Title: If phoenix downs worked on bones

Author: TynDawn AKA RubberDuckyPinwheels

Rating:

Warning(s):

Pairing(s): Zack x Cloud

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII and do not make money from this story.

Author's Notes: Aghhhhgwahhh, I'm so sleepy…but I have that writer's itch even though my hands feel like they're about to fall off x_X; Also, I decided that I HATED the intro to this, so it's dead now. Disregard it – Thank you.

How often had the world fallen into peril under Cloud Strife's watchful eye? The blond couldn't remember ever saying that he would take care of the world and watch it like a mother hen monitored their un-hatched egg. The world had already hatched and had been blossoming for years before his birth, why was Cloud suddenly the care-taker? Why did everyone depend upon him and him alone, even all of his friends? They all came to him with their problems, every single time and without fail.

Either way, contrary to what everyone thought, Cloud was a selfish man and on this day in particular he felt even more selfish than usual.

This day was not like every other day.

This day was special.

This day was a painful reminder of someone all too dear to the blond hero.

This day was…

Was…

"Look out, Spiky!"

Barret's voice boomed into Cloud's ears, warning him promptly and bringing him back to the importance of their situation. Cloud turned on his heels and brought his sword upward before pulling it through the great beast that was lunging at him, from it's stomach all the way to the crest of it's shoulder. The crowd around him of his close friends would have gasped if they weren't fending off their own enemies. Three large shadow like beasts with dripping jaws and crazed eyes surrounded them, their breath stinking of rotting corpses and their claws dripping in a disgusting mixture of blood and sludge.

The creatures had become divided between the group.

One to Barret, Tifa, and Cait sith.

One to Cid and Vincent.

Yuffie had gone to Wutai to visit with her family, and Red XII had gone with her, so they were not there to lend a helping hand.

So that left the last one for Cloud and only him. Not that he really need the help, right?

The beast wailed in anguish, screeching out its pain to the world as the over-sized sword was pulled back and then hoisted above it's head. Unfortunately, the creature was faster than Cloud had estimated, and before he was able to block it, a clawed arm had sliced forward through the air. He had tried to avoid it by sidestepping, but it gashed it's way through the front of his chest, leaving a long gaping wound just beneath the indentation of his collarbone, tearing fabric and flesh all together.

Pain shot up through the wound and Cloud hissed hard as he ground his jaw down in silent agony. Knitting his brows, he focused himself and stepped closer to the beast, using both hands as he thrust the sword forward and right between the monster's eyes, not minding in the least when all manner of blood spewed out and covered his hair and face. His leather-clad hands twisted the blade, causing bone and muscle to contort and snap beneath the edge of the enormous weapon.

With a ruthless howl, the beast dropped with Cloud withdrew his weapon. Unfortunately, Cloud fell as well, dropping down to one knee as his hand flew up to his chest, drawing in a hard breath as he forced the edge of his prized sword into the dried ground, trying not to collapse beside the dying creature.

"Cloud!"

The blond faintly registered the sound of Tifa's voice, worry flooding through her voice as she screamed his name in terror. The other's looked up in concern, but Vincent only fired more shots at the beast in front of him and Cid, bringing it down with only five more well-aimed shots. Barret had taken care of the last beast.

Cloud's eyes went slightly hazy as the blood-loss began to get to him, his legs shaking beneath him as his hands slipped from the base of the sword. He collapsed down to the ground, landing beside the sword and reaching one hand out, searching for someone, or for something.

It was only one gash, only one gaping wound, but the blood loss was severe, not to mention the fact that injuries affected weakened bodies more than bodies that were in top condition. Cloud's body had definitely been weakened as of late, but no one had taken the time to notice it, not until now.

Slowly but surely, Cloud's world went black. The last thing that he saw before his eyes reluctantly shut was the image of his friends running toward him with panic flashing in their eyes as they cried in unison.

"CLOUD!"

Author's notes: Waaah, This is short, but yea…I wanted it to be separated right here, it was pissing me off. So short T_____T Blach…