Arriving at Midgar, we proceed to go to Sector 7 Slums where Shelke lives before Shinra kidnapped her.
"Shalua!" shouted the ten years old Shelke to her sister as we see her walking at a distance.
"Shelke!" said Shalua surprised before she looks around then proceed to drag Shelke to the side.
"Why are you here? I heard you succeed to run away from Shinra. You shouldn't be here, they will catch you again." she said to her.
"B-but, I miss you," she said teary-eyed making Shalua's expression soften.
"I miss you too. But, it will be dangerous for you to be here. Let's leave from here!" she said in a panic.
"You don't have to worry about it. Because we are here." I said as we walk toward them.
"Who are you people?" asked her warily.
"Ah, pardon my rudeness. My name is Luke Valentine, we are the family of the one who saves your sister." I said while pointing at Cloud.
"You are Cloud!" said Shalua surprised.
"Huh, you know me?" asked Cloud confused as it was the first time he meets this girl.
"Yeah, Zack always talks about you and I see the picture of you two," she answers. "Zack will be happy to know that you are alright. I should call him," she said taking out her phone.
"No, don't!" I said and she looks at me in confusion.
"Don't call him, just tell him about us when he meets you here. But, don't call him because his phone might be spied by Shinra with his connection to Cloud and you. He might be under surveillance right now to know if he is still loyal." I said and she understood.
"Anyway, you know someone whom we can talk to rent a place? It will be good if it was a big house. We got a big family after all." I said and she nodded then lead us to a real estate agent.
---
After talking to the agency, we end up buying a whole mansion for us.
"So, what do you all think about this place? You okay living here?" I asked them.
"It was worse than what u thought it would be. There's no flower here like our home back in Nibelheim." said Aerith.
"Yeah, but we can grow our garden once again. That's why we brought this mansion with a large yard after all." I told her.
"Yep, it seems we will be busy rearranging our garden right mom!" said Aerith with a smile.
"I don't mind the place. I won't be out too much anyway, just hurry and create a room that connects to Arcadia so I can just stay in my lab." said mom not interested.
"Okay, that can be done easily. But I will remove it when renovate this mansion. Tifa, Rena what about you two?" I said before asking Tifa and Rena.
"Umm, it's okay I think." answer Tifa and Rena just nodded. They are is still in pain from the loss of Brian I think, I will let them be for now.
"Claudia?" I asked.
"I don't mind much." she answer.
"What about you Cloud?"
"Hmm, I don't mind. Just left me a room since I think I will go out and explore or work as a mercenary." said Cloud.
"Then I will follow him." said Rosso. "He needs someone to look after him after all." she continues.
"I can take care of myself." said Cloud looking away.
"Okay, if that what you two want. Anyway, I will renovate the mansion tomorrow. Let's go to sleep for now." I said while getting up from my seat.
---
The next few days the people of Sector Seven can see a new sight in their sector. Outside the mansion that Luke bought there can be seen drones flying around renovating the Mansion at a fast pace and in just a week, the mansion was now looked brand new.
In these weeks, Tifa and Aerith have become friend with Shalua as she always comes for a visit as Shelke stay with us for safety reason and also she is quite attached to Cloud. Cloud always stays in the Arcadia training room along with Rosso and Shelke to train. He didn't want to get rusty, Rosso wants strength to protect herself while Shelke just wants to follow them around.
Today is December 25th and I heard that Zack and Sephiroth just get back from investigating about Nibelheim incident.
I was now in the garden along with Aerith and Ifalna. Helping them growing our new garden when suddenly we heard a shout.
"Aaaahhhh, you are the Mmphhh... Puah why are you closing my mouth Shalua?" said the voice.
I went out to see what the ruckus is about to see Zack, Shalua, and Tifa in front of the gate. I look around seeing no one bother with us and there is no spy, I look back at them.
"What are you three doing here? Get in and we can talk!" I order them and walk-in. Followed by Tifa, Shalua, and a confused Zack.
After we are inside and sit on the sofa we talk.
"I see you are quite confused now, Zack Fair," I said.
"Uhuh yeah, who are you? How did you know my name? And why is she here?" he said pointing at Tifa.
"Ohh, so you already know about Tifa?" I asked.
"Of course, I just got back from Nibelheim after all. You got guts for staying here after what you did in Nibelheim girlie," he said with a carefree smile.
