Lost

Before I begin anything I’m putting up a big ol’ disclaimer, I don’t own anything by Squaresoft at all! No Kadaj*sniff sniff*, Cloud *wah*, Tifa, or Sephiroth *sniff* nor any of the others too. And no matter how many of those little wishing flowers I blow on it just won’t change that fact, so leave me alone to my fanfic writing world. Cause that’s all I got now. But the rest of the characters and the world they live in is totally mine baby! Well, in a manner of speaking, as my dear twin is also writing this with me.

I think it’s only fair to warn you that this is definitely AU and that while I’ve done several fanfics before, this is the first one I’ve attempted featuring Final Fantasy characters. I love Kadaj so he’s the main man here. Yes I’ve made him straight cause that’s just how this story is gonna roll. If he’s a little OOC then I apologize though some of it is intentional. One character change though, and that’s the color of his eyes. I decided that their true color should be gray and that the green/blue they were in the movie is because of the unstable mako and materia he used.

That said please enjoy and please review cause …well cause I said so, and *begins hypnosis* you want to… so there. ^_^

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Alone. That was the first thing that came to the slowly awakening mind of Kadaj, remnant of a legacy that was doomed to fail from the beginning. His ice colored eyes slowly opened, squinting at the bright sunlight that glared into them. He was still alive? How was that possible? After the battle with Cloud, the defeat of Sephiroth, he had died, he knew he had died. Mother called to him and took him home, didn't she? But, then how did he end up back on the planet? Was this the afterlife and his rude awakening to hell?
His brain began to hurt as Kadaj decided to stop those thoughts for a moment to wake up fully and take in his surroundings. If he'd not died, and this was not the heavens, then the real question was, where was he?

His eyes look around and with a grunt he manages to sit up fully, but fights the dizziness he suddenly feels. It didn't quite look like the planet that he remembered. But the similarities were there. He was in a woods of some kind, maybe a park even. He couldn't be sure. With a deep breath he attempted to stand but the swaying motion his mind felt quickly brought him to his knees with a groan. "Kuso what happened to me?"
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Shifting the increasingly heavy pack at her side, Juliette glanced down at her watch. She was running late. The package was promised to be delivered in a half hour. She wasn't going to make it... unless. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she made a quick turn for a shortcut through the park. No one ever came through here anyway. It was the perfect plan. She'd make up time and get to enjoy the silence all in one brilliant move.
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Kadaj could have sworn he heard footsteps coming closer. Forcing his breathing to silence he listening intently and knew without a doubt that someone was indeed coming through. They'd be passing by him in a matter of seconds if he didn't speak out. Would they help him? Maybe they' d have the answers to his questions. Or perhaps they were of the wicked lot, in which case he'd have to worry about fighting with an already worn out body as it was.

"Hello? Is someone out there?" He called out, wince as his voice was raspy sounding to his own ears

In an instant, Juliette froze, looking around for the source of the voice. "Hello?" she called back, ready to run if the owner of the voice looked at all threatening.

Coughing and clearing his throat better Kadaj almost breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the answer of a young woman, probably more afraid of him without even seeing him than anything else right then. 'He knew now he had nothing to fear, unless of course the woman fought anything like Cloud's. That Tifa was a pain in the ass to beat, or so Loz said.

"I, I need help." Swallowing his pride, most of it still in pieces from the fight with Cloud, Kadaj tried to stand and walk towards her but fell to his knees again when he made I to the path where the woman stood. " Please, I need help."

Backing away several steps at the figure emerged from the bushes, Juliette wasn't sure if she wanted to run or stand and stare. He looked very strange. No one would blame her for hurrying away, after all she had a package to deliver. She'd almost taken a step when his words changed her mind. Slowly creeping closer, she paused well out of arm's reach. "Um... are you hurt?"

