Author's Notes: Hello everyone! I'm back! Very sorry I took so long! *apologizes profusely* Was doing my fanart! ^^' I've gotten feedback that you want longer chapters? Well, longer chapters it shall be!
Disclaimer: Square Enix owns Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, its predecessor and all their characters.
All thoughts are in '…'
Chapter 4: Like The Demons Around Me
Hunting you I can smell you – alive
Your heart pounding in my head
Watching me wanting me
I can feel you pull me down
Fearing you loving you
I won't let you pull me down
--Evanescence, Haunted
The wind whipped past his hair as Cloud rode through the forest at top speed. His heightened senses caught rustling in the distance. He drew a sword from his bike, ready should it decide to attack. Yet, he did not want to fight, now that he knew what they really were.
'Monsters. Nobody chooses to be one. Nobody except me.'
He tilted his sword, letting it catch the gleam from his Mako eyes. The sky was overcast, the contrast making his eyes seem like they burned with cold fire. 'I'm not much different from them.'
True enough it lunged out from the bushes, claws extended and thirsty for his blood. Its coat was coarse and red, with several grotesque protrusions adorning its back. It let out a shrill screech inches from his face. Cloud swung his sword reflexively, immediately turning its intimidating war cry into a muted yelp. The force of the hit sent the monster sprawling meters away.
'Down, just like that… If only I could die that easily.'
Cloud parked his bike and approached the dying creature. It was nearly torn in half, the two ends held together only by a layer of its thick hide. It was whimpering softly, almost like an injured puppy. He stared at it for a while and noticed that its eyes were filling with a crystalline liquid, ready to spill. The sight tore at his soul, threatening to take control of his emotions if he did not act fast. He closed his eyes and, in one fell swoop, chopped the creature's head cleanly off.
'Finally, silence.'
Cloud reopened his eyes and inspected the creature's carcass. A glint of metal caught his eye. Just as he had expected. He let out a heavy sigh, thrust the tip of his sword into the ground and squatted down to examine the tag.
"Madison Ross. Wife of Thadeus Ross, loving mother of Naomi, Ashley and Jeremy." His lips trembled as he read.
He pocketed the tag and rose to leave.
"I thought I sensed you coming."
Cloud spun round and came face-to-face with a young man, the sight turning his face pale, his breath escaping his lips in rasps. He looked like he was still in his teens and was around his height, perhaps a couple of centimeters shorter, and was armed. That wasn't what bothered him; it was his eyes. Pale green cat's eyes that glowed like materia. His eyes. The mere recognition turned his hands cold. The similarities didn't stop there. He had a head of silver hair that stopped at his chin and, goodness, his sneer… he thought it only haunted his nightmares, but now…
'No, it can't be…' Cloud's eyes grew wide as saucers.
The mysterious young man drew his sword, a two-pronged katana, and held it parallel with the ground. He rotated the hilt slowly, teasingly, daring Cloud to draw his as well. Cloud pulled his sword out from the earth in one quick tug and assumed his battle stance.
"You're… here to fight me?" Cloud asked, still recovering from shock.
"No, this is just for fun." He answered, his voice cold as ice. With that, he charged.
The two exchanged heated blows, the sound of metal clashing spreading through the immediate vicinity. They took turns to parry and attack, neither side showing any signs of fatigue.
'This isn't getting anywhere.' Cloud thought and started charging his sword. The support materia in it glowed, sending blue streaks twirling round its blade. Cloud swung his weapon hard, his opponent doing the same. Their swords collided, the fury of the impact sending the two flying to opposite ends and connecting with trees. Cloud heard the wood beneath him splinter as he landed.
The two of them sat there, neither showing any signs of getting up, having the wind in them temporarily knocked out.
"Who are you?" Cloud asked through narrowed eyes.
"I am who I am." With that he stood, circled a tree and disappeared into the forest.
'He's not bad, not bad at all.' Cloud thought, a slight smirk crossing his face.
Cera climbed down the stairs only to find Barret and Tifa seated on the living room couch, grim looks on the faces of the rest of the children.
"Morning Uncle Barret, Auntie Tifa. What's wrong?" She asked, her tone rather worried.
