Neo-Midgar which is city that eventually grew from Edge. The city was designed and the work overseen by Reeve Tuesti to a similar plan to Midgar only without the plate system and slums beneath. The building of Neo-Midgar was funded by Shinra who now have their Head Quarters at the heart of the city, the power supply to the city still involves Mako energy only now Shinra has developed a method of re-cycling the 'Lifestream' back to the planet. Rufus Shinra has become 'President' of Neo-Midgar and reinstated The Turks.*

Reeve took the designs of the old city but built Neo-Midgar without the plate system and using a newly discovered system of recycling Mako.

“Maybe you should take break?” suggested a small black and white cat wearing a tiny golden crown and red cloak. The small mechanical creature sat upon the edge of his creator desk swinging his legs. “A wee dram of whisky wouldn’t go a miss eh?”

The commissioner of the Neo-Midgar Regenesis Project arched a questioning eyebrow at his little feline companion.

“Maybe you’re right but that still isn’t going to make the figures add up” sighed as he turned from the window and walked over to a desk scattered with paper work.

“Oh come on” scolded Cait Sith with a smile as he waved a gloved finger at the commissioner. “You haven’t had a day off since you noticed the fluctuations in the Mako flow.”

“Yes…but the energy current data isn’t adding up…there is more Mako leaving the source then returning…” mused Reeve stroking his neatly trimmed beard thoughtfully. “Which means either the data collecting system is malfunctioning or someone is redirecting part of the Mako flow…?”

“Have you told The President about this?” asked Cait Sith jumping down from the desk and scampering over to the office door. “Well …” the little cat added over his shoulder with a grin. “We better go tell him then”

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Remus sat watching with a dull intrest as his father sat his fingers laced, most likely cooking up another of his:

"How-To-Try-And-Take-Over-The-World-And-Not-Get-Stopped-This-Time-By-That-Brat-Cloud-Strife" Plans.

The boy sighed and stared out through the glass wall (You couldn't really call it a window as it took up that intire side of the room.)

Seeing that the man was clearly not going to speak to him the teen rose from his seat and headed out the door.

"Where are you going?" came a calm voice from behind him.

"Out." replyed the boy and left. He had better things to do, like ride, he wondered what was happening down town, surely something more interesting than what he'd just been doing.

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Rufus sighed and hit a button on his desk, "Char....? Call Reno and tell him he has an assignment..."

That child was such a hassle sometimes.

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(Okay so deffinately NOT the "Golden Dragon" XP)

Let's See, now that she was finally back in the area she had a lot to do;

First she'd call his Spikeiness and maybe Ol' Vamps too just for the heck of it!

Then she'd visit Tifa and Marlene, after all she hadn't seen them in forever, (She breifly wondered if Marlene and Denzel had ever got togather.) she might even look up Old Cid for a chat.

But first before all that...

"Oi Yuffie! Order up! Table 5!"

"Coming!" called the girl, getting up.

The dinner was busier than usual today, So far she'd only been able to mange three two minute brakes sence she'd got on, other than that she'd been on her feet, busing tables and taking orders.

'Who'd ever have thought I'd be a waitress? More importantly, who would have thought I'd be doing it to support five kids??'

Yuffie sighed, "My life's just too weird sometimes... I hope Yuuri's doing okay...."

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"Eww... Maki! What are you eatting?!" grimced the girl, the contents of the bowl the infrount of the boy looked like blue Porridge with bits of egg in it. all watered down with way too much milk.

"Oatmeal and cereal." answered the child innocently.

"W-why is it BLUE???" asked the Girl her Brown eyes still turned toward the ceiling to avoid being sick.

"Oh!" said the child, "Well...Ya see..."

"Yes Maki?" asked Yuuri patiently.

"Well... We didn't have enough milk... So I added some coolaid to it!" explained the boy smiling obviousely very pleased with himself.

"I... see."

"Huhn? How can you do that sis, you keep looking at the ceiling?"

"Nevermind Maki... God I hope mom lets me go out tonight..." groaned the girl running a hand through her ebony locks.

"I want to go out too!" smiled Maki.

"You'll have to ask mom about that." sighed Yuuri.

"Okay, I will." smiled the child and commenced eatting much to Yuuri's chargin.

"Disgusting..."

"What is?"

Yuuri looked up to see Kado and Mae enter the room, Kado heading to the fridge, "What's for lunch?"

"Which question would you like me to answer first dear brother..." said Yuuri in a sickningly sweet tone.

Mae spoke up then, "Where's Tai?"

Yuuri frowned, "Good question... If he snuck out again I swear-"

"He did, left an hour ago." came Kado's muffled voice from inside the fridge.

"I'll kill him." muttered the girl coldly.

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Meanwhile At Reno's.... XDXD

The TV was blaring, every light in the place was on, the phone had been ringing for an hour and still the appartment's two occupants didn't wake.

London rolled over on the floor hugging a pillow to his chest while Reno lay sprawled half falling off the couch snoring to beat hell.

A fly buzzed down landing on the red haired man's nose, Reno twitched and snorted reaching a hand up to shoo the pesky insect, before dropping the hand back down to his side and once again ceasing all movement other than the steady rythmatic raise and fall of his chest.

London muttered something intelegable in his sleep and rolled over onto his back pillow forgotten.

Meanwhile the Phone contined to ring unheeded...

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Okay so yeah not much happening, Jade or Rude showing up might work well for that last bit. XDXD

"River, what have I told you about murderous thoughts towards your brothers?" asked Tifa, her back to her only girl as small, delicate hands turned into enraged fists.

"Not my fault he's so damned ANNOYING!" complained the gorgeous blond girl. A white, fluffy cat jumped on her lap purring.

"I heard you!" came her older brother's voice from somewhere in the living room.

"Good! Now try and CHANGE IT!"

"Kids!" Tifa scolded. First Zack storming off and River would in 5...

"Shut up, kid! I'm older! I should have some respect!!"

....4....

"Can it ZANGAN!" Snarled River

...3...

"I've told you not to call me that RIVER IRIS!"

...2...

"Can't you two EVER stop fighting? I've had enough with Zack to have and listen to you two behave like little kids!" Cloud's voice was heard loud, clear, and annoyed.

...now...

Even the cat seemed to sense it, as it gracefully leaped on the table before River stood up, grabbed her keys from the counter, and stormed out of the kitchen, a swirl of gold and black.

"Where exactly do you think you're going, young lady?" Asked Cloud in a tone so icy it could've frozen hell's fire.

"Away from this mess you guys call a family!" River shot back

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me, River!" scolded her father, Tifa sighed, rubbing her temples.

"You know what?" River hissed dangerously "I don't blame Zack for leaving before I did...who in seven hells would want to stay here more than five friggin' minutes?!?"

Before Cloud could answer, however, River had stormed off, shutting the door behind her, and an engine was heard.

Muttering to herself, River drove off, into the very center of the city, and into an abandoned building. There was a painful lump in her throat and her eyes itched, but no one alive, ever, not even her family would see her cry. She had promised herself that when she was nine, and seven years had passed and o one could say they had. Except for Caith Sith, but he didn't count, as he technically he wasn't alive.

She hid her bike and ran up the stairs, finally opening a door and coming out into the open. She walked a few steps and peered down. This was one of her favourite places. It was in one of the city's most dangerous zones, and most buildings around this one were abandoned, no one, in four years, had found this hiding spot. Except for Caith Sith, but then again...

With a sigh, she rubbed her left eye. If she knew Reeve he had been probably been working non-stop all this time. Deciding 'Uncle Reeve' probably didn't even stop to have lunch, she walked back down and drove to the Shinra building, deciding to pay a visit...anything to keep herself away from home while his father had, how had mamma called it? 'Murderous thoughts' about her.

She parked and started towards the entrance, so into her little world she didn't notice the way taller boy coming her way until they literally bumped into each other, making the distracted River fall flat on her butt.

"Oooops, sorry 'bout that!" she giggled nervously, looking up and meeting his eyes with her own bright blue eyes, an apology written all over them.

'Why, hello Shinra!' she though 'Looking hot today!'*

------------------------

*: Can't blame a girl...yet it doesn't mean she fancies him..maybe!

Marco: If you still wanna use River to introduce your Charries, you may post their earlier fight as a flashback!! Y'know you may use her for that!!

(I take it she just bumped into Remmy-boy right? Heehee I was actually just telling Raz that Remus likes River and Jade as possible GFs.)

(Hey he's not that much taller! you 5"2 he's only 5"3 er guess I'd better make him atleast 5"5 tho... XDXD)

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Remus looked down in surprise at the girl who had just bumped into him then smiled as he realized who it was, "Well well if it isn't Ms. Strife, how ya doin' Doll?"

The boy offered a hand to help the girl up, "What brings you up to this boring place?"

'She looks sad...' thought the boy catching the odd glitteriness of the girl's eyes.

Tifa: -nods looking depressed-

Plus...I don't know, maybe he speaks more around his kids! I mean, I'm a real quiet girl, but there's times in which I feel the overpowering need of yelling my head off at my siblings! =) )

I know he's not much taller, but she's looking up at him from her...painful position

------------------------------------

"I'm good, as usual, what 'bout you, Mr. Shinra?"

