A/N: This took way longer then it shoulder have! I apologize! This chapter was very, very hard to get out but i am very pleased with how it came out once i got past the bad parts.

Thank you to everyone for the support. I actually hit a rut due to people criticizing genderbent fics and thought i was doing something wrong with mine? But i liked writing this and you guys liked reading it so i continued it. I have received a lot of support for my writing and i want to thank you guys for this.

I hope you enjoy chapter 15! I'm not sure when chapter 16 will come out but i will work on it soon while i am still on break!

Leave me your thoughts and concerns in a review!

I also have a Tumblr if you want to read my side works or random one shots! even request one from me! User: sexysemefish

ENJOY!

"I feel we have been wasting time."

Skye stopped before turning back to look at Vincent. The ex-Turk was holding two armfuls of metal, patiently waiting for the blonde to add a few more. Skye turned back to the metal, dragging a large aluminum piece.

He cursed lightly as another monster snapped at his fingers. He dropped the metal harshly onto the things head, daring it to try and take a snap at him again.

"There isn't much we can do on the amount of info we currently have." He dragged the metal out, dropping it nearby. There were a few trash diggers nearby but mostly out of his area. The harder and larger materials were dumped into the area he was in making it dangerous to search around. For Skye that wasn't really an issue.

"I'm confused on how you plan to handle this."

Skye looked up from the trash heap, deciding this needed his full attention. "Actually, our main concern is Aerith. She…" he couldn't describe it.

Aerith was wonderful but she seemed so terrified and rejecting of a few things in her nature. She was starting to get better when she was around him but he was slightly concerned. He needed her. He needed to keep her safe; he just wasn't sure how.
"That's why I came to Midgar. Now I'm not sure how to go about this. Especially with Sephiroth throwing a fit. I didn't expect it."

Though honestly, Sephiroth was an insane asshole in his current mindset.

But it still unnerved him. Such a violent reaction meant he would need to rethink the plan. But it wasn't really a plan. It was more or less a 'let's wing it and hope we don't get stabbed' sort of plan.

He only had the basics down: Aerith and Zack, heal the other two, explode reactors, maybe some lab destructions, Jenova, and some chocobo racing.

He was too rash and reckless by springing into this.

It was starting to show.

"Perhaps we should look at this more closely." Vincent kneeled beside him, red eyes flickering out to the metal as he deposited his own share onto the floor. "Sneaking into the building for information."

"Hmmm. We can and I know a way in. But I did end up trapped and under Turk questioning. Besides, I don't know how to work a computer."

Vincent gave a dry look. "I can hack."

"Vince, you can't work a cellphone."

"Older models."

"Older models didn't have a screen."

"I'm trying to be help your poorly thought out plan, you know."

'Don't be rude and stubborn' was in the glare he sent the blonde.

"Vince, two people can't take on an army." Skye had that lesson ingrained into his brain. Vincent stayed silent, dragging a talon into the dirt. He printed a design of some sort.

"What is happening with Denzel?"

The blonde paused at the question. He hadn't expected that question. "Remember Geostigma? Denzel had been infected but we were all cured before it could kill us off. Geostigma was a ploy to have people die and infect the lifestream with Jenova cells. Sephiroth, he… he helped expose the people to the cells. I'm not sure how the children received the cells but… it's a cause for concern."

"You have Jenova cells?"

"Mhm. A parting gift from the lovely doctor." He jerked up, hefting metal over one shoulder. He bumped the other with his hip. "Let's go. This should be enough for the collectors. Have you seen Denzel lately? He escapes and wanders around. I don't know if I like it."

Vincent grabbed his discarded metal, pinning him with a look. "He took up traveling to Wall Street and trading off metal there for people."

He made a noise of displeasure. Denzel in wall market painted a bad picture. "What for? Wall street is bad news."

Vincent shrugged, leading him along. "He said he found something interesting."

That sounded bad.

Okay, so he maybe he should have thought this through a little more but in his defense it was an emergency.

But now that he was pressed up against Reno with the red head's breath against his neck the emergency sounded like a terrible excuse.

"Ow, you're jabbing my ribs!"

