Enigma

Enigma

Ratings: Vary Language Violence

Author: CloudyFire

In Time's of Boredom

From that day on Cloud, Zack, and Naruto became friends and would try to see each other through all there hectic schedules. Zack had also given Cloud pointers with his sword and fighting techniques, when they would meet up at the church. He had even tried to push Naruto in little fights and scuffles. Teaching him some sword or hand to hand moves.

“No not like that, like this.” Zack instructed as he showed Naruto how to pivot with his left foot.

It was early morning on a Saturday that Naruto had found himself with Zack in the church. Cloud had classes so he couldn’t make it and Aerith had gone home to get some supplies for the church.

“That’s right now come at me again.” Zack said as he too got into position. Naruto tightened his fists before he swayed left to right, moving his feet in a pattern he had felt most comfortable in. When he reached Zack he took a swing to the left but faked it, instead bring his right leg up.

Zack blocked and met the kick with one of his own, Naruto having to sidestep the attack.

“That’s right Naru.”Zack said grinning when Naruto shot his head up and glared.

He hated being called that and did not like how Zack thought it was the funniest thing in the world.

Narrowing his eyes further Naruto jumped back and breathed in deep, trying to relax his muscles.

If only he could land a punch on that Bastard’s smug face. For some reason whenever Zack got like this he reminded Naruto of someone but he just couldn’t pinpoint the feeling nor the sense of remembrance.

Seeing Zack straight ahead he tensed his muscles then shot of the floor. Feeling weightless and relaxed Naruto had his instincts take over. He could feel the wind whip by his face indicating an attack so he leaned back just as he felt another disturbance in the air.
He dodged each time, flowing like water, not even comprehending what was going on.

That was until he had half turned and had hit something very solid and painful.

Coming back to his senses Naruto stood there dumbfounded with his arm extended and breathing harshly. Taking in everything as his vision slowly formed again. Zack was a few feet away bending down and holding his chest.

“Zack are you alright.” Naruto said as he looked at the other man.

He was beyond perplexed. Usually it was he who was on the floor holding up his injury.

“Hey I’m fine, great shot by the way. Are you sure you have had no pervious training.” Zack said as he straightened up.

But man that stung he was really surprised when out of the blue Naruto had started to flow like water and evaded all his attacks only to land a blow right back that had hit. Maybe he was getting rusty after all. He needed to stop eats so much.

Naruto for his part still had his mouth open with his eyes staring at Zack’s figure, his hand that had delivered the blow was brought down but it was shaking. He rubbed his hand wincing, that had hurt for worse then he had imagined it would. He hoped it wasn’t broken or anything.

“What say you we quit for today and wonder around glorious Midgar.” Zack announced after a few minutes, already dragging a half protesting Naruto by his arm.

Smiling Zack had to admit both Naruto and Cloud could act like each other a lot even when he would announce this to them. The similar reactions could be funny to behold, both spiting fire and yelling insults.

Zack himself was an interesting guy, he loved to joke and laugh out loud. And where ever he went there was always a young woman looking his way.

Trying to have him to look in their direction, and ever time Zack would do the opposite. He was instead hanging out with Aerith or Cloud and sometimes Naruto Living life like anyone should. The only thing Zack was afraid of though was paperwork.

Yes mounds and mounds of paperwork that was currently sitting at his desk and an annoyed green eyed General wondering where Fair could be.


“Morning Seph.” Came the annoying yet predicable voice before it had even come in to the office. And speak of the devil, Zack came striding in.

Veering through the first desk, filled with paperwork, to stop by the Generals desk. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company this early in the morning Fair.” Sephiroth said looking back down his paperwork.

Looking over the many pictures of landscapes on the walls and the famous sword right behind the famous General Zack turned his attention to his friend.

“I might have something interesting for you to know.” He said casually, leaning against the hard wood desk Disrupting some of the papers there.

“Due tell.” Was the dry reply.

But Zack knew better, he had the Generals interests peaked.

“Well I’ve heard rumors that the Turks are scouting for potential recruits.”

Sephiroth looked up through his silver hair at Zack.

“I already know that Zack. Please tell me something I don’t know.” He finished turning his head up a little higher and so parting his hair on either side of his face. Showing intense green slitted eyes.

“Okay how about this. The Turks are in a up roar about a spy collecting data from ShinRa itself. And the Turks are trying to recruit somebody from outside of ShinRa.” Zack said casually like it was no big deal.

But who knew maybe it wasn’t.

Sephiroth leaned back in his chair holding his hands together.

“Interesting.” Was the only reply.

Yes every interesting if there was a spy among ShinRa that could steal data without anyone knowing. It could cause a large up roar, no wonder he had not heard of it before know.