Kadaj licked his dry lips and looked up at the woman. The first thing he noticed was her eyes, in that instant he felt his blood rush through him at such an intense stare. Such prefect and beautiful green eyes. Her hair was pulled into a very proper style, and her dress spoke of modesty and propriety.
He wondered for a moment what he must look like, he could still feel the sword wounds from Cloud’s last attack. Were they open now? Had they ever healed at all? His black leather clothes didn't show much in the way of his skin or blood for that matter but he could feel something wet and warm dripping from his arm to the ground. His shoulder ached terribly and he knew if she didn't help him, that he'd be hard pressed to find another anytime soon to aide him with his blood spilling so quickly.

"I- I'm wounded, can you help me?"

For a minute she stood frozen, weighing his words. He didn't look like he was trying to trick her. In fact, he looked like he was going to fall over at any second. "Um... I don't know how... I need to..." Despite all the reasons there were not to help this stranger, Juliette inched closer. "I don’t know how to help."

Kadaj gave a half attempt of a laugh. His karma must really be enjoying this right now. "I just need someplace... safe ... to go to. I'm going to lose too much blood soon." His eyes looked into hers, hoping she'd see the truth in his own and trust him for that much alone. Already she looked like she'd rather run away and leave him for another to deal with. "Will you help me?"

She couldn't just leave him; she just couldn't. Dropping her bag to the ground, Juliette hurried to his side. "I can get you someplace safe... I think. Can you walk if I let you lean on me?"

Damnable pride aside, Kadaj knew that if he didn't accept this woman's offer, he'd never make it two steps without falling again. With a nod his gritted his teeth and leaned against her petite frame a little, unsure of how well she'd be able to support his weight. She was short, but not tiny. "How....how far?"

Biting her lip as she tried to help him walk, Juliette shook her head. Her building was close to the park. And she was pretty sure there were extra rooms. "Just down the street a bit. It's not far. Um... what's your name?"

Biting back a groan as he took careful steps with her he managed to take a breath and told her. "Kadaj." He hoped she'd no need anymore than that, because he wasn't even sure he had any more names than that.

"Ka-daj...." She repeated the odd name slowly. "Ok, I'm going to take you to the building where I live. But I'm not sure what else..." Swallowing hard, she looked over at him. "Are you going to need help with your... uh... injuries?"

Looking forward Kadaj could see the building she was referring to and unconsciously gave a nod to answer that as well. "I was... in a fight." He went for that easy story, without giving too much details of course.

Juliette nearly stumbled. "A fight? Um..." Shaking her head, she decided it didn't matter. "We're almost there now. Just hold on."

Concentrating on moving without falling and bringing her with him Kadaj mumbled a thank you. He realized as they approached the large building that he was now in her debt no matter how he looked at it. He resolved that he'd make it up to her, whoever she was. That thought alone made him look at her again. "What is your name?"

Helping him up the steps, Juliette blushed and tried to concentrate on opening up the door. "Jules," she answered shortly. "Come on now..."

Jules, odd sounding name. But then he'd heard far stranger.
He almost breathed a sigh of relief when they entered the building but the sight of an old woman sitting at a table at the far end of the room made him catch it again. Who was that, and what would she say?

Ms. Green, the elderly woman of the apartment building and landlady, Looked up from her needlework. She began to give her favorite tenant a warm smile when she saw the man, obviously injured, leaning against her with effort to remain so. "Heavens child! What happened?" She got up and rushed toward the pair, her size belying the fact that she could move very quickly when she needed to.

With a tired groan, she lowered him into the chair. "I found him in the park and he's injured and..." Her green eyes went wide. "My package. I was supposed to have it at the office downtown..." Wincing, she looked down at her watch. "Fifteen minutes ago."

Kadaj sank gratefully into the soft chair and closed his eyes, his silver hair falling away from his face as he caught his breath.

Ms. Green looked at the strangely dressed man before looking at Juliette. "You know, I miss the days when good children like you brought home stray puppies..." She shook her head and walked to the first aide kit she kept in the front room for 'just-in-case' moments like these. "Well you hurry on, get that package delivered and hurry back, I'll take care of him while you're away. Don't you worry a bit."

Kadaj opened his gray eyes again, turning to Jules. She'd stopped to help him when she'd clearly had better things to do. While he realized that she was going to leave him alone with this old lady, he also didn't want her to.

