst of the crash so I guess Karma's already bitten back.” Reno retorted, not bothering to defend his actions from days previous.

“You got the worst?! Just because you scraped up your leg? Did you forget that I haven't slept indoors in three days? That I have had one fucking meal? I didn't even get to keep that down because of your actions!! You, you’re just -just.” Cloud couldn't find the words to express how upset he was instead he lashed out. He took one strong sweep at the Turks tender leg, resulting in a distressed yelp and a very noticeable shift away from the angry blonde. His anger left him when he saw genuine fear in the Turks eye. “I-I'm sorry I didn't mean. I just- I'm just tired of this.”

Reno gave him a cautious look not quite sure, if he should trust the cadet. “No it's okay. I really should have had the thing checked out.” He gestured vaguely outside where the helicopter sat.

Cloud nodded in agreement.

“In my defence though.” Reno started, ignoring the warning glance Cloud gave him. “Reno didn't think anything of it either. It really did seem like something very minor; we never thought it would make us go down. I'm sorry.”

Cloud sat and listened to the Turks explanation weighing his options in his head. He could remain angry and go out looking for the others again, or he could accept the apology and go back to the safe warm hug. He decided that he'd be happier curled up in someone’s arms then wandering around outside by himself. “It's okay. You’re the professional after all, and everyone makes mistakes.”

He moved back into the open arms and rested his head on the firm chest.

“You look tired; maybe you should get some sleep.” Reno's voice rumbled through his chest, which made Cloud smile.

“No I don't feel like it, I'd rather stay awake in case someone comes.” He wasn't sure what else might come as well.

“You've got to keep me safe from all the monsters out there too I guess.” Reno offered.

“Do you really think that there are monsters out there?” Cloud questioned.

“Of course there is, we've fought them before.”

“You have? There are?” Cloud had hoped that all the stories he had heard from the other cadets had been just that, stories.

“Of course it doesn't matter where you go now a days there are monsters everywhere.” Reno leaned back against a pile of their luggage. “Weren't there monsters
where you come from?”

Cloud nodded. “Yeah, but they got worse after Shinra built the reactor.”

“I've heard a lot of stuff like that about the reactors. Nothing like that has ever happened to the Midgar reactors though. You'd think the chances would be a lot better here then anywhere else considering there are eight of the things in the city.”

“Mmm.” Cloud acknowledged. “I wondered about that too, do you think it's because there’s more security in Midgar?”

“Could be possible, there isn't really anybody at the reactors in the smaller towns.”

Cloud leaned against the Turks chest and listened to the rumble of his voice as Reno continued to talk, musing on about the reactors and their security levels when he suddenly saw a shadow quickly dance across the wall of the tent. Reno must not have seen it considering he continued to jabber on without as much as a pause. He didn't move, he didn't dare to breathe instead he kept himself perfectly still as he started at the nylon wall praying that what he had just seen was the trick of his eye and not some creature waiting to eat the two up. Alas, such a thing wasn't possible the shadow returned and this time stayed there, the form of two very not human legs. The soft cry, something not from human lungs, caught Reno's attention.

“What was that?” He asked also looking at the shadow.

“There's something outside.” Cloud watched the shadow legs move around the tent, we heard that footsteps moving closer to the entrance.

“Go have a look see.” Reno urged.

Cloud gave him a panicked look. “What?!”

“That's why you're here right? Go see if they're back.”

“But that's not a human out there!” Cloud heard his voice crack.

“No duh, it's a chocobo. Might just be a wild one though.”

Cloud felt relief wash over him. Not that a wild chocobo wasn't something that wouldn't harm him he would prefer to face one of those rather then some wild monster with three foot fangs. He nodded, and moved to the tents entrance.

He poked a head out to take a cautious look around when a voice addressed him. “You must be Cloud.”

“A-ah!” There in front of the tent was a scruffy looking farmer sitting atop a yellow chocobo.

“Wark.”

“Hee Hee.” The Farmer chuckled. “Not to worry. I was sent by your friends, ran into one of them not too far from here.” Cloud poked his head back into the tent to signal to Reno that everything was all right, forgetting that he probably had heard everything that had just been said through the tent wall.

“Thank you.” Cloud offered, so glad to have been found by someone.

“Boy sure looks like you fellows went through a hard one. That's why I don't trust those thingers to move me around; I'll stick to my own legs thank you very much.” After and indignant squawk from the chocobo the farmer added to his statement. “Oh and Vince's legs here too of course.”

