Burning Castle

Burning Castle

Rating R, Language, violence. Note; rating’s may vary in chapters.

Author: brighttears

Pairing: Pending

Summery; Cloud is like any other moody teen, he has a mom and friends only he fights his battles with a sword. He had also discovered a secrete that will change his life. He meets a new friend but will destiny intervene? (Crossover with Naruto.)


Last Time
Naruto grinned and waved going to do just that. A nice hot shower was really staring to sound good right about now.


Now

When Cloud came up the stairs after talking to his mother he had went in search for Naruto, wanting to talk to him. He found the blonde youth in his room with a towel wrapped around his slim waist, looking out the window. His hair had spiked up with only a few drops of water running down his tan chest and arms. What caught Cloud’s sight the most through now that he really looked was the youths arms and chest. They had muscle on them, they looked lean. Shaking his head to rid of the unimportant new development he saw that the fox was now on the bed looking around but still staying close to Naruto, interesting he thought.

Monsters did not act like this at all, the fox was acting like Naruto was it’s master. Knocking on the door to get Naruto’s attention the blonde turned his head and gave Cloud a smile. “Oi what’s up, do I get to stay here.” Naruto said casually, but Cloud could tell that the blonde was fidgety. He should be if he couldn’t stay here then he would be on his own. “Yes you can for a while, I connived my mom that your parents had to get out of town and your Uncle didn’t want you to stay at his place so I had conveniently said you could stay with us for now.” Cloud said in one breath, proud of his fast thinking. He was probably smirking to instead of grinning.

Naruto just looked at him for a while blankly trying to figure out if he actually got it right, after seeing the smirk he knew. Laughing Naruto walked over towards the closet and gestured for Cloud to get the clothes for him to wear still chuckling a little. Cloud tried not to laugh along since he still didn’t know if the blonde was making fun of him or not. After some fighting about the clothes and throwing said items around Naruto finally agreed to wear an orange shirt with black strips around the sleeves and some black loose pants. Cloud still didn’t know where the orange shirt came from since he had never worn the thing or seen it before. Now that Cloud thought about it, he really didn’t know what was in his closet on the count of never cleaning the thing. Shrugging Cloud turned embarrassed that Naruto was staring to dress right in front of hi. It was like the blonde didn’t care how saw him naked.

Still blushing Cloud called over his shoulder to inform Naruto about the food being ready before walking out of his room. Right now the three of them and the fox were siting around the dining room, eating and talking about the village in general. They were trying to teach Naruto more about the place he was going to stay in for awhile. Naruto found out that like he had originally thought, the people here would help each other out when a crisis occurred. They had a small school, which Naruto had said he would like to look at and the stone brick well, which was their source of water along with a thing called the rector.

Apparently this reactor was built by ShinRa, there military in power, and helps with electricity and the like. It was very confusing to say the least since Naruto as far as he could remember never liked learning history. They were almost done when Mrs. Strife said she had something for Cloud. She left the two boys puzzled, one confused over all and the other curious. She came back with a vanilla envelope and gave it to Cloud, prompting him to open it. Naruto leaned back while Cloud opened it looking at the contents. He got interested though when he saw Cloud smiling, a real smile. For the first time he could tell that it was a real live smile Cloud was sporting, not the weak masked ones he usually saw.

Interested even more now Naruto looked over to see paperwork and clippings. Frowning the blonde recognized the man from one of the picture clipping since Cloud had the guys poster up in his room. He had long sleek silver white hair, it kind of looked like it from a heavenly being, next were his piercing sharp cat like green eyes and narrow face. His clothes looked like the man was in some kind of military with the black garb and the sword that looked ridiculously long. Naruto could not fathom how he could use the thing even with speed on his side.

He snapped out of his musing when he heard Cloud talk. “I can go, you will let me go on my fifteenth birthday.” Cloud said in ah, looking over the paperwork. Naruto noted that clouds hands were slightly shaking and he looked paler then usual. Mrs. Strife smiled down at Cloud heartily, “You could go sooner to Midgar, get a job and see if you can enter their pre training.” She said softly. If Cloud wanted to go it was his decision and she would stick by it no matter what.

