A/N:

okay before I get started, I just want everyone to know that yes, I have played CC, and this story does not really fit into it at all. Some things won't particularly make sense with the FF7 compilation time line, but hey, it's all in good fun :D

I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters and places represented in this story belong to SquareEnix, not me. Fail.

"Watch it!"

The sword was buzzing across the metallic ground, creating a certain grinding noise that his ears could barely tolerate. His head was buzzing from the noise, but he quickly shot the distraction away. He needed to focus. He needed to concentrate. He needed to actually win.

"Move your feet!"

He tried to, but the armor was heavy. His boots clunked against the floor, desperate to get away from his attacker. Grey buildings whizzed past his fleeing body. The corners of his eyes spotted a dash of red, flying towards him with incredible speed. Muscles spasms coiled throughout his arm as he tried to pick up the gun on his side. He grasped the metallic handle, but his nerves took over. The gun fell lifelessly on the floor, his attacker already on top of him.

"Well," The older boy pressed a single button on his phone. In an instant, the tall skyscrapers vanished from vision, melting into the floor and revealing the plain walls of the training center. "That pretty much sucked."

He managed to pull the helmet off of his head and set it down on the floor. His hands trembled with weakness, "…Zack, who was I fighting?"

The black haired boy bent down beside him, offering his hand. "Eh, only a former First Class."

His light blue eyes widened. "First Class?! Why would you…"

"Hey, hey!" Zack pulled back his hand, making the younger boy fall back on the floor. The sound of metal clanking on metal echoed through the vacant room. "I said former First Class. I thought you wanted to join SOLDIER."

His blond hair was starting to stick up again, helmet hair quickly diminishing. "…I do."

"Then get up! I didn't get into SOLDIER lying on the floor." Zack gave a confident smile.

The blond did as he was told. His legs managed to drag themselves up slowly, but stumbled when trying to walk forward. "Ow…"

"You okay?"

He nodded. "I'm just…I'm so sore."

"Cloud, maybe we should take a day off tomorrow." Zack picked up the gun by Cloud's feet and handed it back to him. "You know, take a break, check out Midgar, that kind of thing."

Cloud seemed reluctant, but nodded, his weariness starting to take control. "You sure?"

"Am I sure? The next SOLDIER evaluation isn't for months anyway. We have plenty of time!" Zack was already heading out the door. The differences in the two boy's energy levels were astounding.

Cloud scratched his head. "I meant, you sure you want to hang out with me?"

The black haired boy stopped and turned around. "Hey!" His muscular arm fell and grappled Cloud's neck. "We're buddies! Besides, have you even seen Midgar?"

Cloud blinked. "Of course, I've been here for 2 years."

"Nah, I know you've looked at it, but have you seen it." Zack laughed at his confused face. "Don't worry about it. I'll show you everything."

The younger boy looked up, a tad wide eyed. The sweat from the fight was gliding down his forehead, making his face shiny. "Really?"

"…uh yeah," Zack stepped back. "But how about you take a shower first? I'll meet you at the entrance in a half an hour?"

Cloud nodded quickly and ran out of the training room, newly energized from the offer. It made Zack smile a little. To think someone could look up to me. Angeal wouldn't believe it. The smile turned into a smirk as the SOLDIER moved through the hallway "Hey!" He ran up towards the swiftly moving man, who seemed all too eager to ignore him. "Hey! Hey!"

"Zack, you're a puppy." Angeal turned around quickly and eyed his protégé with a certain loving disdain.

"Oh?" Zack raised his chin. "Is it because I'm so adorable? Irresistible to girls? Loyal to no end?"

Angeal raised his hand and dropped it on Zack's shoulder, "No. I think it's how you manage to look totally negligent yet hyper at the same time." He began walking forward again, past the other Shinra employees and SOLDIER operatives. "What do you want?"

"Ouch! Shouldn't you treat me with more respect? One day I'll be First Class." He jogged back up to his escaping mentor.

Angeal snorted. "You're good, Zack." The older man laughed seeing the confident grin on the boy next to him, "But way too cocky. What is it?"

"Hmm… I just wanted to tell you that I think I'm officially an idol."

The statement was met with immediate laughter. It started out soft, barely audible, but became loud as Angeal continued to let the words seep in. "May I ask by who?" The question was broken through a fit of chuckles.

Zack's eyebrows were furrowing with annoyance. He had a right to be idolized! He was a good SOLDIER, a fun guy to be around, wasn't he? "This infantry guy named Cloud. He's cool, not too bad of a fighter either. I'm going to take him out."

