Shado: its December, close to Xmas, and so I thought, why not? Plus this idea just cannot leave me alone! It keeps saying "Shado Shado write me write me!" after about three days I gave in.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 1 Snow

The weather was cold, very much so with my frozen heart. Cold, lonely, and at the same time held beauty within it. As shown to my pale body, black hair, pale skin, and amber red eyes. But to some, I'm a monster. For I am a momster. I cannot die, I cannot age, I don't eat much, and I have a demon inside me to add it all up. Time does not effect me, for I was created to be immortal thanks to a certain madman who should die a thousand...No, billion times over in the burning fires of hell.

Winter to me, was something I always found fascinating since my...transformation. I think it rather suits me. Better than when I was...still a human. During that time, I considered spring to be my favorite season of the year. It used to show me that there will always be new life and new memories in the future. Well, a whole good that went. But now instead of siding with flowers and singing birds...I side with snow.

Snow is cold, and sometimes it can be deadly in a snow storm. Its ok to hang around with and play, but then you get tired of it. And you want to stay away from it and hope that spring comes soon. You stay inside to avoid the freezing temperatures, to keep warm near the fire place and complaining. Snow is water frozen in time. It was very much like me, unable to age and die an old man. All of these characteristics I found within myself.

In the years that passed by, winter never changed. I never changed. But as two years quickly turned into twenty, I found myself looking at the people I knew, sitting down complaining about aches and pains with white or grey hair. Well except for the kids.

Cid died, of old age and a mix of alcohol no doubt. Barret a few years back, in some form of accident or another. I didn't get the details, I was only told that he died in an accident concerning some sort of machine. Well that I had a feeling would happen. Denzel and Marlene got married, happy and doing what they can to help the world get better. Most of the Turks I was familiar with retired. Although they still stayed by Shinra like the dogs they are.

And Yuffie, she calls every now and then. Even tho she's getting older and has a few kids of her own, she's still the hyper energitic young woman I first met. How the woman stayed the same all these years I don't know. You would think that after taking care of some children, she'd grow up and mature even a little bit. Instead, she still kept the hyperness with her and unfortunately, passed it down to her children. I do not want to meet them no matter what. Even so, the crazy woman was always a mystery to me.

As for Tifa, she never had any children. She still owns and works the bar, Seventh Heaven. Although she now has a bad back and a short temper. Her once black hair now shows a hint of dark grey, with the addition of time affecting her as it would always happen. I can also tell by her scent that she's regretful, sad, and unable to fulfill her wish and dream to have her own kids anymore.

"Why didn't you have any children? You could always find someone attractive, and have a one night stand." I asked one day, curious on what her answer would be.

"Because the man I love won't love me back." she almost snapped at me. She was afraid either on what I'd do, or she didn't want to be impolite with me around.

But it didn't matter. I knew who she was talking about. She loved this man as long as I could remember noticing it. It was the first time I met them actually, the way she would look at him when he wasn't looking. I envied her pain, for he never acknowledged her feelings. Nor did he even notice. Either that or he did, and he didn't return them. It was most likely the latter. But it was always obvious, but she never told him. With the added fact he didn't want to take their friendship further. Speaking of him, I haven't seen him in years.

Cloud Strife, savior of the world, twice actually to be more accurate. Defeated Sephiroth, the remnants, and anything that was a threat to life as we know it. He was once a cadet in training, and for a while thought he was an ex-SOLDIER of Shinra. Then he realized that he mixed himself up with his best friend, who I suspect was his lover, Zack Fair. He soon stopped laughing, smiling, and avoided attention as much as possible.

He started business as a delivery boy. It amazes me how he managed it, but I guess his bike helped him. And the work was always demanding and busy, keeping his thoughts away from his past. So I guess it that was one of his reasons. Other than that, I can only wonder. But from what I've heard, time wasn't affecting him as it did with his friends and family. This gave me hope that I'd never be alone in the future.

We both suffered from Hojo's experiments. Mine is to the extreme, but I barely remember any of it thank goodness. While Cloud suffered about half as much compared to mine. In the end though, I guess he suffered more from what happened after the terrible changes. His lover died, protecting him, just so he could live. Died right in front of him, and not too long after, Aerith died in his arms. I could deal with one death of a loved one, but two? It still makes me wonder how Cloud hasn't killed himself yet from all the pain and suffering. I can only imagine what he was going through. And with such a young life, it seems Shinra has a bad way of expressing their thanks.

My phone vibrated loudly on the table. Glaring at the offending object, I stood up anyway to see who's calling. Probably Yuffie again, saying something about Christmas for the dozenth time. Holding the device in my human hand, I blinked. Speak of the devil.

"Hello, Cloud."

I heard a small scowl on the other line, which was a bit fuzzy. Probably from the snow.

"And what, may I ask, do I have the honor of your call?" I teased, with an unnoticable smirk on my face.

"Wh-what's your location?" He sounded like he's extremely cold. Strange, the change of temperatures shouldn't affect us. Well us who have extreme ammount of mako in our veins.

"I'm in a hotel south of Nibelheim." I informed, frowning.

On the other line I could hear him shivering, his teeth chattering on their own. Now I'm begging to worry.

"I'll be there...my bike br-broke down...I'm n-not t-t-too far..." his shivering became worse.

"Are you all right?"

The line went dead.

"Cloud?"

Silence.

Damn it. I tried to call back, but I got the answering voice message. Growling, I hung up and ran outside, ignoring the hotel owner's protests. As soon as I got outside, snow literally crashed into my face like stinging needles. Trying to contain my anger, I realized now what Cloud's problem was. Great, Vincent, just great. At the least Cloud should've said something about what he's going through.

