Reunion
By: Keedra2173
A/n: Welcome back to those who have been waiting for another chapter. I want to thank everyone who added this story to their favorites/alerts. I was completely floored by the response. The traffic for this story exceeded my expectations.
Also I want to give a very special thank you to PipTheAlmighty for my first review. Your comments really helped me cement my idea for this story and where I wanted it to go. I hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Sephiroth: Only one review; you know that means you suck right.
Me: Don't be so negative. Lots of people read and don't review. It sucks but I can't make them review.
Sephiroth: I can. Just leave me alone in a room with them and you'll get lots more reviews.
Me: Don't threaten the readers or I won't even think about giving you and Cloud a lemon. Now do the disclaimer and shut up.
Sephiroth: -.-. Keedra2173 does not own FFVII or any of its characters. If she did…well let's not talk about that.
On with the story.
Chapter 2
Three figures stood within the pool of Lifestream, silently watching as the blond swordsman rode off. "Are you sure, this is what you both want," questioned the girl in the pink dress.
"Yes, Aeris. I want to be with him again and I wish to right the evils my clones have caused," Stated the tall silver-haired man, "Besides I am not truly dead. I cannot stay here much longer."
"Seph, you do realize when he realizes that you're alive, he'll do his best to kill you," queried the black-haired man quietly, "Spike is not going to believe that you're not one of your own clones under JENOVA's control."
"I know, Zack. But I don't want him to be alone; I want to see him smile and laugh once more. More to the point he deserves to be happy. That will not happen with just anyone. He is very much like my father and I, it take someone really special to breakthrough our shields.," Declared Sephiroth," Hopefully, I'll be able to talk to him while we're fighting and convince him I'm not a clone."
"It's a risk," Aeris said as she started to fade into the Lifestream, "His friends will not accept this easily." "She's right, Seph. They will freak. How are you going to prove that you had nothing to do with what happened?"
"I will not have to. Cloud's memories should be fully returned and he'll be able to make the comparison between me and the clones. Plus, I want him to find me in the labs. If I go to him it is more than likely he'll attack first, however if he finds me I'll have a chance to talk to him without the fight, "said the silver-haired man.
"Well, it's your choice. Besides despite what we say it is too late to stop," stated Zack,"The plan is already in motion. Plus it's a good thing you want to return to your body, the Lifestream is not really for the living." With that final statement Zack followed Aeris into the Lifestream.
Sephiroth looked around the City of the Ancients, sighed deeply and willed himself to his body.
After pulling into Icicle Inn, Cloud checked the pick-up address for the package and stared at his PHS for a minute. 'Who would be sending a package from there,' he thought. Cloud just shrugged and headed to Professor Gast's house. As he walked through the village, Cloud reflected on the memories he had of the place. How he learned about Aeris's mother and how the JENOVA Project began. Suddenly there was a stabbing pain through his head. It felt similar to when Hojo conducted nerve response tests. Unable to stand Cloud collapse to his knees and Just as he blacked out a memory flashed through his mind.
FLASHBACK
"Cloud, you need to head back to the cadet barracks. I don't want you to get into trouble," said a smooth baritone voice, "I'm sure you don't want to end up with a disciplinary mark for breaking curfew."
The spikey-haired teen rolled over and hugged the owner of the voice. Cloud wasn't ready to leave yet. Laying here with his lover was the best thing about being in Midgar. "Okay, I'll see you at practice later then", said Cloud as he reluctantly released his love.
Cloud stood and began dressing in his uniform; looking back at the bed he drank in the sight of Sephiroth reclining with his head propped up on one hand. The sight of him after making love never failed to make Cloud smile.
END FLASHBACK
Cloud jerked awake as the memory ended. 'That's not possible," he thought, 'We couldn't have been lovers. If we were why didn't he say anything when we fought." Cloud slumped back onto the bed. Pushing the memory out of his mind he looked around the room and recognized that he was in a room at the inn.
The door to the room opened and the innkeeper walk in. "Ya gave us quite a scare, young man. Passing out like that, in the middle of town," said the man, "me and some friends hauled ya here after. Do you know what caused you to pass out like dat?" Cloud shook his head and thought back to what he had been doing before the blackout. "I was headed to pick-up a delivery. When I got close to the house I had a sudden pain in my head and that's all," explained Cloud, "I really have no idea what caused the pain."
