Assassins in Gaia

Cloud was helping Aerith plant flowers, nuts and fruit trees around Midgar. It was a slow process, that took months, and the people looked very appreciative of the flowers and greenery. Tifa had even opened up a tip jar in her bar where people could donate some money to pay for the maintenance of the plants. The children and teenagers were usually the ones who would join Aerith to help maintain the impromptu garden.

Cloud didn't mind the little tykes and from the looks of it, the kids actually enjoyed listening to some of his stories. Cloud mostly entertained them by telling them stories about his group who became a specialised group of materia users and snipers. Cloud was the only Sniper in the group at the start of his work. But after seeing his success other soldiers in the infantry started to get interested.

Cloud was not sure in the beginning but soon agreed to teach the others. The members were very sweet once they got over the awkwardness and started learning. Cloud personally decided teaching was not for him while guiding might not be bad. He just did not have the patience to go full teacher mode, though Angeal said otherwise. Cloud looked over at the dark haired Lieutenant who was helping by carrying around heavy items.

Cloud hummed as he watered the acorn saplings which were surprisingly enough growing quite well. He chalked it up to Aerith being, well Aerith and took care of the plants while three ten year olds followed him around like little chicks. The blond noticed a few Turks around the area and waved at them, Reno waved back though the others only nodded. Mr Tuesti was talking to Aerith while Tifa acted as the overseer of the garden.

Mr Tuesti had heard about the garden from Rufus and had come over to check the area. He had been impressed and wanted to grow gardens on other plates as well. Aerith had proposed the idea of community gardens which would have not only flowers but fruits, nuts and vegetables as well. The two of them had been talking for a few hours and Tuesti was writing a lot. Tifa had given a huff and muttered about workaholics who didn't know when to take a break and went about ordering food for everyone.

Cloud though offered to order drinks and the two decided to share the payment between the two of them. Angeal, bless the man, supplied the dessert saying nothing beat freshly made apple pie. Angeal had been coming to the garden sometimes pulling Sephiroth along with him. Cloud had heard about what was happening in the Wutai war front. He had received a letter from Ace through Angeal who had returned, that he shared with Tifa who had a dark look on her face. She cursed Heidegger to the pits and back, Julian had still not returned from Wutai.

It had been a month since then and Tifa hoped Ace had found him and that he was safe. Cloud assured her that Julian was safe and he had joined Zack's team as their sniper. Tifa had calmed down after that but she was still angry just thinking how Heidegger made it hard for him. Cloud gave a dark grin assuring her saying the Turks, especially Reno would not let Heidegger go scott free. Tifa looked at little confused before it hit her, the red head probably lost someone.

Tifa, "I'll make something for him too. Could you take it to him?"

Cloud, "Of course, Tif. You know the Turks enjoy your packed lunches."

Frigga chirped on his shoulder, -Leave it to us.-

Tifa nodded, "It's the least, I could do. Tell him, it's on the house for bringing Heidegger down."

Cloud, "Definitely!"

Frigga gave a laugh, -That fat pig deserved it.-

Reno was always happy to receive free food and happily shared it with Rude who nodded in thanks. Cloud left them to it, then he received a mission to take down a few monsters. According to the mission details, he would have to head towards the lower sectors. A bit further from the slums with a group of third class SOLDIERs, he was to act as their back up and medic. One of the third class SOLDIERs saw him and called him over, Cloud saw him and wondered if they had met.

Cloud, 'Sometimes, I wonder if Shinra thinks I'm a SOLDIER baby sitter.'

A dark haired man greeted him, "Cloud, glad to see you again. Remember me, Lucien?"

Cloud, "Been a while Lucien. How's your rib?"

Lucien grinned, "Doing well, your healing abilities are awesome."

"You know this guy Luc?"

Lucien, "Eric, Brian, this man here is a trusted friend of mine. His name is Cloud and he is really good at using heal materia."

Eric, "Nice to meet you."

Brian, "You, you are the Healer Sniper of Squad fifteen."

Cloud gave an exasperated look, "I really hate that nickname."

Lucien, "You are really good at using that heal materia and gun though. That's why you got it."

Cloud, "I had this materia as a kid. If I don't know how to use it by now my cousin would have my head. As for the gun, I learned it from my teacher, who is really good at using different types of weapons."

Lucien nodded, his dark brown fluffy hair bouncing up and down as he explained the current mission. They had to go to one of the main pipes and help in controlling the monsters. It was high time for the maintenance crew to head down there but before that they had to clean the place up. The group of four moved together, if Cloud was right they were going to get promotion soon. Hence, the lack of second class and first class SOLDIERs, he hoped the mission went well for all of them.

Cloud was shooting some human looking creatures, 'I can't tell if they are zombies or one of those sirens, Desmond would tell me about as a kid.'

Lucien, "Brian with me, corner them in. Cloud!"

Cloud shot the strange creature straight through the head, "It's dead. Move on! Good job in paralysing them Frigga."

Frigga puffed up, -You are welcome.-

Eric meanwhile had Cloud's back, "Follow me! I'll get you to that ledge over there. There's a lot of these spider things I need to get rid of."

Cloud, "We had this problem back in Nibelheim too. The scientist created them and lost control."

Eric glowered at the eight legged two metre long ugly creatures as he stabbed them using his Kastane. Kastane was a specially made sword just for him left by his late mother who was a well known huntress. Now Eric didn't know if it was just his friends luck or just their luck in general but they found a hidden door. Cloud frowned on seeing it then decided to leave the judgement to them after reminding them they had a mission to complete.

The three SOLDIERs had a quick discussion before deciding to finish their mission then go snooping around. Cloud smirked at that choice and nodded in full agreement and used the heal materia on them. The three were surprised to feel their energy levels restored but Cloud simply said it was an old trick his cousin had taught him. They started to clear the monsters quickly and decided to look around the new room.