Jules stepped up to hug Ms. Green. "Thank you so much. I'll be back to take care of him just as soon as I can. Um... his name's Kadaj and he was in a fight and I’m so sorry to dump this on you but I couldn't leave him alone in the park." Looking down at the silver haired man, she bit her lip again. "Victor is going to kill me."

"Enough of that, now go, this young man and I will be just fine here. We'll be waiting for you when you get home." Ms. Greene returned the hug and then went about pulling her supplies out of the kit.
"Kadaj was it, I'm going to have to remove your jacket here to get a better look at those wounds..." She reached for the zipper when his pale hand came up and stopped her.

"It's...a suit, one piece." Then he let go at the understanding he read in her wizened brown eyes and allowed her to pull the zipper down to his naval, where she could pull his arms out easier. In a minute his upper torso was exposed, and the damage that Cloud's final attack could clearly be seen. The old woman hissed a breath between her teeth and held back her grimace. Then with a professional manner began to clean the lacerations.
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Juliette stood alone, eyes fixed on the floor, while she waited for Victor. The downtown office had only been mildly enraged about the late package and she was certain she would get far worse than a lecture from Victor.

The only was to describe the way Victor Diablo walked was a predatory strut. He knew he could have just about anything he wanted, when he wanted it, and however he wanted it. Most would never dream of defying him, and that fact was brought to light once again as he walked into the room holding his timid, but beautiful courier. She knew she was in trouble for delivering that package as late as she did. but the fact that she had never been late before, ever, so there must be a very good explanation that he will more than likely be oh so willing to forgive.

Not daring to look up, Jules winced as she heard Victor's footsteps drawing near. "I'm so sorry. I was on time. But someone needed my help. He was hurt."

A frown creased the normally pristine features of Victor's face. She made his package late because of a man needing help? "I see. And do we know this man?"

"No. He was hurt. He could barely walk. I’m... I'm so sorry."

Victor suppressed the rage he felt at this. His courier was busy playing Samaritan on his time. "Jewel, I hate to say this, but that was a very stupid thing to do. That man could have been playing and intended on harming you. How would you have fought him off? I think you can see the seriousness of the situation here, can't you my Jewel?"

Trembling, Juliette nodded. "I... I did think of that. But he looked sincere. He could barely stand. I had to help him walk."

Victor moved to sit down beside Juliette, putting a hot hand on her slender shoulder, "Jewel, I'll let this go this time. But you must be more careful. No more stopping to help every pity case on the street alright? Where is he at now?" A glint began to shine in Victor's eyes. For some reason he saw this man as a threat. After all, any man who caught his 'diamond's attention was a threat because only such things were meant to be reserved for him and him alone. Perhaps he should deal with this threat the same way he dealt with all his other threats.

Daring to look up at him, Juliette quickly looked back down. "I... I took him to the hospital" She didn't know why she lied. He'd be furious if he ever found out. But for some reason she just didn’t want him knowing where Kadaj was.

"Good girl. Now that we have this little mess settled and behind us I think you've done enough for today." He slid his arm to wrap a little more fully around her narrow shoulders, hoping to bring about a more comfortable arrangement. "Though, should you wish, you are more than welcome to stay here with me, perhaps accompany me to dinner tonight?"

Juliette shivered. "I... promised to help Ms. Green tonight. She's feeling a little under the weather and she's not going to be able to keep up with the whole building. I'm sorry, Victor. Maybe... tomorrow?"

Victor couldn't pinpoint it, but he got a suspicious feeling that she wasn't be completely honest with him. No, his Jewel wouldn't be that stupid. "I understand. No pressure Jewel. Thank you for your work today." With that he removed his arm from her shoulders and stood up to his impressive height of an even six feet and walked out of the room without another word.