If this person wanted to go public with ShinRa’s every dirty little secret the President would be done for. So the question was, who was this assailant and what were they trying to accomplish. But even more interesting was the Turks. So they wanted to recruit someone outside of ShinRa itself.

Well that alone would cause an up roar. No one from ShinRa was to recruit civilians. It was strictly forbidden for it crossed the freedom of people in Midgar. Did the President know about this? Or were the Turks keeping everything locked up tight.

‘What are you up to Tseng’. He silently thought.


“Hey Aerith.” Came a voice filled with laughter.

Said person looked up quickly from where they was sitting by the flowers. Smiling she called back.

“What are you doing here Naruto.”

“That’s what I’d like to know.” Came the reply as Naruto strode down through the church passing by pews and tinted windows.

His footsteps echoing throughout the damaged building. “Isn’t Zack supposed to be here to take you out.” Naruto commented looking at the young woman.

He normally only came every two to three times a week to the church to help out Aerith and bring her company. But for some peculiar reason he had wanted to go for a walk and it had landed him here.

“You do know you have a dirt smudge right.” He finished looking at his face.

“What.” She exclaimed bring up her hands only making it worse.

Laughing Naruto bent down, “Here let me.”

As he grabbed for his sleeve wiping her face of the dirt somewhat. It didn’t really matter though because her hair was half way out of the braid she normally had it in. Creating a wild mane, with strings of hair going this way and that. But at the mention of Zack Aerith quieted and lowered her head.

“Hey what’s wrong.” Naruto said looking at her.

He didn’t want to see her sad, he wanted to see happiness bright those features of hers, even if that sounded lame.

“Oh nothing, nothing at all.”She said looking up and straightening from her keeling position.

“I just...” But she was cut off when another voice echoed through the church rafters.

“Hey Spiky two what are you doing here.” Zack asked as he bounded into the church, full of energy as always.

Frowning at the lame name Naruto turned his head to look at Zack. “Can’t you make up a better name than that.” He replied with dry sarcasm.

Stopping short Zack brought up his hand to his chin, as he posed for a thoughtful expression.

“How about Shorty or midget no maybe Naru or...” Zack went on muttering to himself now.

Turning and looking at Aerith she couldn’t help but giggle at the blonds expression plainly saying, ‘you like him?’

“So Naru.”

“Don’t call me that.” Was the reply.

“What are you doing here on this nice day.” Zack finished ignoring Naruto’s last remark.

Shrugging he replied, “Nothing much I was just bored and wanted to take a walk. How’s Cloud doing.” He said as an after thought not noticing how Aerith seemed to tense ever so lightly.

Slinging an arm around the blond Zack rubbed his spiky hair grinning when the protest ranged out.

“He’s doing fine and passing, but man can that kid practice. Every chance he’s got you see him at the gym either with a sword or a bamboo stick. But enough of that how are you doing Blondie.” Sighing at Zack’s numerous nick names Naruto let it slide for now.

In the background Aerith smiled as she listened in, loving to watch as they interacted. Even as she felt a little left out, she loved her boyfriend and she knew he loved her back, but was it enough. Was this really what she wanted, to be left out. She felt like she had to win his affections and it was starting to weigh heavily on her.

“Hey Naruto want to come with us.” Zack said as he had Naruto in a lock hold around his neck, dragging the poor blond with him. Protesting Naruto tried to wiggle out of the hold and turn his big blue eyes towards Aerith for help. Laughing softly she moved towards the two.

“I’d love Naruto to come with us.” She said even if she wished it was just Zack and her.

“Zack come on man it’s a date I don’t want to be a third wheel.” Naruto complained even as he still struggled out of the hold.

“No can do Sprite, you heard the lady.” Zack announced loudly as he walked out of the church noisily.

Maybe this was a good idea after all Aerith thought, trying to hold in her laughter at the blond’s predicament. Maybe what they all needed was each other, and not to feel lonely anymore.The second part of the training was a lot harder Cloud had decided some months ago. He couldn’t even remember when he had started the second part of the program or when this hell would be over.

The first part of the program had ended some time ago, with Cloud passing all the classes both training and studying. Their end of term had to deal with all the things they had learned throughout the months. It was a five day testing period for all the cadets in all studies. Cloud at first thought he was going to bomb it and be sent away starting the program all over again. The only thing that helped him really was his mom’s continuing letters from home his friend Naruto and Zack.

Zack had inspired Cloud and had even helped him a little. So Cloud had passed and Zack had dragged him off the grounds for some extreme partying along with all the other cadets how had passed. Then came the second part of the program. Sure they had moved into nicer barracks with actual windows and nicer soft beds along with actual furniture but they also had to wake up earlier and have more classes.