"Look, Zack, you don't need to take out every fan you have. Usually the idolizing ones turn out to be crazy, and the last thing you'll want is a stalker." Angeal grinned. "But I suppose if this 'Cloud' kid is really your type, then it's okay by me. Though I thought you were seeing that girl…"

"I am!" His voice caught the attention of everyone in the area. Zack's smile fell, "I'm not taking him for a date. Jeez Angeal! I have Aerith!" The full image finally entered his head, "And Cloud's a guy! I was just saying how it's cool to have someone that looks up to you like that. It's…almost like how I look up to you."

Angeal blinked, "Don't lie to me, Zack."

He only sighed and walked towards the elevator, but Angeal's chuckles drew him back. "Fine, don't believe me. I won't be here for training tonight."

"Hey, Zack!" His mentor seemed to calm down from his jokes. Zack stepped into the elevator, but stood in between the closing doors. Angeal continued, "Don't get too attached to your puppy."

"Huh? Oh you mean Cloud! Why?"

Angeal shrugged, "You'll be tempted to put him on a leash."

Zack looked at himself in the window's reflection, eyeing his spiky black hair with satisfaction. His hands no longer had their leather covering, and he stylishly combed through his dark hair with his fingers, an attempt to make it shine even more.

"Hey, hot stuff."

He gave a slight chuckle and turned around swiftly to face the girl. She had dark auburn hair and was in a professional suit. The zipper of her coat hung open sloppily, indicating the hard day. "Cissnei! Didn't know you thought of me that way." Zack walked closer to her, making the Turk back away.

"It was a joke, Zack!" She shook her head, "Don't get so cocky."

Zack grumbled, "Why does everyone keep saying that?" His dark boots kicked the floor in frustration, "You look tired."

Cissnei shrugged. Her face quickly became flushed as she noticed her unkempt appearance. "Tseng sent me and Reno on a mission to Wutai."

That's still going on?! "Why can't they just come up with a treaty already?" His frustration soon vanished, light blue eyes sparkling. "But hey, if you want to grab dinner later, I'll be back around 9."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his infallible flirting. "Zack…don't you have a girlfriend?"

"Eh." Zack blinked realizing how that must have sounded. "I never said like a date, Cissnei! We'll just go to a place, real casual like…"

She shook her head. "I'm working tonight, but thanks."

He walked closer, "Then another time?" Zack cracked a slight smile, "Come on, Cissnei. All work and no play is no way to live."

"Maybe." Her voice was flat, her expression stolid.

Zack still grinned. His hands rested on his hips, "Maybe? Is that a maybe yes?"

"Maybe." Cissnei turned around and started towards the elevator, ignoring the feeble shouts behind her. The Turk entered the newly opened elevator as the young blond boy came running out. He no longer wore the standard Shinra uniform, only simple jeans and a loose white shirt. Zack smirked as he noticed Cloud's eyes trail from the floor to Cissnei.

"Hey, Zack."

Zack gave a slight wave and let out a soft laugh. "Caught you looking at that Turk."

"Oh…" Cloud looked down, "I wasn't…I mean, she's pretty, but I'm not interested…" His pale face almost turned completely red.

"Hey, hey! It's fine." Zack patted Cloud's shoulder. "No need to defend yourself! But she's…difficult."

Cloud shook his head. "…It was just. Her eyes; for a second…they reminded me of someone. Maybe I'm too used to seeing Mako infused eyes or something."

"Really?" Does Cloud here have a crush? Zack inwardly laughed. Cloud was one of those shy boys, the ones that sit in the back of the class and kept to themselves. The quiet ones that Zack usually didn't really get to know because he was off chasing girls instead. "Wanna explain?"

Cloud's own blue eyes looked up to the older boy. "…Not really."

"Not yet. Come on." Zack opened the door and gestured for Cloud to exit. "We're heading out. I can help you find another girl."

The blond didn't move. His soft voice seemed caught in his throat. "…I don't know about that."

The statement made Zack freeze. "Jeez…" he looked Cloud up and down. "You can't be serious. Well, then I'll just show you Midgar, and if it just so happens that you see some girl, just let me know."

Cloud shrugged and walked out of the Shinra building, his light blue eyes meeting the glowing neon lights of Midgar. The city looked alive and wild. "Where are we going?"

He was met with a fiendish grin on his friend's face. Zack pointed down the street and walked out, hard boots pounding across the stone road. "Just leave it to me. I'll show you what it's like to be in SOLDIER."

A/N:

They always start out a little slow...

I hope you guys like it so far. I absolutely love writing Zack, so this should be fun :D I also have some big plans ahead... Reviews are most welcome!

I'll get to work on the next chapter! bye!

~Mira