Poison (Cloud Strife x Reader)

Chapter 3

Cloud's P.O.V
It was only a few more hours, or even minutes until the sun goes down, and ready for the job. I already have a bad feeling about this "Barret" guy that is the leader of Avalanche apparently. But at least he's paying.
Tifa, Barret and his gang headed down to their secret base beneath the bar. To discuss about the mission perhaps, but I don't understand why me and Y/N not allowed to be in the conversation if we we're apart of the mission. I also caught the girl with the red bandana starting at me in a strange way. I thought nothing of it and just ignored it. Now it was just me and Y/N at the bar.
Alone.
"So much for being 'involved.'" Y/N said sarcastically. I couldn't help but let out a little chuckle, "hmph. I don't wanna hear what their discussing anyway."
Y/N smiled as she leaned her back against the wall.  "Honestly, I was kinda expecting this sort of thing. SOLDIER's are only weapons to Shinra and nothing more. People only see us as that and nothing more..."
"Y/N..." I sighed. I feel the guilt in her yes as she talked about being in SOLDIER. Yet again, she is right. We might be Ex-SOLDIERS, but that doesn't change people's opinions on us.
She sighed, "You know what? I haven't fought in so long, I should practice my combat before we go. Do you wanna come with me?"
"Huh?"
"Come on! It would be like back in the old days, where we used to go 1 on 1 with each other." She explained.
"Are you sure about that? You should get some rest before we set off when day light is still up."
"Cloud, we are about to blow up a freaking. Mako. Reactor. We gotta be prepared about what's coming towards us." She said with exaggeration.
I stared at her for a couple of seconds when she raised one eyebrow at me and her hands on her hips.
"Fine. I guess we can go."
"Yay! Let's go then." She twitched her head towards the door and started walking towards the door. I sighed and followed behind her. I just really hope I don't hurt her in battle.
Y/N's P.O.V
Me and Cloud were looking for a place for us to practice in privately so we don't bring too much attention towards ourselves. "There should be an empty space behind that large pipe over there behind the bar."
"Are you sure you want to go 1 on 1? We can see if there's monsters around here we can use." He sounded kinda nervous about doing this.
"I don't think they would let us in anywhere where there's monsters. We're practically strangers here. Plus, I'd rather practice with you since we used to do it all the time." I explained.
Cloud didn't say anything and just looked at me and moved on. I wonder what's wrong.
"Here we are. Pretty quiet huh."
"Yeah."
"Now then." In a flash, I summoned my new spear and began making an dramatic entrance by spinning it around my body and striking a pose with the spear behind me holding it with one hand.
"Let's see how much I can remember after 5 years."
"Just so you know, I will take it easy on you." Cloud said as he was taking the Buster Sword off his back.
"Ha! Please! That can change real quick." I smirked.
Like the speed of light, I zoomed towards Cloud with my spear. Leaving him to quickly block me with his Sword.
"Damn Cloud- how did you become so strong?" I said grunting.
"I have my ways" he smirked pushing me off sliding me back.
We fought for a good 5 minutes back and fourth. Block after block. It honestly felt like we were just going easy on each other ans being more careful. Cloud was mainly blocking my attacks and didn't even bother attacking. I was constantly waiting for him to strike at any moment, but he never did.
I figured I we should stop if it's going to keep going on like that, plus I was getting exhausted. Even if he was just blocking, he was pretty strong.
"Give up?" Cloud said to me.
"No-" I said panting slowly. "I just...trying to get back into it..."
"You should take it easy then. Your attacks are good though."
"Thanks but, you didn't nothing but block me. I wanted to see what you could do."
"Well mainly because I don't wanna hurt you."
I felt a small blush from my cheeks as our eyes locked. We both put our weapons away and had an awkward silence.
"Well *Ahem* we should probably head back and gather supplies and materia if we need it." I said trying to walk past him.
"You sure your ok?" I turned back to look at him while I was still walking.
"Yes im- WHAA!" I didn't realize that there was a rock in from of my foot. Of course I had to trip over it. But I didn't feel my body hit the ground. I open my eyes to see Cloud grabbed me by the waist to catch me from my fall.
"You ok?" Cloud asked me.
"Yeah. How many times are you going to ask me?" I said while he helped me up. I noticed his hand was still on my waist. He noticed and quickly let go.
"Sorry." Cloud mumbled and looked down.
"You know Cloud, I appreciate having you around. Did I ever tell you that?" I smiled. I can kinda see the little blush coming from his cheeks. Cute.
"N-No you haven't." He said scratching his head.
"Well now you know." I smiled at him and turned around.
Cloud's P.O.V
While we were waiting for Barret and his gang to be done, me and Y/N stopped by local shops to either buy items or materia. But I couldn't stop thinking about earlier. She's an incredible fighter, but I didn't want to fight back mainly because I didn't wanna hurt her. However, when she tripped earlier, why did I feel something in my chest just by grabbing her waist.
And her smile. God that smile makes me go crazy. But I like seeing her smile. It make me happy knowing that she's happy. I hate seeing her sad or frustrated. Thinking about it makes my head hurt, as if I felt this way before but I forgot it.
"I think we should head back, it's getting dark." I said to Y/N.
"Ah alright. I was about done anyway."
We started heading back to the bar in silence. I looked over at Y/N noticing her arms were crossed.
"Stressed?" I commented.
"Hmm? Oh just thinking about what's going to happen that's all."
"I see. I don't blame you." I said trying to make her feel better.
"Hey do you think- oh shit." She said out of no where and started backing up."
"What's wrong?" I asked but then I noticed her eyeing the Shinra guards. They must be looking for Y/N.
"Hide. I'll take care of them." I said. She nodded and hid somewhere behind some shops.
"Hey!" The Shinra officer said to me walking towards me. I didn't say anything and just glared off to the distance.
"We are looking for someone. Have you seen this woman around?" They pulled out a picture of Y/N from her days in SOLDIER. At the same time my head started hurting again. This time I just herd a voice.
"Cloud even though your a- " the next word started fizzing up and I couldn't hear what it said.
"And I'm a SOLDIER. I feel like I can do anything with you." And the voice ended.
"Hey! Sir! I asked if you've seen this woman around here in sector seven!"
"I've never seen her before." I said.
"Alright. Move along." The guard said walking away. As soon as the close was clear, I walked over where Y/N was hiding to check on her.
"They're gone." I said to her.
"And they're definitely looking for you. Maybe you shouldn't-"
She stopped me by putting her finger on my lips.
"Don't say that I shouldn't go tonight. I'm coming with you regardless. It's a risk, but I should be fine." She released her finger from my lips and I just nodded in response.
We headed back to the bar and saw that Barrett and his gang were ready to go. So we all started heading towards the train station waiting for our train for sector 1.
"You sure you don't wanna turn back and let me deal with this?" I asked her again.
"Cloud it's fine. As long as I get to kick Shinra ass I'm all in for it." She said.
I laughed at her comment. But yet again, I was scared something was going to happen to her. I know she can take care of herself. But this is Shinra. Shinra has her on his wanted list right now. I still question why.
The train eventually pulled up and Barret and his gang pushed us out of the way to get on the train. Y/N sighed and said to me, "You ready for this?"
"Been Ready."
(A/N: Yayayayay! Chapter 3 is done! I have a feeling that I wrote the fighting part a little sloppy. Mainly because I don't know how to write battle moments. But I'm sorrrrrry if it sounds a bit off. Anyways, I hope you guys are doing well! Stay Mosey!)