River forced a grin as she took the boy's hand and allowed him to pull her up. She noticed a very slight change on his expression as Remus looked at her in the eye. She noticed her keys on the floor and thanked the gods for it. Quickly looking away she bent down to pick them up, forcing as much cheerfulness to her voice as she could; she was great at this, no way Remus would notice, perhaps he was thinking something else, right...right!?!?

"Well..." she started as she straightened up, she could feel his eyes on her, and she suddenly felt kinds self-conscious "I came to see if Unc-uh Reeve was up for lunch, but I can guess my answer all ready..." she smiled and absently played with the fabric on her babydoll "Well, you did seem to be on a hurry to leave this place, I sure hope I'm not holding you from anythingtoo important?" She pouted jokingly, tucking a lose strand of harvest gold hair behind her ear.

the boy smiled, "Who me, nah, I was just bored so I thought I'd take a ride."

The boy paused for a moment then decided to go ahead and offer, "Well, Doll, I'm gonna go, but if Mr. Reeves can't make lunch and your lonely, give me a ring. We'll go somewhere nice, my treat, kay?"

Tifa had heard her son's words, "Not you too Zang; first Zack, then River and now you!"

"Hey blame your daughter and her stupid furball" replied Zang, his eyes still closed.

"The cat? what did it do?"

"Oh nothing...except tear up my bed!" replied Zang, "I go to get some friggin food and when I come back I find my bed with scratches all over it and that furball sleeping in it"

Suddenly a certain cat entered the living room and went up to Zang. After being a few feet from him, it sat and gave a meow. Zang opened his eyes and gave the cat such an icy glared that it immediatly ran away back to the kitchen.

The teenager sighed and stood up and began to make his way towards the door.'

Tifa watched as her son was about to leave just like Zack and River had done a little while ago, "And where do you think your going young man?"

"To get a new bed, what else" replied Zang openning the door.

Cloud who had been sitting in the living room all this time reading the newspaper looked away from the paper to see his son leave. The ex-SOLDIER sighed and continue to read his newspaper.

Tifa glared at her husband and placed her hands on her hips in an annoy way, "And why didn't you do anything or at least help?"

Cloud looked away from his newspaper once again to answer his wife, "After being there father for many years, I realize that in this kind of situations its better to let them go" he put the newspaper down, "They need to learn that complaining about their problems then running away from them isn't something healthy to do"

Tifa looked at Cloud and sligthly chuckled when she realize something; Cloud use to do the same thing his children did when he was their age. 'Well looks like in the end he did learn after all' she thought with a smile, "I suppose, but I still don't like it"

"Don't worry Tifa, they always come back" replied Cloud in a normal tone as he began to read through his mail.

Tifa sighed crossed her arms, "Gosh your just like your children, I guess this is where they get their attitudes from"

"Really? I always thought they got it from you" replied Cloud not looking away from his paper.

"Oh shut up" said Tifa as she sat next to her husband and leaned her head on his shoulder and started to read the newspaper.

(A/N: Well I hope this is a good, I wasn't too sure what Zang and River's argue should have been so using the cat was the only thing I could think about, also I wanted to show a little of Cloud and Tifa as well. Nikikeya is right, Cloud is usually calmed and cool, so I try to make him seem that way, but hell I don't think I did so well)

Shadow out...

'Pfft, of course he doesn't you dumb blondie' she thought, smirking mentally at herself 'How would he anyways?'

"Thanks, Shinra" she forced another smile to her faery-like face "Will do...well, you got my number should you need anything, righty?" Remus nodded giving her an almost irresistible smile that would've melted any girl, if that girl hadn't been River, of course.

"Now, you better be careful and not scratch my baby girl or I'll be forced to kick your skinny ** half way to the next city!" River gave him a mock-warning glance before smiling again "Nice talking to you, Shinra, now I gotta go make sure Reeve doesn't die out of starvation before making sure he states very clearly that I may keep Caith Sith" with that she turned from the gorgeous boy, her baby doll swirling around her and made her way up the stairs* in the building.

------

Tifa sighed.

"Cloud?"

As expected, she got no answer from her husband, but she was used to this by now.

"What if..." Tifa trailed off, worry written all over her beautiful face "...If River doesn't come back home...she did that on Monday, and it really drives me crazy...specially when Jade comes around asking for her"

-----

Certain cat walked up the stairs. That big male could be so annoying at times! AND! He wasn't letting him go without revenge, not after litteraly kicking him out of his room; Golden eyes fixed on ang's curtains evilly...

--------

Still deciding if the cat will indeed tear the courtains appart...muahaha

*: I picture the Shinra building with stairs, so there!

The Red bike sat glistening in the sun, the orange flames painted on the sides seeming to glow, yes "The God of Hell Fire" did look good, even if the bike was incomplete.

He'd found it two years ago in a trash heap in Edge, a little tuning and a few coats of paint later it was in full working order.

But Remus hadn't stopped customizing there, he was constantly upgrading, right now about the only thing that could beat him would have had to have been Cloud Strifes' bike "Fenrir" but that would change soon, he and London had been working on a new motor, and when it was finnished, no one would be able to catch him.

Remus allowed a smirk to come to his face.

"Hey baby how ya doing?" smiled Remus walking up and petting the seat, "Hows about going for a ride?"

Hopping on he kick the break stand and revved the engine, Here we go!"

With that the Teen peeled neatly out of the Shinra parking lots determand to put as much space between him and his lazy-assed father as possible.

Cloudy I know I mention Zack arranging to meet London in this post but it is up to you if London overslept, forgotten or Zack just got the day wrong!

(A/N Koinu is a not so advanced dog version of Cait Sith)

A handsome youth with spiky dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes scrambled across the crumbling, weed strewn ruins of the once capital of Gaia. And even though Midgar was now little more than a collection of abandoned, decaying buildings and ghostly memories there was something about the place that drew Zack Strife to the city. He found walking the silent streets, exploring the derelict building strangely comforting, somewhere he could be alone with his thoughts and be himself especially after yet another argument with his parents. He didn’t understand why his father was so against him working for Shinra, surely he should be proud that his son had been offered the highly prestige position as Reeve Tuesti’s assistant where he could put hiss talents with mechanics to good use.

“Damn it” growled Zack as he watched a small black and white canine jump off a rusting walkway above him and then arms flaying wildly tumbled to the ground with a huge thud.

“Are you okay Koinu?” called Zack as he rushed to the little mechanical dog who was lying on his back waving his legs in the air.

“GROOF” answered Koinu as Zack picked him up and gently dusted him off.

“I’m sorry” apologised Zack as he carefully placed Koinu on the ground. “I really thought we had cracked it this time…but I guess those wings still aren’t powerful enough yet huh?” continued Zack with a heavy sigh as he scratched the back of his head. The little robotic dog smiled up at his master wagging his tail and flapping his tiny bat-like wings seeming none the worse for his recent tumble. “Well I guess it is back to the drawing board then, I can’t show you to Reeve until you are perfect.

“GROOF” Koinu replied almost in agreement as if he understood every word his master spoke to him.

“I know Reeve has already agreed to take me on as his apprentice…” said Zack as he held out his hand to the little dog and started to walk towards the train graveyard where he had promised to meet London. “But I just so want to prove to him that he made the right choice putting his faith in me…what is it boy?” ask Zack as his canine companion suddenly stopped in his tracks and started to whine. Zack looked in the direction that Koinu was now pointing a gloved hand to see a tall, slender young man dressed in the traditional garments of a Wutian emerging from the shadows. Zack felt an unexpected icy chill run through him despite the stifling summer heat as he watched the beautiful stranger gracefully clamber over the rumble and walk towards the ruin of the Shinra building. The young man slowly ascended the stone steps, pausing for a moment to stare upwards at the rusty Shinra logo that still hung over the entrance of the building. Zack gazed transfixed as the hot, dry breeze from the wastelands made the stranger’s thigh length raven hair rippling down his back like black silk and tugged at the dark folds of his kimono. The young man stood for a while staring up at the logo as if lost in thought before he continued up the steps and disappearing into the building.

Zack was torn between whether or not he should follow the intriguing young man. Zack knew that he should meet London as he had promised but although the Shinra building wasn’t particularly dangerous structurally if you were careful it did sometimes harboured wild beasts and other undesirable elements that had been forced to flee Edge and Neo-Midgar. Suddenly Koinu made the decision for his master as with a whining bark the little dog pulled away from Zack and scampered up the steps after the stranger.

“Hey Koinu…wait up” called Zack as he chased after his mechanical friend. “Damn dog!”

Jade walks down the busy street of neo-midgers new wall market, it's early in the afternoon but Reno and London haven't even got up yet so once again Jade is walking the streets looking for something to do, "dad never does anything but work and go drinkng with uncle rude" she mutters to herself as she sits down and has the lunch Reno made for her "chocobo sandwichs again" she whines "I told dad I hated those I don't think he even listens to me most the time". She picks her phone out of her pocket and begins dailing "AHHH whats the point" she yells whilst throwing her phone down on the ground, "dad won't answer it anyway".