"It's nothing dear. It's just that Cloud's left again, he… won't be back for a while." Tifa answered her, trying to break it as gently as possible. She knew the two of them were close.
Cera's little world came crashing down on her. Cloud, he was gone. Her safety blanket, was gone.
"No!! I want to see Cloud!" She wailed and made a dash for the door, only to be caught in Barret's arms.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna get Spike back." Barret told her with determination while she began to sob in his chest.
"Barret… No. He wants to fight alone." Tifa told him, her expression a mix of sadness and regret.
"Teef…" Barret wanted to protest but decided this wasn't the right time. He knew the children loved Cloud; despite how much Cloud did not want to believe it, he was their hero. Barret didn't want them to worry. And he didn't want to argue with Tifa in front of them. "…ya. I'm sure he can take care of 'imself."
'Sure hope I'm right.' Barret thought inwardly.
Before long Cosmo Canyon came into view, its landscape eternally cloaked in hues of auburn. Scientists believed it was due to the high concentrations of rare sand particles in the air, but the people of the land knew the mystical glow originated from powers beyond human comprehension, making the land seem like it was being bathed in a holy fire.
Cloud park at the bottom of the canyon and walked up on foot.
"Hello. I'm here to see Nanaki." Cloud greeted.
"Ah yes, sir, he has been expecting you." The guard recognized him and immediately let him in.
Cloud took a slight detour and approached a small shrine by the Cosmo Candle. In it hung countless charms, talismans and tags, each inscribed with names. He pulled out the tag he had been carrying with him and hung it beside a small handcrafted angel. He stood in silence for a while, in his mind he could almost picture how that family looked before their world had been shattered. Father, Mother and three young ones. He turned and left, the ghostly image in his mind waving farewell to him as he took his leave.
"Cloud! Where are Barret and Tifa?" Red XIII greeted.
"Hey. They aren't coming." Cloud explained.
"Oh… Very well. Come with me to the observatory." Red motioned towards the elevator.
Cloud stared in amazement when they entered the observatory. To think that you could behold the entire solar system in just one room. It had been so long since the last time he had stepped foot here, he almost regretted it.
Red XIII spoke, "As you can see, The Planet is in distress." Cloud turned his attention to their planet, only to find the once green planet pulsing with life was now partially engulfed in black swirls. He waited for him to continue.
"The Lifestream has been infected by a virus. We believe it's the same as the one that took out the Cetra."
At the mention of the word, Cloud's mood turned much darker.
"As you already know, the first signs of Star Scar Syndrome appeared in the northern territories. Icicle Inn, Bone Village and North Corel fell first. At present, Fort Condor and Cosmo Canyon are beginning to be infected as well." He paused and continued, "Inside our bodies is something like the Lifestream. It fights against the evil substance that comes into us. It will not hold out much longer. If this plague is not stopped soon, the entire planet will be engulfed in a year. There isn't much time." Red XIII explained.
"The Planet can go to hell. I know I am."
Red was slightly taken aback by what Cloud said, but he had somehow expected that. Perhaps he needed to take a softer approach. "I hear you're living with the orphans. Don't you want to bring their smiles back? Our final goal is to reconstruct the world, Cloud."
'Oh yes, the orphans. It must have slipped my mind.' Cloud thought.
"I wonder how it must feel like, to see them again. To see Father, Mother, …Grandpa, again…" Red XIII trailed off.
Cloud remained silent. Realising he had gotten Cloud's attention, Red XIII continued, "I believe Jenova released the virus when we defeated her."
"Tell me something I don't already know." Cloud sounded more than a little annoyed, feelings of self-loathing welling up inside him.
Red XIII cleared his throat and continued, "Or that she might still be alive."
Cloud's eyes shot up and gazed at Red XIII intently.
"At least, part of her." Red XIII finished.
"I encountered someone earlier…a boy. He looked a lot like…… Sephiroth." Cloud stated, his eyes narrowing at the name.
"Perhaps he has something to do with this." Red XIII suggested.
"I know he does." With that, Cloud made for the elevator with renewed determination.
"Will you be staying for the night? I will get someone to…" Red XIII stopped, realising he was speaking to an empty room.
