Chapter 3- Clear
Zack yawned. Night had fallen, and Zack had managed to light a fire for both Claire and him. Claire had curled up into a ball near but not too close to the fire, her azure eyes closed tightly. Zack smiled lightly. He knew after only a little while he closed his own eyes, Claire would come over and use him as a pillow. She had been ever since that night. He never did or said anything about it.
They were on their way to Healin. Claire had told him that's where the three Farron siblings were to go if any one of them was to go missing. Zack had agreed. Shinra wouldn't think of Healin; it wasn't a place that either one of them would most likely go to. Of course, Zack wanted to go home and just forget about this whole mess, but he owed it to Claire.
Claire had told him Cloud had changed his last name to Strife in order to protect Claire and him. She didn't know why exactly they needed to be protected, but she knew Shinra had always been looking for her. They had been the reason why she had found her father dead on the side of the road. She blamed herself for her father's death. Zack couldn't blame her for hating Shinra.
Claire had constant mood swings. At one moment, she would be telling him a story from her childhood. Another, she would be slapping him. The night usually would result in Claire getting angry at Zack for no reason and her pretending to go to sleep. After a while after Zack would lie down, she would crawl up next to him. Tonight was no different. Claire had slapped him after he lit the fire, saying that he almost burned her when she was far away from him and the fire. She had curled into a ball and closed her eyes.
Zack sighed and lay onto his back. Closing his eyes, he waited for Claire's head to rest on his stomach. After about twenty minutes, he felt the light weight of her head. Unconsciously, he idly ran his hand through Claire's soft pink tresses. Claire immediately recoiled, backing and turning away from him. Zack sat up, confused.
"Claire?" He called to her, but he received no answer. Zack had no idea what came over him, but he became distressed at Claire's actions. He knew he enjoyed that Claire cuddled close to him, but he didn't know he would react so pathetically. He crawled over to her, trying to envelop her into an embrace. She immediately recoiled once more and went back to her original spot near the fire. Zack was heartbroken.
Zack blinked. He wasn't heartbroken. He had only met Claire a couple of days ago. He kept repeating that in his head, but it didn't work.
Xx
The sun shone brightly above Zack and Claire as they walked to Healin. Ever since that night, Claire hadn't gone to him. She completely ignored him sometimes. The only contact they had was a slap to his face. Claire was exhausted. It was when Zack asked if she wanted to take a break when he received the slap.
It was know the third time Zack had caught Claire from toppling over. He sighed and watched as Claire's eyes snapped open again.
"Claire, you need a break. Stop over-working yourself." He said lightly, trying to help her sit down. Claire immediately shook her head and tried standing on her own. She succeeded, but she swayed a bit. Zack immediately took a step forward to help her.
"Claire, stop that. You're going to fall straight off that cliff, and my back still hurts from the last time." Zack said looking down at the cliff. Claire took a step backward, clearly angry.
"What do you know? You're just some stupid Shinra moron!" She yelled. Zack's expression was pure hurt.
"Claire," He started. Claire fumed and took another step backward as he took one forward.
"Get away from me." Claire seethed.
"Claire, stop this. This is stupid. You're going to end up hurting yourself." He said. Claire let out a growl. Fatigue overcame her, and she tried to steady herself. Zack took this opportunity to step forward. Claire noticed, and took another tiny step backward, her back now to the cliff.
"What are you trying to prove Claire? This is pointless!" Zack yelled, not knowing what to do. Claire fell backwards, falling headfirst off the cliff. Before even thinking about what he was doing, Zack jumped after her. He took hold of her waist, trying to make sure he would fall first, just like before. This cliff was much steeper than the other one, and Zack knew he would be one lucky man to make it out alive.
Claire's eyes fluttered open, and looked around frantic. Zack smiled weakly. Claire freaked clutching onto Zack's shirt. Zack watched as streaks of what seemed to be electricity run through Claire's body and spread to his. He felt as if he was slowing, but he knew the ground was approaching quickly. He felt himself hit the ground painfully as he blacked out.
Xx
Zack felt pain, and pretty much nothing else. He was happy he wasn't dead. He felt a blissful feeling on his head, and felt as it moved down to his shoulders and chest. Someone was curing him. He fought to open his eyes and see who it was. It couldn't have been Claire; she was too terrified to ever use the materia in her arm. But he heard her voice.
"Please, Zack. Wake up. I promise I won't slap you. Why isn't this stupid materia working?" She said, clearly aggravated. "At least stop wheezing like that."