Jade gets up and picks up her phone whilst cleverly stealing a chocolate bar from a nearby stall.

"I know" she says suddenly "I'll give River a call and see whats she's upto, theres always something going on at her place....

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High in the sky's above the remains of Midgar, Cid Highwind is testing the newest upgrades to the shera hoping that it is finally fixed after the engine gave up 6 months ago.

Cid is about to head home when he notices something moving fast in the streets of Midgar.

"Goddamnit what the %^&@"! is going on down there" Cid shouts "No one's ment ment to be in that $"?@$^*£$ city except the WRO I better go down lower and have a better look"

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Rude wakes up late in the morning in his shack in healin ready for a new day, he gives Reno a call to see what shinra have lined up for the turks, "hum" says Rude as he gets no answer, so decides to head out to Reno's place to get him out of bed before Rufus goes mad at them.

Rude cooley puts on his shades and gets in the chopper that the president allows the turks to use and heads to Reno's place, his head is banging from the night before, "I'm not as young as I used to be" Rude thinks.

The chopper lands and Rude gets out and walk the short distance to Reno's place.

He knocks on his door hoping the kids are out as his head hurts to mch to deal with either of them.

the sun streaming in directly throught the windows in the living room told him late afternoon.

The ringing telephone told him he'd slept too long.

London sighed and picked up the reciever, "Hello...? what? Oh you wanna know if Reno's home?"

London turned to see his dad sleeping on his head (seeing as he'd halfways fallen off the couch.)

"Yep, he's here... Okay, okay... Okay, I'll tell him. Thank you. bye."

Putting down the phone the boy sighed, "Yeah right, like I could wake "that" up!" he muttered darkly, glancing at his father as the man gave another monsterous snore.

Picking the phone up again he hit speed dail, let it ring twice and hung up, that would be Remus's signal that it was him calling and not Reno.

A moment later the phone rang, "Hello, Remus?"

/Who else would be answering this phone dork?/

London's face lit up in a wicked grin, "Oh I don't know... My sister perhaps..."

There was a long pause on the other end.

finally, /Okay, you win, what's up./

London quirked an eyebrow, sence when did the great Shinra drop banter so quick?? "You mean beside's you acting weird??"

/Okay Runt, hows about you tell me why you called, and then, maybe, if your lucky I'll tell you what's up with me. Deal?/

"Deal." agreed the boy, "I just woke up-"

/Your hopeless.../

"Guilty. Anyways, your father's secretary called."

/Did she now./

"She said Mr. Shinra wanted Reno to go look after you..."

/Damn. Aren't I old enough yet to NOT need a babysitter?!/

"I don't know... But Reno's out cold, I doubt he'll be up soon, him and Rude were out pretty late last night."

A loud snore was heard in the background.

"Yeah like I said you've got nothing to worry about..."

/Less they called Rude too.../

"I doubt it, Rude's dangerous when you wake him up after an all nighter, believe me...I don't think Char would risk it." laughed London, thinking of the finnicky brunette secretary.

/Still... Thanks for the heads up.../

"And?"

/..../

"Hahem???"

/Okay fine... But not a word to Jade./

London smirked.

/And get that damn look off your face brat! You know I haven't decided yet!/

London scowled, "Man how long you gonna take?! you've only known 'em both sence birth!"

/...'Scuse me for not rushing, didn't know I had to marry before seventeen./

London rolled his eyes, "I'm not saying "Get Married" **! But you could atleast ask one of 'em out! You've took so long people are starting to wonder if you have a dick!!"

/WHAT??! SHUT UP!!! And who said that?! If it was Zack I'll kill him!!!/

"No it wasn't..."

/Zang??!/

"Nope."

/Then who??!!/

"Marrik." (1)

/MARRIK??! WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT ** CARE WHAT "I" DO???!!!/

"Cause he likes Jade too...."

/Bastard.../

"Anyway what's up?" asked London trying to steer the conversation back out of dangerous waters.

/Oh that... I saw River earlier.../

"And?" prodded London getting interested.

/She just seemed upset as all... She's been like that off and on for a while now, her and Zang both come to think of it./

"So, you tell Zack about it?"

/Man get real! "Zack"?? I hardly even "see" him, let alone hold a conversation, he's "your" friend, "not" mine./

"Oh..." said London, he wasn't really sure what to say to that.

/Well anyway I'm coming over, so unlock your door./

"Er... What??" asked Londo in surprise.

/You heard me unlock your damn door so I can get in, we can talk more and Reno won't get his ** kicked for not "watching" me./

"Oh... Okay, how long till you get here."

There was another pause as Remus checked his speed and calculated.

/Five minutes. Seven tops./

"Okay. I'll get some soda and stuff ready. Reno's on the couch so we'll stay in the kitchen, 'kay?"

/WHAT?? "He's" a lite sleeper???/

"No... I said we'd stay in the kitchen cause the way he's snoring right now we wouldn't be able to hear ourselves think." smirked London.

/Oh.../ chuckled Remus /Okay see ya in a minute./

"You bastard! Now I'll have to rush!!!"

Remus laughed again before the line went dead.

Growling London went off, hurrying around the kitchen to straighten a bit so there was room to sit, he then hurried to fix the snacks before his friend arrived.

Just then a knock sounded at the door, a little put out that Remus beat him the child stormed over throwing open the door, "Damnit Remmy sence when do you knock??!"

The boy blinked twice at the figure infront of him, before leaping forward, "RUDE!!!!"

"Expecting someone?" asked the man calmly looking down at the small dark haired clone of his bestfriend, that was currently hugging his midrift.

"What?? Oh yeah Remus is coming over! He's on his way should be here any minute I thought you were him!"

"I see. Where's Reno?"

"Still snoozing, he's snoring so loud the windows are rattling, can't believe you didn't hear him..." said the boy getting down, and allowing the man to enter.

"You're kidding, well that's about to change.... Reno up on your goddamn feet! It's nearly 4pm!!"

"WHAT??!" cried London.

Rude stopped and looked at the boy raising an eyebrow.

"ITS THAT LATE??? AH ** I GOTTA GO!!!" cried the boy running to the door and grabbing up his belt pouch and rollerblades, "TELL REMUS I'M SORRY OKAY?!!"

"Waite where are you-!" Rude started but the boy was already gone.

Rude growled and scowled deeply, "My head aches..."

xxxx

London hurried down the streets of Edge, towards the forbidden sector, which led to "Old Midgar"

He was so stupid to have forgot up till then! He'd promised Zack they'd go exploring togather, he'd wanted to go to the Train Graveyard and scavenge some parts for Iferit's new motor.

"Stupidstupidstupid!!! He's probably left already!!!"

The boy ran in around the crumbled ruins but paused as he reached a spot under the plates...

Sun was streaming down around him as he grew nearer to the building; a small white church...

London paused his eyes growing wide, he could hear birds singing, real wild birds! Atleast... He assumed they must be wild. Surely no one would actually live out here by themselves, and even if they did, he doubted they bring pet birds with them.

There were no birds in Neo-Midgar, no trees or flowers either, yet looking around there was grass here, and birds... This place was speacil... almost magic...

"I wonder if Zack knows about this place..." whispered London softly. looking around he took in his surroundings memorizing the land marks so as to find his way back here again later, hopefully with Zack, to show him.

The boy then resumed his trek throught the ruins his mind still on the white church...

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(1) Marrik is gonna be a support character (ie anyone can use him), your basic jerky jock type, he goes after Jade, Yuuri, and River and ** Remus, Zack, Zang, London, and Tai off...

Phew! Long post ne?

The boy brought up his hand and rested it against his mouth as he yawned. Perched atop a ruined building, crouched down and his arms resting on his legs. Finally he rubbed the back of his head and stood up, his teal eyes glistening up to a bright emerald before fading back to turquoise. "Well. It looks like the day'll stay abnormally.. Normal." he sighed, jumping down swiftly and landing safely on the ground in a crouched down position before unsheathing his twin blade, trialing a finger over them.

(Flashieback)

'You child? Who your parents are?' the old lady mumbled, giving a faint smile and opening her weary brown eyes. 'I don't know... All your mother left me was a sword.' she whispered, barely audible.

The young boy bit his trembling lip, forcing back his tears before looking up. "It's not fair!" he called out. "I want to know my parents! I want to know who they are. Some orphans still know them! Most of them do! Why don't I!?" the child cried out, shoulders slumping down as he looked away. "Why can't I..."

The lady watched him for a while before putting a hand on his spikey white hair, ruffling it a bit, though the sulk remained on the boy's face. "Maybe.. That's just your fate, Shiro-chan..." she mumbled, breaking out in coughs and putting her fist against her mouth.

Toushirou looked at her in silence before his eyes saddened. "Fate..." he mumbled.

(End Flashback)

The white-haired boy remained still for a while before closing his eyes, giving a fox like grin. "Whatever.. The old lady died... And all she left me is this sword... What good will a sword do me? How will that help me find out who my parents were?" he mumbled, twirling the blade around before sheathing it.