"Quiet!"

Denzel took a breath, trying to ignore the bony elbow in his ribs as Reno dragged them further down in their hiding place. They were hidden just below a pile of boxes. They were hiding from the people Denzel had been having a normal conversation with.

Denzel should have known something was weird with them just by the fact they all had been armed to the teeth. But he had been selling off the scrap metal and the girl had offered him a good amount for it.

He knew her only by the name of Elfe before everything turned to shit.

Some guy had walked up to them, stared at him strangely and pulled him close. Denzel had never seen eyes look at him the way the guy had.

'You have the eyes of a Shinra SOLDIER.' He had muttered and Denzel had freaked out.

During the same time Reno had been wandering and had taken the touching and the fearful eyes the wrong way. He attempted to intervene and suddenly a sword was at Denzel's throat and Reno was dragging him down into the alleys of Sector 7 slums.

Denzel let out a soft breath, hand against Reno's chest in an effort to gently nudge his stupid elbow away. The ground was hard and unforgiving against his back and Reno was not hiding any of his weight. "You are being such a dick." He whispered.

"I saved your ass." The red head growled back at him.

"Saved my ass? You're the reason she attacked me in the first place!"

Reno dumped his weight fully on the teen, laying on his elbows to glare down at him. Denzel never thought he would have ever been in this sort of situation with Reno of all people. Reno had always been like a creepy visitor to the bar who pissed off AVALANCHE members. Every time they talked Reno had attempted to swindle him into the life of the Turk's before Skye ended it with a brutal punch.

Denzel would admit that he looked up to Reno. But for Gaia's sake, not this kind of looked up!

"Stay still kid. Those guys are bad news. Now that they know you're with me they're gonna go after ya."

"Whose fault is that?!"

Reno surprised him when his eyes lightly lit up in anger. "Den, those guys want Shinra dead and they think yer Shinra. Put it together short stack."

"Who are they?" He tried instead, nudging Reno to the side and away from his face. He still hadn't forgot about the fact the red head had attempted to flirt with him before.

"Terrorist's. The nasty kind that think they can blow up Shinra with bombs and an army."

It tickled at his memory a bit. He swore he had remembered something like that from Skye and Tifa previously. "Terrorist this close to Midgar? I thought Turk's and SOLDIER were supposed to keep them out." He hissed lightly.

Reno scowled. "Minor setbacks. We are working on it. Ya get it now? You gotta hang low for a few days."

There was a moment of silence as Denzel tried to get his thoughts together. The best chance he had was to mention this to Skye and hope she knew more about it then he did.

"Ya know, you look pretty good like that." The red head had a shit eating grin on his face as he leaned closer. "Sure ya won't think about having a good time?"

"Oh Gaia, gross, get off." He shoved the red head roughly, happy with the startled look on his face as he sat up. He dusted himself off, taking a chance to view Reno who was doing the same. "I'm going to go home then."

"Give me a call when ya do. Those bastards are like cockroaches. Just when ya think they're all gone another one pops up." Reno stood, allowing Denzel to head home his own way. "Be careful ya brat."

"Goodbye Reno." He said simply, rolling his eyes.

Once he was far enough away he grabbed his PHS, flicking it open to compose a message for Skye. He had heard that Skye would be doing scavenging work with Vincent before heading to the church to visit Aerith. Denzel wanted to meet her. He wanted to meet the woman AVALANCHE constantly grieved over. Skye had said it would happen in due time but for now there movements were fine as they were. Aerith was safe and would continue to be safe as long as Skye was there.

But he was a little scared as well. The man had noticed his eyes which, despite having no Mako in his system, still had a different kind of look to them than normal blue eyes. No one had noticed thus far which meant that guy had to have been specifically looking for it.

He sent off the email, closing his phone and quickly heading back home.

"Skye~ You aren't paying attention to me! Look, I made a new belt!"

Skye looked up at Aerith who was holding up a satchel. She was beaming at him as she pointed out the stitching on the leather like material. Actually, that wasn't leather. "Aerith, is that Zolom skin?"