Cloud wasn't sure what to think of this strange man in front of him, but anything was better then the stuck up military officials of the Shinra corporation. “Um... yeah.” He wasn't sure what to say in response to the strange chocobo man.

“Oh how rude of me.” He said as he slid off of the chocobo's back. “I didn't tell you who I am. The name's Wayne this here is Vince, he's my chocobo. Oh and over there is my son Tony.”

Cloud looked to where Wayne was pointing. “O-oh!” He hadn't seen it before but sitting just to the left of the tent was a chocobo driven cart with a smiling boy, who looked to be a few years older then Cloud. “Hi.” Cloud tried lamely.

A voice from inside the tent snapped Cloud out of his shock. “What's going on Cloud?”

“Oh Reno!” He went back into the tent to help the Turk out to the entrance. “Uh, hey. This is Reno.” Cloud said once he had poked his head out again.

“Nice to meet ya.” Wayne said grinning. “I take it you're the one needing our help.”

“Yeah that would be me.” Reno said as he leaned onto Cloud.

“Tony get over here and help us out.” Wayne bellowed.

The cart was moved Closer and Cloud and Tony helped a hobbling Reno up into the back of the Cart while Wayne held the chocobo's in place. Cloud took everything out of the tent and loaded everything into the cart, opting to leave the tent standing where it was considering that it had a few little tears along the seams. He couldn't remember a time he was happier to be bumping along a dirt road as he did then.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

They moved right past Midgar, there was no point in trying to get into the city since without a key they were blocked out. Instead, they were informed that they would be stopping at a little town called Kalm. Cloud knew of the place, having been told of it in class. It was the one he had been thinking about earlier, located South of the big city. Wayne informed him that it was on their way anyway. Wayne and Reno chattered on explaining each of their situations and how they had gotten to be where they were in the first place. Wayne explained that he and his son had been up north looking for new chocobo's to add to their farm stead since they had hit a rough patch when several of their chocobo's had turned up missing one morning.

“Who do you think took them?” Cloud asked from his seat near the back of the cart.

“Took them?” Wayne seemed to think that statement over. Tony gave Cloud an incredulous look, as if he was insane or something. “Why would someone want to take some Chocobos?”

“Why wouldn't they?” Reno sounded like it made sense to him. “Shinra wouldn't not with the technology at their hands but, someone from some of the smaller towns might have... or...”

“Or?” Tony asked curiously.

“Or Wutei could have gotten them.” Reno finished.

“What would the Government want with chocobo's?” Wayne laughed as if it was the funniest thing he had heard of.

“What would they want with a harp that can put a forest to sleep?” Reno tried.

“What are you talking about now?” Wayne asked still laughing.

“Never mind it's hard to explain.” Reno said turning his attention up to the Cloudy sky.

“You boys sure are strange.” Tony said quietly from his perch on the edge of the cart.

“I've seen worse.” Cloud said equally quietly, thinking back to the forest his hand moving to his pocket where the shells remained. “I was eaten by a forest.” He added for good measure.

“You were eaten by a forest?” Tony asked wide-eyed. “But they don't have mouths.”

Reno laughed, ignoring the dirty look Cloud shot him. “I'd ignore whatever the kid says he's mad from hunger.”

“Goodness have you two been out there that long?” Wayne exclaimed suddenly.

“No, I've just had a rough couple of days.” Cloud explained.

“Well I'd imagine that crash there isn't helping you out then.”

Reno rolled his eyes, Cloud spotted it. “No that certainly wasn't a walk through the daisy field there.”

“There she is.” Wayne suddenly cried out pointing to a clump of buildings in the distance.

Cloud leaned over the side of the cart excited to finally see signs of civilization. Nothing looked better to him at the moment. “That's really it? For real?” Excitement creeping into his voice.

Wayne laughed sharply. “Well it ain't no mirage that's for sure.”

Cloud couldn't keep the smile from his face as he saw the German inspired rooftops grow larger and larger. His stomach seemed to be equally excited about it as it rumbled at the same instant. Seeing as how he had thrown up the only meal he had in days, he wondered why it had been so quiet up to this point. “Are Zack and Rude already here?”

“Yeah.” Tony answered. “My wife Jay took them there with our other Chocobo's when we had found the second one.”

Cloud swivelled his head to look at Reno. “So do you think they might already have a meal ready for us?”

“Is that all you talk about kid? Food?” Reno laughed whole-heartedly, Cloud could see that he was happy to be near civilization as well.

“Well it's not like I just ate.” Cloud rolled his eyes.