I'm wheezing? Zack thought, and tried to focus on his breathing. It hurt really bad to breathe, and he could begin to hear the wheezing sounds that were apparently coming from him. Zack began to feel Claire's hand on his ribcage curing, the other, clasped onto his. He gave the hand holding his a slight squeeze and struggled to open his eyes again.
"Zack?" She said a little breathless. The cure was taking a lot out of her. As honored as Zack was, he didn't want her to strain herself for him. He managed to open his mako blue eyes. Claire looked at him hopefully. He gave her a weak smile, and tried to speak. All he could manage was a grunt. Claire sighed, and returned his weak smile.
"I'm sorry Zack, this is all my fault. You should've just let me die. I'll keep trying to cure you." Zack made a sound of protest, trying to tell her it wasn't her fault, that it was his own stupid fault for not thinking a rational way to save her. His head could barely process anything. He gave her hand another squeeze, hoping his message would come through to her. She smiled weakly at him again.
"It's not your fault." Zack managed to wheeze out. Claire looked at him surprised.
"This is entirely my fault! If I hadn't been so stupid and just token a break when you said to, we would never have been in this whole mess!" Claire cried, still trying to mend his ribcage. He shook his head, before managing to pull her close to him. Leaning her head against his chest, he told her:
"Claire, this isn't your fault." She tried to free herself, keeping her hand on his ribcage. With a sudden strength even Zack was surprised of, he sat up. His body protested with all its might. Afterwards, he managed to stand. He placed a hand on his shirtless chest. Claire must've removed it to cure him. Starting his own cure, he bent back down to Claire and placed his hand on anywhere he thought a break would be. Claire immediately protested, standing up herself.
"Stop that!" She yelled. Zack cocked his head to the side.
"Stop what?" He said softly. Claire clenched her fists.
"Stop caring about me! I've done nothing but be a bitch to you and you risk your life to save me and then start curing me when you're in worse shape!" Tears threatened to pool out of Claire's eyes. A moment of realization hit Zack.
"Is that what you've been trying to tell me?" He said lightly, taking a step toward her.
"Yes." She said, eyeing him.
"No. Not that bullshit you just gave me. You're hurting, aren't you Claire?" He said, embracing her. His body screamed in agony at all movements he made, but Claire pressed up against him was surprisingly soothing.
"No. I'm not hurting. I'm fine Zack. Now please let go of me." Claire said, her body tense.
"Yes you are. I'm sorry I haven't noticed it before." Zack said, holding her closer to him.
"What are you talking about? Zack, let me see your head." Her hands moved to his head, pumping a cure into it. Zack gently took her hands off his head and wrapped them around his waist, before return his own arms around hers.
"You're hurting because your father was killed suddenly and you saw him. You're hurting because Cloud went off to a dangerous job while you two were fighting." Zack started. Claire tensed even more in his arms.
"You don't know anything." She seethed.
" You're hurting because you're best friend died. You're hurting because you had to watch your mother be killed in front of you. You're hurting because your hometown was burned down." Zack continued.
"Shut it, will you?" She yelled.
" You're hurting because Shinra's been after you ever since you can remember. You're hurting because you believe your brother and sister are dead, even though they're not." He added.
"This is all your fault!" she cried, Zack clung to her tightly as she struggled to get away from him.
"I know it is. But I'm here now, and I'm gonna help you get through all that." He said softly, running a hand through her hair.
"I don't need you and I don't need anyone!" Her voice was shaking; Zack could tell she was on the verge of crying.
"I'm here for you, but I can't help you until you let me in, okay? Claire, when's the last time you cried?" Zack asked lightly. Claire burst into tears, wrapping her arms around Zack's neck and clung.
"It's all my fault!" She sobbed into Zack's chest. Zack gently rest his head on top of Claire's.
"No it's not baby girl. You couldn't help anything." He cooed soflty. After a while, Zack sat down, bringing Claire into his lap. He rested against a rock and continued running his hand through Claire's hair. When she stopped, Zack looked down at her and smiled.
"Feel better?" He said. He chuckled softly when he found her fast asleep on him.
Xx
It was a new day, but now the sun was setting and Zack was setting a fire. Claire sat near him yawning. With the fire lit, Zack fell backwards into a sitting position next to Claire.
"Today was long. You got pretty handy with that materia though." Zack said, looking over at Claire. She smiled lightly at him.
"Yeah, only because you kept getting your ass handed to you." She giggled. Zack tickled her.
"Only because I had to save your ass." He said over Claire's hysterics.