They also and to get another physical, this one involving a little mako.

All the cadets that had passed were to wait outside of a room filled with old magazines, and books. There was even a T.V. playing news on it. The chairs in the waiting room were hard though and they tended to hurt one’s back if sat on incorrectly. Cloud had waited there for at least an hour before it was finally his turn and there was still about ten people left. When he had first arrived there most have been fifty cadets waiting. Either sitting or standing and mellowing about, talking about there test scores and the commanders in low voices.

When the blond had entered the room he caught the site of bright girlish green walls and large pictures being displayed. In the middle of the room was a medium sized white bed, behind the bed was a wooden desk with paperwork and pens neatly stacked.

Cloud also noticed a chair right in front of the white bed were a person was waiting. Beside them was a metal table filled with different bottles and a small computer screen. Walking all the way in, as he listened to his booted feet thud on the tiles. Cloud sat down on the bed finally taking in the Dr. He had figured it would have been the same guy Carter but it wasn’t.

He had thin brown hair with glasses on half covering sharp brown eyes. He wore the standard white coat and the man looked like he had a serious hunch problem. His hands were long though like a pianist and were surprisingly devoid of age, no veins sticking out nor spots dotting the white skin.

Looking closer Cloud frowned a little, he could swear that he saw this man before.

Breaking out of his thoughts Cloud saw the door open again before closing, this time a female nurse had stepped in, the same one that had helped him with the first physical. Her sharp features strained from the days work, as she walked around the Dr. Her shoes clicking as she went about her business.

“Okay Mr. Strife lets get this over with.” The Dr. Said oily, smirking at the blond like he was finding something extremely funny.

The nurse had just finished with his blood pressure when, ‘Dr. Hojo.’ As the name tag read, pulled up his black sleeve.

Taking a needle after he had swathed Cloud’s arm he stuck it into the skin. Cloud grimaced looking at the brightly colored green liquid shooting up into his arm. He could feel the strange liquid run through his veins as a slightly burning, itchy feeling followed in its wake. Hojo then muttered and keyed something into the computer, that Cloud couldn’t see. Nodding his head in thought Hojo turned towards the silent blond.

“Yes your all set, just don’t do anything straining for a couple of days, you also might get sick but that should be normal.

It was nice meeting you Mr. Strife.” Hojo said in a bored tone.

Before the nurse ushered the blond of.

Already getting ready for the next young man to take the test. Walking through the doorway passed the still waiting cadets Cloud swiftly left the cold room filled with disgusting sickness smells and bleach.

Grimacing again Cloud grabbed at his stomach seeing that other cadets were doing the same. God he felt like shit.

“The cadets are having there first testing of mako.” Was the very first thing Zack heard as he walked into Sephiroth’s office.

Zack for his part stopped dead in his tracks.

Did Seph just start a conversation, all on his own.

But when the sentence actually registered Zack could have hit himself.

“Wait so today is the fifteenth.” He trailed of. Oh man he had promised Spiky he would be there. Plopping down on one of the many chairs Zack slumped a little.

“Why do they even give cadets mako this early.” Zack asked.

“You know as well as I do that the so called mako they give them is so saturated it can hardy be called mako.” Sephiroth replied as he looked up towards his friend.

“Yea I know but why do they even do it. It’s a waste of time and money.” Zack finished.

“Perhaps,” was the reply that sent them into silence for several minutes.

“So any word from our spy.”

“No they have yet to catch the intruder. They don’t even know if it’s really a he in the first place. But someone of this caliber...” Sephiroth trailed off.

“Has to be a Turk or was involved with the Turks.” Zack finished for his friend.

Looking up with intense green eyes Sephiroth nodded. “Yes and for some reason they believe he is living here at Midgar. They have sent someone already to scout out Midgar.” Sephiroth stated looking at Zack in warning.

“Hey don’t worry I wont do anything.” Zack said innocently as he held up his hands. But if anyone knew the real Zack Fair they would call him a liar.

“Zachary.” Sephiroth gave a warning even as the young man disappeared through he door. Sighing Sephiroth turned back to his paperwork a small tilt to his lips.

After the little mako treating Cloud had indeed been sick for two days. “Hey don’t worry it will pass.” Zack said after he had found the poor blond in the bathroom.

Cloud for his part just glared at the smiling man as he had flipped him off, thinking this was never going to end. This sick feeling as he again throw up in the toilet. But it passed and Zack had said he was probably a little more sensitive to it then others. After the blond had found out that almost all the other cadets had felt fine a few hours after the shot didn’t help his pride though.

