A/N: Hey hey! I'm back with another chapter! I thought I'd put a bit of Vincent in this one...I love his character sooooo much! Also, Kadaj is back! So, time to find out...Is Tifa really dead?

Chapter 6

Wake up, Cloud.

Wait...who...? I know this voice...don't I?

You should. We have met before.

But...you haven't spoken to me in a year...why now?

It's time for you to wake up.

Someone was shaking him roughly. Cloud groaned and rolled over onto his back. He slowly opened his eyes and found himself staring up at a blue sky and a vaguely familiar face. Black hair framed a delicate face; a pair of bright crimson eyes stared back at him. "...Vin...cent?" He muttered.

"Cloud...what are you doing here, lying on the floor?"

He blinked slowly before sitting up and putting a hand to his head. What had happened? He looked around and saw he was lying inside the old church. The scent of flowers clung to everything and made him think of Aeris. "I...Fell asleep?" He muttered. Then he shook his head. "Tifa!" he suddenly stood and swayed on the spot grabbing Vincent's shoulder for support.

"Tifa's fine...she's back at the bar with Barrett and Marlene. Are you alright? You don't look well..."

Cloud stared at him. "Tifa's...alright? You mean...she's not...dead?" Vincent shook his head slowly. Cloud fell to his knees, the shock sapping him of strength. He bowed his head and covered his face before laughing; his voice slowly became louder so it echoed off the walls. It sounded mad even in his own ears. "I'm...sorry...I just...had a dream! It was...just a dream."

Vincent sat beside him and stared around the building with mild interest. "Everyone is worried about you." He said suddenly making Cloud look at the floor. "You disappear and don't return for days, you have hardly been paying attention to anyone..."

"I'm fine...Just tired..." Cloud muttered. Vincent said no more about it. "What were you doing here?"

"I wanted to see the flowers." Vincent replied with a shrug. "They really do grow in the middle of Midgar...Interesting, how such a delicate thing can survive in only a little soil."

Cloud nodded his head and attempted to stand again. What was Sephiroth doing? What did he hope to gain from showing him such dreams?

The northern Crater.

Cloud froze and lifted a hand to his head. He frowned into space a moment, she was speaking to him again. What did all of this mean? The strange silver haired boys, Sephiroth, Jenova...Why were they trying to mess with his head?

Go.

He shook his head to clear it. He wouldn't. He had no reason to go. He could vaguely feel Vincent's hand gripping the top of his arm tightly, but it seemed far away.

They will find me eventually, there is no escape. Although...Maybe it would be better if it was you who gave me to them?

He groaned as pain stabbed through his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut in a poor attempt to shut out the voice.

Cloud, Everything will be ok. Just be strong.

He gasped and spun around suddenly. Out the corner of his eyes he caught a brief glimpse of pink in amongst the flowers. Then it was gone. Vincent was frowning at him, he looked down at the blonds arm and his frown deepened. "You have the stigma."

Cloud turned his attention back to Vincent. "H...How...?" He still had his long leather sleeve covering the ever spreading black mark.

"I can feel it. Like so many tiny insects infesting your body..." His eyes met Cloud's. "I assume the others do not know?"

Cloud nodded and looked away, his hand gripping his arm. "I just...don't want to worry them...I'll be alright on my own. Don't tell them."

"As you wish. But I think they have a right to know...Maybe they can help you find a cure..."

"There is no cure." Cloud muttered and bent to retrieve his sword, which lay on the floor where he had obviously collapsed. "Everyone knows that."

Vincent said nothing. What was there to say? There really was very little anyone could do and he wasn't the sort of man to try and give false comfort, especially when it was not wanted.

Cloud...There is no escape.

Cloud stumbled slightly as he went to take a step forward. He gasped as pain shot through his body. He couldn't hold himself up. He fell again, his knees hitting the floor with crash. He gripped his arm and lowered his head.

"Cloud...?" Vincent knelt beside him.

Cloud looked up at him. His eyes were glassy. He blinked once and the pupils changed. Vincent's hand froze where he was going to put it on the boy's shoulder. Sephiroth's eyes seemed to stare back at him through Cloud's. "You need help." Vincent murmured, covering his shock.

Cloud closed his eyes tightly. "I'll be fine...no one needs to worry about me." The pain was already fading.

Vincent said nothing as Cloud stood again using his friend for support. Together they left the church and stood outside in the dull morning air. It was chilly, the breeze bringing the scents from the city to them.

"I must leave now...I have some things that must be taken care of. Will you be alright on your own?"

Cloud nodded. "I have to...go see Tifa." He turned to see that Vincent had already disappeared. Cloud stood beside his motorbike for an unknowable amount of time. He stared blankly at it as if he had never seen it before. Tifa's death had felt so real. He had been unable to distinguish between dream and reality...