You don't remember me
But I remember you
I lie awake and try so hard
Not to think of you
But who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do…
I believe in you
I'll give up everything just to find you
I have to be with you to live to breathe
You're taking over me
--Evanescence, Taking Over Me
Cloud cracked his neck and exhaled heavily. As much as he did not want to admit it, the events of the day were weighing down on him. His shoulders were stiff from the long hours of riding and his eyes were dry due to the wind constantly whipping by. However, those were the least of his worries…
'Maybe I should rest for the night.'
His senses told him it was around three-thirty in the morning. The air was cold and humid and the grass was covered in a reasonable layer of dew. Cloud collapsed on the ground beside Fenrir and leaned against its engine, hoping it would save him from the freezing cold. He glanced upwards to the heavens. The stars were obscured by clouds tonight, enveloped in their warm embrace. He blinked once slowly and brought his head back down. Immediately, his eyes caught a familiar wraith-like female figure seated on a rock several metres away. She was smiling at him, her hands combing her hair back as the night wind danced around it.
Cloud blinked again and rubbed his eyes, fearing they were making him see things as they were too tired. No, she was there, her image remained constant despite the turmoil in his reeling mind. He got up and approached her slowly; afraid she would fade away if he moved too fast. "Hey you," he spoke as he knelt beside her.
She didn't speak and merely giggled softly as she continued to adjust her hair, her quiet laughter echoing through his mind. Her smile widened slightly and looked even more breathtaking as it contrasted with the darkness around.
Cloud reached out and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "There, now you look perfect."
He took her hands in his own gloved ones and rubbed them slowly, "You must be freezing…"
Cloud sat on the grass, "Here," he patted his lap and continued, "you'll be warmer here with me."
She obliged and he helped her down, his arms wrapping around her instinctively. His mind let out a startled gasp as he did so. Where he had expected to feel the comforting warmth of her body, he felt nothing. Where he had expected to touch the smooth caress of her skin, he touched nothing. All he came into contact with was pressure, empty pressure, like a vacuum that matched the state of his soul. A single tear crawled down his cheek as he tried to swallow what his body was, or was not, feeling.
He closed his eyes. 'What's happening… What am I supposed to do?' Cloud pleaded to forces he was convinced did not exist. He felt something brush against his cheek and reopened his eyes, only to look directly into a pair of pleading emerald ones. He noticed the delicate hand that still pressed against his face and his expression softened, a gentle smile forming on his lips.
'Maybe this can work out…'
"Hey I feel like talking. Let's talk. But it's alright if you don't want to speak tonight…"
Cloud buried his head next to hers and continued, "I saw someone today…" He narrated how he had fought with the mysterious youth, how he had met up with Red XIII, how he still remembered the way she looked in the observatory all those years ago, how he did not want to fight anymore, how, how… How long had he spent talking to her?
He watched her body rise and fall slightly. Listening to her breathing: this was where he wanted to be. He closed his eyes once more and tried to imagine: How her skin always felt like it was bathed in milk. How her hair always smelt of that hint of jojoba. How her voice always held whispers of a smile when she talked… It almost seemed as if it was working. For a moment, it almost felt as if she was back, back in his arms again. A smile crept across his face and lingered there.
He turned slightly, so his lips brushed against her ear as he whispered softly, "Stay here with me… until I fall asleep."
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
--Thomas Moore, Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms
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That was a very Evanescence chappie! Haha blame the CD player. =p Was the chapter too long? Too draggy? Hrm… Oh guess what?! Today's 31st March… which means it's my birthday! *sings myself a burfday song* Man do I feel old! Wow all my fav authors are coming here! *is very happy* Time to thank my reviewers!
Midas: Thankies!! *huggles*
Mandy138: You're very observant! ^^' Well… come join the forums! Ya, I don't agree with the script translation very much either, so I'm using my complied version! =D
Strife711, XenoMark, Silverdancer: Haha! I can't say anything about Cera, it will spoil the fun! ^_~
Solid Strife: Okie! And thanks!
Li-tzu: Thank you for all the feedback! And where's that fic?? *prods you with a Buster Sword*
Final Fantasy7Freak: Yeah! The trailers rock! Heh heh poor Cloudie, I'm gonna have fun with you… *takes out torture equipment* =p
Ah one more thing! Poll: Who do you think is the person in the wheelchair?! @_@?