Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Now excuse me while I go weep in a corner.

Please review~ It makes Sade very happy! And Zack, too!

Sorry for it being so short. It's late. XD

The rain fell in sheets, drenching everything. It was cold, each droplet like ice. What was it about rain that made you want to cry with it? Why did it feel you with a sense of gloom? Well, maybe it did so to just one person. Maybe it wasn't even the rain; he felt dead every day.

Cloud watched the rain carry away any dirt and grime, wishing that it could wash him away as well so he could no longer feel this pain. The pain that strengthened tenfold on this day every year; the anniversary of Zack's death.

The image of a handsome face with almost otherworldly violet eyes flashed in his mind and he screwed his eyes shut for a moment; his slender frame almost overwhelmed by emotions he felt but never voiced. Anger at the unfairness of it all, to be so close only for him to die; regret that he never did have the courage to tell Zack how he truly felt; and that consuming and never-ending sadness that came to be when the older First Class ex-Soldier sacrificed himself for a mere cadet.

"Cloud?"

The swordsman didn't respond to the feminine voice, just staring straight ahead with his empty sky blue eyes. He heard the footsteps that stopped when she reached him. Aerith looked up at the sky as it lit up for a split second, the breeze ruffling her hair along with his; a cruel mockery of Zack's hand.

"I miss him, too." Her words were barely above a whisper, the last bit nearly drowned out by the rumble of thunder.

Cloud looked down and to the side. The flower girl turned her emerald gaze to him, unable to really offer words of comfort. The wind was picking up more speed and vigor, cutting them to the bone.

"Why?" he whispered. Aerith averted her saddened eyes downward. After a minute she looked up to speak only to let out a soft gasp. Cloud looked over at her to see why and followed her gaze.

Up in the sky the grey clouds were swirling around into a funnel of sorts. Something then fell out off it, too far away for the two to tell what it was, only that it was quickly making its way to the ground.

Aerith looked around and saw a certain young ninja a little ways off. "Yuffie! Go get Leon! Tell him to come to the Great Maw!" At least that's where she thought that thing fell.

"Why?" Yuffie asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Just hurry!"

"Okay, okay! I'm going!" Yuffie turned around and started running towards Merlin's House while Aerith chased after Cloud who was already on his way there.

As fast as they were running it didn't take long. Once they reached the Maw they saw the area where the thing must have landed. Dust had risen, preventing the two to make out anything. Finally, it cleared a little and they were able to make out a silhouette. Minutes later, more was made visible, and Cloud felt his breath catch in his throat.

Dark uniform. Raven hair. A cross-shaped scar.

Lying unconscious in a shallow crater was one Zack Fair.

Hardly daring to believe this was real Cloud walked down and kneeled beside him. Tentatively, the blond placed a shaking hand on Zack's chest and felt his heart beat. With a choked sob he wrapped his arms around the larger man and buried his face in midnight tresses, crying and laughing at the same time.

"What the…"

Beaming and teary-eyed, Aerith turned away from the touching sight to see a slightly surprised Leon and a shocked Yuffie.

"An old and very dear friend has made his way back to us," Aerith explained.

Leon made his way over to the center of the crater, wanting to see this newcomer for himself. Feeling more than a bit out of place, he stopped several feet short. "Shouldn't we get him to shelter?" he questioned, like always with little emotion.

Reluctantly tearing himself away, Cloud gave a short nod, his eyes never leaving Zack's face. Leon stepped forward and helped him lift the taller man. Taking in this 'old friend's' face, Leon couldn't help but wonder just who he really was and just why Cloud reacted the way he did. But questions could wait. For now…