Cloud looked up from where he held the paperwork tightly in his clenched hand smiling and almost having tears run down his cheek. Breathing deeply Cloud nodded his head firmly, eyes sparkling. He was finally going to go somewhere to prove to the village what he was made of, that he could become something. To become a First Class Solider. Naruto looked in between them slowly petting his fox, he wasn’t jealous of the interaction, he was just sad that he probably wouldn’t find his parents or friends if he had any to begin with. Suddenly Naruto was being engulfed by a hug. Startled he looked up not at all used to them to see Mrs. Strife smiling down at him. Naruto looked over at Cloud for some help but he just smiled and mouthed out later to him, slightly nodding Naruto let the woman who he didn’t even know hug him.


Later that night when they were sent up to Clouds room after they had watched some news about Midgar, which Naruto now knew was a capital city. “Oi what was the hugging thing.” Naruto grumbled, when they had gotten into their separate beds. Silently cheering in his head, when he noticed he was sleeping on a bed and not on a dirt covered cave floor.

Cloud grunted rolling over to face Naruto, he hesitated a little bit before sighing, “I told her that you had also wanted to go to Midgar and become part of the military,” he said watching the blondes reaction.

When Naruto didn’t explode Cloud went on. “I figure since you can’t stay here when I’m gone and if we get into Midgar then I can help you find your family.” Cloud finished slightly proud of his quick thinking. The room that they were in was silent for awhile and at first Cloud had seriously thought Naruto had fallen asleep.

“That’s not a bad idea, I wouldn’t mind learning about this place called Midgar, but who is the silver haired dude.” Naruto commented out of the blue.

Cloud suddenly sat bolt right up in his bed making Naruto also jump up dislodging the fox along with him. “What the hell Cloud.” Naruto said angry. The stupid baka had almost gave him a heart attack. “You can’t be serious, you really don’t know about Midgar or the great Sephiroth, the General.” Cloud said in amazement like it could not be physically possible for someone to say that out loud.

Naruto learned a lot that night about Sephiroth. Cloud had even told him what the man eat and wore a long black coat, white metallic gloves, and belted black boots. He even carried a sword called Masamune, which was designed more as an extra long katana as Cloud explained. Naruto was just amazed that the long ass sword was real and that this man could wield it like a second arm. But the more Cloud talked the clearer it became that the blonde had hero worship for the man a huge one. Clouds room was filled with this Sephiroth person and the city Midgar.


“He had lead the war in Wutai and won, defeating them and saving many lives. Zack his comrade in arms had also helped throughout the years.” Cloud went on, while Naruto listened. It was fascinating listening to Cloud talk about the mining materia and what had started the war in the first place. The blonde also had a short lecture about this materia and how it was used in battles. Naruto had to admit he would give this Sephiroth his respect if he ever saw him. Cloud went into detail about how Zack and Sephiroth are now at ShinRa at the compounds helping with the Soldier cadets, and how Cloud and him were going there to Midgar in about a year’s time, for pre training.

It was rounding 2:30 in the morning by the time Cloud had tired himself out with all the talking he did. Naruto didn’t mind one bit since Cloud looked the type of never actually talking that much in the first place, and he didn’t act like a kid most of the time so it was fun listening to him go on and on about his dreams.

Frowning Naruto wondered what his dreams were maybe he could also join Soldier. It would be fun to see new sights and meet people, maybe his own family. Yes their future looked bright, Naruto thought absently petting the fox. He would also have to give the fox a name not just ‘hey you the fox’, no maybe Kyo...

Time past for the two boys, they trained with wooden swords that Cloud had made, and Naruto had found out that he had a knack with knives and throwing weapons.

It had happened when they were both playing with some of the equipment from the farm. It was a hot sunny day with no wind blowing through the mountain village. Most of the residence had taken cover from the heat inside their homes, all except two boys. Naruto was absentmindedly throwing the picks in the dung pile that they had just got done shoveling, and it stunk to high heaven with the heat beating down at the large festering pile. When he saw a large raddle snake slithering and slinking around the dung, narrowing his blue eyes Naruto without thinking had struck the snake in the head dead on. He had always detested snakes and since there were a lot of them around the village Cloud had suggesting getting a weapon for the blonde to kill the snakes. So they both had worked around the Strife house doing the odds and ends.