The brunette giggled as she nodded. "Cool, right? Mom was given the material by some of her friends who work on the upper plates. We finally found a use for it!"

He reached out a hand to grab ahold of it, staring at the little stitch designs of flowers and happy faces. It was definitely Aerith's. "It looks really good. You should try making some new stuff out of the skin if you have anymore."

She beamed at his encouragement, quickly attaching it to her hips and gushing about the way it could now hold her staff as well. He watched for a little bit, leaning lightly over the flowers in a crouch. She had become a lot more cheerful recently. She had told him it made her uncomfortable; she didn't like being told about the powers she had tried so hard to ignore. But she admitted she really liked him and would do this if it meant they could fulfil his wishes and his dreams. There was more to it but she had become really determined.

Skye was snapped out of his musings as his PHS beeped. He held up a slight hand of apology to Aerith before grabbing it and flicking it open. It was from Denzel:

Hey, I ran into these people when I was selling off metal. The girl was named Elfe and she had a partner who said I had eyes like SOLDIER. Uh, I may have had to run from her when a Turk showed up. I'm heading home right now, I just thought I'd let you know since you were gonna be with Aerith for a while.

Is Vince back yet?

What the hell?

Something must have shown on his face since Aerith kneeled down beside him, laying her chin down onto his shoulder. "Is everything alright?"

He frowned, quickly typing in a reply about how he would be punishing the teenager later. "I don't know. Vincent went to turn in our metal for today but he should be home by now. Denzel ran into some people and a Turk. I'm a little concerned."

Aerith hummed, hooking their arms together. "Do you want to go home?"

Honestly, he did. He wanted to see Denzel and make sure he was alright. After the run in with Sephiroth Denzel had been a little distant. He claimed he had everything under control but running into a Turk so soon? He didn't like it.

But Aerith had been looking forward to seeing him again and it was getting harder and harder to find chances to speak with her. He had her house phone but even that was tapped by the Turk's. He thought about buying her, her own PHS but she had been very adamant about wanting to get it herself.

Instead of saying that to her he chose something else. "Elfe. It's a familiar name; I just can't remember why."

He brushed his fingers against the top of his PHS. A special brand made by Reeve that had the design of Fenrir imprinted on it and the 'WRO production' just on the bottom end. Aerith hummed lightly in his ear, reaching out to touch the flowers. "I don't know. It sounds like a strange name. If you're worried you should go home, Skye."

He frowned, wanting to tell her he would stay but just a bit conflicted.

There was another beep from his phone.

I'm home. But aww, come on. The Turk told me they were Terrorist's and that I should be careful since I was seen with them. O:

Vincent just got home!

It clicked in his mind and he cursed out loud. "Elfe was from the previous AVALANCHE. Before Barret made his. She had a full out war with Shinra and was supposed to be on par with Sephiroth."

Aerith stopped a little bit, hands pausing in their reach to touch another flower. "A terrorist group was talking to Denzel? Skye, go home."

This time he couldn't refuse. He had to get back and figure out what had happened with Denzel. AVALANCHE took a risk coming directly to Midgar of all places. From what memories he could remember, AVALANCHE had mainly attacked in areas farther away from Midgar. Junon being the most important one he could remember. That was when the Shinra cannon had almost been fired. He knew this. He knew this because Zack had known all about it.

But that was still at least two years off. If he thought about the timeline and the past one he knew at least this much. In six more months, the first parts of crisis would begin. He knew that had to be when the First class SOLDIERS went rogue and took a legion of SOLDIER with them. Protecting Aerith had been his main objective but now he realized that was impossible.

He had Cloud to worry about now. Cloud was still a cadet and would either be sent off to the war or be made into a SOLDIER. Neither were pleasing when the time came to get rid of Shinra and its science department. But there was another pressing concern.

The increase in monsters around Midgar and other areas. He had thought it was a little strange but now it was ridiculous. They were making nests on the plates of Midgar and more people were becoming agitated and scared. The slums was a breeding ground for monsters and even Aerith had told him of her displeasure whenever one attempted to corner her on the way home. He had to assume this was why AVALANCHE was in Midgar to begin with. They were blaming Shinra for it.