Cloud, "Let me hack into the system. Who's there?"

A familiar red cape came into view, "Your senses have become stronger, good."

Cloud relaxed, "Vincent! Desmond too."

Desmond, "Hello, little eagle. I see you are on the same track as us."

Eric, "You know them?"

Cloud nodded getting back to work, "Yeah, my teachers before I joined Shinra."

Lucien, "I forgot you could hack."

Eric, "Huh? Are we missing something?"

Brian, "You hacked Shinra before??"

Cloud was typing away, "We didn't have a choice. They wanted us to complete the mission one way or another."

Desmond snorted, "Ace would be proud."

Eric felt his eyebrows go up, 'Ace? The same guy who rode a dragon? Him?'

Lucien nodded remembering Cloud tell him about Ace, "So yeah, Cloudy here hacked the building security and we could enter."

Brian, "I see."

Eric, "You are really cool, even though you are not a SOLDIER."

Cloud, "I'm allergic to Mako so that's not happening."

Lucien winced, "Ouch!"

Vincent, "Could be worse."

Cloud looked at the screen, "I'm inside. Let's see what this place has in store for us. What the?"

Brian, "Oh sweet Gaia!"

Eric, "Are those kids?"

Lucien's face was dark, "I knew some of the scientist were bastards but this is..."

Cloud got up, "Okay! This is above our pay grade. I will call the Turks. Desmond, Vincent, I trust you can think of a way to get them out. I will have downloaded a map here to help you in a few minutes."

Desmond, "Leave it to us little eagle. This place was our actual target anyway."

Cloud nodded and sent an email with a recorded video from the hacked camera. Reno who was back in his office cursed up a storm and rushed to Tseng's office. One of the kids kidnapped was Veld's daughter who had gone missing a month ago. Veld had been searching for her ignoring all of his other missions while his wife was in recovery. That was another mess in itself, now that Reno thought about it.

Tseng, "I'll tell Veld, you are in charge of this mission."

Reno, "You can count on me boss!"

Rude, "More dirt on Shinra?"

Reno nodded, "Nothing new there. No one messes with the Turks though."

Elena, "Let me join please."

Elric, "Me too!"

Reno, "Okay newbie! You'll be Elena's partner. Let's go!"

Rude, "Don't worry, I made sure we have everything we need."

Elric winced, he had been there when they got the warning on Heidegger. They had become ten times more careful and wary about certain types of missions and kept an eye on their accounts and weapons. He had to rush around as well to make sure the agents on far away missions were getting what they needed. They were soon heading towards the area where the kidnapped kids were located.

The third class SOLDIERs were fighting against some sort of monster while Vincent and Desmond were dealing with the machines. Cloud was taking out the smaller droids and watching over who entered the place. Reno told the Turks to spread out and help the group take the machine down in a large. The SOLDIERs used their strong physique to hold the monster down while the Turks shut it down. Vincent, Desmond and Cloud greeted them and they went to get the children out of the small cages they were kept in.

Elena, "How in Gaia's name didn't we realize that Felicia was here?"

Rude, "Boss is looking."

Vincent, "Felicia, little one."

Felicia looked at Vincent with dead eyes, "You, it's you."

Vincent, "Yes, we are here to get you out."

Felicia blinked and then started to sob and babble, she had been acting tough for the sake of other kids. But she was not expecting to be saved, she had been told, both of her parents were dead. She didn't have anyone else except for her parents, her grandparents had already passed before she was born. Her mom and dad didn't have any siblings alive because of their professions. Reno and the others were furious after listening to Felicia's babbling figuring out what had happened.

Reno, "Get the other kids out."

Cloud, "Let's take them all to Seventh Bar. They look like they could use a bite and drink."

Eric, "And I don't think bringing them to Shinra will be a good idea."

Elric, "That's a good point."

Brian, "Seventh Bar?"

Rude, "Seventh Bar. We could use a drink ourselves."

To say Tifa was shocked to see a mismatched group consisting of her teachers, SOLDIERs and Turks bring in kids was an understatement. But, she didn't let it bother her and got to work and started on her Nibel stew. These kids look like they needed something nutritious but also light to eat. Aerith took over baking the bread and took out one of Seventh Heaven Bar's alcohol for the adults. They looked like they needed the drink.

Cloud muttered, "We'll have to inform Lt Hewley at least."

Reno, "Tseng will do it."

Lucien was entertaining a kid called Xavier, "I'm sure Lt Hewley won't let this go easily."

Xavier, "Lt Hewley?"

Brian, "Lt Hewley, he is a powerful SOLDIER. He saved me when my family was attacked by monsters."

Xavier gave a grin, "Now you saved me."

Brian laughed and ruffled Xavier's hair then thanked Tifa for the warm stew and bread. Xavier and the other kids started to chow down while the news came on. The subject surprised the SOLDIERs and the customers except for Vincent, Desmond, Cloud, Tifa and the Turks. On the latest news Heidegger was getting charged and arrested for many crimes which included stealing and sabotaging Shinra. The man himself was shouting profanities and curses towards Genesis.

Vincent was amused, "Our little one has been busy."

Desmond laughed, "Yes, he has been."

Cloud muttered, "Last time he basically dragged Rufus around when he was here."

Lucien choked, 'Wait what? That was not a rumour?'

The kids were watching with wide eyes as the man on the screen was taken away. They were curious about him and Cloud explained what was happening. Tifa offered to house the kids till things calmed down upside. Reno thanked her and assured Felicia her father will be here soon. Felicia agreed to stay at Seventh Heaven with the other five kids. She had become their leader of sort and didn't want to leave them on their own.