Ok here's chapter 3 Its kind of a lead up to the memories chapter which is next. After that the "real" story can take off. Lol.

Htress - Nah no dead Cloud or else there would be no story lol. You need to update as well -_^.

Aeris- Yaoi is a term used to note there is MaleXMale relationships in the story. Yummy ^_^.

KaiserFinalFantasy- Yah he did the burning. And its not going to stay Vinny/Cloud through the fic. It wont be at the end I know that much. Lol. In between sometimes changes on me throught he coarse of a story.

CHAPTER 3



Cloud's heart was beating so fast and he didn't know where he was running to just that he had to get away. The kiss. He felt like he was betraying his love all over again. Like he hadn't been faithful. Never mind the fact that Vincent had been the one to kiss him. He didn't want to admit it but he had like the kiss. It had also done something else. He now knew there was someone out there who would be hurt deeply if he died. He was running blindly and didn't know where he had gone. He reached a rock face and slumped down against it and began to cry. This is how Nanaki's grandfather found him.

Cloud didn't even hear the aging man approach him. His senses had drop dramatically. He could have been killed and not even know someone else was near him. Lost in thought but thinking of nothing specific.

"Hello there, your Nanaki's friend aren't you." Said Grandfather. Cloud jerked his head up again being caught in this situation. "You look like the devil has you by his hand."

"I'm not so sure he doesn't or has a stronger grip then just his hand." Said Cloud looking down.

"Very very troubled young man. Is there anything I may do to help?" said Grandfather.

"Well you see your why I'm here but I'm not so sure if I want what I'm searching for but I must find it at all costs." Said Cloud.

"Ah a grave quest indeed. Noble at that as well. But what quest is this?"

"I'm looking for my past my memories. Nanaki said you might be able to help.

"Ah yes yes I can and you are right you most know your past to understand your future. In your heart though you most agree or I am unless."

Cloud sat and stared for a while, neither man moving. "Yes I must. I fear what I may learn but I also fear what will happen if I don't know even more. My head hasn't been straight in years and I'm slowly loosing a grasp on reality. I can't do that. If nothing else then for him." Said Cloud not sure which "him" he was referring to himself.

"If your sure then just relax."

"Cloud nodded and leaned back and closed his eyes. Grandfather bent over and touch his shoulder saying a few words that were captured by the wind. When he removed his hand Cloud slumped over in a deep sleep. The old man lifted the blonde on to his Chocobo and made his way back to the town.

~*~

Meanwhile Vincent had gone in the opposite direction Cloud went (Not knowing where he had gone too). He carefully covered the rock face looking for Cloud. He contemplated what he would do if the blond had thrown himself off the cliff. Not the least of which was hurling himself down after him. If Cloud died now he would hold himself personally responsible. He had been unstable before and the kiss had sent him over the edge.

The worst part of it all was deep down he still love Lucrecia. The love he felt in his heart for Cloud and that which he felt for Lucrecia were similar but they were defiantly different. He was driving himself over the edge with every thought. He had wander nearly 3 miles from Cosmo Canyon thinking that if he hadn't found Cloud now he probably never would. If he had planned on killing himself the deed had already been done. He didn't want to go back to Cosmo Canyon fearing the Blond had not yet returned.

Reluctantly he made his way back hoping against hope. The trip back seemed to take twice if not three times as long as the trek out there had taken. He often put his head over the side to make sure Cloud's body was not lying below. The small encouragement of not seeing his lifeless body on the rocks below was the only thing that kept him from the rocks. He made it back in time to see an old man carrying something large in his arms.

Vincent noticed the familiar blond hair and took off in a run that even a gold chocobo placed in haste couldn't have matched.

"Oh my God what happened to him? Is is...he can't be..... dead." Said Vincent dropping to his knees before the old man.

"He is quite alive, just in a deep sleep. I found him about 5 miles up the way. He wasn't in very good shape he asked me to restore his memory. I placed him asleep. When he wakes he will be fully rested but have to deal with whats in there. I don't think he really wants to know. Poor child has lived through so much in his time. I hope the rest of his life is peaceful but I doubt seriously it shall be." Said Grandfather.

Vincent nodded his head. His mouth was dry but he could stand. He took Cloud from Grandfather and started to finish the walk from the gate to the inn. When he reached the door. Tifa popped out.

"What...what happened to him?!?!" screamed Tifa.

"Shh he's fine he's sleeping. Now what are you doing here I told you not to come." Said Vincent.

"Well when you and him disappeared Nanaki got worried and called us. Me Barret and Cid got here as fast as we could. Reeve should be here soon. He had something to take care of back at Shinra INC." said Tifa with her hands on her hips.

"He's going to remember EVERYTHING Tifa. I don't really think you want to be here when that happens. You can't do anything for him. You never had a chance with him especially now when he is going to know the complete story of things when you were growing up. I don't know the whole story but I know it doesn't look good for you." Said Vincent with a pang of jealousy in his voice.

In his heart in the fear of fears he was afraid it would be Tifa that brought him back. She had done it before. Had he pushed him into her arms? He could loose Cloud to her? He didn't want to think about it. Increasing his grip on the blond he tried to push past her.

"What in the hell do you mean? He loves me he just hasn't gotten over Aeris. I'll make him see he loves me. You hear me!" said Tifa as he left the girl behind.

"Its not Aeris he's not gotten over." Said Vincent leaving her quite confused standing in the doorway.

Barret was sitting at the table talking to Cid. (Amazingly no profanities were being uttered.) Nanaki was laying on the bed. All and all it was quite a peaceful situation and Vincent would have been glad to be a part of the tranquil calm if it wasn't for the package he carried in his arms.

