Unseen Return

By Depressionist Obsessionist

Game: Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core

Main Characters: Zack Fair, Cloud Strife, Aerith Gainsbourogh

Warnings: None, really. Just major love triangles and Angst.

Pairings: ZackAerith, Cloud Aerith

Summar: No one had cared to see if Zack had really died. So suppose, somehow, he happened to live? Imagine the shock, of finding a lost, black haired, ex-SOLDIER in Banora?

Note: Aerith is dead. FFVII went as planned. And there is no CloudTifa in this. I don't think the pairing is real. It's just Cloud seeking comfort when his love died out. There is CloudAerith. But since Aerith is dead, nothing more but simple reflection scenes, etc.

--

Chapter I: Successor

Little sun filtered into the area, as the bit that did illuminated his sleeping face. He had heroic features; fit for the usual telltale hero of his own story. His charming hair, the colour of deep ebony, only complimented his thick jaw and thin lips, making him appear naturally immature, and yet completely justified the childish humour he probably had in his personality. His hair was unkept, and somewhat longer, just screaming how badly he needed a haircut. He was dressed a bloodied up, black SOLDIER 1st Class outfit. Although the clothing may have suited him when it was in it's original, profoundly neater condition; it's current state only made it seem as if he had given up. This was an unlikely situation, as the content smile on his features showed he had defeated an inner battle; an internal struggle; conflict.

A soft thump occurred. Like a signified timing, his eyes suddenly opened, revealing amazing blue eyes. The light shade shone, even in his weakened state; rivaling the blue skies on their brightest day. He continued to look up, blankly, until he blinked once. There was nothing familiar about his surroundings. But the longing to be near familiarity was present in his blue hues; and that longing was incredibly strong.

Eighty-seven letters; eighty-eight is the last one she wrote to me…

His own thoughts brought a sad smile to his face. He wasn't dead after all, it seems. Just asleep. He didn't know what miracle brought this about, but he was only too glad. He still didn't have the energy to stand up. His body felt drained. The fight from before had him completely tired out. It was a mystery as to how long he had slept, but it didn't surprise him that he did.

Had Cloud gotten away? Was Aerith okay? Was Shinra still running? He had no way of knowing what was going on in the world outside of this place. He could have missed so many important things, with no idea as to how his friends were doing. With absolutely no idea how Aerith was doing. If his sudden impulse to go was an indication, he wanted to go see them. He had to protect his friends, protect his Aerith. Was that how he had survived? His need to look out for the people he cared for most? It sounded highly likely.

Maybe if he was lucky, someone like Luxiere or Kunsel would find him here. They did say they would never fight him. He wasn't a SOLDIER anymore, but maybe Tseng and Cissinei would come see him? He wanted to hear everything was okay. That he had helped them out, even a little bit.

If I rest, maybe I'll have the strength to open my eyes. At least, while I rest, I'm in that Church, in the flower patch, a bit longer…

--

Cloud felt an unusual heaviness and real suddenly, too. His heart gave a randomly loud beat, and his hand shook. The teacup he had been holding dropped. What was wrong with him?

"Is something wrong, Cloud?"

He ignored Tifa's voice and only groaned, burying his head into one of his arms. It felt like he was carrying something really heavy. His stomach churned, and he felt sick. It wasn't explainable, but he felt like choking. Something was really wrong. "Cloud? You're pale. What's wrong? Should I go get a healer?" Tifa asked, again. But he just couldn't put a finger on it. It was the uncharacteristic tightening of his breath and shaking of his body that worried him.

I need to go find out what's wrong with me… I need to stop it, before it drives me insane.

Without waiting for anything, Cloud stood himself up and reached out to grab the Buster Sword. It was a heavy lade, and in it's lifetime, it was sure to have seen many battles, and much gore. Carefully, he wrapped his fingers around the hilt and then lifted it up, easily. Whenever he held it, now, he remembered the past owner. The one who had saved his life on one too many occasions.

Take care of her, Zack… Aerith's with you, now.

It was bittersweet. In the end, she ended up with Zack. He didn't feel angry, or anything. But is seemed as if they were short lived. He couldn't describe his emotions towards her being Zack's, once more, but he could only wish she had been able to spend more time with him. She was perfect, and he really missed having her there for him.

He didn't bother saying goodbye to Tifa. He knew he would be back soon enough, when this whole ordeal was over with. Whe he didn't feel restless, as if his heart would beat right out of his chest. And, the worst part of this situation seemed to be, his memory of Aerith, being there infront of him, was turning more distant. As if she was getting further away from him, suddenly.

--

When he opened his eyes, he felt his energy surge up. Maybe it was the mako kicking in, but he could feel his old enthusiasm. Carefully, he pushed himself up, until he was propped up onto his elbows. He felt as if he had been laying here for years. His back was sore, and he couldn't feel anything.