"Oh you're the one then," said the innkeeper, "I got the package you were to pick-up right here. It looks like you got it right before you collapse." Cloud gave the man an incredulous look. 'That's not possible,' he thought, 'I blacked out before getting the package.' Disturbed by this thought, Cloud got out of the bed, pulled his boots on and grabbed the First Tsurugi. "Whoa there, fella. Ya need to rest some more after and episode like that," exclaimed the innkeeper,"Ya don't know what happened. Ya really should see a doctor."
"No thanks. I'll be fine," the blond said as he headed out the door, "Can you give me the package so I can deliver it. My friend is gonna pick me up do by Bone Village soon." The innkeeper reluctantly led Cloud downstairs to the lobby and gave him the package. He was really worried. It was unusual for someone to pass out like that and then just walk away like nothing happened. 'I hope he's okay,' the innkeeper thought as he watched Cloud exit the inn.
Once outside the inn, Cloud immediately head for Fenrir. As he was getting ready to place the package in the storage compartment he noticed who the delivery was for:
Cloud Strife
7th Heaven Bar
Edge, Eastern Continent
'What the hell,' he thought, 'who would send me a package?' Deciding not to wait until Edge to open it, he then noticed smaller words printed in read beneath the shipping destination: Do not open until reaching destination on label.
Cloud blinked at the words and just shoved the box into the compartment. He really wanted to know what the box was but someone went through a lot of trouble to make sure it wasn't opened until he got to Tifa's bar. 'Well I guess whoever sent it must know me pretty well. Though this is kinda creepy.' Cloud mounted his bike and checked the chronometer. It looked like he had some time before Cid and Vincent got to Bone Village. The blond decided to take his time riding to the village and think about what happened in the last few hours. 'I really hope nothing crazy is going to happen.' With that thought he gunned Fenrir and left Icicle Inn.
Meanwhile,
Sephiroth opened his eyes and did a mental check of his surroundings. He was suspended in a holding tank filled with mako. He could feel the breathing tube in his throat, as well as, the various wires and tubes beneath his skin. Ignoring his prison, Sephiroth cast his eyes around the lab and noted that there were several scientists working in the room. One started towards his tank; not wanting them to know he was awake he closed his eyes. "According to the message, all Professor Hojo's research notes and findings are to be sent to Edge," the man called to the others in the room, "It seems that the President wants to know exactly what the professor was working on and what projects were completed or still active." Once he got closer to the tank holding Sephiroth, he began checking the mako levels and various other readouts from the panel.
"I really wish we could pull you out and get some samples. Of all the specimens in the lab, you're the only one that is a perfect copy of Specimen S," whispered the scientist as he jotted down the readings, "It is too bad that the most successful clones and the main specimen were destroyed. We could have used them to find ways to improve the SOLDIER program without using J-cells." With a last scratch of his pen the man walked away and rejoined the rest of scientist at the computers.
Sephiroth watched the man join his companions and chuckled quietly to himself,' so Hojo, you didn't tell your minions that it was a clone that was destroyed not me. You really were a paranoid bastard.' Knowing he there was nothing he could do while in the tank, Sephiroth decided to sleep until another one of the scientists approached the tank. 'Perhaps, I can learn more about the other clones and the plans Hojo had made for me,' he mused as he drifted to sleep.
A/n: Well I hope you guys liked this chapter. I had a hard time finding a place to end it. I finally just stopped writing and I hope it was a good spot. Next chapter will be up when I see how well the response is to this one.
Cloud: You know you just coulda let me open the package.
Me: No, it would ruin the story that way. Besides you need to remember some things first.
Sephiroth: Why do I have to be in a lab? You know I hate that place.
Me: Sorry, but I can't tell you; it would give away some of the story.
Sephiroth: *growls and draws Masamune*
Me: Put it away. Or I'll have Zack tell everyone what happened the first time you got drunk. I know he has pictures
Sephiroth: -.-. WHAT? *hurriedly sheathes the Masamune and runs away*
Me: Please review and let me know what you think.