They even worked at some neighboring farms to get enough money to buy some throwing stars and a kunai like blade. For some reason just holding the weapons felt right for Naruto when he had at first spotted them in a weapons cart right outside the small village. Ever since then he used them as much as he could, cutting up food to cutting wire. But the biggest reason why Naruto would use the weapons was because they made him feel safer in away. He could feel a small link to them that possibly traveled to his lost memories. He found he also had a knack for archery surprisingly.

It had happened as a fluke really. They were just getting back from “helping” a farmer, more like pranking the poor bastard because he was cheap with their payment. They had ran into Tifa, Clouds friend. She had come up to them to say hi along with her Sensei. Naruto greeted her enthusiastically happy to see her like he always did. The first he had met her was when all three of them had found each other by the local well on accident one evening. He could still remember all the stars that had came out of their hiding when the sun had disappeared below the tall mountains. The evenings as Naruto had noted were surprisingly chilly so they were all bundled up in jackets.

From there they just talked about their futures and dreams and before Naruto knew it Tifa had become like a sister to him. He was actually glad Tifa talked to Cloud because at first he noticed around the small village that Cloud was not well liked, he really couldn’t tell why either, the only person who really talked to Cloud was Tifa.

She like so many of the other villagers had long black hair that she liked to put up and had worn a lot of dresses during the hot sweltering days. At first Naruto thought she just liked to wear the dresses then his mind had thought it was her parents that were forcing the dresses on her. But he was wrong, she just liked to wear them. He could not understand why though, it was not fighting clothes and it always seemed to be floating up whenever a boy came up to her.

She later started to wear Kimono’s with short pants under them only because Cloud and Naruto had so graciously pointed out that they could see her panties. She also had continuously practiced with her Sensei in martial arts. Naruto could see she was a real fighter, not like some of the local kids that would come up and start trouble with Cloud. The kids had also started to leave Cloud alone when they both teamed up to pull pranks and fights with them. With both Cloud and Naruto teaming up, no one could stop them and their pranks. They couldn’t even be caught they were so good at hiding their own tracks. Of course the villagers knew who it was that would spray paint a field or make “alien” signs but they didn’t have any evidence to convict them.

Well like he said Naruto had met Tifa’s Sensei and the man had offered them some pointers and that Naruto could be a good archery after he had seen the blonde with his precious knives.

At first Naruto had just stared at the man like he was senile but he gave it a try since he was bored and there really was nothing to do in Nibelheim. Since then he had been caught practicing and was getting quite good at it. He still had kept the throwing stars and knives though. Cloud on the other hand loved his sword and would practice every chance he had. That and he was starting to get into martial arts a little, the villagers could see him occasionally practicing with Tifa and her Sensei.

Kyo the fox was another problem, Cloud had warmed up to Kyo and likewise though Cloud still mistrusted the fox that had now grown to reach Naruto’s hip. The little sucker had grown over the last six months, and on top of that they were having trouble with how they were going to bring the fox with them to Midgar. They had to bring Kyo or the fox would just end up following them like Kyo did everyday. Cloud’s mom was doing a lot better now that Naruto and Kyo were around. She didn’t seem stressed and she had started to go out of the house more often, either gardening or talking to a friend. It was like one small happy family and Naruto loved it. He still didn’t have his memories and didn’t know if he would ever, but for right now in the distant present he didn’t care.

He was finally happy with his life, a care free kid just like Cloud. Nothing could go wrong now, he had family and in less then a week both he and Cloud would be going to Midgar the, ‘Gate City’ as he liked to call it. They were so exited both of them had already packed for the long trip and were talking about all the different studies they would be looking into. Tifa of course was sad that both of her friends would be leaving shortly but they had all made a promise.

They had made the promise one evening by their brick stone well. It was officially their spot since all three had ganged up and kicked out the local kids, they had even put their every own initials on the well. Tifa was a rose with swords crossing each other in the middle since she liked them and was currently gardening them. Cloud had a cool line picture, well it was cool until Naruto and Tifa gave it Chocobird hair. Naruto’s was a spiral since he found it prudent and Kyo the fox had his sharp claws painted on the side. The well that held all their own initials were there’s and no one questioned it. The stars were out like every night, and the moon was half full shining down the small roofs of the houses.

