Silmeria - This idea has been sitting in the barn for a while and why not give it a try and see how you guys like it?

Disclaimer- I claim no rights to Final Fantasy VII

Chapter One - Winter

The carriage rocked along the beaten path and Cloud worried for his mother's state as he patted her heated forehead and dabbled her lips with a soaked towel. He jumped when the Chocobos gave a quiet whimper before his father urged them on, his deep voice firm in his commands. He placed the towel away and buried his mother's snug into the furs wishing they could be back home in Nibelheim with the fire burning strong and medicine at the ready. But, his father insisted that they travel to Midgar, one of the largest commercialized cities on the eastern continent in search of a more experienced doctor.

Cloud wasn't fooled.

He knew his mother wasn't going to survive the winter and father could no longer afford the medicine to keep her alive. Their gil had been running short and his father would not allow him to work due to his recently discovered Omega status and it hurt his pride not only as a member of the Strife Family whom were known to be hard-working and inventive, but as a man. It was his deepest desire to be born an Alpha like his father or a Beta like his Uncle, but the Goddess decided that it was time to bless the family with another Omega, one who was blessed with a high fertility rate and beauty of that of a woman. He hated the way he looked and how his frail body chilled easily in Nibelheim's harsh winters. Cloud's lips thinned as he looked at his mother's fading form before looking at his father's back which was stiff when his mother let out another harsh cough that Cloud was quick to quiet with the small bottle of tonic they brought for the occasion. No, his poor mother wouldn't survive this winter and he doubted that his father would as well. Alpha and Omega pairings lived long lives and it was rare that one survived the other. An Alpha didn't live without their Omega and an Omega didn't live without their Alpha.

Cloud had seen it plenty of times when an Alpha had poisoned themselves or taken a draught that would ease them into a swift death like sleep so that the Goddess would come take them in the night. As for the Omega-Cloud shook his head, images of swaying bodies in his mind before he shook them away and resumed attending to his mother. It was best not think of their fates for his sanity.

The carriage halted to a stop forcing Cloud to turn back to his father who was staring at them with dull eyes and a tight frown. Cloud stiffened at the look and he met his father's gaze as the man crawled back and pulled Cloud into a tight embrace that caused his heart to freeze and tears to sting his eyes. He had been but a child since his father hugged him last. He remembered the warmth and pride that flowed from the man who was never ashamed to take his son into his arms. But, there was something different about this specific embrace. It felt final. As if it would be the last thing his father would do in this world.

"Papa-"

"Your mother." His father began softly. "She's fading away and we can't do a damned thing about it."

"Don't." Cloud reached up and wrapped his arms around his father's broad shoulders, closing his eyes when he felt them shake from the effort not to break down in front of his son and ailing wife. It hurt to look at such a sight. His father, Crimson Aiden Strife III, an Alpha of Nibelheim and a prodigious swordsman and bowman, was on the verge tears and death at the sight of his fading Omega. Cloud knew now what a dying mate could do to a man or woman and it was something that he never wanted to experience.

"It would be a waste of money to take her to the doctor." Crimson murmured into his slim shoulder.

"I know." Cloud responded solemnly. "How-how long do you think she has left?"

"A week." Crimson sounded sure of the time limit and Cloud's heart twisted. "She-she always wanted to go to Midgar and even if she can't see it, I wanted to bring her here and let her feel it."

"Papa-"

"You're going to be taken care of, Cloud." Crimson pulled away, his similar blue eyes staring down into his son's. "I've set you up an apprenticeship-"

"Apprenticeship-?"

"As a healer." Crimson continued swiftly. "It's not hard labor, but you're going to have to work hard to earn the woman's approval. She has a daughter-a Beta- and they'll both take good care of you."

Cloud shook his head in protest, caring less about the tears trailing down his cheeks. "I can't-I can't leave you! I can't leave you and mother."

"I'll let you say your good-byes and then it's off you go to Iflana and Aerith." Crimson tilted his son's chin up, smiling sadly at the sad eyes that met his own. "You'll work hard and make a living and one day you'll have a strong Alpha to look after you."

"What are you saying?" Cloud turned away from his father, his heart racing against his chest. "I have no titles and no gil! How do you expect me to-"Cloud cut himself off when his mother let out a harsh cough that had him rushing for the calming tonic when his father stopped him and they could only watch as Claudia Strife let out one last cough before calming and resuming her uneasy rest.