“How long have you two been waiting out there?” Tony questioned.

Reno answered. “Not long, a few hours.”

“Feels like longer when there isn't anything to do then just sit there.” Cloud added. “I still can't believe they let us sit there so long without an answer. ’An hour tops
Cloud, then we'll turn back and report back to you.' Yeah right.” He imitated.

“Give 'em an indian burn for making you two wait for so long.” Wayne said from the front of the cart, needing to give his two cents into the conversation.

“Jay was supposed to set up a hotel room for all of you. You'll be able to get something to eat at the Inn, they have good food there.” Tony said giving Cloud some information that he actually cared about.

“I can't wait.” Cloud said, mouth already watering. “Anything would be good right now; I'm just tired of feeling hungry all the time.”

“Why didn't you eat any of the rations that were in the helicopter?” Reno asked, giving him a grin from his seat.

“T-there are rations in the chopper?!” Clouds head reeled he'd been so hungry for so long. “Why didn't you tell me?!” He launched himself at the Turk, fully intending to get another good swat in on his injured leg before Tony or Wayne could restrain him. He was stopped when he could suddenly hear music drifting over the distance. “What's going on?” He asked looking back toward the buildings, closer then ever.

“Oh I had forgotten about that.” Wayne said smiling back at Cloud.

“About what?” Cloud questioned.

“Every year the folks in Kalm throw a festival. Looks like you might just be able to get some food in your belly sooner then you though. I'm sure they've got tables set up in the main square just teaming with all the eats you could want.”

“Really?” Reno leaned forward trying to get a better look at the approaching town from his spot on the cart floor.

“Sounds like I'm not the only one that's hungry.” Cloud laughed.

“Shut up.” Reno retorted.

“Don't worry boys, there'll be more food then you can handle there.” Tony said urging Reno to lean back again.

Cloud ignored the smug look Reno gave him, the type a youngster might give to their sibling once they had been proven right. He turned his attention to the buildings as the rode into them. He could see people in bright colours dancing in the streets waving at them as they passed. Music thrived all around them, different bands playing different songs mixing and mingling together to create a happy joyous hootenanny around them. His heart thudded in his chest with exhilaration, and best of all the smell of cooked foods approaching his nose. Oh, he would have to be sure to thank these people of Kalm and their festival. Whoever thought that this was a good idea surely must have gone down in history.

The cart turned one last corner when they came upon what Cloud guessed must have been the main square. There were shops that lined the whole thing with a structure set up in the middle, he couldn't tell what it was since it was currently decked out in plastic ribbons and streamers that ran out to the rooftops all around them. Surely, enough just like he was promised there were tables and tables set up with a feast ready for all. He spotted Zack waving at them, a grin across his face not far from one of the tables. He pointed to a full plate that he was holding, surely just to tease Cloud. Yes, this was a great thing for sure, now he really didn't want to go back
to the Shinra building. Who needed that when there was a festival, just ready and waiting for them to partake in.

He leaped from the cart leaving Reno to Rude’s capable hands and raced over to the table nearest to him. He was tempted to forget a plate, just stand there, and eat directly from the serving trays. Though the first step in thanking his hosts (the lovely residents of Kalm) was to act politely. Zack laughed at him as he piled as much onto his plate as he could filling it with whatever he could reach and whatever smelled good, which was pretty much everything. He didn't care if there were dishes there he had never seen nor hear of before as long as they ended up in his stomach he could care less.

“Careful you don't choke now.” Zack said still laughing as he watched Cloud dig into his plate with gusto.

“I'm going to have seconds.” Cloud informed, not caring that he had barely started on his first serving.

“I'm sure you will. You're not mad at me for not coming back are you?”

Cloud shook his head, as he swallowed his latest mouthful. “If Vince the chocobo hadn't shown up, maybe.”

Zack laughed. “He's quite a character hey? I guess the world really is full of them.”

Cloud never responded, more interested in filling his gullet then conversation. They stayed together joined later by the two Turks well into the night, all of them sat together and watched the fireworks light up the sky. A dance of light and fire that reminded all of them that they would be returning to Midgar the following day.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Author Notes: Oh my goodness I'm so late in updating this. I'm so sorry guys. Life can get pretty crazy sometimes, I won't go into that though. So yes, thank you everyone for the reviews and support. It just makes me want to write and write some more.

Remember to leave a review it believe it or not they do spur me on to write more faster. If you don't... I'll make Reno's leg get all infected and he'll be a onelegged hobo for the rest of his life. Bwahahaha.