That was where the fun had ended and the nightmares had begun. For Cloud had frequent nightmares of that same ledge over looking Midgar. He was still unable to move in his dreams nor talk. Just standing there observing his surroundings as he watched from the sidelines. All he would hear was the screaming and gunshots along with the pitter patter rain drops creating an eerie masterpiece. Nothing changed and Cloud was surly tempted to talk about this with either Naruto or Zack but when ever he would meet with one of them he would clam up. Freeze and not want to bother anyone with his night terrors. On top of the new training schedule his life was really sucking right now.

Naruto on the other hand was having the time of his life. He really enjoyed living by himself and eating anything he wanted. Sure he missed Mrs. Strife and her cooking but this was heaven. He got to stay up late, had a great apartment, and had a nice paying job. He did miss the training with Cloud though back at the small village. Sure he trained with Zack near the church and Vincent would help him on top of the apartment’s roof but it wasn’t grassy fields nor indoor gyms. But he loved it here especially the church, and Aerith the flower girl.

Everything was looking up even if he had still yet to gain his memories of the past. He had at first thought that going to a big city would jump start his brain, maybe walk into someone he knew from the past. But so far he had nothing, maybe he would never remember. But for some reason that didn’t bother him nearly as much as it used too.

Yes everything was going fine, except for him. He thought darkly.

Ever since the guy showed up to, “Goblin’s Bar,” got plastered and started a fight he had been pestering Naruto. He would show up at work when the blond was working, he would show up to Naruto’s favorite little restaurant when he chose to eat there. Heck he even showed up to the church once or twice.

Each time trying to talk to him about his life or random and mundane things. But each time he was there wanting to talk to Naruto. And speak of the devil, it just walked in. Narrowing his eyes to an icy stare Naruto picked up a random glass cleaning it with his rag. He did a quick sweep of the room noting the few occupants that were regulars milling around.


“Hey long time no see.” The man said as he predictably sat at the bar stool right in front of said blonde.

“What do you want.” Naruto grounded out through his teeth. He could not make a sene here not when he valued his job so much.

“What no first name basis Naruto.” He said in muck hurt, still smiling.

God this guy could be infuriating, Naruto thought. He just screamed cockiness with his long flaming red hair and his sharp green gaze. He had red markings under each eye making them stand out even more if that were possible. He was garbed in a white unkept shirt with a black shirt over it and black elastic pants to top it off.

Looking towards his boss in the background Naruto rounded on the potential costumer.

“What would you like...Reno.” Naruto said with a fake cheerfulness and the painfully overstretched smile.

His boss was looking his way after all. Smiling the ever knowing glint Reno looked over his choice but Naruto already knew what he was going to order. For he did this ever time.

“I’ll have the Midgar domestic beer.” He said smoothly. Trying not to roll his eyes Naruto prepared the strong drink.

“SO what have you been up to.” Reno said as he took the drink from the blond.

Naruto grabbed his rag and began to clean the counter. Here we go, “Nothing much just working.” He said eying a particular stain.

“What you never get out and do anything in Midgar. I saw you once at the old church in the slums.”

“I know I saw you larking around there.” Naruto said looking at his costumer’s eyes for the first time tonight.

“Hey I wasn’t hiding or anything. What can’t a guy visit a church.” Reno stated seriously even as his eyes danced lively.

“You know you should tour the ShinRa building maybe decide to sign up.” Reno continued on as he swung in his seat and surveyed the room.

“No I don’t much like taking orders from others nor do I like cleaning my shoes.” Naruto said snidely, as he once again eyed the stain.

Every time Reno would try and persuade the blond into joining the ShinRa military. “Well cadet Strife would be saddened to hear that.” Reno said as he took another sip from his glass.

Naruto shot his head up, letting his blond spiky hair fly into his face. “How do you know Cloud.” He said in a hurry only realizing his mistake a little too late.

“Ah so you are familiar with Strife.” Reno said staring into blue eyes as his hand idly swished the contents inside the glass. “Did you know Blondie has some friends in high places?” Reno went on before Naruto could protest.

“But you already know that yourself am I right. Than again you might not.” Reno said. Growling softly Naruto leaned his upper body across the counter and whispered harshly.

“What do you want Reno.” He was tired of these pointless questions.

“I’ve found another thing strange.”Reno went on ignoring Naruto’s last question as he too leaned in towards the infuriated blond.

“You Naruto, do not exist in any real records, there all fake.” Stunned Naruto could do nothing but stand there as Reno had drained his glass got up and left just as quickly as he had come in. Right beside the empty glass was a white plain note.

Gabbing it Naruto stuffed it in his pocket not even glancing at the harmless note as he finished up his shift hand’s shaking all the while.


TBC