Letting out a long sigh of relief, Juliette hurried out the door. "Stupid stupid stupid," she muttered to herself as she hurried out of the building and into the street. "You're lying to Victor over someone you don't even know? Do you have brain damage or something?" Yelling at herself all the way home, she opened the door to the building again and hurried to find Ms. Green
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Inside the spare room upstairs, clad in only a sheet and thin blanket as the humidity and weather made it too hot for anything more, Kadaj lay on the soft bed in silence. After Jules left, Ms. Green spent the rest of her time making sure he was clean and mended properly. Her energy in which she worked amazed him but he said nothing. He felt so useless now. Mother did not want him, in fact he now wondered if she had been real at all. He was just a pawn for Sephiroth to exist and do as he pleased. Part of him wondered if the nightmare still lived inside of himself yet.
Taking a deep breath Kadaj wondered when Ms. Green would have his clothes cleaned up. He hoped she did it right, as they were all he had to wear here.

Ms. Green was busy in the laundry room, scrubbing in the large tub at the
impossibly thick black material that made up that strange young man's clothes. How did he wear these? She couldn't even think that it would be possible to move about in them let alone even getting them on in the first place.

"Ms. Green?" Juliette curiously climbed the stairs, wondering where everyone was. Seeing light in the spare room, she pushed open the door and blushed bright red at the sight of the figure in the bed. "Oh... I’m so sorry . I was looking for Ms. Green. Are you feeling better?"

Kadaj's eyes turned immediately towards the door. He didn't understand why but he felt better knowing that she had returned and hadn't left him to the complete mercy of some old lady.
He cleared his throat and gave a nod. "I'm better now, but still very sore. Ms. Green said something about cleaning my clothes." He made an attempt to sit up a little more, hoping to be able to talk to her some more before she left him again. There were many questions he had to ask and he needed those answers sooner than later.

For some reason she felt herself smiling. "I knew she'd be able to take care of you. Um... do you need anything? Besides your pants, that is."

Kadaj couldn't help the small smile that came to his lips. "No, no, I just....I am in your debt. Thank you." He sat up fully now, the top sheet falling to his lap, his bandage covered chest and arms exposed completely.

Juliette knew she was staring, and blushing again but she couldn't help it. He was thanking her? No one ever thanked her. Sure, customers thanked the delivery service... but not like this. Not personal. "You're welcome," she answered in a very small voice.

The sudden silence in the room felt uncomfortable. Kadaj was unused to feeling uncomfortable in any situation, especially with a woman, and yet it lingered still. "When I am well again, I'll do what I can to repay you."

Ms. Green chose that moment to enter the room again, dripping wet clothes in her arms. "Well young man, I washed them and sewed them up as best as I could. but they will have to hang dry because I'm afraid that the dryer would cause them to shrink even smaller than they are now. So until then, I'm going to take a guess at your size and see if I have anything downstairs for you."

Juliette stared at him, amazed that he would even think he would have to repay her. Before she could tell him not to, Ms. Green came back into the room. Smiling warmly at the older woman, she looked back at Kadaj. "So he's going to be ok?"

Ms Green gave a nod but did not smile. " the boy shall heal so long as he remembers to take it easy for the next few weeks." She gave Kadaj a pointed glare to let him know she was serious about his recovery.

Kadaj scoffed, crossing his arms and nearly wincing at the pain the stretching gave him in his freshly mended cuts. "I've been in far worse before Ms. Green. I assure you, I'll be just fine soon as these are no longer open."

"Oh no..." Instantly Juliette spoke up to defend her friend. "If Ms. Green says you have to rest, then you have to rest." Realizing how pushy she sounded, she raised a hand to her lips, hoping to catch any other forward words from sneaking out.

Kadaj raised a perfect eyebrow and gave a smirk. He wanted to tell her that he didn't have to listen to anyone and that if he felt well enough to scale a mountain then that was what he would do. but he did owe her his life, and in all honesty, he still felt like crap but didn't need some old woman tell him to take it easy. Hell, he could figure that out all on his own.

"Whatever you say." He replied, hating how it sounded once it flew past his lips but not one to suddenly take back his words he remained tightlipped after.

"That's better. Now, I shall send something for you to eat and drink shortly. Since Jules here was the one who found you, she'll be in charge of everything else you need. I'll simply be here to take care of your wounds, understood?" Ms. Green looked between the both of them before leaving them alone in the room again.
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