They all could see lights dimmed in houses and could hear talking distantly. Tifa had her sweater on like Naruto and Cloud since the cold air was blowing through the small village. She was quietly gazing up at the sky leaving the whole group in silence, each thinking about something else.

“Let’s make a promise.” Tifa had said, still not turning away from the stars. Cloud raised his head along with Naruto and Kyo.

No one spoke for a time so Tifa went on. “Let’s all meet up in Midgar when we reach our goals.” She finished. “Why not just meet up here.” Naruto said, confused as to why they would meet up in Midgar.

“No I want to meet up in Midgar where I’ll have my bar. That way we can all meet up in the city.” Tifa stated, looking over the darkened sky with glazed eyes. Cloud shook his head and yet again questioned Tifa’s logic. The girl had wanted to own her very own bar and establishment just like Cloud and Naruto wanted to get into Solider. “I’m game.” Naruto suddenly spoke up, hopping down from his perch on the well.

Cloud grunted following the blondes lead along with Tifa. “On the count of three.” They all shouted, slamming their fists into each others making a bond and promise.

Now less than a week Cloud and Naruto would be going to Midgar, starting the pre training along with studying school. Naruto didn’t particularly care for the former one but that’s what they had to do to get into the program. Right now Naruto was outside by the little wooden porch with Kyo right beside him, laying down and looking lazily out of one eye through the small village. People were still out but not many, most of them were probably having dinner right now. The sun was just setting under the raised mountains, and soon the lights would be showing up. Right on time, Naruto watched as small lights went on throughout the street casting it’s glow all throughout the dusty place. Sighing Naruto shifted before leaning against a wooden painted white poll. He was waiting for Cloud to come back from the crystal cave, he had wanted to get the rest of his belongings there before they headed off for Midgar, but it was now getting late. Grumbling Naruto remembered how Cloud and he had argued about the trip and where to put Cloud’s belongings.

Naruto had opted to just leave them in his room but Cloud had different ideas. He had wanted to put his materia in a safe at the old mansion and leave the rest of his things at the cave until now. Naruto had asked why not just put all the belongings in one spot, and Cloud had countered that he never did that and it was ‘safer this way’. It wasn’t safer it was down right inconvenient and now here he was waiting for Cloud to come back from the cave. Then on the last day before they would leave for Midgar they would go to the mansion and grab the materia from the safe because Cloud, and this was quoted, “did not trust anyone with his materia.” Frowning Naruto turned to the left to see the main entrance through Nibelheim, apparently some guards or something were just outside talking to some of the residence about the monster’s and fiend increase. He scowled at the imaginary Cloud, the guards were most likely going to stay at the old mansion. How were they going to get the materia now. If he could he would have gone right into the old place and grabbed the box weather Cloud approved or not but he didn’t know the damn combination. Another thing though was bothering him, the monsters.

At first Naruto didn’t know what a monster was though he did remember something about a monster where he lived but he couldn’t remember. The monsters or fiends as some call them, were basically wild animals that had cross bred. They were vicious and if they had gotten into mako, the life energy force of the world, then the animal would become insane and start attacking at random.

There were all kinds of different monsters, the local wolfs and the local dragons. They all had something in common though, they would never venture into the actual village. But that had changed when wolfs did start to come into or close to the village. It was easy enough to chase off the monster with Kyo and Cloud by his side, but what would happen when they felt for Midgar. Shaking his thoughts away for another time Naruto stood silently alone with Kyo by his side. A little worried Naruto gazed up at the hill where Cloud was supposed to be but wasn’t. He was taking a longer time then estimated if Mrs. Strife came back and found Cloud gone she would get worried and leave it to Naruto to comfort her. Don’t get him wrong he liked Mrs. Strife and loved her cooking but he was just not used to hands on, didn’t like to be touched very often either.

Twitching Naruto saw that the guards and some other people were indeed going to spend the night here to check out the disturbances. He could tell right away most of them didn’t want to be here in this backwater small village, while the villagers didn’t want them around either. It would be entertaining if they all got into a big fight. Some action right about now would be much appreciated. From what he had learned in the six months of staying here was that the guards were from ShinRa on the account of their blue uniform and helmets. It also looked like they were of a low class, in all likelihood rookies maybe one or two veterans. No First Class Solider maybe Third Class, but what caught his attention were the scientists.