"I can't breathe!" She cried, laughing. Zack only chuckled before stopping. Claire panted. Yawning, Zack fell backwards.
"I'm going to sleep." Zack said, staring up at the now dark starlit sky. He closed his eyes. After a while he felt the familiar feeling of Claire's head, but this time it rested on his chest. Her arms wrapped around his stomach as she nestled close to him. Zack smiled and didn't dare move.
Xx
They were now at Healin, as Claire dragged him into a small inn. Claire looked around, distress written all over her face. The old woman at the desk laughed heartily.
"Looking for a blonde haired boy and a pink haired girl?" She said. Claire nodded cautiously. The woman handed her and envelope. Hesitantly, she walked over and retrieved the envelope, muttering a "thank you." Claire opened the envelope and scanned the letter. Zack looked over her shoulder and read the letter.
Claire -
I have no idea where you and Zack are, but Serah and I can't stay here anymore. Shinra is on our heels. You can trust this old woman. Look carefully. You'll remember her. I know Zack can take care of you. Which is why we've gone to Gongaga. Shinra has left there, giving up on thinking/hoping Zack would return to his hometown. I left you some money. Eat something, will you? You're already just skin and bones.
-Cloud
The distress left Claire's face, as she looked up to Zack and smiled.
"They're alive." She breathed. Zack chuckled.
"I told you they were." He said. Claire looked over to the old woman at the desk, who was smiling brightly. Claire's brow furrowed as she tried to remember who this woman was.
"Grandma?" She asked and the woman chuckled, nodding. Claire's face lit up and she ran and hugged the woman.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice you!" She cried, as the woman only laughed more.
"Oh relax, I haven't seen you in ages, dear. Long enough for you not to even remember." She said lightly.
Xx
Zack sighed, laying on the couch in the inn room. Claire's grandmother had been very kind in giving them both a room free of charge, but only one bed? What kind of grandmother was this?
Zack had graciously volunteered to sleep on the couch. He looked over to Claire. She was sprawled out onto the bed, her hair frayed everywhere. The light from the television she had requested to be on while she slept highlighted her face. She was tightly clutching a pillow, her eyes shut and her breathing even. Zack began to wonder if she really was asleep.
My replacement can be as simple as a pillow? He thought, a little miffed. He wanted to be the only thing that could lull her to sleep. He exhaled, before closing his eyes. He inwardly admitted since after Claire had been cuddling him, he couldn't sleep without knowing where she was. This was about the fourteenth time he had looked over at Claire's sleeping form to make sure she was still there. He tried listening to the television that was playing childish cartoons.
His eyes snapped open when he heard rustling in the direction of Claire. Her hair was a frantic mess, her eyes nervous. She took step towards Zack, as she placed a blanket on him.
"You looked cold." She said, going back to the bed. Zack muttered a "thanks" and watched Claire snuggle back into her previous position. Zack didn't feel cold, as his mind went through all different scenarios to figure out why he looked it. His eyes closed once more, trying desperately to fall asleep.
When he heard rustling from Claire again, his eyes snapped open once more. Claire froze. She was now sitting up, pillow in hand. She still had the nervous look on her face. Determination mixed with it, as she stood up from the bed and cautiously took a few steps towards Zack. He blinked a couple times. She gently placed the pillow on Zack's chest, and she began to climb on top of him. As she began to lie down, Zack smiled and sat up. He picked her up along with the pillow and the blanket and began to walk back towards the bed. Claire looked devastated. He gently placed her down, putting the pillow behind her head and the blanket over her. He walked over to the other side of the bed before crawling in with her, and wrapping his arms around her tiny waist. Claire turned around to face him. She smiled happily and sighed contently into his chest.
Xx
It was getting dark, as Zack and Claire walked down a path trying to find a place to rest. Two recruits stopped in front of them. Zack immediately took out The Buster Sword. While walking towards them Genesis attacked him from behind. Zack was able to recover quickly, but the two recruits took him and pulled tightly on his hair. Genesis wrapped an arm around Claire and pulled her close. She immediately began to struggle and reach for Zack.
"Get off me!" Zack growled. Claire let out a whimper.
"Ow! My hair! Stop pulling!" He yelled trying to wrench free of the two recruits. Something about their strength was off.
"When the war of the beasts brings about the world's end the goddess descends from the sky. Wings of light and dark spread afar She guides us to bliss, her gift everlasting." Genesis quoted and held a dumb apple close to him. Zack looked over to a recruit, who held a lock of his hair.