"No Alpha would want me." Cloud reached over and grabbed the warming towel and freeing his mother's forehead of sweat and leaned down and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "No one would want the child of dead parents."

"Cloud." Crimson sounded pained, but he didn't bother reaching for his son. He took a deep, shuddering sigh before climbing back to the front of the carriage. "Keep your mother warm."

Cloud kept his eyes aimed at his mother's face, trying to remember how she smiled and how she laughed at his stupid antics, and he was quite saddened that he couldn't bring the memories to the surface. He closed his eyes and laid down next to her, placing an arm across her waist, another set of tears streaming down his cheeks as he took in her weakened breathing and faint pulse. He closed his eyes and took in her lingering scent of lavender and vanilla and soft skin as sleep finally took him into dreams where he lived with a healthy mother and a courageous father.

Claudia Strife passed before they reached the borders of Midgar.

Cloud buried his mother in the snow ridden fields just outside Midgar and his father later when he returned from selling the chocobo and carriage for extra Gil. His mind remained blank as he dug into the hardened earth as his father's still body laid nearby. He refused to cry for a man who had given up on life so easily, but a deep part of him understood the decision. To live in the world without your soul-mate was a fate harsher than death. It would take time, but Cloud would forgive his father, but for now, he gathered his pack and trudged into the city, his body shivering as snowflakes drifted onto his black cloak. He looked around, his eyes scanning the cobblestone streets for the apothecary his father mentioned in the letter before a rose insignia caught his eye just down the road. The neat writing of Faremis Apothecary guided him down the crowded roads and into the warm shop where the fire was blazing and the smell of rosemary stilted the air.

"Good Eve," a cheery voice called out, and Cloud turned to see a woman with vivid green eyes dressed in a simple dress and a red cloak. "Welcome traveler! What can we do for you?"

Cloud shuffled his feet, removing his hood and stepping further into the building, into the warmth and rosemary. "I-I'm here for an apprenticeship? My father-"

"Ah, Crimson," the woman looked around, her tied hair swaying moving with the gesture. "Where might he be?"

"He-"Cloud swallowed, his body shivering underneath his thin and threadbare clothing. "My mother and father have passed on-a broken bond by death."

The woman looked at him with such pity that he wanted to turn around and leave the shop. He would rather live on the streets than see such a kind-hearted woman look at him in such a manner.

Cloud, however, was taken aback when the woman took him into a strong hug and patted him on the shoulder as she guided him to the fireplace where a meal was waiting.

"I knew that all-" the woman shook her head and corrected herself with a sad smile. "I knew that you were coming and prepared a small meal. Eat all of it. You look like you haven't a good meal in days, Cloud."

Cloud sat on the sofa, his back grateful for the feather stuffing and soft material. He reached for the plate, his mouth watering at the lamb and potatoes. He stopped before reaching for the fork to give her thanks and to ask her a question that was lingering on his tongue.

"What's your name, madam?"

"Ifalna." The woman stepped forward, smiling at his puffed up cheeks that were slowly returning to their normal color. "Ifalna Faremis."

"Thank you for the meal, Lady Faremis."

"Now, there's no need to be formal." Ifalna took the now empty plate away and replaced it with a mug of ale. "You are safe now. My daughter, Aerith, is out running errands and shall be back soon. She was eager to meet you."

Cloud nodded, his throat wet as the ale slid down his throat. His body was warm and his stomach was full and the fire was making him sleepy. He placed the now empty mug on the table and blinked the exhaustion away but Ifalna chuckled at the attempt.

"Come now." Ifalna urged him to his feet and guided him to a bed that was at the top of the stairs overlooking the shop. "Get some rest and you can meet Aerith later, no?"

Cloud nodded, his clumsy movements slowed by his exhaustion as he removed his cloak and boots and practically fell into the bed, earning another chuckle from Ifalna who covered him with the fur blankets.

"See you in the morning." Ifalna patted him on the shoulder before going back down the stairs and greeting a customer with the same cheer she greeted Cloud. He briefly heard the man's order before sleep took him.

When he woke next, he could the murmur of voices and curiosity led him to emerging from the bed and peeking down into the shop where a slender woman who looked similar to Ifalna and a man who took Cloud's breath away.

He was quite handsome with ebony hair that reached shoulders with a single strand of hair hanging over his right eye. His tan skin and body was flawless and was currently covered by a black, well-made cloak with the clasp of a wolf. Cloud peered closer to see that the man was wearing a rather well made red tunic and black trousers along with a pair of sturdy boots that served him well during winters in Midgar. If Cloud fell in love with the man's looks, then he was further so when he heard the man's voice-deep and smooth and held a touch of mischief that caused Cloud to smile for the first time in days.

