Becoming SOLDIER

Cloud frowned watching the not so cleanly looking male plop what was supposed to be food on his tray. The food was absolutely terrible; and now that they were allowed to eat three meals a day versus starving through training the food didn't seem worth the full stomach. Cloud mused he might even lose the contents of his stomach after eating the slop before him.

After retrieving the supposed 'food' Cloud scanned the area quickly for open seating. Zack wasn't with him today; he had wanted to get some extra training in. Once Cloud told him he would be going to the mess hall Zack; not so non-saliently offered to go with him, surely to 'oversee' that he didn't bump into his growing list of friends; but Cloud would have none of it. Zack, after A LOT of convincing, finally agreed to staying behind. Even after reassuring Zack that he could take care of himself Zack still persisted that it wouldn't hurt to have him around. Cloud knew that was true but his childhood friend was literally up his ass twenty four seven. And thankful that he was for Zack's dedication of sorts he just wanted some time to himself; other than just sleeping.

Cloud almost chuckled at the thought making his way to a empty seat in the corner of the mess hall; even in his bunk he really didn't have anytime from Zack to be honest. The boy would just talk and talk and talk and talk from the next rack over; and after he was done talking you'd think Cloud could get some shut eye..... but Nooooooo!!!! Ladies and Gentlemen Zackary Fair was a SNORER; it never bothered Cloud before but he realized just how bad the loud noise was as it echoed in the empty cement wall and floored room.

"Can you BELIEVE they expect us to eat this shit!"

Cloud blinked rapidly head springing up as he was jolted from his thoughts; he focused his gaze upon the intruding voice. A younger male; probably the same age as Cloud; threw his hands up in exasperation, "Really Hee-chan, I think they're 'trying' to kill us!"

Hee-chan? Cloud turned his attention to the mentioned and nearly fumbled his fork; the boy was... Beautiful... Cloud blinked mentally correcting himself... err...Handsome..

The louder boy was definitely more feminine; a long braid fell down the slender boys back. Cloud wondered how he managed to go through training without getting it entangled; he probably did... The slender framed braided boys features were very androgynous; his heart shaped face glowed with a ever present grin. Cloud almost chuckled; the grin was just as wide as Zack's if not even bigger. But even the boys stunning violet eyes paled in comparison to his quiet companion's.

Said boys were a deep cobalt blue; they reminded them of a dimmer version of Zack's own bright blue eyes; but the depth that they held was just as entrancing. Though thin; much like Cloud's own lithe frame; he was toned and presumably strong. His expression was void of emotion compared to his boisterous friend; almost dead really. His eyes were narrowed and a very unnerving glare was sent to his friend in warning; but the other boy just continued on as if this 'Hee-Chan' was responding well to the one-sided conversation. Cloud's own eyes began to stare tracing the features of, he guessed, Japanese or Chinese male. The messy locks of dark brown hair hung heavy in the front as spiked bangs fell in front of his cobalt orbs. Cloud noted that the tone of his skin was only slightly paler than Zack's own sun-kissed glow; although not nearly as pale as Cloud.

"Hn..," the only response 'Hee-chan' offered to his over dramatic friend; who in turn only mumbled crossing his arms and looking away grumpily like a five year old denied.... well anything! Cloud watched the slightly parted lips allow the breath of his 'elaborate' response brush over the moistened pair. Cloud had to slip his own tongue over his own drying lips; he didn't realize he was staring until 'Hee-chan' locked eyes with him. Cloud felt his breath hitch and he felt like a deer caught in headlights. The boy hadn't turned or moved; nothing; instead his gaze shifted to the corner of his eye to glare at Cloud curiously. Cloud gulped as the other boys eyes bore into him. He recovered himself and turned his gaze to snap back towards the slop in front of him called food a bit flushed. After a moment or so Cloud couldn't help but look to the other boy out of the corner of his eye; he had to bite back a sharp and what he knew would be a embarrassing shriek. Lets face it no boy should shriek; even under a death glare.

The braided boy just chuckled bouncing over to sit across from Cloud; he hid a frown as Cloud tensed visibly, "Aw don't mind him kid; he glares a lot but he's mostly harmless!"

Cloud looked up slowly to the violet eyed man voice quiet, "...mostly..?"

The braided boy shrugged tossing an arm behind his back to scratch at his braid, "Eh..," he glanced over to the cobalt eyed companion, "Isn't that right Heero?"

Heero... well that explains Hee-chan...