What if this is the dream? What if this is something you have recreated within your own mind to escape the reality of Tifa's death? Ha-ha...I do enjoy that look in your eyes. Despair suits you.

Cloud closed his eyes with a sigh. "Leave me alone." He muttered and swung his leg over his bike and revved the engine. He drove off back toward Seventh heaven.

When he was finally stood outside the door he found he was unable to go in. The door was intact. People passed him in the street. Nothing was out of place...except the feeling that something was wrong. Eventually Cloud took a deep breath and pushed the door in, the bell tinkled and he saw Tifa stood behind the bar. The room was almost empty except for a few patrons but Cloud only had eyes for the dark haired girl. He walked in slowly as if in a dream. He could see her corpse in his mind's eye and yet here she stood. She looked up and smiled brightly.

You see Cloud, everything's fine.

He felt as if a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders and he walked behind the bar and pulled Tifa into a tight embrace. She giggled and managed to extract herself with difficulty. "Cloud! What's got into you all of a sudden? We have customers!"

He turned his attention to the other three people in the bar. He froze. Kadaj sat casually in a chair with an easy grin on his face; the other two were busy with a game of cards. "We said we'd be back, big brother."

"Oh, do you know them?" Tifa asked and looked up. When she saw Cloud's face she felt fear send chills down her spine.

"What are you doing here?" Cloud asked, his eyes never left Kadaj.

"We've been watching you. You live here don't you? And you have a little girl living here some of the time...I bet you'd be devastated if something happened to her, wouldn't you?" Kadaj stood slowly, his leather clothing creaking. "We've heard things..." He muttered moving closer. Cloud pushed Tifa back. "She's spoken to you recently hasn't she? Mother has told you where she is. After waiting for so long...he came to us! He came to me in my dreams and told me that you knew where she was! Now tell us or we take everyone away from you..." He jumped up onto the bar and dropped down before Cloud, he tapped his finger against his chest. "One...by...one until you are nothing but a ruined shell." He paused and tipped his head to the side. "You know...he told me that we were to take you someplace you can't escape from and keep you there until after the reunion."

"Cloud! You're back..." The girlish voice made everyone turn and they all stared at Marlene as she ran into the bar, her hair tied back with a pink ribbon. Her face changed from delight to confusion when she saw Cloud pressed against the shelves and Tifa wearing her gloves. "What's..."

Loz suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her to the table, she tried to wiggle away but his grip tightened on her arm as he sat down holding his weapon against her head. Her brown eyes were wide with fear as she looked to Cloud for help.

"Wait! Stop this! It has nothing to do with them!" Cloud said. He wouldn't be able to fight too well, not with his arm the way it was. "Let...let her go!"

Kadaj leaned close, his breath tickled Cloud's face and he ran a finger down his neck slowly. "If you want to protect her that badly then you know what to do." He smiled as Cloud closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the shelves. His hands clenched into fists and he gritted his teeth. "Well? I'll give you the count of three...One..." His fingers took the zipper of Clouds top and slowly slid it down. "Two...You had better decide quickly or we'll kill the girl and maybe make Tifa watch as we rape you..."

Cloud opened his eyes. "...ern...cave..." he muttered.

"Louder...I can't hear you." He slid his leather clad hand inside Cloud's top.

"Shit. Jenova...she's in the northern cave! Her head is the only part of her left! She...She'll be there."

Tifa gasped. "Cloud...how did you know that? What are you hiding from me?"

Cloud lowered his head. "You have what you want...now go! Leave and never come here again!" He said ignoring Tifa.

Suddenly Kadaj giggled and moved away. "We knew you could do it, Big brother! Just wait! Once we get mother back he'll return! He will return to take you back." He paused and looked at Cloud with what could have been sympathy. He reached up and brushed hair from Cloud's face. "Don't look so upset...He won't abandon you again. You have other uses now." He smiled again and turned away. "Loz, bring the girl. We don't want big brother doing anything reckless..."

Cloud grabbed his arm and spun him round. "Leave her. I gave you the information! I gave you what you wanted...now just go!"

Kadaj shook his head slowly, "If she stay's you'll follow us and try and prevent us from being reunited with mother...unless...you want to see her for yourself? Do you? Do you want to watch the reunion?"

Cloud shook his head. "No! No...I don't want anything to with it! I just...I just want to be left alone!" He lifted his hand and covered his eyes. "Just...go! Please..."

Kadaj's smile never left his face as he shook Cloud's hand off of him. "We need to take a hostage, to make sure you don't do anything..."

"I'll do it." Tifa said quietly. "Leave Marlene...I'll go in her place. There is no need to put a child in danger."

Kadaj turned to her. "Well this is unexpected. You're actually offering yourself in exchange for the child?" Tifa nodded.