"What in the hell happened to him #$%@" said Cid about to drop his cigarette from his mouth.

"What the #@$% is up with Spike?" said Barret almost the same time Cid spoke.

"Calm down everyone. Cloud is fine......physically. He's just asleep. Mentally however I don't know if he ever will be. Nanaki's grandfather restored his memory and is the one who placed him asleep. " said Vincent walking over to the bed and placing Cloud down as Nanaki jumped off.

"So what are we suppose to do just sit and do nothing?" said Tifa stepping in the room.

"There is nothing we can do for him. He has to do it on his own. He'll wake up, when he wants too." Said Vincent.

"I'll help him I've done it before." Said Tifa.

"No, you can't help him now your part of the memories he has to regain. This time you would only make it worse. You can't go in and save yourself in his eyes this time." Said Vincent.

Tifa fell to the ground and started to cry. "He's....He's going to hate me isn't he? I tried to fix things make it better but I couldn't. I care for him so much but he doesn't want me. Why...why did Aeris have to come along and steal his heart?" said Tifa.

"I already told you it wasn't Aeris he loved. I'm not telling you who he did. Its not my right but it wasn't you I can tell you that." Said Vincent.

"Who made you the authority on Cloud!?! Damnit why did we have to let you out of that #$%@ Coffin!" said Tifa as she stormed out of the room.

"Please everyone he needs good rest. I'll stay at watch him but he need quite." Said Vincent.

Nanaki nodded and left followed by Barret. Vincent looked down a Cloud and Cid caught the look. It was more then just concern in those red eyes and Cid knew it.

Cloud slept through the night and Vincent never left his side nor would he let anyone else in the room afraid to wake the blonde from his slumber. No one knew the reason for his vigilance save Cid who had seen it.

"Why has he put himself in charge of Spike huh? Its not his responsibility. I mean one of us could help look after him." Said Barret.

"I'm going to run him out of there. He has no right to keep me from him." Said Tifa.

"I wouldn't do that." Said Reeve who had finally arrived.

"Reeve are you sure you can afford to be away from Shinra for this long?" said Nanaki.

"Yah I'm due some vacation time." Said the man nonchalant.

"I just hope he gonna be alright. I mean he's tough but how much can he really take? Every man's got a breaking point." Said Cid

"Anyone tell Yuffie what was going on?" said Barret

"No she's got a lot on her hands. Considering her dad is passing on the throne to her in less that 3 months." Said Reeve.

"Yah she doesn't need to know about this just yet." Said Nanaki.

"Well Vincent is coming out now and I'm going in." said Tifa.

Cid grabbed her by the arm. "Not so smart sweety." Said Cid

She pulled away from his grasp. "Not you too. He doesn't have the right. I have to help Cloud." Said Tifa.

"I think you've been hiding somethings. What was your relationship with Cloud really like when you were kids." Said Cid.

Tifa dropped her head. "I didn't want to tell anyone. I was so ashamed of myself." Said Tifa.

"Wha ya mean?" said Barret.

"Cloud wasn't my friend when we were younger though he wanted to be." Said Tifa in a low voice. "I mean when we were really young we kinda played together but I meet these other guys and it...it was just so easy to make fun of him. We were always pulling pranks on him. Then when he was about 8 he stopped hanging around us. For 3 years I rarely saw him. Then when he was 10 he started showing back up around the town more often. He had changed a lot but we still thought we should make fun of him. I kind of lead him on and we would make fun of him behind his back thinking he could get with me.

I mean we set him up so many times but he kept coming back, constantly getting in fights, blamed for everything. We wanted to teach him such a lesson so me and the others organized something huge. I can't even remember what it was but it worked and was all blamed on Cloud. He got beat pretty bad for that one. That was the first time I ever felt bad for him. Then when he was 15 he called me out to the well to tell me I he was going away to join soldier. I don't for the life of me know why I guess I was the only one who had been remotely nice to him.

When he came back with Sephiroth as a Shinra Trooper he...he found out that what we had done to him was a lie. I tried to tell him I was sorry but it didn't work. My heart had changed over the years but I had still done those horrible things to them. I didn't want the others to tell him but they had to push him. Tease him for being so proud going off to join SOLDIER and coming back nothing more then a Shinra Trooper.

I've never seen a look of such intense hatred as I saw in his eyes that day. I didn't think he would ever forgive me but when I saw him in the train station he didn't remember any of it or at least didn't seem too. I was so happy I thought I finally had my chance to make it up to him. I guess I was wrong." Said Tifa crying on the floor through most of it.

"I can't believe. It..." said Barret all the others were speechless and Cid's Cigarette was about to fall out of his mouth.

"He's awake!" said Vincent from the other room.

Cloud look up at Vincent with hazy eyes. Scared almost but not sure wither it was his memories or Vincent he was scared of. Vincent took a step back and called the others into the room. The all came running Cid first then Tifa, Reeve and Barret beside Nanaki. It was quite a packed lil room.

Cloud looked around the room not saying a word. His eyes stopped on Tifa and locked. "You." He said under his breath before he jumped out of bed.

"Whoa there." Said Cid as him and Vincent restrained the blonde (Thankful he was still a bit weak and not a full strength.

"Calm down" said Vincent as Tifa ran out of the room.

"Are we in for a story now." Said Reeve.

"What now he just woke up! Give the kid some time." Said Barret.

"No I'm fine and there is a lot you all need to here. It has important baring on each and everyone of you." Said Cloud before sitting back down on the bed.


Ok that ends chapter 3. Chapter 4 is memories only and Chapter 5 will pick up after the story is over. Hope You like plz Read and Review!