A grin appeared on his features, as he recalled Aerith once giving him a massage to loosen his tightened muscles. "Your too tense. You need to relax, and take a break sometimes, silly." She had been right. He didn't get enough rest; although this time around, maybe he had gotten a bit too much. It made him wonder… how was she doing now? I never did fix that roof of hers. It made him want to laugh, but his voice was still sore.

Blinking a couple of times, he glanced up, only to find a ceiling. It was gray. The shade reminded him of the Shinra rooms. All were a simple colour, there. He almost felt, blended in, were it not for his bright personality. Angeal had once compared him to a light bulb for that reason. His mentor, Angeal. He had cried when Angeal died. It hurt him ore than anything else could; since it was like losing an older brother.

He had to recover quickly. He had to go see Aerith, and Cloud. He had the urge to protect his remaining friends. Like his SOLDIER honour told him to. He just knew, somehow, he could make it to Aerith, and keep his promise.

"You've woken…"

His breath hitched at the unfamiliar, yet completely familiar, voice. Someone else was here with him? How did he not notice them before?

He could only keep his form still as the other person behind him seemed to sneer. It was a raspy, thin, male voice. The person was sickly and close to death. Zack could overpower them. He had to. Or they might do something unwanted to me.

Even though Cloud had his Buster Sword, he knew he had to do something. The best thing, he perceived, was stealing their form of attack, and using it against them. After a few moments of steady silence, Zack used the familiar back-flip he used to use back in his SOLDIER says, and stood himself up. The rush of adrenaline, and the fuel brought on by his thoughts of his friends, retuned him to his normal state. He reached out and grabbed the other male's blade, holding it in steady combat. It was only when he saw who it was, that he faltered, and paused in shock.

"Sephiroth!"

His voice came out surprisingly strong compared to how it usual was. The silver haired man before him only sneered. "Zack. You can only imagine how shocked I was to find you in Banora," his smooth voice spoke. Zack could only stare in plain shock. It was awefully familia, to Zack, at how everything reminded him of his battle in the Shinra Building. He wanted to get out of the place, and just escape. But there was no way he could escape without a fight.

He wasn't going to die. Not now, not while he had to go to Aerith. Not while he had to figure out how Cloud was doing. No way was Sephiroth killing him now. So with a heavy snarl, he laghed forward with Sephiroth's own masamune, and aimed to slice off his head, any way he could get rid of him. But he found, as he hit Sephiroth, the other male faded away, into nothingness. Stepping back, he was disappointed to find it was only a memory; a figment of his tired mind. Dropping the sword, Zack sighed lightly. He almost wished Angeal or Tseng were here.

But there's no point to staying here. I have to find Aerith! His body straightened itself, as he picked up the sword he had been using. Upon examining he weapon, he could only feel his breath tighten. It was Genesis' sword. He had no idea why it was here, but he had no choice, other than to use it. Looks like I should head to Midgar. To the Slums, where the church is. Back to Aerith.

--

Cloud felt heavy when he approached Banora's train. He knew this was the last time he had seen Zack. That path to Banora made him want to turn around. Sometimes, he was afraid that Zack's spirit would haunt him. He knew that sounded stupid, but Zack had been infatuated with Aerith. How would he react to knowing she had ended her life belonging to Cloud?

He would grin and be happy for her. Zack was nice, and accepting. He was everything I wanted to be…

His thought was ironically correct. Zack was everything he wasn't. Zack could have easily defeated Sephiroth. But he took the harder battle; he had attacked over 1000 infantrymen all on his own. He had lost his life, and saved Cloud. But Zack had been the best of the best. Cloud could sometimes feel his presence, too. When he fought with an enemy, he felt Zack holding the Buster, not him.

Bitterly, he stepped onto the train, and took the nearest seat to the exit. He wanted Aerith back, yes. But he wondered, sometimes. What would it be like if Zack came back? Would he joke around the same?

Would he accept how much it changed here? Would he still be my friend?

There was a sudden rush as the train began to move. There was no answer to his questions. Zack Fair was dead. Cloud could only smile. It was bittersweet that Aerith would be with Zack. He was, after all, just Zack's living legacy. Nothing more. And now, he was off searching for some unknown thing. A new reason for his pointless existence.

Looking outside the window, Cloud couldn't help bug repress a shudder at the white landscape. Why was it so cold along this path, but so warm in Banora? Any time he was caught thinking of it, he felt sick. It was amazing how easily Cloud was reminded of a past he had once completely forgotten.

The train rumbled on. But with each passing second, Cloud's heart beated faster. Why did he got on the train to Banora? What was waiting for him there?

--

His first thought, upon stepping forward, was that he would get his Buster Sword back right away. He was, ironically enough, used to the heavy weight. His body felt too light with Genesis' sword, and for an odd reason, it looked funny, with the red colour. Walking forward more, he bit back a groan of pain. How would Cloud react if he saw Zack in this sort of state of weakness?

It would make a nice joke, he thought. And Zack loved jokes. He could be serious when he had to be, but he was still a total clown. Aerith loved him for that, after all. I have to get to her!

And so, he put one foot outside the building, and into the sunlight.

--