Heero didn't respond at all and the braided male could only sigh over dramatically before turning back to Cloud, "Aaaaany way; I'm Duo. Don't mind Mr. Personality of here...as you can see he's quite the chatter box," Duo rolled his eyes; tone sarcastic and grin ever present. Cloud couldn't help but smile; that smile, however, didn't last long.

"Look who's here boys," the voice was recognized by Cloud almost immediately but not soon enough to avoid the hard clap of the voices open palm smacking down to tightly grip his bruised shoulder. Cloud hushed the gasp of pain that the still fresh and sore bruises radiated throughout his shoulder. Cloud fought the urge to glare and punch the man than and there; the last thing he needed was more trouble. The exams would take place in just one more day and there was no way he was going to miss his chance to prove himself because of some group of ruffians. Instead he slowly reached up to remove said man's hand from his shoulder before returning back to his lunch. Just as Cloud lifted a fork full of food to his mouth a hand smacked his causing him to drop his fork and the contents to land on his uniform pants; Cloud frowned and sighed softly before turning to face the 'voice'. It didn't surprise him at all when he saw the ring leader of his 'friend' Ralph’s notorious little gang or the group standing behind him.

"Yes," Cloud sounded monotone; hiding the annoyance in his voice as he stared the 'ring leader' in the eye.

"That was rude of you Blondie; here my friends and I get excited to see you and you just brush us off? Not bitter about that training accident are you Strife?"

"I had no intention of being rude; and no... I'm not bitter; why would I be," Cloud spoke in a matter o' fact tone. He hid the smirk that threatened to cross his features as he watched the boys ears glow red; the glow of red hot anger spreading to his face.

The man snatched Cloud by the collar of his uniform gripping the fabric tightly in his balled fists; Cloud remained impassive, the only hint of his growing anger was his now slightly narrowed eyes,” Listen you little.."

"Hey buddy why don't you go on your merry way with the rest of your butt buddies and leave the kid alone; he obviously doesn't think your his type pal," Duo's words caught their ears silencing the offending cadet.

The cadet snarled," Mind your own business asshole."

Cloud could hear Duo cracking his knuckles behind him and he could sense the glare burning into the cadet holding him by his collar; the cadet was sporting his best glare but Cloud could see from the beading sweat that he was perhaps nervous.

"This isn't your fight Duo," a new voice spoke; completely void of emotion, monotone, scary even.

Cloud turned his head to see that said voice was supplied by none other than Hee-chan...err...Heero...

The boys Cobalt blue orbs burned in what could only be described as a death glare; Duo only mumbled sitting back down. Cloud wasn't sure why Heero had stopped Duo; but honestly Cloud felt a confidence build in him. Unlike Zack; who would have mopped the floor with these guys and turn around to Cloud to say 'I told you so'; Heero actually was allowing him to fight his own battles. Maybe that was Cloud just reading too much into it; it was probably just a honor code set by the young man but still. Regardless; he was given his battle to fight on his own. Even if Heero didn't really have faith that he could do it; he was giving him the chance.

Cloud watched a now grinning cadet focus his eyes back onto his own; Cloud’s own eyes narrowed.

“Well now that we don’t have any more interruptions; why don’t we continue our little chat huh,” the cadet asked as he gripped Cloud’s shoulders roughly.

Cloud broke the cadet’s grip on his shoulders and pushed him back, “I think we’re finished here.” With that Cloud turned around to his table once more only to feel his collar tighten around his throat as he was yanked up from his seat. As Cloud was yanked up he felt the cadet spin him around to face him only to be met with a powerful fist coming at his jaw; he only had enough time to close his eyes to prepare for the pain. Cloud’s head spun as the fist connected stumbling back to fall on one knee; back hunched forward he held one hand on a seat behind him while the back of his other hand wiped the blood from his lip. He shook his lowered head and licked up the copper tasting blood from his lip.

“That was a cheap shot,” Duo shouted jumping up to teach this cadet a lesson but was quickly silenced by Heero who gave him a glare of warning to sit down and shut up. Duo knew it wasn’t his fight; knew that he didn’t really know this kid, but that didn’t change the fact that this other cadet hounding Cloud was a complete asshole and really needed what was coming to him. Duo felt all to happy to bring that too him.

Cloud stood up letting out a heavy sigh, “Are you finished?” Clouds eyes focused to the other cadet; his friends snickering behind him.

