Cloud
Cloud Strife was always a curiosity to the residents of Radiant Garden. He tended to spend his days brooding in corners, his mind constantly trapped within the confines of the past. He never spoke to a single friendly stranger, and his brilliant blue eyes were always searching for the horizon. Sure, he played the part of the hero well enough-it was mainly his sword that prevented a number of civillian casualties in the recently reinhabited bastion-but he was merely a weapon in their eyes. Cloud was widely regarded as a force to be reckoned with-always a threat, never another human soul.
In a way, Cloud brought this isolation upon himself. For reasons that his comrades could not comprehend, Cloud lived out his life as a commodity. He would serve under anyone for the right price. For a long time, his existence was measured from contract to contract, duty to duty. There was never any compensation for his activities-yes, he was paid, but money cannot purchase a soul. Cloud knew this, and the constant lack of humanity in his life created a numbing sensation.
This separation from the emotional entanglements of the world was perfect for Cloud's chosen occupation, a mercenary for hire. The constant murder duties assigned to him were not a problem, each swing of his sword brought him one step closer to finding the answers in his life. At least, he hoped that the missing piece in his heart existed somewhere in the world. By travelling to distant lands and engaging in so many foreign affairs, he hoped to put a new perspective on his personal hell.
At one time, he may have cared about the morality of his actions. But that time was long past. Not so long ago, his hometown fell under the control of a scientist. He engaged in a number of experiments, toying with the physical properties of the heart. This tinkering with the lifeblood of human existence eventually brought destruction to Cloud's home. His friends and family were spread across the universe, some succumbing to death and others drifting to distant worlds. He spent many years searching for both his friends and his enemy, knowing that the only way to the light was through the dark.
His journey through the dark was emotionally draining (if indeed any emotions still dwelled within his heart), but his salvation soon arrived in the form of a boy wielding a giant key. Sora happened to be gifted with the ability to extract the light in any heart. Cloud soon saw a younger version of himself in Sora. The boy's spirit infected anyone he came into contact with. Before long, Cloud remembered what his friends in Radiant Garden were like. He found that discussing the little things with someone who cared was a worthwhile usage of time.
With a bit of help from Sora and company, Cloud was freed from his final contract from hell. He would no longer be a slave to the darkness in people's hearts. He was now free to rediscover the joys of existence that had slipped away from him since his friends were scattered. Eventually, Cloud found his way home again.
Being home was like nothing else. He returned to sparring with Leon occasionally, helping Cid assemble gummi ships, going shopping with Aerith (much to his disgust), and keeping Yuffie away from his treasures. They forgave him for his long absence and the sins hanging over his shoulders. And that was all that Cloud ever wished for and more.
But some old habits are extremely difficult to break. The villagers of Radiant Garden still could not strike up a conversation with him. He still tended to push himself beyond his physical and emotional limits, frustrating Aerith to no end. His nightmares from hell still persisted, in which the people he loved were ripped away all over again. It took quite a bit of effort from his friends to ease the anger once this happened. Fortunately, the nightmares became increasingly less frequent as he spent time with his friends.
All in all, his life was a relatively decent one. Despite the torture of those nine years apart, he still managed to let go of some of the hurt. He was still able to spend Sunday afternoons taking the village children for motorcycle rides. There was still time to enjoy some sea salt ice cream from Uncle Scrooge's shop. According to Yuffie, the ice cream bore a striking resemblance to the essence of Cloud-salty and bitter on the outside with a purely sweet core.