Skye wasn't sure who to blame. Something told him the increase of monsters was for something specific; he just wasn't sure what that specific was.

Aerith made a noise of surprise before the doors suddenly slammed open.

He turned sharply, one arm reaching out over Aerith in an easy sign of protection. They were never interrupted and Aerith had a keen sight of knowing when a Turk would come to visit her and give him a warning.

The man had on dark clothing mostly used for camoflouge. His dark hair was covered in a bandanna. Near him was a shorter female with dark hair cropped short. Her eyes were a dark color.

The last one made his hair stand on end. He was young with a pair of glasses on the bridge of his nose. He had a smirk and did not waste time to look at him. His focus was on Aerith.

"I'm looking for the Ancient." The girl spoke, glaring down at the both of them. Aerith clenched his arm lightly, making his eyes automatically flicker over to where First Tsurugi lay.

"She's not here." He said tightly, eyes narrowed at her. The girl took his challenge, one hand resting along her hip to where a blade most likely rested.

"Liar." The creepy male stated. "She's right there."

"Well then, correction. She doesn't want to talk to you." He hissed; snark was already second nature when it came to people he disliked.

"Let her talk." The woman declared. "She has a mouth and I have a bargain for her. We need her to join in our fight against Shinra to save the planet. Isn't that what the Anicent's want? To save the planet?"

Aerith gently rested a hand on his bicep, taking a breath. "I'm sorry, but uh, how do you say it? Not interested."

He cracked a grin at that. There was his Aerith, stealing his words for her own entertainment.

The male in the glasses spoke lowly, even too low for Skye to hear. All he knew was that afterwards the female had grabbed her blade and pulled it out.

He moved quickly, grabbing Aerith and dragging her upwards with him. She cried out in surprise as he accommodated her stumbling to grab ahold of First Tsurugi.

He swung the blade upwards in time to deflect the woman. Aerith was pinned close to his chest; he had woven one arm around her waist to keep her close. He was glad for the SOLDIER strength at that moment. This woman was no pushover and obviously knew what she was doing.

But so did he.

He unwrapped the arm around Aerith as she took the hint, rolling away in time for him to grab ahold of First Tsurugi and jam his finger into the button to unlatch a blade from within. It was enough to surprise the brunette to back away. Now that he was on the offensive he stood, gaining ground as he hit her with a flurry of attacks. The flexibility of the area allowed him to shove her back with a wide sweep of his main blade.

"Back off. She said she wasn't interested." He threatened, holding his guard as he gauged his outcome with all three of the members in front of him.

"We need her. She is the only one who can help us!" The woman sprang again, sloppily. He counteracted easily, twirling the blade in his hands and holding in before throwing it against her blade. There was a loud clang of metal before she cried out, being thrown backwards.

"Fascinating." The creep said softly, gazing at Skye in a way that reminded him of Hojo. "Are you a female SOLDIER?"

"Fuhito?" The woman whispered, being helped out by the other male.

"Those eyes! My, you are, aren't you? What a curious thing. Elfe, she's perfect for what I have planned."

"Not interested." He hissed, silently hoping Aerith would forgive him as he unlatched a limit break, raising his blade and bringing it straight down. The attack sent the wooden floor boards flying as the energy reached the group.

"Skye!" Aerith screamed, outraged. He didn't bother attempting to console her; instead he grabbed her hand and dragged her out towards the back as they were distracted. He could take them on but their motives were still in the dark. He wanted more info and knew if he stayed longer Aerith would be in danger.

He kicked open the back doors, dragging her out and up the steps. There were a few holes they had to look out for but they were doing well. Aerith stumbled, little squeaks coming out of her lips occasionally. He didn't rest until they were at the top, peering at the hole that led to the roof tops of the buildings nearby. He would have let Aerith continue jumping around on her own but even he knew she was exhausted. She was a teenager and still lacked a lot of the stamina her future self-had. He secured First Tsurugi onto his back before scooping her up into his arms.

"You move to slow." He told her brilliantly.

She smacked him very, very hard. "My church is in ruins. You better hope they don't touch my flowers."