Why were they here, maybe to test the water to see why the beasts came down so far from their habitat. Or maybe they came for another job entirely. From what Naruto could see in the distance, that was quickly shortening as they were starting to walk by the house, there were about three to five scientists. Naruto didn’t know very much about science here but at the way they were walking, and at the way the villagers were muttering and stepping aside. This apparently didn’t happen often. Naruto stayed right where he was not moving an inch when the guards had finally reached him and Kyo passing their house.

They were heading off towards the old mansion. Where they were going to stay for awhile it looked like with all their equipment. Naruto signed, he knew it they were staying at the mansion where Clouds ‘precious’ materia was. Lost in thought, petting his fox on the head he wondered. What was with the mansion anyways, why not burn it down it looked quite worn down with it’s old creaking and it’s chipped dark weathered paint. No one lived in it well the ghosts supposable do but Naruto wasn’t really a fan of the supernatural.

Humming he had absently counted at least fifteen guards not including the scientists. A faint glow cut Naruto’s musing to a end when it was the scientists turn to come up and pass the blonde. They seemed to be carrying glowing green boxes? Each scientist had a box in hand except the last man. He also had to be a scientist, wearing a white long coat that reached passed his knees just like all the other scientists. This man wore glasses of a typical man of science, he had thin short brownish black hair that already looked like it was greying a little, and a small hunch in his posture as he walked. Looking around the village with seemingly distaste.

All the other scientists both men and women were a little up ahead talking to some of the villagers and ignoring others like they were the rulers here. Naruto glared at the smug bastard’s backs, they weren’t welcome here and some of the other villagers, the ones that weren’t scared proved it just like Naruto.

Speaking of bastard’s where was Cloud, he should be here to. Naruto turned his head a little to look out into the darkening grounds where the hill was. He had also seen Mrs. Strife walking this way too, ‘shit come on Cloud’...
Naruto was momentarily startled when he had heard a rough cough from his right. Turning his head, he met with two twin brown eyes with glasses on them.

Naruto then realized that it was the scientist that was showing his disgust for the village only a minute ago. He didn’t want to talk, he had better things to do. Why couldn’t the guy bother one of the other villagers about their questions concerning the monsters. Naruto just stood there looking at the man with his hand on Kyo, he really didn’t want to be responsible for an attack. The brown haired man was just staring at Naruto and the fox for a minute like he was showing Naruto that he could take all the time in the world. Rolling his eyes mentally Naruto nodded ever so slightly, telling the man he had his attention.

“You are one of the boys who chases the feinds off, how.” He stated simply, with a silky nasally voice. Naruto looked at the guy trying to see if he was actually serious, “We run at them swinging swords and rocks, sometimes Kyo helps.” Naruto said simply, hoping the guy would leave. He had to find Cloud. “What is Kyo,” the man said slightly interested in the fox. Naruto could already see those brown eyes alight with questions and


calculations. Naruto scowled at the man, “He’s just a ordinary fox.” He said casually with a bitter undertone, warning the man to leave which he didn’t.

The man pushed up his glasses then looked back at Naruto smiling sweetly. Naruto wasn’t sure but he hated that smile.

“Why does the fox have red eyes.” He said, trying to dig deeper for information, Naruto could only assume. Naruto expressionlessly answered, “He’s an exotic type.” He finished, not looking at the man anymore willing him away from him and the house.

The man looked like he wanted to talk more but the other scenists were calling his name. Hojo, the man’s name was looked at Naruto one last time, like he was putting Naruto’s face and name together before moving on talking to some other people along the way towards the mansion.

Naruto watched the man go before heading out to find Cloud. He was half way towards the hill when he saw spiky blonde hair. Laughing Naruto ran the rest of the way ignoring some shouts about not running, like it was school or something. “Man I’m going to strangle you Cloud, I had to sit and keep an old guy company until you returned.” Naruto remarked loudly, swinging his hand around Clouds shoulder steering him towards home. Cloud snorted trying not to laugh at his friends antics.