"That's my hair!" He yelled at Genesis.
"You were a test subject in Hojo's new experiment. A modified version of Jenova's power runs through you." Genesis said, looking back to him.
"What? Seriously?" He said, panting a little. Genesis made a motion towards the recruit and the recruit began to eat the lock of Zack's hair. Zack looked at the recruit with awe.
"No way, he just ate my hair." He said. Claire couldn't help but giggle. Genesis wasn't happy with that and tightened his grip on her waist. She snapped her fingers. Anger coursed through as well as the electricity Zack saw run through Claire's body before when falling off the cliff. Instead of traveling through Genesis, it shocked Genesis, sending him flying.
"Don't touch me." She seethed. Zack, taking the opportunity sent both recruits flying and cut one down. He grabbed hold of Claire, happy to find she didn't shock him. Instead, she leaned forward into his chest. Genesis recovered and laughed darkly.
"Your cells will be my gift of the goddess. The degradation will cease." He said.
"You, are twisted." Zack said, trying to keep the flush off his face as Claire clung to his neck.
"The monster has been harvested, and can be discarded." Genesis said.
"You're the monster." Zack said.
"You speak as if you can cause the world's end." Claire said, glaring at him. Genesis only chuckled at her.
"I can and I will my dear." He said. Claire growled.
"Only Omega can take the life from this planet, and then brings us to a new one!" She yelled at him.
"Then I will just have to awaken Omega, won't I?" He said, laughing darkly.
"You can't just awaken Omega!" She growled, her eyes flashing a hue of red as a Fira spell attacked Genesis.
"I see why Shinra had such interest in you now. You're the Ultima weapon, aren't you? That's what the attack was then, Gravity. Hmm. Interesting. That would explain why it's not bothering your little friend." He laughed darkly before flying away. Zack grunted, before taking a look at the other recruit, which seemed to be choking on Zack's hair.
"I still can't believe he ate my hair." Zack said, eyeing him. Claire giggled.
"Better yours than mine." She smiled at him. As the recruit began to grow monster wings, Zack stepped in front of Claire.
"No, I'm thinking your hair would've been better." He said., Beginning to charge toward the enemy.
"Wait." Claire said, grabbing his wrist. The electricity spread from Claire into Zack lighting his body identical to hers.
"Use it well SOLDIER boy." She said, smiling. Zack beamed and gave her a thumbs up before charging towards the monster.
Xx
After their encounter with Genesis, Zack took care to make sure they weren't out in the open. He set a fire, as Claire lit it.
"Fira and Cura, I'm proud Claire." He said chuckling. She smiled lightly.
"I'm working on them." She said. He sat up, looking at Claire.
"Claire, what's the Ultima weapon?" Zack said, cocking his head to the side. She sighed.
"It's just what stupid non- Al Bhed call my family. Generation from generation my family has passed down the ability, gravity. It's what I used today. Normally, the first born gets it, so naturally, Cloud got it first. But he didn't want it, so he passed it onto me. I've been wondering how he did it for years. I can only pass it onto people momentarily, like I did to you." She said.
"Gravity, huh? My father used to tell me stories about it." Zack said, lying back down. He looked at his hands.
"It was a childhood dream of mine to be able to use it, just once. Thanks Claire, you made my dream come true." He smiled at her. Her face flushed and she looked away.
"Anytime." She muttered. Zack turned over onto his stomach, still facing her.
"Hey Claire, how come Cloud didn't want it?" She looked over at Zack.
"Even though Cloud was the first born, they still went after me. I think he gave it to me for protection. I don't really know why to be honest." She answered, crawling over to him. He eyed her as she placed her hands on his back.
"They say Gravity takes the effect out of Jenova cells. Makes them useless." She said, snapping her fingers and pushing them back into Zack's back. He let out a grunt of pain. Claire immediately retracted her hands. Zack turned around and took her hands in his, grunting a little.
"Please Claire, I don't want to be a monster." He said, pushing her hands under his shirt and onto his bare chest.
"You're not a monster." She said, biting her lip, trying to decide whether she should continue.
"You saw what my hair did to that guy." He said, looking at Claire. He let a pain filled cry as Claire pressed on. She lessened the pressure she put on him, before gaining determination and pressing back down onto him. He gritted his teeth and tried not to let out anymore sounds. The pain began to fade away and he grasped one of Claire's hands into his. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. She smiled back.
"It's not hurting you anymore?" She breathed and he nodded.
"Then it worked."