I frown at my thoughts, Cloud never talks about his problems. Shaking my head, I follow my nose. The world's savior is somewhere, and from the wind I caught a faint scent of his. Sweet, and yet firm. I followed the trail, which lead East, more towards the trail leading to Nibelheim. This meant Cloud was trying to deliver something to the place he was raised. There was no other explanation, he never visits that small town.

My metal golden shoes scraped through the snow, making it easier for me to walk. But even with them, I have to face against fourty mile winds, with snow falling. This was the worst snow storm I've seen in years. With the winds, its easier to catch the scent I'm looking for. Of course, water and snow makes the scent almost unnoticiable. But with high levels of mako and a demon within you, its only a minor challenge.

Within a few minutes of walking, Cloud's scent was not too far off from where I was. Heading in that direction, I searched for him. All I saw was snow. Cursing, I began to locate him on the ground, only to find his trail of scent gone. Growling in irritation, I start digging with my clawed hand. Literally, slashing and clawing with my left hand, which really was a claw. But with a storm, and one hand, it got tiring quite fast.

"Damn it Cloud." I cursed, now on my knees and using both hands.

After a few more minutes of digging through cold snow, I finally found a gloved hand. It was then I heard a beating heart, loud and clear. The pace of the heart beat was fading, slowing down. Growling, I dug more hastily, following the arm, to find another hand and arm. Then the blonde head, I dug faster until I reached Cloud's waist.

I paused for a second to take a look at him. Cloud's eyes were closed, his lips purple, and his pale face even paler with a light shade of blue from the cold. He was shivering, most likely a case of hyperthermia settling into his system. Deciding enough was enough, I pulled him out and cradled him in my arms. The sudden movement woke him up. His eyes opened slightly, hazy and blurry as they tried to focus.

His blue eyes looked up at me, as I stared intensely back into his. It took him a while, but he recognized me and tried to smile. I frowned, but before I could say anything he fell asleep. Concealing him with my cloak, he still shivered. Turning back the way I came, I carried him bridal style to my room and set him down on the bed. He's going to owe me for this.

Hours later, after I set Cloud on my bed and buried him underneath lots of blankets and my cloak still around him, he was still shivering. I woke him up after I settled him down to give him a potion, and a few remedies the hotel owner's wife made in a form of soup. After that, I let him sleep. And he's still skaking.

I looked at the clock, it was late at night. Sighing, I thought of what to do with the shivering Cloud before me. I could always call for the hotel owner's wife, but then that'd mean disturbing her sleep. And others since I'd probably shout if there's any real danger. I frowned at my options.

I could get into bed with him, hold him close so he'd get more warmth. Or I could sit and let the blankets and my cloak do what they do best. Well, the chair wasn't exactly comfortable. And the bed looked tempting...

Sighing, I got up from the chair and took off my leather outfit. If I was to get into bed now with the leather, I'd be hot in an instant. And I don't plan on suffocating through the rest of the night just to keep Cloud warm. Walking on the cold, wooden floor, I quickened my pace and climbed underneath the covers.

After I settled underneath, Cloud somehow instantly started cuddling to my side. Blinking, I could only watch him still sleeping, cuddle with me. He looked cute, and childish. This was the Cloud Strife I never saw in my lifetime. Brushing the though away, I held him close. Using my human hand to hold him around his back, and my clawed hand over his side. The metal claw I was careful with, for I don't want to cause any injuries to add up to the warrior's hyperthermia and a possible flu.

I watched him protectively, as anyone would've done with a sleeping Cloud who looked childish, and too innocent looking for his own good. Then again, he's none of those things. I never liked childish or children but...he looked so cute. Wait...me, Vincent Valentine, famous Turk of Shinra, host of Chaos the world's strongest demon, called Cloud Strife, the world's savior and the world's most angst filled man, cute?

I'm loosing my mind. At the though I must've growled, for the blond whimpered. Instantly I pulled him closer, trying to reassure him that there's no danger and threats. His tense body relaxed almost an instant, nuzzling closer to my bare chest. I blushed at the movement, making me wonder if it was from embarrassment or...

Cloud shifted and opened his eyes. They widened in shock and fear. He tried to wiggle away but I held onto him tightly.

"You're not going anywhere, Strife." I warned. He stopped struggling and kept still, staring at me in fear.

"I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't." I cut him off. "But you do owe me."

"S-Sorry...I thought that I'd make it to Nibelheim to dilever a package..." he whimpered. I sighed, slightly annoyed.

"Don't say sorry all the time. It makes you weak." I said, he stared up at me with his eyes widening.

"I..." he paused, trying to think of something to apologize.

"No need to apologize, Cloud. You're safe, and that's all I need. You had me worried for a while." he turned looked up at the ceiling in response, not talking back.

"Don't worry. At least I'm helping you, you do have hyperthermia. Just be glad its not a bad case of it." I gently took hold of his chin to look at me.

"Now go to sleep. You'll need it."

Cloud nodded, and nervously nuzzled closer.

"Vincent?"

"Hm."

"Are we...are we going to...you know...be the only ones left...?" so he noticed this too.

"I imagine, yes."

"Then...after....after everyone's...gone then...would you...stay with me...? Until...until its our...time...you know...to leave...?"

I blinked, surprised at this. Was he that worried to be alone? But I guess I wouldn't want to be alone forever. And Cloud was the only one who can't age through time.

"I'll stay with you." I almost wanted to take those words back, but his smile instantly brushed my thoughts away.

"...Thank you..." he nuzzled closer and closed his eyes. It was a good thing he didn't look up, because I, once again, blushed from the movement.

Oh yes, Cloud Strife most definately owes me for this.

Shado: happy holidays! n I probably will continue this, but it'll take a while. like after next week. cuz thats when my xmas break starts n it'll be 3 weeks of updating, watching Dark Knight, and playing Crisis Core. yup.

Review plz!