Not soon after his cellphone rang and he took it out, flipping it open with a grin. "Moshi moshi, Hina-chan."

'Ohayou, Shiro.' a gentle voice greeted from the other side of the phone, and Toushirou could almost see her teasing smile.

The white teen twitched once before closing his teal eyes. "It's either Toushirou or Shiro-sama, Hina-chan.."

'Shiro.'

"Toushirou."

'Shiro.'

"Toushirou..."

'Shiro~'

"Toushirou..."

'Short stuff!!~'

"I'm so gonna kick your butt when I get back there."

'Other then that, I wanted to thank you for this cellphone, Shiro-kun.'

A smile crept on Toushirou's face as he listened to her. "Nah, no biggie, Hina-chan. I did it with pleasure. Whenever there's trouble, you can always call me and i'll be right there." the white-haired teen stated, rubbing the back of his head with a grin.

'As if we need your help.' Hina stated sweetly.

A sweatdrop rolled down his face as he twitched. "A-ah... Arigato.. For your kind words..." he stated, sarcasm running through his voice.

'You IDIOT!!! You pray I don't get up, cuz I'll rip you off, limb. by. limb!!!'

Toushirou slowly sweatdropped, clearing his throat. "I see... There a new kid?"

'Cut it out you two!! A-ah yes she is new and you know how Charles is.'

"Pray I know..." Toushirou muttered, gazing up at the sky for a while before looking down. "You'll be fine, ne?"

'Ofcourse I will, don't worry.'

"Okay. I'll see you then." Toushirou said softly. "Don't wait for me, onee-san..."

'Ofcourse I won't, Shiro! Don't act as if your that important!' Hina's cheery voice called through the cellphone.

Toushirou made a face and stared ahead of him with half closed eyes. 'What a way to ruin the mood, Hina...' he thought before chuckling softly. "Ah, yeah you're right. Sayanora." he stated, snapping the cellphone shut.

"What a drag..."

Zack skidded to a halt at the top of the stairs with an exasperated groan as he discovered his disobedient creation leaping up at the stranger and barking excitedly.

“KOINU…Koinu come here…” scolded Zack as desperately trying to get the little robotic hound to heed his commands. “Koinu…stop it…KOINU!!!”

The stranger gave a soft, deep chuckle as he crouched down and gently patted Koinu on the head.

“Obedient little fellow aren’t you?” said the stranger in a rich, silky voice.

Koinu gave a little bark of agreement, flapping his wings and wagging his tail obviously delighted by making a new friend.

“I’m really sorry” apologised Zack as he approached the stranger who was now slowly rising to his feet. “It must be a glitch in his programming; Koinu isn’t usually this disobedient…”

“Programming?” questioned the stranger. “Do you mean Koinu is a robot?”

Zack felt yet another unexpected icy tingle run through his body as the young man regarded him with such striking, hypnotic eyes. Although the stranger had almond-shaped eyes that were pewter grey in colour they reminded Zack of his father’s eyes with their vivid blue Mako glow.

But it wasn’t just the stranger’s eyes that held Zack so entranced; he had never seen anyone so beautiful. Unlike Zack who had inherited a dull, dark brown version of his father’s spiky style, the stranger had long, glossy straight black hair which he wore loose with a high arching fringe that was parted in the centre and framed delicate, pale almost feminine features.

“Well…” said the stranger, his deep, rich voice tinged with amusement. “Are you going to answer my question or just stand there staring at me?”

“Huh? Oh god sorry” apologised Zack suddenly feeling his cheeks starting to burn. “I didn’t realise…I didn’t mean to…I…I” Zack continued frantically wanted the floor to give way so he could escape the strange mixture of nerves and embarrassment now engulfing him.

“No…” returned the stranger, his voice a soft, solemn whisper as he gracefully bowed before Zack. “It is I who should apologise. Please forgive my shameful rudeness and allow me to introduce myself...I am Tan…” the stranger seemed to pause fro a moment as if contemplating his words then rising his gaze to meet that of Zack’s again continued “Tanaka Malkuth and I am honoured to make your acquaintance”

“Oh” replied Zack momentarily taken aback by Malkuth’s seriousness and courtesy. “My name is Zack Strife and I am also honoured to make your acquaintance”. Zack wasn’t to familiar with the customs of the Wutain people, Yuffie was the only native of that distant land he had knew and she had never been that formal. “And already know Koinu” Zack added with a weak chuckle. “And to answer to your question…yes…Koinu is a robot…I made him myself”

“I am impressed” said Malkuth sounding more relaxed now that the introductions were over. “You are very talented”

“Nah…not really” replied Zack scratching the back of his head and trying not to blush. “Koinu only a prototype, he still needs loads of work…especially his command recognition programming”

“Indeed” chuckled Malkuth as watched the little canine scampered across dusty floor towards the elevator. “It would appear that Koinu also wishes to further investigate the building”

“Is that why you came here? You travelled all the way from Wutai to go exploring in this ruin?” scoffed Zack in disbelief. “But there is nothing here. This place is nothing more than a slowly crumbling monument full of rusty staircases, rotting furniture and memories of Shinra’s past…”

“But what if those memories are all I have left of him?” muttered Malkuth mournfully as he turned his attention from Koiun back to his new friend.

“Memories of who?” asked Zack intrigued but instantly regretted the question as Malkuth’s magnetic, grey eyes narrowed and his beautiful face twisted into an irritated grimace.

“I’m sorry” apologised Zack. “I didn’t mean to…what the f**k…” gasped Zack as Malkuth dived at him, knocking the surprised youth off balance and forcing him to the ground. Zack cried out in pain as he hit his head ** the concrete floor but before he could retaliate Malkuth sprung upwards and smashed his fist into the jaw of beast that had been charging up the staircase towards Zack. The dog-like creature let out a strangled, angry snarl of pain as it tumbled backwards down the stairs.

“What was that?” hissed Malkuth as he dragged the still groaning Zack to his feet.

“Huh? How the hell should I know?” replied Zack glancing back over his shoulder to see what appeared to be a monstrous dog unconscious on the stairs behind him. “You…you knocked it out cold!” stammered Zack in shocked admiration.

“I hope so” replied Malkuth as he strode over to Koinu and grabbing the little hound by his collar tossed him to his master. “As I have a nasty feeling that thing isn’t alone”

“Yeah feral dogs usually hang around in packs…” agreed Zack clutching the protecting Koinu to his chest. “But that thing isn’t like anything I’ve seen before…it looked mutated”.

“Have you got a weapon?” asked Malkuth as grabbed Zack by the arm, stun him around on his heels and started dragging him down the stairs past the still unconscious beast.

“No…I’ve never need one” answered Zack. “What about you?”

“I exchanged my sword several days ago in order to eat” replied Malkuth.

“What?” said Zack as both of them sprinted across the entrance hall.

“Don’t worry” smiled Malkuth as they burst through the main door into the sunlight. “It’s wasn’t a family heirloom”.

“Which way now?” asked Zack.

“I don’t know I’m not familiar with this city” answered Malkuth as he peered over Zack’s shoulder. “But I think we should make a decision pretty quickly as there are several more beasts rapidly approaching from behind you.

“S**t” sworn Zack. “Come on then follow me, I think our best chance is to leg it through the train graveyard”

Zack ran on ahead, scrambling over a mound of rumble and pounded down the street with Malkuth hot on his heels. Zack didn’t dare turn around, he could heard the snarls and howls of what sounded like a whole pack of mutated dogs chasing after them, he just had to hope that his new friend would be alright.

“What the f**k?” cried Zack spinning around as he heard an explosion erupt behind him only to Malkuth standing facing the dogs with his right arm extended, pointing towards the now smothering carcass.

“Fire materia” explained Malkuth as he ran towards Zack. “But I haven’t much left”

“Wow” gasped Zack. “I’ve never seen anyone use materia before…I mean apart from the Turks in the training room…but never in a real life situation…”

“Zack” snapped Malkuth as he dragged the younger man towards the now visible train graveyard.

“Yeah” replied Zack

“Shut up and run!”

“Yeah right…sorry”

So far no luck, most of the trains here were so old that they didn't have onboard computers. Hell! He'd even found one of the old manual models! Imagine having to put bits of rock (coal) into a furnace to run a train!

The boy had just about given up when he spotted what the was looking for! "Prodigous!"

Smiling happily the boy slid the chip into the pouch on his hip and started scavanging again.

Suddenly a sound caught his attension, it was distant, but growing closer....It was... screaming? Howling? Howling??!

"Dogs? Why are there dogs here?"

The boy stood up and watched wide eyed as a familiar figure came running into veiw.

"It is....HEY ZACK OVER HERE!!! WHAT THE HELL KEPT YA?!!!" cried the boy waving his arms over his head grining like a maniac.

"Well, we better go tell him then..." a familiar, adored voice came from inside as someone opened the door. River looked down and smiled at the little robotic cat.

"Hi, Caith" she looked up to find Reeve Tuesti looking rather tiered "Hi Uncle" she forced a bright smile to her face as she walked over to him and gave the man a quick hug.

"River..." he greeted her, as the blond girl gave him a long, piercing glance.