"Ahh, so that's it. Anyway, I am sure you might already hear about me. My name Like Valentine, I am..."
"You are Cloud teacher!" Zack shouted cutting my introduction making Tifa snicker looking at my twitching face.
"Sigh, Cloud is right. You are just an annoying guy." I said.
"Hey, that's rude! Did he say that?" said Zack faking hurt.
"No, not that. Did you already know what happens to Cloud? Have you seen him?" he said worriedly.
"Oh, I know about that. He is okay now if you want, you can meet him now." I said and he suddenly gets excited.
"Good, where is he now?" he asked.
"Training in the Virtual Training Room," I said and he tilted his head.
"Huh, you have that? I thought only Shinra own something like that," asked Zack confused.
"Yeah, you are right. I raid it from Shinra Company after all." I said nonchalantly. While leading him to the warp door to Arcadia followed by Tifa and Shalua.
At the training room.
"Cloud, someone wants to meet you!" I shouted at Cloud who was now fighting Shiva in the training room along with Rosso while Shelke was in the control room watching.
"Okay, let me finish this first!" he said while he attacks it with Blizzaga.
"What is that? So cool! I want to go in." said Zack beside me.
"Hmm, you can do that. Just go through that door." I said and he already left.
"Is he always like that?" I asked Shalua who just smile wryly.
"Yeah, that's how he is." she answers.
"I see, what an interesting person. Match perfectly as a friend for a loner like Cloud." I said with a smile and Tifa laugh.
"Cloud is a loner?" asked Shelke.
"Yeah he is, that's why I have a mission for you, Shelke. Just stay with him so he won't be a loner again." I said with a smile.
"Yes sir! I won't let him stay a loner anymore," said Shelke with a salute.
"Hahaha, good girl," I said with a smile while looking at the training room which was funny seeing Cloud react when Zack suddenly barge into his fight.
---
Inside the Training room.
"Let me join you Cloud! Haaaaaahh" shouted Zack while swinging his Buster sword he gets from Angeal.
"Zack, what are you doing here?" said Cloud.
"To join in the fun of course, Haha." said Zack.
"You know that not what I mean." said Cloud shaking his head.
"Who is this, Cloud?" asked Rosso.
"Ohh, is that the one with you out of the facility's?" asked Zack.
"Yeah, she is Rosso. Russo, this is Zack. My former colleagues." said Cloud.
"Heya, name is Zack. Cloud best friend!" said Zack with a smile.
"Anyway, let's do the introduction later. We got enemies to deal." said Cloud as he starts dual-wielding using Sparda followed by Zack and Rosso.
---
After seeing them having a go with Shiva. I just left along with Tifa while Shalua stays to talk with Shelke before she went to meet with Mom as she wants to learn from her.
"It seems you've cheered up now." I said
"Yeah, I can't stay gloom forever right. Thanks for giving me time to mourn," said Tifa.
"Nah, I didn't do anything. How is your mom?" I asked.
"No, you come with us when you don't need to. As for mom, she is better now as aunt Ifalna, Claudia and your Mom have been cheering her." she answers.
"That's good then, want to join me rebuild our garden?" I asked
"I'd live too! I always like your garden back in Nibelheim. This place is too dry, hope we can change it." answer Tifa.
"Hmmm, that can be arranged. Sector Seventh, the little garden. That will be a good name." I said making her smile.
"Yeah, that will be nice. Since we are living here from now on, let's make it to our liking." she said with excitement.
"Good, I will work on it then." I said and we went to the garden.
---
There hours later.
"Yo, Mr. Luke. I'll be leaving for today!" shouted Zack as he walks out of the Mansion along with Shalua and Cloud.
"Okay, come visit us again. God knows if left be, he will be back to his loner self again." I said pointing at Cloud with a smirk.
"Haha, you got that right. Be right back Cloud, don't miss me! Hahaha." said Zack with a laugh.
"Zack!" I shouted and he looks back.
"Yea?"
"Next time you come, Bring Sephiroth with you. My mom wants to meet him." I said and he look confused.
"Huh, your mom know Sephiroth? Is she his former lover or something?" asked Zack with a smirk.
"Nothing like that, just told him that Luke invited him to come. He will know." I said.
"Allright, I will send the messages." he said and left.