"Okay, okay. Come on." He took a breath before jumping down onto the closest roof top. It was eerily familiar to when he had taken her home that first time but he didn't dwell on it. He was going to take her back somewhere safe.

He was going to take her to his place for now.

"That, is the proper way to do it."

Zack peered up from his PHS, looking to see Cloud bent over and nearly hacking up a lung as Kunsel looked pleased. "Don't hurt the kid, man! He still has patrol duty in the morning!"

Cloud sent him a half assed glower as Zack grinned widely. He shut his PHS after sending a confirmation to Angeal that he had received the new shots from Hojo and would return to his place soon.

He had just returned from seeing the creepy doctor and was placed on standby because of it. Everyone knew how icky the Mako shot's left you that a rest period was required. He still had the area lightly bandaged, over his left shoulder. This time around it had felt like ice water in his veins for a moment. It was a little sickening.

He had been called by Cloud saying they would watch over him for the time being and help him home if he really needed it.

Cloud plopped down beside him, breathing heavily as Kunsel let out a burst of laughter. "Aw, come on Cloud! This is the way it's gonna be in SOLDIER!"

The blonde waved an arm at Kunsel. "Yeah, I know but I'm not a SOLDIER, Kunsel."

"Not yet." Zack interjected, extending an arm to wrap around the short blonde. He tugged him in for a noogie but paused at the sudden sharp pain in his arm. "Ouch!"

Cloud looked alarmed for all of two seconds before Zack took the chance to throw his weight onto the blonde. "Cloooouuud! It hurts!"

"Get offa me!"

"I'm dying! Oh no! I see the light." He cried dramatically, only wincing slightly at the throbbing in his arm. He still had to adjust to the shots. Third classes had Mako showers before they were given the shots directly into the blood stream. He didn't like either of those options but it did give him the SOLDIER qualities.

He looked down at Cloud, flushed cheeks and irritated blue eyes. He stared heavily for a moment before grabbing the blonde's chin in one hand. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Dude, you look just like her!"

Cloud shoved him back, rubbing at his cheeks as Kunsel wandered over. "Did you just compare me to a girl? Dude, not cool."

Zack waved a hand around lazily. "No! Remember that girl I was seeing the other day when I fell? You look just like her! Except more babyish!"

"You're comparing me to a girl!" Cloud exclaimed, cheeks blushing just a little bit more. Zack was a little happy that Cloud had opened up to them again. He was shy and a bundle of energy when someone knew exactly how to reach him. Since their last little hiccup he had thought it would be hard to bring Cloud back. Instead it had done the opposite and now he was just a little bit more protective over the cadet. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad yet.

"Hey, she was pretty manly before I saw her face. I don't think she has your cute spikes though!" And she was a mom, he thought to himself, not willing to admit that little fact to his friends yet. He knew he would be teased because of it. "I should take you guys down to see her, or get a pic! I swear!"

Kunsel rolled his eyes, sitting down beside them "Well, what's her name? You've been off in the clouds lately because of her. Uh, no pun intended, buddy."

Cloud waved him off as Zack scratched the back of his head nervously. "Her names Skye. She has a boyfriend though, I know she does! Shame huh?" He gave a little sigh. Cute blondes were really hard to come by nowadays. Brunettes were cute but eh, he had dated enough to get over it.

"Skye?" Cloud questioned curiously.

"Yeah! She totally rocks! And boy, can she move! Took down a monster before I even realized it!" He sighed, feeling completely giddy at the thought.

Kunsel snorted. "Oh Gaia, don't tell me you have fallen for this girl."

"Yeah, please." Cloud stated, sounding oddly serious and concerned at the same time.

"Nope! I know when a girl's not mine. Still, she rocks! She seems pretty cool to hang out with as well!" He grinned stupidly, falling into easy conversation with the both of them. Cloud answered his PHS a few times, telling them he had to take a call before disappearing from their line of sight.

Sitting with Kunsel he reflected a bit, wondering how good this felt, being with the both of them without a worry in the world.

"This is great." He mumbled, amused when Kunsel gave a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, it is, isn't it?"