“I’m far from done Blonde,” the man barked as he lunged forward; Cloud immediately took a defensive stance and managed to use the mans weight against him. A well placed grip and a small push later the man found himself face first into the table behind Cloud. Cloud fought the urge to smirk; it was just way to easy. Even as the cadet tried to catch Cloud from behind he easy dodged and sent the man flailing forward into his gang of friends. Soon the entire mess hall’s attention was on the two cadets; laughter and snickering at the embarrassing attempt to attack Cloud.

“Don’t just stand there GET HIM!”

Cloud frowned and this time took on an offensive stance; he easily knocked the first two cadets to the floor but was caught by a third from behind him. The ring leader of the cadets smirked, “Now we play blonde!” Cloud fought against the man who had his arms pinned behind his back; realizing he wouldn’t break the hold in time pulled his legs up using his abdominal strength and kicked two feet into the cadet’s stomach. The cadet fall backwards and was caught by one of his other friends; who still stumbled a few steps at the sheer force that Cloud sent the cadet flying at. The one holding Cloud let his grip fall as he tried to catch himself from falling backwards; Cloud pulled himself back up but not quick enough to stop the two cadet’s who rushed at his side and grabbed his arms and pinned his legs down. The ring leader of the cadet’s grimaced with a small cough balling his fists at his side as he advanced forward.

With no hope of breaking free Cloud squeezed his eyes shut as he saw the cadet throw a punch; he flinched when he heard the sound of flesh smack against flesh. But strangely; he didn’t feel the pain associated with it. Cloud slowly opened his eyes and the sight made them widen; a hand had shot out just inches in front of his face and stopped the other cadet’s punch. Cloud looked to his side his mouth now gaping as his eyes focused on the man who stopped the punch. Heero stood with a glare that could make a behemoth quiver in submission; his face still completely impassive. Cloud followed the boys strong arm back down to the hand now clasped around the other cadet’s fist; Cloud was amazed to find that Heero’s arm nor his hand made the slightest movement. It was like it was effortless to stop the blow; and hold the fist completely still even as the boy tried to rip his fist back. The cadet cried out as Heero tightened his grip, “You said it was his fight!”

Heero’s eyes this time narrowed and sported a frown of disapproval and disgust as the cadet squirmed, “You lost your fight; you shouldn’t have let them interfere. Coward..”

Heero pushed the man back, the cadet falling to his knees cradling his aching hand. The closest cadet holding Cloud’s side dropped his grip and tried to catch Heero off guard; unfortunately for him Heero quickly flipped said cadet over his back and onto the floor. Cloud finding his left side free turned to punch the other cadet holding his right side down; he effectively connected his fist to the side of the cadet’s face who than stumbled back before retreating. The others soon followed suit and the ring leader of Ralph’s little gang shouted as he ran, “You better watch your back Strife!”

Cloud only shook his head before turning to Heero, “Thank you…”

“Don’t mention it,” Heero muttered as a bouncing Duo made his way over to the two.

“See Hee-chan’s not such a bad guy; even if he ‘did’ get to have all the fun. He can be pretty greedy some times I tell ya!”

Heero crossed his arms and lowered his chin and Cloud couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. Cloud extended a hand out to Heero who just stared at the offering; he spoke firmly, “Thank you.”

Heero raised a brow in question, “I told you…”

“No,” Cloud cut him off, “Not for helping me; for not helping me… at first.”

Duo’s brow now raised as he shift to lean on his left carrying his right toe to tap against the ground hands crossed behind his head, “Ok; you got me; Now I’m confused.”

Heero nodded in understanding and took Cloud’s hand in his with a firm shake.

Duo groaned, “Oh no; I found another weird one!”

Cloud only smiled at duo, “Well at least ‘he’ smiles!” Duo stated this with a matter of fact tone and a nudge in Cloud’s direction all the while staring at a still emotionless Heero who only replied with a ‘hn‘.

Cloud and the others sat down to complete their meals; Duo did most of the chatting while Cloud responded and Heero just nodded. He did put in his input when necessary; but really only when necessary. Cloud felt a breath of fresh air by speaking with the two; it was nice to know that Cloud now had friends other than just Zack. As a matter of fact; he couldn’t wait to tell Zack about the unlikely pair. He knew Zack and Duo would be two peas in a pod; and Heero reminded him a bit of himself. Sure he was a lot quieter and a LOT more reserved than Cloud was; but he strangely felt a similarity between them. That and he couldn’t help but catch the side glances that Heero kept giving him; it made Cloud want to blush because he noticed he was doing the same.