"You really didn't have to escort me home." The woman chided gently. "A man of your station just can't go where he pleases."

"Of course I can and of course I had to escort you home when it is so late at night. I'm sure Madam Faremis would have disapproved if I didn't."

"My mother loves you and I honestly don't see what she sees in you, Zachary."

The man, now identified as Zachary, grinned and Cloud blushed at the sight of it. It was wild grin that held so many promises that Cloud wanted to uncover all of them. He quickly shook his head and was about to step away and return to bed when Zachary suddenly looked up and tilted his head to side in curiosity before returning to the woman with a pleased smile.

"You have a visitor, Aerith." Zachary nudged his head upward and Aerith looked up and beamed at the sight of him.

"Oh!" Aerith clasped her hands in delight and urged Cloud to come down with a wave of a hand. "It's the apprentice my mother took in. Hello!"

"H-Hello." Cloud winced at how weak he sounded. It had indeed been a long day. "Good Eve."

"Good Eve." Zachary returned. "May I know your name?"

Cloud swallowed, cursing as his cheeks flamed at Zachary's smile. "C-Cloud. Cloud Strife."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cloud Strife of…."

"Nibelheim." Cloud finished his body turning the cold at the thought of his old home. "Cloud Strife of Nibelheim."

"Nibelheim." Zachary tried softly. "A mountainous town, correct? It's on the western continent. You have come a long way for an apprenticeship, little one."

"I'm not little." Cloud snapped, before flushing and turning his head away from Zachary. "Besides, what business of it yours that I have come here for an apprenticeship?"

"Cloud-" Aerith's eyes widen at his blatant disrespect towards their guest, but Zachary shook his head, that wild grin still painted on his lips. Aerith turned back to Zachary with a grimace. "He didn't know-"

"I didn't know what?" Cloud turned back to them curiously but his question fell on deaf ears when Ifalna emerged from a door to the right carrying a basket of herbs, stopping when she noticed her daughter and Zachary.

"You're late, darling." Ifalna chided gently, curtsying in Zachary's direction. "I must thank you for escorting her home, Lord Fair."

As the title escaped his new mistress' lips, Cloud froze and stepped back away from the stair in mortification. Lord Fair?

Lord. Fair.

"I love you like a mother, dear Ifalna," Zachary began with a strained smile. "But, your timing could use a little work." Zachary approached the stairs that led to Cloud's new bed. "Cloud? I believe we got on the wrong foot-"Zachary stopped when his nose twitched and he stopped before his booted foot hit the third stair. He lifted his nose and took a deep inhale and shuddered as the smell of pine and citrus invaded his senses causing his muscles to tighten with arousal. He had to get closer to that smell-

Before he could move further up to investigate, to taste that wonderful smell, a small hand on his wrist brought him back crashing into reality and he turned swiftly, meeting Aerith's stern gaze.

"You're starting to go feral." Aerith warned, tugging his wrist and guiding him back down the stairs and towards the door. "You need to return to the manor."

Zachary restrained the snarl at the command. He wanted to go up the stairs and bury his neck in that sweet smell. To wrap himself around it and never let go. Zachary closed his eyes and took a deep breath before forcing his body towards the door, stopping and turning to glance up the stairs where Cloud had to yet to appear. He met Aerith and Ifalna's gaze before nodding once and letting himself out into the cold where he could hope to cool off before he returned home. It wouldn't do for the Alpha of Midgar to come back home aroused and agitated.

When the door clicked shut, Cloud peeked over the railing and breathed a silent sigh of relief. In his despair, he had forgotten to take his herbs to suppress his heats and smell, but it was too late. Lord Fair had caught on to his scent and he was positive the man would be returning. Once an Alpha attached itself to an Omega, only interference from the Omega's parents—of which Cloud no longer had-could step in and break the early beginnings of a courtship. Cloud's eyes drifted to Ifalna and Aerith who gave him an apologetic look to which only Cloud could shrug and smile weakly. This was his lot in life. To be given to an Alpha and lose his identity in the process and not even the Goddess could prevent it. Cloud shook his head one last time before descending the stairs to introduce himself to Ifalna's daughter, desperately wishing that his father and mother were here to guide him, but he was alone in the massive city that was Midgar—a city that belonged to the rich and noble.

And where Cloud was merely a mouse in a labyrinth trap.