I never expected this to get such positive feedback or for anyone to like this little alternate universe. I adore the little remnants and wanted to announce something special while giving you a little extra insight into their world. The announcement is at the end so, enjoy the Bonus Chapter.

Bonus Chapter

Kadaj's Report

A few days had passed since and school was back in session. Kadaj wasn't looking forward to it because they had been given an assignment to do over break. Loz and Yazoo had finished theirs about a week into the break, but for Kadaj it wasn't that easy. In fact, he had put it off until the night before.

In a classroom of twenty-three students it wasn't as easy to blend in as one would think. Only he and his brothers had silver hair, the teacher would most definitely notice him no matter what he tried to do to hide. Three students had read their report aloud to the class before Yazoo was called up. He wrote about what he wanted to be when he was older, because he had found out what he was good at. It wasn't hard to guess. Yazoo was an excellent shot with anything. Paperclips, spit-wads, sling-shots, home-made arrows - anything. He wrote how he wanted to be a sniper and work for Shinra, maybe as a top-ranking assassin who worked alongside the SOLDIERs or Turks, but not taking orders from them.

Kadaj, knew why. It'd mean he'd have to take orders from their eldest brother one day. Something the three of them had refused to do, especially after the incident that happened over summer break.

Just before leaving for Midgar, Sephiroth showed his true colors. He called his three youngest siblings pests and told them the only useful thing they could do for shinra was provide them with new lab rats. Kadaj hated Sephiroth. At first he thought about writing that for his report, but then he'd get an earful from his father and who knows what other kind of punishment. Kadaj didn't feel like getting mentally abused by both his eldest brother and his father in one week.

Two more students were called up before it was Loz' turn. His report was about the animals he had seen over the summer break and that he wanted to work with them when he got older. That didn't surprise Kadaj as he remember how much fun Loz had when he was trying to catch a fish, but ended up making friends with a frog.

Four more children were called up, allowing Kadaj to finish writing his report on the spot. He knew what he wanted to write now and was pretty pleased with it by the time his named was called.

Stepping up to the front of the classroom, the silverette became nervous. He wasn't a fan of crowds, big or small. He could handle five or six people with no problem, but anymore than that was a bit too much for him.

"Well? Go ahead, Kadaj. What did you learn over the summer?" asked the teacher, urging him on.

Kadaj bit his lower lip as he looked around the room. He was stuck and started to panic, until something yellow caught the corner of his eye and he remembered the talk he and his other older brother had the previous night.

"But, I..I don't like crowds. What if I get nervous and can't do it?" asked Kadaj as he lowered his head in shame.

"I don't like big crowds either," the blonde admitted.

"Really, but how do you deal with them, then?"

"That's the easy part," he replied with a small smirk. "Your classroom has a window, right?"

Kadaj nodded.

"Then all you have to do is picture people you care about watching you from the window and tell yourself that they're the only ones watching."

"Does it work?"

"It works for me," replied the blonde.

"Can I imagine you?" asked Kadaj.

"Sure."

The blonde ruffled his brother's silver hair before heading off to bed.

Kadj looked up from his paper and over to the window. Sure enough, he could see his 'big bruver' watching him with an encouraging expression on his face. The silverette instantly relaxed and began.

"Over the summer, I learned a lot about my family. My mother is and always will be very special to me. My brothers Loz and Yazoo are always fun to play with and I'm happy to have siblings my own age. My father is very strict and sometimes he's mean after talking with my eldest brother. Sephiroth was never nice, but this summer he got real mean when he left for Midgar. He wants to be a SOLDIER and as much as I don't like him, I know he'll be one of the best."

Kadaj stopped for a minute as he glanced up, making sure his imagined brother was still there.

"I want to join SOLDIER too, but not because of Sephiroth. I want to join because it's my other brother's dream. Cloud is the only one of us with blonde hair, but that's not what makes him special. He's special because he actually cares about us. Me, Loz and Yazoo. He hung out a lot with us this summer when Sephiroth was no where around. That was special because he had other friends to spend time with, but instead of leaving us behind he let us tag along."

"I didn't like Zack or Tifa, because they were older and I thought they were always trying to keep big brother away from us. I blamed them, but I found out that they're really nice and Zack is funny. He makes big splashes where ever he goes and Tifa always makes my brother blush. Before that day, I didn't know my brother's face could change colors."

Yazoo and Loz snickered at the memory, but the teacher hushed them.

"He stood up for us when Sephy was mean and even gave Loz a piggyback. He took us fishing and made Yazoo's slingshot. He's very good at making things and also drew me a sword with two blades. I want to have a sword like that one day and use it to help him fight when we both make it into SOLDIER because I want to help him be the best. Even better than Sephiroth."

Kadaj looked up at the class and smiled.

"Because my big brother Cloud showed me what's really important. Family always comes first and I want to help him reach his dream of being the best SOLDIER ever."

Everyone in the room applauded, even the teacher clapped along. "Very good, Kadaj. I can see you learned a lot. I'm sure you'll make a good SOLDIER."

Kadaj smiled, "Not as good as Cloud."

He looked back over at the window, but the image of his brother was gone. Kadaj was a little sad, but it had helped him get past his nerves. He sat back down next to Yazoo and Loz who both promised to help him make sure Cloud was better than Sephy. Another student stood up and made her way to the front of the class.

Outside of the classroom, leaning against the wall Cloud was unable hide his smile. He wouldn't start school until the following week and found himself bored with Zack gone and Tifa busy helping her dad. Out of boredom he remembered that his brother would be reading in front of the class today and wanted to help ease his fears a little.

He never expected to be surprised or feel as proud as he was right now. Kadaj really looked up to him, a lot more than he realized. Now Cloud was more determined than ever to make SOLDIER and to prove Sephiroth wrong. Cloud knew he had everything going for him. Sephiroth may be stronger, but he was constantly pressured by their father. Cloud didn't have that pressure, only support. Support from his mother, his friends and his younger siblings. He had everything he needed.

Shoving his hands into his pockets Cloud began to head down to the creek bed and start his own training. He needed to start building up his stamina. Getting into SOLDIER wouldn't be easy, but he'd give it his best shot.

To Be Continued...

Announcement Time: Because several people have requested it, I am going to write an on-going story for this universe. I'm going to keep it separate from this one though. So keep an eye on my stories for a Sequel. Not sure what to call it yet, I still have to work out a solid plot, but it will pretty much pick up where this leaves off, it just may pick up a few months ahead? not much though. Hope you all liked the bonus chapter and I look forward to writing the new sequel. Thank you all for your wonderful reviews and kind words. ^_^

Poll has been set up on my profile, go and vote on what time-line you'd like to see for the sequel. ;)