"Tifa...no! You...You don't know what they are! You don't know...!"

"I know. I'm not quite as oblivious as you think...do you honestly believe that I have not heard his voice coming from your room? Do you honestly think that I am so naive as to not see the resemblance between these boys and Sephiroth? Cloud, don't think I haven't been watching you...There is something happening and although I'm not entirely sure what it is I know you well enough by now to know when you're in trouble. Please, let me do this...if not...they'll just take Marlene."

"Tifa...I...I won't be able to protect you! I won't be able to make sure they don't hurt you! If they do...I couldn't live with myself!"

Tifa smiled and took a step toward him resting a hand gently on his arm and looking up into his face. "Cloud, have faith in yourself. Everything will work out, everything will be fine. Just trust me...I know that you'll keep your promise."

Cloud shook his head and looked away. "I...I'm not fit to protect anyone. Not you...or anyone else...Tifa...don't go! These boy's...you know they'll become him! One of them will become Sephiroth and if he gets his hands on you..."

"I won't let that happen." Tifa whispered. She smiled brightly. "Do you have such little faith in me? It was always Aeris you would try and stop getting into these situations; you always had more trust in my abilities."

"It's...too dangerous...I can't..."

Let her go Cloud. She'll be fine...until I destroy the planet of course. But they won't harm her for now. With her out of the way I can have you all to myself. Let her go.

Cloud put a hand to his head and winced slightly. "I can't...let you...do this..."

Let her go!

He closed his eyes and looked away. "Yes...ok..." he muttered. He heard Sephiroth's pleased laughter. He hadn't meant to agree...he hadn't wanted to say yes. He shook his head slowly.

"Well, now that's sorted...we have a long journey ahead of us! Remember big brother, don't do anything stupid and no one needs to get hurt!" Kadaj smiled and leaned toward Cloud kissing him lightly on the lips. "Next time we see each other I may not be the same person...but I'm sure you'll be more pleased to see Sephiroth than me anyway." A strange, almost bitter, look crossed his face before he turned away. "Let's go." He ordered the other two, who stood. Cloud moved around the bar and Loz shoved Marlene into his arms. She clung to him tightly as Tifa was led out the door, she turned and smiled before being pushed gently out into the street. The door swung closed behind her and Cloud seemed unable to look away.

"Cloud...where are they taking Tifa? Why are they taking her away?" Marlene said quietly, her small hands clutching his clothing tightly. "Why did you let her go?"

Cloud shook his head slowly. "She...wanted to protect you..." He muttered. "Where's Barrett?"

"Papa...? He's out working..."

Cloud sighed. "Marlene...you need to go somewhere safe for a while...How would you like to go to Elmyra's house for a bit? Just while...While I try and..."

"Save Tifa?" Cloud nodded slowly. Whether he would be able to would be a different story, but it was best that Marlene not know about his weakness. Marlene smiled. "I don't mind, Elmyra lets me bake cookies...maybe I should make some for Tifa when she gets back?"

"That would be a nice idea." Cloud replied. "Get your stuff together then, I'll let your father know."

Marlene ran off to her bedroom to pack. Cloud dug his phone from his pocket and stared at it, he hardly ever used it. He flipped it open and dialled Barrett's number and lifted it to his ear. It rang a few times before Barrett picked up.

"Yo! Cloud? What's happenin'? Is Marlene alrigh'?"

"Marlene's...fine. I just wanted to let you know I'm taking Marlene to Elmyra's place for a while...things have got...pretty bad here and I don't want her to be in danger."

There was silence for a moment. "Good, she'll be safe there. I'll come back...its best we get everyone together..."

No. If everyone gets involved things will get messy, tell him everything's fine and hang up.

Cloud felt his hands begin to shake as he fought the desire to say exactly what he was told. He gritted his teeth and put a hand over his eyes. Finally he opened his mouth to reply. "No...There's no need to bring everyone back just for this. I'll sort it on my own..."

"You ain't soundin' so sure..."

"Trust me. I can fight alone..." His voice was low as he spoke and he stared at the floor.

This isn't about fighting. Cloud, please...don't give in so easily. Don't give up yet, there's still time.

Cloud lifted his head and looked around the quiet bar. He thought he saw, out the corner of his eye, a girl in a pink dress stood in the doorway but when he turned to get a better look she was gone. Finally he sighed and turned away. "Marlene will be ok, I'll make sure of it. Don't worry...I can handle this." He hung up quickly wandering why he had said that. He couldn't do it...not alone. He sighed and forced his expression into a calm, neutral one as Marlene came running down the stairs. "Come on then, it's a little bit of a journey to Kalm."

"Yay! I get to ride Cloud's motorbike!" She giggled and followed Cloud into the street.