"Jeez, Uncle, you look kinda tiered" she leaned against the wall, looking around the much familiar office "Why don't you finish up whatever Caith was telling you about and then take your adorable, sweet niece out for lunch, I'll pay..."

-----------

"You IDIOT!!!" screamed Azul upon being roughly pushed down the stairs by a boy 'at least' two heads taller then her "You pray I don't get up, 'cause I'll rip you off, limb.by.limb!!!" she was cluthing her ankle and giving the brown-haired boy a glared that promised a horrid death.

"Aww, **, midget?" came the green-eyed boy's mocking answer, looking down on her like you would look down at a pebble on your shoe. The icy-blue eyed girl grabbed a rock lying near her and threw it at his head. The boy dodged...barely.

All the while, a pretty, older girl had been talking on the phone, suddenly she turned in exhasperation at the two teens behind her.

"Cut it out you two! A-ah yes, she's new, and you know how Charles is..."

Azul muttered and cursed under her breath, earning herself a hateful glare from the handsome boy.

"You 'lil rat...tell it to the new girl, Hina, she's ** annoying!!"

Hina hug up and turned to glare at the boy.

"Fine" hissed Azul, standing up I'm outta here" she limped over to the door, muttering under her breath about retarded oversized babies.

"Please stay. Don't mind Charles, Azul-chan" Hina sighed as the girl reached the door "At least let me take a look at your ankle?"

"I'm bloody sick of being the new girl" stated the auburn haired beauty darkly "Plus...I'm used to being on my own, thank you anyways, Hina-san"

"Won't you stay at least until Toushiro comes back home?" Hina's last attempt, and frankly, she never thought it would work.

A weary sigh came from the small girl by the door. She was exhausted, and a bit hungry as well...

"Fine..." she nodded and turned away from the door, Hina smiled warmly.

"Feh, midget-ai...how sweet" mocked the boy standing behind Hina.

"What have I told you about calling him that, Charles?!" Finally Hina lost her patience "It's thanks to him we got food here and you know that!!" she turned to smile warmly at Azul "Arigato..."

Azul simply closed her eyes, but she rested her left hand upon one of her sais.

-------

loooong...grades tom!! -dies- Sammy...you know Azul well enough...

"Right away, Hina-san!" Shane said with a smile, his golden eyes glistening up as he stood up, his black hair swaying slightly before he rushed over to the kitchen, not soon after clattering of water could be heard and the voice of Shane and a girl, who were bickering of who to bring the bowl of water back.

Hina smiled, giggling softly before turning to Azul with a smile. "Come on, sit down next to me." she stated, patting the place next to her. "And i'll look at your injuries." she added.

Azul looked at her in silence, a bit hesitant at first before finally sighing and giving a shrug. "Whatever then." she muttered, limping over to Hina and sitting down next to her, stretching her foot and wincing slightly before looking over at Hina. "Who's this Toushirou anyway?"

"Ah, you'll see when you meet him." Hina simply smiled, looking over at the kitchen as Shane ran out with a bowl of hot water, and not far behind him a girl with long blonde hair tied up in piggy tails and forest green eyes, who was swinging a cloth up and down. "Here you go Hina-san!" they called out, stopping near her and putting down the bowl and cloth.

"Arigatou, minna." Hina said with a smile, starting to work on Azul's foot. "Oh, Shane could you get me that creme?" she asked, looking over at the boy who quickly nodded before rushing off.

"Geh, this better be good." a smooth voice sounded from behind the front door, a tinge of power and confidence lying beneath it as the door slammed open, revealing a boy with beautiful spikey white hair, which had given him the nickname Shiro-chan or kun with his best friend Hina. He had gorgeous halfclosed turquoise eyes that seemed to entrance you once you looked at him.

He looked like a brat, but on the same time like someone you shouldn't be messing with. Finally the boy closed his eyes, giving a wide pointy toothed grin. "Ohayou, Hina-chan." he called out, putting up a hand.

"Ohayou, Shiro-kun." Hina replied with a smile, looking up at him.

Tai paused uncertainly, he really didn't know the protocal here; Did you just go in and ask for a job, or did you have to call in advance?

Walking up to the front Tai paused again, the two gaurds at the door looking a him suspisiously.

The boy decided to give it a try, "Excuse me, but do I just go inside to apply for work here, or do I need to phone ahead?"

The gaurds visibly relaxed some, the first gaurd a rather short brunette spoke, "You serious, this ain't a joke is it kid?"

"No sir, I really would like a job here." replied Tai looking the man straight in the eyes.

Glancing at one another, the secound gaurd, lanky man with black hair moved from his post and beckoned the boy forward, "Comon, I'll take you to the boss to do your application."

Tai nodded, bowing respectfully, "Thank you."

--------------------------------------------------------

Remus had arrived at the small appartment in Edge only to find an irratated Rude and a sleeping Reno, and no sign what so ever of London.

Upon being inform of the boy's rushed flight from the house the older teen had grew steadily more adgitated.

'He ditched me! That little bastard ditched me!!!'

Currently tho...

Rude, Remus, and Reno where all sitting at the kitchen table, Reno, with his head lying on the table, still half asleep.

"Got any threes?" muttered Remus, holding the fanned cards infrount of him up to his eyes.

"Go fish." Rude replied calmly.

Reno sighed deeply, "How boring..."

--------------------------------------------------------

Mae, was currently coloring... good.

Kado, was stuffing his face... Okay.

Maki, was asleep on the floor sucking his thumb... Aww!

Tai, was gone again.... She was gonna kill him!!!!

Yuuri stood, sponge in hand, scrubbing the dishes, she hated cleaning, but was unfortunately a clean freak, very contradicting...

'I need a vacation!' thought the girl weirily, tho she said that, she knew her mom needed one more...

If she could trust Mae and Kado not to fight with eachother, and to actually watch Maki, she would gladely go get a job.

If Tai was ever around she could leave him incharge! But NOOO the boy always had to run off somewhere...

Drying her hands on a cuptowl, the girl went over and gently picked her youngest sibling up off the cold tile floor and carried him into bed.

Upon returning she found Kado standing at the sink the boy turned to her, "I'll finnish up the dishes."

The girl was slightly taken back by her brother's offer, usually the boy wouldn't help unless told to.

Did she really look that beat?

"Okay, thanks... I'll go get started on rounding up the laundry then." said the teen walking toward the hall.

Mae stopped coloring, "You know he only offered to help cause he broke a dish, right?"

Yuuri sighed, "I don't care, I could use the help, there's still a lot of house work to do before mom gets home..."

"If Tai was here it would all be done, wouldn't it sis?" asked Mae.

"Concidering half the chores we're doing were his, that's a distinct possibility mae." answered the girl dully.

"Hope things are going alright..." muttered Kado.

Yuuri raised an eyebrow, but didn't persue it, the boy probably wouldn't tell her what he knew anyways...

Vincent Valentine regarded the pilot thoughtfully for a moment with his radiance ruby eyes.

“I have been awake for hours” Vincent then replied in his deep, sombre tone. “My new nightmares prevent me from a restful slumber”

Cid sighed as he watched the tall, willowy man walked towards the bow of the airship and stand with his arms folded across his chest. Vincent silently gazed out at the skies through the huge expanse of glass as Shera slowly descended through the clouds.

Cid couldn’t deny that Vincent’s past had been chequered with adversity, suffering and regret. But Cid had hoped that when Chaos had left his friend’s body and Vincent had been given the change to start his life anew, fortune would have finally chosen shine upon him. And yet merely nine years after the defeat of Omega Vincent was to suffer the loss of his dearest friend, Shelke and seemed to return to that brooding, mournful creature that had been discovered slumbering within a coffin in Shinra Manor cellar. Since Vincent’s slender body was no longer a vessel for Chaos it had slowly begun to age. The process was subtle, barely notable, the slightest awareness of lines forming upon his beautiful face, the soft glint of silver streaking his long raven tresses. But today as Vincent turned to glance back at the pilot over the high, turned up collar of his crimson trench coat Cid shuddered as he caught that momentary reality of his friend’s true age reflected in his sad ruby eyes.

“Jesus!” cried Cid as there was an explosion from the city below. “What was that?”

“I have no idea” replied Vincent as he turned on his heels with a sweep of his dark red coat. “But it might be prudent action for us to find out”

“Ya reckon?” growled Cid as he hurried down the steps and tapped one of his crew upon the shoulder. “Take the wheel…Vinnie and I am going to see what the hell is going on down there” ordered Cid as he and Vincent made their out of the flight deck and out onto the observation deck.

“Aren’t I meant to be the one that pays if I take you out to lunch?” replied Reeve arching an eyebrow as his mouth curled into a soft smile. “I would love to go out to lunch but I really have to speak with The President and besides I promised Raheel I would take her a sandwich, so it wouldn’t be fair of me to go breaking that promise by dinning with you”. Reeve looked down at River for a while and stroked his neat greying beard contemplatively. “But you are very welcome to join us both”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rude is sitting in Reno’s house playing cards, Remus and Reno are slowly getting more and more annoyed at loosing to Rude and his ice cold poker face.

