Author's Notes: This story will consist of chapters of certain scenes set during FINAL FANTASY VII. It's not a full out novelization but it will be a in-depth look to certain moments.

It has mature language, mature scenes, and violence. I hope you enjoy.

This is a story of a many things. A story of friendship… a story of heroes… a story of lies… but above all else, a story of great misfortune and sadness that could never be healed—

On a cold December day Cloud Strife, a man completely unbound by principles and emotions, found himself walking down a random debris cluttered and dirty street in a concrete jungle known as Midgar— a city with dark temptations, where sunlight is never seen. A city where men look out for themselves and no one else… a city where innocence is destroyed and peace is never near.

Cloud watched his surroundings carefully, making sure there wasn't any Soldiers following him. Why were they after him? Oddly enough today wasn't just a normal winter day, it was December 9th, the very first day Cloud worked alongside a rebel group called AVALANCHE. This rebel group was fighting against the greedy corporation Shinra that was draining the planet of its life source to use as an energy source for the city and world, this energy is known as Mako. Cloud was told the information by AVALANCHE's leader, Barret Wallace. However, as much as Barret tried, he couldn't get Cloud to show any sympathy for their cause or for the people that were endangered… or even the planet for that matter. (Little did Barret or AVALANCHE know that sap stories such as this were the last thing on Cloud's mind) However, being a mercenary, Cloud accepted the job to destroy a mako reactor and in return he would receive his pay… and after, he would leave and undoubtedly never return to the group.

However, things were about to change for Cloud… his world was about to be flipped…

After finishing his first mission with the group, Cloud approached Barret, with full intentions of receiving his payment and getting the hell out before soldiers came. It was hard to hear over the sound of the raging flames(caused by a very big bomb they had just set off)so Cloud made sure to speak loud and clear; "I want to talk about my money." Barret's gaze hardened at his demand. Not more than five minutes passed from the bomb going off and the first thing on Cloud's mind was his pay… Barret couldn't help but think how much of an asshole this hired mercenary was—the perfect definition of a cold cased ex-soldier.

Lifting himself away from the wall he was leaning on, Barret yelled; "It can wait till we're at the rendezvous!" Before Cloud could argue, Barret and the three other members of AVALANCHE were running away from the site of the explosion. Cloud gritted his teeth, aggravation burning inside of him. Cloud was far from happy about this. He was told he would be paid after the mission… well, he finished the mission and now he wanted his damn pay. However, things seem to go the opposite of how he wanted them. Not wanting to lose out on his pay Cloud started to head for the hideout, a bar in the Seventh Sector named Seventh Heaven. As he made his way from the area he couldn't help but mutter cuss words under his breath.

The streets of Midgar were usually busy but today was especially busy. People swarmed back and forth across the pavement in hoards, trying to get away from the area before another explosion happened. As Cloud glanced through the crowd of swarming people, all he saw were scared expressions.

There were dozens of faces… all of them dark and full of anger just as much as he was… Their attitudes and motives were as dark and dirty as the cracked streets Cloud's heavy boots treaded against. Their words were lies and manipulations— Cloud knew his way around this sort of life, though—because he had slowly and gradually turned into it himself, despite not growing up here. He knew he was just as dark as the others, unworthy of anything good… He wasn't sure when or why it happened, but he was a cold, careless man that had no cares or concerns in the world. He had no home, only the random places his head would lay for the time being. He didn't have any friends and he didn't want any. Well, that is, unless you count his childhood friend Tifa, the girl who had lived in the same town as him when he was younger she was also the hostess of the bar he was heading towards in order to get his pay. Nonetheless, he still didn't act too friendly towards even her. He wasn't as harsh as he was to others, but he definitely wasn't kind…

He glanced over the crowd again, and like a breaking wave, the crowd left an opening for a split second, and as if in slow motion, Cloud spotted a tender and beautiful sight unlike any he had ever seen before. Standing there, like a lonely flower in a desert, was a delicate woman dressed in a blush pink dress. Her long brunette hair was tied into a ribbon, a long braid dangling down her back. She held a small flower basket in her hand as she frantically looked left and right trying to figure out what all the commotion was about.

Even though he didn't particularly believe in a heaven, it was as if heaven itself was shining down on the spot she was standing at in Cloud's mind. And as he soaked in her image, Cloud felt his breath leave his lungs. His cold, blue stare was locked on the woman; fascination swirling in his gaze as he subconsciously began to step in her direction. Just as he stepped nearer, his dream state seemed to fade back into reality and the crowd seemed to get their regular speed back. Nonetheless, his gaze stayed on her the entire time.

His eyes still locked on her, he witnessed a man run by and push the woman to the floor. She landed on her side, her basket and flowers toppled to the pavement of the debris ridden street. Cloud watched in slight shock, but the thing that caught Cloud's attention most wasn't that she didn't scream with anger, didn't shout cuss words or insults, her face didn't even seem to show any anger towards the man… at the most she appeared to be a little confused and worried. No, the thing that caught Cloud's attention most was how humble she remained while being treated so badly. Cloud watched in a state of awe as she looked at her flowers. Her face showed a bit of concern as she slowly stood, dusting dirt off of her ladylike dress. Cloud thought it was the most unusual thing to see a person so calm after someone treated her so rudely. He couldn't wrap his head around it…

Without realizing it, Cloud had walked so close to the girl that he had a clear view of her. Jade eyes captivated him and Cloud couldn't help but think of how amazing they were; "… beautiful—"

She seemed to be around his age, possibly a year older but Cloud felt as if the innocent glow in her eyes made her look younger then she was. Immediately, Cloud thought of his own eye color; the mark of Shinra—something he hated and would gladly erase…

Just then, she spoke; her voice as soft and tender as a rose; "Excuse me, what happened?"

For a split second Cloud couldn't speak, he was too consumed by the gentle tone in her voice. The slow dream state he was in just a few moments ago returned to his senses as his eyes darted across her face. He never saw someone so beautiful before… He was too mesmerized by her to look away— suddenly, almost as if subconsciously he murmured; "…Nothing—" his eyes never leaving her until he had to shake himself from whatever kind of dream state he was in. He paused briefly and noticed her flowers; "Don't usually see many flowers around here…"

Cloud saw the girl's worried look fade into a soft smile; "Oh these? Do you like them? They're only 1 gil. Do you want one?"

Cloud quickly bought one flower from her. He would have bought the whole damn basket if she had asked… As she handed him an Iris flower their hands touched for just a brief moment. Cloud glanced down towards her hand as her skin, as soft as a rose petal, brushed against his rough fingers. He had never touched such delicate hands before. And even though it only lasted a moment, it seemed like forever to Cloud. A forever he never wanted to let go of. Cloud felt himself being pulled to look back up at her face, catching the worried look fading into a sweet smile she was shining at him. Cloud felt himself leave his body for a brief moment as she pulled him into a world made of peace and beauty… a world he wanted to be a part of. Cloud felt the thick walls that he took so long to put around his heart tremble at her smile… she shook the immovable object around Cloud's entire being –Yes, his walls were weakening…She had disarmed him of any defense he put up with just a smile. Cloud might have taken the flower but all he was really thinking was; "Flower girl, your smile is all I want."

Just as quickly as he bought the flower she started her way down the street. Cloud watched breathlessly as she vanished from his sights. When he glanced down towards the flower, he recalled her sweet smile… and couldn't help but think her smile was a good purchase… if not his favorite he ever had.

Author's Notes: Next chapter will be up soon. Please comment and fav if you read.