The ride to Kalm was relatively peaceful; they made it to the small village without incident. Cloud found himself outside Elmyra's door, he raised his hand and knocked suddenly feeling nervous. The door opened revealing Aeris's adopted mother. She looked at Cloud then turned her eyes to Marlene, a smile spread across her face. "Well! This is a lovely surprise! Come inside and I'll get some tea." She opened the door wider and stepped aside so the other two could enter. Once they had sat down and she had made tea Elmyra sent Marlene upstairs to play. She turned her now serious face to Cloud. "Well, I know you're not here for just a casual visit. What happened?"

Cloud looked away, he liked the woman and had no wish to lie to her. "There are some things happening and we think Marlene would be safer here with you. I'm sorry for just appearing like this...but I...just can't have anyone else put into unnecessary danger."

Elmyra sipped her tea in silence for a moment, a small frown creased her brow. "This danger...does it involve all of you again? Is there some danger to the planet?"

Cloud paused. "Yes. But it's also...more personal than that..."

Elmyra nodded, she seemed to understand Cloud's reluctance to talk about it. Silence descended and Cloud looked around the room. His eyes alighted on a small, framed picture on the table beside him. It was of a girl wearing a white dress, she couldn't have been more than fifteen years old. She stood surrounded by yellow flowers, her hair was tied back with a pink ribbon. Elmyra saw him looking and smiled. "She was a lovely girl, even at that age. I did worry though...that was before the Turks began to try and take her. She was always watched but...they were reasonably friendly. I always invited them in for tea when she returned home. Tseng was a regular, he seemed to feel personally responsible for her." she smiled nostalgically. "Yes, I think he had a small crush on her. But at that time she had a boyfriend, I never met him though...one day he just...disappeared. Aeris didn't hear from him for several years and then, one day, she comes home from the church looking upset. She said that he had joined the lifestream." She looked up at Cloud to see him still staring at the picture. His eyes were dark.

"Zack...never mentioned her name." He muttered suddenly, reaching out and picking the photograph up. "Not really...he just said that he had a girl from the slums...he said she sold flowers."

"You knew her boyfriend?" Elmyra asked suddenly.

Cloud nodded. "Zack Fair...SOLDIER First Class...was taken in Nibeilheim and experimented on...later he died. He died escaping ShinRa...he was shot to death. I never knew that it was Aeris he was talking about...even though she did say she had a boyfriend once."

"Well, isn't that a strange coincidence!" Elmyra exclaimed. "Were you...friends?"

He nodded again and put the photo aside. He said no more about it.

After a moment her stood, "Thank you...for taking care of Marlene all this time." He said. "I have to go...i have things I need to do."

Elmyra stood and walked him to the door, "It's my pleasure. It gets so lonely here...It'll do me some good to have a child in the house again. Now, you get going...and don't get yourself hurt, Marlene will cry."

Cloud nodded. As he stepped out the door Elmyra put a hand on his shoulder. "Cloud...stop blaming yourself for Aeris's death. She doesn't blame you...I'm sure."

Cloud lowered his head. "I know...I just..."

"You will make her sad, if she saw you looking like this...Please, you need to forgive yourself. It was an accident...she was, so happy to have you by her side. Her smile would light up the room and she hadn't smiled like since her last boyfriend died. So please, I'm sure she would rather see you smile. Look after yourself too, you're too pale and much too thin."

Cloud felt himself smile and a low giggle escaped him. "My mother used to say the exact same thing...I'm fine, thank you...for everything."

"Don't worry about Marlene, she'll be fine here. Just look after yourself and come back, you hear?"

Cloud nodded and turned away. Suddenly Marlene came running down the stairs. "Cloud! Make sure you save Tifa! And come right back! I'll have cookies waiting for you!"

Cloud turned back around and ruffled her hair. "I'll be back, don't worry."

"But...you're face is sad." She muttered.

"I'll get Tifa and return as soon as I can, don't worry."

"Well, it's like she always said: Just wait and Cloud will always come back!" Marlene smiled.

"Who says that?"

"Aeris...She's not gone, she's in the lifestream. She told me that no matter what happens you will always return."

Cloud smiled at that and straightened. "I've got to be going now...be good Marlene."

END NOTE: Please don't hate me for putting in the whole "It was only a dream" crap! I had to do something that would really fuck Cloud over, and the only thing I could think of was Tifa's death...Sephiroth loves playing mind games and it just seemed the kind of thing he'd do. (Also, for those who don't know, there are audio books out about FF7! I know that in one of them Tifa goes to visit Elmyra and she is actually living in Kalm. And In Crisis Core Tseng is given the job of protecting Aeris, Zack himself makes him swear to look after her. He's a lot nicer in CC than in the original. And he even keeps a bunch of her letters to give to Zack and sends his Turks out to find him and give him the letters! So sweet.)