Then Rude’s phone rings, he flicks the phone open “Rude….” He answers “ok…”

Rude flips the phone shut “Reno, Rufus says he we have the day off” he announces to his colleague and best friend, Remus and Reno both sigh as Rudes starts dealing the cards for another game.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jade looks disappointed as she gets though to Rivers answering machine “Hey girl it’s spark gimme a call back when you can, I’m so bored and Dad’s left me with chocobo sandwiches and no money again yo” said Jade trying not to sound to disappointed, as she hangs up the phone she hears a faint noise coming from a nearby trash can, Jade gets closer to the bin “wark” “What was that?” says jade sounding puzzled, she lifts the lid of the bin “waaaaaaaaaaaaark” , A stunned Jade jumps feet as a bright yellow chcocobo leaps out of the bin and runs down the street, Jade chases the stupid yellow bird and manages to corner it and pick it up, “I’ll take you home to…..” Jade stops as she relises that Reno would most likely eat the bird with his lunch.

After stopping to think about it for a minute Jade softly says to the daft bird that is now in her arms “I’ll take you to Tifa’s she’ll know what to do with you and River might be there as well yo” “and Tifa’s normally got spare food going hehe” she’s mutters under her breath whilst quickly stealing an apple from the fruit and veg stall.

“Lunch time already” Raheel muttered softly as her pale, green eyes darted towards the clock on her office wall.

Raheel frowned as she remembered the ‘lunch date’ with her father. Although they worked in the same building more often than not their busy work schedules prevented them from spending the lunch hour together. And so for her father to specially arrange a ‘lunch date’ with her meant that he obviously had something serious that he wanted to discuss with her.

Raheel saved the research data she had been working on and decided she just had enough time to drop off the monthly budget report to The President’s secretary before her father arrived bearing sandwiches and frothy coffee.

Raheel rose from her desk, stretched and then strode over to the filing cabinet to retrieve the budget report. Clutching it to her chest she glanced briefly in the tinted glass wall that separated her office from the laboratory to check her appearance and then headed out into the corridor.

“Nice…I mean the chopsticks are they new?” came a familiar voice that still managed to cause butterflies in her stomach.

“Oh…Tseng” replied Raheel a slight blush colouring her cheeks as she turned around to see the leader of the Turks smirking at her. “Yeah…the latest addition to my collection, you know I can’t resist” added Raheel with a smile as she quickly recovering her composure around the handsome dark haired Wutain that she had harboured a desperate crush upon as a teenage girl. He had been the reason she had started wearing chopsticks in her hair and now at the age of thirty-four it just seemed so natural for Raheel to wear her long, dyed black hair in that style.

“That’s better” said Tseng as he gently touched Raheel on the shoulder. “You have a beautiful smile”

“Er…thanks” answered Raheel feeling her cheeks starting to burn again.

“Yes…so isn’t it time you flashed that smile and found yourself a nice, young man?” Tseng chuckled.

“Honestly Tseng…you sound like my father!” Raheel pouted teasingly. “And besides…I thought you were a happily married man?” she added with a devilish grin.

“Okay…you’ve got me there” agreed Tseng holding up his hands and trying not to laugh. “Anyway I better get back to signing off those tedious monthly expense slips…Reno’s are so creative I’m sure he could write a novel”

“Yeah…I can believe it. Anyway I was just on my way to hand in my monthly budget report so why don’t you walk me to the elevator?”

“Sure…it would be my pleasure” smiled Tseng as he made a small bow and gestured for Raheel to lead the way to the elevator.

"Don't worry Tifa, she might leave for a few days, but she always comes back"

"Yeah I know, but I just worry and it really drives me crazy" Tifa replied.

Cloud sighed, he wanted to reasure(sp?) his wife that everything was going to be alright, but he sometimes worried too. But he needed to be strong, "She'll come back, maybe even sooner than we think"

--------------------

Zang was walking while eating a chocobo burger; he was still pretty ** since he couldn't find a good bed to buy and worst of all he didn't have any money with him. He didn't want to ask his parents for money since they would probably ignore him and tell him to earn his own money, or so he thinks.

"Ah who needs a damn bed anyways" he asked to no one in particular as he took another bite of his burger, "I do...this is that River's fault for not taking care of her damn cat, I'll just take her bed"

Zang continue to talk to himself, which was awkward, but as he took another bite of his burger, he bumped into something or in this case someone. He had follow on his but and apparently so had the person who he bumped into, "Ouch, watch where you're going- oh its you Jade"

The teenager had accidentally bumped into Jade while he wasn't looking. He helped her up and noticed she had a small chocobo in her arms. He looked at his chocobo burger then at the small chocobo, 'Hmm, I don't think it would be right if I eat this in front of the bird' he thought as he threw his burger away.

"So what are you doing here Jade?"

"Well I was going to Tifa's house" replied Jade pointing at the chocobo in her arms, "I thought she could help me with this little guy and maybe see River too"

"River's not home, but mom is" replied Zang.

"Oh ok, well where is that River yo?" she asked.

"Who knows who cares" shrugged Zang.

"Did you too fight again?" asked Jade raising an eyebrow.

"Well you could pretty much say that" sighed Zang.

(A/N: I haven't posted in a while, I hope this was goood.)

Shadow out...

"Uh...no...thank you...I think I'll pass" shrugged the young blond thoughtfully "You two need time to yourselves" she grinned, running a hand under Caith Sith's chin.

"See you two around! And tell Raheel I love her"

With that, the youngest Strife hugged her Uncle and walked out. She kept walking, past her beloved bike.

"See you, babe, take care" she muttered as she passed right by it and kept walking, heading for her special place, well past the limits of the city. She headed for the abandoned building first, picked a small back-pack and continued her way.

She checked her voice mails.

~Hey girl it’s Spark; gimme a call back when you can, I’m so bored and Dad’s left me with chocobo sandwiches and no money again, yo~

‘Hm, too bad, gal’ Thought the beautiful girl as she left the city behind her ‘You ain’t either getting killed or lost in the middle of the desert…plus I’m sure you’ll find something to do soon enough…’

~Hiya, Riv!~ chirped a classmate’s voice ~I’ve been trying to get to you for a while…call me back as soon as you can!’

‘Think not…’ thought the bored teenager.

~Hello, hot stuff~ Greeted a cool, well known voice.

‘Oh lord, why me?’ Moaned the girl mentally

~I’ve missed your company…gimme a call, hot shot…Marrik~

‘I ain’t calling Spark, why the hell should I call ‘you’?’ thought River…damn…such a b-o-r-I-n-g day…

-----------------------------------

Azul glanced at the newcomer with a slight trace of interest before looking down at her cell phone…she was late, and Adelisse would so not like that.

‘Oh well’ she pondered ‘Better late than never, plus I better get this fixed…’

Hypnotizing, ice blue eyes fixed upon the newcomer again, seemingly bored. He was gorgeous, yeah, but…feh, maybe a little too cocky.

With a small yawn, she looked away as Charles smirked cruelly at her, as if her Boss wasn’t enough.

Tai nooded, the boy then watched as the gaurd walked back toward the frount doors before getting on the Lift, the child fidgited nervously, sence they'd moved to edge six month's ago he'd only visited once.

His mom had taken him and the other kid's to meet Reeve and Cait Sith, he'd really enjoyed that trip and liked The older man and his cat.

But that time he'd been with his mom and siblings, this time he was alone and a little nervous.

The 14 year old fidgited again as the lift dinged at his floor, making his way out the boy paused as a most serious problem made itself known:

There where no less than four intersectering halls before him, none that looked like they went "straight down the hall".

Tai was just about to panic when two voices were heard coming his way, looking up he saw a tall fellow Wutain at his side was a very pretty woman, the two were talking amongest themselves and didn't seem to notice the boy.

"Um, Excuse me?" called Tai.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Hey Nara, Kagan can I play too? I won't get in your way unless you want me to, I want to play a character named Ryelee if that's alright.

Toushirou frowned slightly, watching Azul for a while before settling his turquoise eyes on Hina. "Charles did that? I told you to kick him out. He's no use of this place anyway. All he does is bring chaos." he huffed, glancing towards Charles, giving him a glare.

"You know I can't do that, Shiro-kun." Hina said with a soft sigh, closing her brown eyes for a while before smiling at Azul. "Is that better?" she asked before looking over at Toushirou. "You're here with your motor, aren't you? Can you bring Azul somewhere? She's late, I think."

Toushirou blinked, watching them for a while before giving a faint smile, shrugging. "Sure thing."

----

Sure you can Nikki ^-^

After having a look around for half an hour Jade finds a document with confidentail written on it, "Hey Zang you caught my bird yet?" Jade screams at Zang getting fed up of waiting for him "I've found something here you wanna take a look", Zang comes down the stairs looking excausted but with the chocobo in his arm, "it's about some mako infected dogs roaming the midgar ruins, I'm worried I think London went there today, we gotta make sure he's ok, will you come with me?" Jade asks Zang.

The boy had been listening to the fight between Charles and the New girl, Azul, he wished he could do something but in his condition he was no use to anyone.

He'd just have to be extra friendly to the girl later to make up for not being able to help.

Russo sat proped up on his lap the Teddybear's dark glass eyes glittering in the late afternoon sun, Ryelee petted the bear's soft fur and watched the sun sink lower in the sky...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Gage was sitting on the roof of his house, (How the hell he'd got up there in the first place the world may never know.)

The young man was busy polishing his buster sword and humming an obscure tune that had just popped in his head, luckily for those who lived in the area the boy could carry a tune.

Chi had annonced that morning that he was going to contact his cousin Tseng soon.

Both Chi and Xan had been contemplating going back to work for Shinra, and had thought maybe Gage could get a job there too.

"It wouldn't hurt." Chi had said.

"Much." added Xan

"You're not helping." grinded Chi a little adgitated.

"Never said I would." smiled Xan.

Gage had just sighed, his parents where hopeless sometimes... still working for Shinra as a security gaurd had to be more exciting than sitting home all day, right??

"I can only hope... BIRD!!!" cried the young man catching sight of a huge flying object.

It took a moment for the boy to realize that the "bird" was a low flying air ship, a big assed air ship, what shocked him more is when someone "JUMPED" from that air ship.

"MOM! DAD!!!??" shouted the boy swinging down into his open bedroom window and running downstairs, Chi and Xan wheren't there, the car was gone, they'd obviously left to go see Tseng.

Gage realized there was only one thing to do, grabbing up the first aid kit his mother kept in the cupboard, and the sheath to his sword, the boy slung the blade onto his back, secured the kit under one arm and ran out of the house toward where the man had fell, hoping the poor guy had somehow landed safely.

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Ryelee rubbed his eyes sleepily, he would have loved to take a nap right then but everyone was being so loud.

The little boy hugged Russo closer to him and listen as some white haired boy spoke to Hina-san.

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Yuuri returned to the kitchen to find all the dishes cleaned, dryed, and put away and Mae hanging a picture of a butterfly and some flowers on the fridge.

Kado was outside, doing what was anyones guess.

Sighing the girl picked up some dirty laundry from the floor and and heaved the basket down beside the frount door to take to the laundry mat later.

Mae turned to her questioningly, "How long till mommy get's back?"

"Her shift ends a six, so an hour and a half, why?" answered the older girl.

"I'm hungrey." replied the child her stormy grey eyes meeting Yuuri soft Doe browns.

Yuuri smiled weirily, "That's right dinner... I'll go start the rice..."

It seemed her work was never done, she really did hope she could go out tonight to unwind a bit, maybe go see Zack or Zang, she liked both of the boys, even if they wheren't her type.

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There hope it didn't suck too bad.

“I’ve only enough materia left for one more blast” warned Malkuth calling over his shoulder before he nimbly sprung up onto a pile of rumble to get a better shot at the pack of mutant hounds that were still chasing them. There seemed to be even more beasts now as if others of their kind having sensed the adrenalin and fear in the air crawled out of the dark places eager to join the hunt. Malkuth cursed himself for giving up his sword for a bowl of vegetable noodles, he felt so defenceless without means of defending himself. But he had been starving and had figured that upon reaching Neo-Midgar he could have purchased another blade once he had found employment. As he had told Zack it wasn’t a family heirloom, it wasn’t even a fine sword…but in hindsight Malkuth sorely missed his katana. Zack came to a skidding halt in front of London just as another orange flash exploded behind him. The air abruptly erupting with the sound of pained yelps and the stench of smothering canine flesh.

“London, buddy…” panted Zack as he grabbed his friend’s skinny shoulder to steady himself, the pungent, disgusting smell was threatening to turn his stomach. “We’ve got to get out of here”.

“Why?” asked London still unaware of the seriousness of the danger. “And who’s that guy?” added London with a frown as a tall, slender Wutain hastened towards them, his extremely long, raven hair flowing out behind him and the crimson glow of fire material still lingering about his bangled wrist.

“Oh…that’s Malkuth” explained Zack suddenly recovering his breath and struggling to keep Koiun in his arms. The little robot dog barked and twisted around to peer over his master’s shoulder at Malkuth. “I met him in the old Shinra building…he’s awesome…I’ve never seen anyone move as fast as him…well except for my old man…Malkuth punched this mutant dog out cold…saved my life and then he starts using materia and…and…”

“Hang on Zack!” replied London grabbing Zack and giving his friend a shake. London was use to interrupting Zack’s long-winded explanations, especially if he was excited. “Run that bit about the mutant dogs by me again!”

Suddenly the skies above were filled with the roar of engines, Zack and London both gazed upwards to see the dark silhouette of an airship break through the clouds and hover above them.

“Isn’t that the Shera?” asked London quickly glancing at his friend for conformation and the hope that rescue was on the way. London’s eyes widened as he saw several hideous deformed hounds scrambling over the mound the rumble that Malkuth had jumped from only moments before and decided to take Zack’s initial advice and ran.

“It sure sounds like uncle Highwind’s bird” gasped Zack not really daring to believe the old comrade of his father amazingly fortuitous timing. Zack continued to watch the skies open mouthed as Malkuth dragged him after London, following the swift, wiry red head as he dashed in-between two rusting, weed infested train carriages. Zack gasped as something scarlet and black appeared to streak from the airship and rapidly descend in their direction.

There was a familiar crack of gunfire and before Zack knew what was happening Vincent Valentine had landed gracefully on one of the train carriages roofs and swiftly despatched the lead mutant dog that was chasing them with a prefect head shot.

“Vincent!” gasped Zack as he almost tumbled into Malkuth who had unexpectedly stopped running along with London as they discovery to their horror that the escape route had abruptly ended. The ground beyond the train carriages had disappeared, turned into a vast crater scattered with decaying, twisted steel work, the remaining of a warehouse struck by a missile during the Genesis uprising.

Vincent just gave the younger men a brief nod of acknowledgement and jumping from the train carriage emptied three rounds into another snarling beast.

“What are we going to do now?” asked London glancing at Malkuth as they both stood at the crumbling edge and stared across the pool of dirty water.

“Vincent?” called Malkuth as he started to unfasten the slash about his slim waist. Tearing a length he handed it to Zack and gestured for the younger man to secure Koiun to him. “Can you handle these things alone?”

“I have faced worse foes” replied Vincent in his deep, emotionless tone, his gleaming ruby eyes studying the stranger intently.

“Of course…” replied Malkuth just as coolly. “Well I think escape across the crater if you can hold them off long enough?”

“I understand” answered Vincent and with a nod he turned with a swirl of his long, scarlet coat and started to protect the fleeing young men.

“We’re going to do what?!!!” gasped Zack and London in surprised unison.

“Cross that crater” said Malkuth as he pushed Zack towards the edge of the crater.

“Groof…groof…grnarl” protested Koiun flapping his bat-like wings as he struggled against the slash. “See that girder” continued Malkuth ignoring the little mechanical dog and pointing towards a thick rusting shaft of metal that was jutting out of a sizable piece of disintegrating concrete that rose from the waters beyond several feet from where they were standing.

“Yeah” gulped Zack as he suddenly realised what Malkuth want them to do.

“I want you to jump for it and pull yourself up onto the concrete ruin…it looks as if we can work our way over the crater by picking our way through the ruins”

“But…but I’m not sure about this… what if we…MALKUTH!” but Zack didn’t have time to finish his sentence as in a flurry of gleaming raven hair Malkuth led by example and confidently jumped of the edge towards the girder.

"Why do you ask yo?" replied Jade still with the chocobo in her arms.

"Just curious that's all" replied Zang.

Jade finishes reading the document and passes it to Zang “Look at the last part yo” Jade says pointing with her free hand “they have pulled all shinra employees out of Midgar until further notice yo”.

Jade looks into the distance realising that it will take the pair a long time to get to Midgar on foot, she slumps down looking disheartened “We will never get to Midgar in time like this, we’ll have to find a quicker way” she says quietly whilst looking away so that Zang cannot see the tear that was rolling down her face, she was really concerned about her brother.

Jade gives the now sleeping chocobo to Zang, takes out her phone and rings home hoping that Reno will pick up, she had been reluctant to do this before as she did not want to get London into any trouble, “It’s on answer phone” she says “he must have left it in a bar again”.

Jade wipes her face making sure Zang can not tell she’d been weeping, “Hey Zang” she says softly, “Could you please ring your folks and see if they can help out”

Rude is getting bored of winning at cards all the time so he decides to go check on the chopper which they’ve left outside, on his way there he mulls over why Rufus phoned him and not Reno like he normally does, he suddenly remembers Reno leaving his phone on the bar in a tavern just down the road from Reno’s place.

Worried that Tseng or Elena may have been trying to contact Reno, he heads of down to the tavern alone to get the phone not bothering to tell Reno as he is in no fit state to accompany him anyway. Rude walks in the door and everyone goes quite Rude has no idea why but guesses something must have happened the night before, however he was to drunk to remember.

Rude coolly walks up to the barman, straightens his tie and says “Reno’s phone was left here I’ve come to retrieve it”, “Y-Yes sir” the barman says nervously whilst handing the phone over to Rude which fortunately for him had been found and handed in.

Rude takes the phone and heads to the door, everyone is looking at him out of the corner of there eyes but he doesn’t care, he gets to the door, adjusts his tie again andwalks out and back to Reno’s house.

Back at Reno’s house Remus has quit playing cards and is watching the TV whilst Reno is still at the table asleep with his cards in his hand, “RENO” Rude says abruptly throwing the phone at him and hitting him in the head, “What?” Reno says looking annoyed, “there is a missed call from your daughter on there, and it sounds urgent” Rude says.

The boy nearly jumped out of his skin when London claped him on the back suddenly.

Zack looked down at the small red head, the boy was shaking from head to toe a crazy grin on his face.

"London-??"

"Been nice knowing ya Zack." said the boy and with that he backpeddled five feet before bolting forward to leap across the gap "KYAAAA!!!"

Zack watched in horror as the boy fell just short of the ledge, falling down only to be saved at the last moment by Malkuth, who reached down swiftly and grabbed ahold of the small boy's arm, pulling him up.

After a minute London got up and turned back to look at his friend, "Comon Zack! It ain't so bad if ya don't look down!!!"

Zack gulped his knees suddenly feeling rubbery,

'I can do this...' he thought taking a deep breath and beginning to back up to get a running start, "I can do this... Just don't look down...'

Useing every last once of strangth the boy leaped forward; Easily clearing the gap and landing firmly on the concreate ruin. (XDXD)

"Yeah I coulda done that too, if I was as tall as Zack is ya know." boasted London sounding a little put out that Zack had shown him up.

Zack smiled down at the child.

"Lets keep moving." said Malkuth firmly.

Zack nodded abit apprehensively, but walked forward, only to blanche at the sight of the thirty foot drop over the side of the building, the boy looked down intranced at what lay at the bottem of the crater.

"Is that...Mako?"

"Yes." answered Malkuth darkly, "And you most certainly do not want to get too close, the radiation alone could kill you..."

Zack gulped, he felt London move closer to him.

The three begain moving across the large expance, Malkuth leading the way, stopping and letting the two younger men pass at some points, as he watched for signs that they were being pursued.

xxxx

Zack was currently in the lead, moving cautiously, it was a REALLY long way down. trembling the young man moved to stand as far from the edge, and the sheer drop beyound it, as possible.

Malkuth had once again stopped and was standing about three hundred yards behind them, appearently listening for the dog pack.

"Zack...?"

Zack looked back at London, "What is it?"

"You think Valentine's alright?" asked the boy quitely.

Zack smiled, "Yeah don't worry, Vincent can take care of himself. You'll see, he'll be fine."

London didn't reply, Zack sighed cringing at a narrow expance ahead, however just beyound that was something that made him smile.

"Look London! Its the other side!"

Just then the sound of barking and howling rose up from behind.

"RUN!!!" shouted Malkuth hurring towards them, indistict shapes of the pack already visable in the fading twilight behind him.

Both Zack and London bolted forward, Zack's fear doubling as they came to the narrow stretch.

Zack came to a hault, the path ahead couldn't have been more then seven feet wide, cracks mared every inch, the whole thing just screamed "Unsafe".

"Zack?!!" cried London stopping behind him, the boy looked back over his shoulder to where the pack was quickly gaining on Malkuth, "ZACK WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??!!!"

Zack shook himself, there was no choice, no time, steeling himself Zack took a deep breath and plowed on through, London following closely behind him.

The two boys hurried across the expanse tripping and scrambling along trying to keep their balance as best they could.

Half way across however, there was a sickening crack as the morter beneath London gave way.

The boy screamed as he plunged down into the darkness, a splash sounding as he hit the Mako pool some thirty feet below.

"LONDON!!!!" screamed Zack stopping and dropping down on his hands and knees he crawed back over to the edge.

Looking down all he could see was shadows and the eerie green glow of the liquid Materia below, not a ripple was visable on its shiney surfice, panicking the young man snapped his head back up screaming so loud his voice broke, "MALKUTH HELP!!!"

Behind him the dark haired man was catching up, he was less then a hundred yards away when one of the damned hounds jumped down from a higher ledge knocking the man off balance, both rolling off the edge, falling down into the Mako below as well.

"NOOOOOO!!!!" screeched Zack.

"GROOF GROOF!!!" barked Koinu wiggling free of the sash which held him inplace on Zack's back.

The tiny black robotic puppy ran across the remaining expance to the other side of the crater then leaping and tumbling ran down the slope to the Pools edge and plunged in disapearing below the surffice.

Zack ran down to the edge of the pool, eyes franticly seaching for any signs of the dog.

A moment later Koinu burst to the surffice again, dragging a coughing and hacking London up.

"LONDON!!!" cried Zack using every last once of reservation not to dive in and grab the boy.

The small teen splashed his way over to Zack, Koinu swimming behind him, Zack reached out and grabbed the boy by both arms and pulled him up on to the bank, Koinu jumping out shortly after.

London fell to his hands and knees gasping for air, Zack dropping down beside him, "London! Are you okay??!"

"D-deep... Pul-pulls you u-under!!!" coughed the boy trembling, "C-couldn't get out!!!"

Zack pulled the boy close, wincing at the electric tingle of the Mako as it touched his bare skin, "Its okay... your okay now."

Zack begain rubbing the boy's back to calm him, as the boy dissolved into another feirce coughing fit. Lifting his head Zack looked out at the pool, there was still no sign of Malkuth...

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Scary ne?

"What the hell does Sparkie want now??" grumbled the red head exsautedly, he glanced around, "And where's London??"

"London went out, and if you want to know why Jade called you should call her back." gritted Rude loosing his patients.

Remus looked up from the exsaughtingly boring game show he wasn't really watching, Jade had called? Thinking of Jade made him think of River, he wondered breifly how the girl was doing.

"She was probably calling to gripe about the Chocobo sandwhich that was packed for her lunch. She hates them you know...." sighed Reno.

"Then why do you keep packing it in her lunch bag if she hate's it??" asked Rude, arching an eyebrow.

"What do you mean 'why do "I" keep packing it??' London's the only one who knows how to cook around here." smirked Reno dailing his Daughter's number, "Hey Sparkie, what's up?"

“Excuse me” Tai tried politely to catch the couple’s attention again, he really needed this job and knew getting himself lost and not having the intelligence to ask for directions wasn’t going to help his application.

“Oh…” said the pretty scientist” “You shouldn’t really be on this floor”.

“Floors 60 to 75 and 90 are restricted access, authorised personnel only” added the Wutain sternly, seeming a little indignant that his private moment with the attractive, young scientist had been so abruptly interrupted. “Shall I call security and get them to escort him back down to reception?”

“I’m sure the boy meant no harm, Tseng” replied the woman placing a hand gently upon her companion arm. “The boy is obviously lost? Wait hang on…you’re one of Yuffie Wakaba children right?” she added flashing Tai a beautiful, warm smile.

Tia nodded back at the young woman, feeling even more awkward and certain that he might have stumbled in on something that Tseng, he now remember was the leader of the Turks, would have rather he hadn’t witnessed.

The woman suddenly laughed and tucked the wayward wisp of hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry…I have no idea what your name is…I can remember the intricate elemental breakdown of all known materia, the complex structure of human DNA…but my memory for names if absolutely hopeless…forgive me” smiled the woman laughing again as she held out her hand to Tia. “My name is Dr Raheel Tuesti”

“I’m Tia Wakaba “ replied Tia as he took Dr Tuesti’s delicate hand. “I was trying to get to the eight-sixth floor”

“Eight-sixth floor …” said Tseng with a smile as he walked over to the elevator and stabbed at the release to open the doors. “So you want to work for the company eh?” he continued stepping into the elevator with a sigh.

“Y…yes sir” answered Tia suddenly anxious, as if he was already being interviewed and failing miserably.

“Tseng” scolded Raheel as she followed the Turk into the elevator and then gestured for Tia to join them. “You’re making Tia nervous”.

Raheel stood next to Tseng looking at Tia thoughtfully for a few seconds as the elevator rose smoothly fourteen floors to the level where Tseng’s office was situated. The Turk swiped a security pass through a keypad just to the left of the elevator control panel and after a bleep confirming his access code the doors slide open.

“Are you going to be okay taking Tai to floor 86?” asked Tseng as he gracefully stepped out of the elevator.

“Sure…it’s no trouble, I was going that way with these reports, remember” replied Raheel with a teasing smile.

“Fine…I’ll get on to security about the breach of access onto your floor though” said Tseng in serious tone. “The lift shouldn’t have opened on the sixth floor without the correct security access, there is obviously a bug in the system…I mean we can’t just have anyone wandering into the MRD’s laboratories… and I think those guards posted at the entrance hall might need a little refresher course…”

“Maybe…but don’t do too ** them Tseng” replied Raheel in a more sympathetic tone. “Security is short of guards as it is…some of those guys are doing double shifts…Shinra is recovering just the same as the planet, the Genesis Uprising took too many good men and…and…”

“Raheel…please…” replied Tseng