Chapter 7-Author's Narrative
"Wow. That's really some story Tifa. But, it conflicts with Cloud's." Aeris stared at Tifa in a way that made Tifa think that maybe Aeris didn't believe her; no, Aeris would believe anything anyone said. She was just that trusting. Aeris, though, was right. It did conflict with Cloud's. Then again, Cloud hadn't been himself lately. He had been so...different. Almost like Zach, but not like Zach. H seemed like a former shell of himself; someone who Tifa didn't know. Someone Tifa wasn't sure she wanted to know. However strange Cloud acted, Tifa couldn't seem to find its source. After the Nibelheim Tragedy, Cloud had disappeared. She hadn't seen him for five years. She didn't know what had happened to him in those five years, but it couldn't have been anything good.
"Yeah, it is different. But, Cloud...he hasn't....he isn't...something's wrong with him." Tifa buried her face in her supple hands; forcing her tears back. Aeris placed her hand on Tifa's shoulder, unsure of what to say.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with him?" Tifa looked up with tear- filled eyes. She wouldn't, no couldn't cry. She took a deep breath; knowing that this wouldn't be easy.
"Do you remember when Cloud told us what had happened five years ago when he came to Nibelheim on a mission?" Aeris nodded, patiently waiting for Tifa to continue.
"Do you remember when he said that he challenged Sephiroth, and he lived? When he said he couldn't remember what happened?" Tifa didn't wait for a response from Aeris.
"He...he...oh god this is so hard. Aeris, Cloud's story, it...alot of it isn't real."
"What do you mean?" Tifa was positive that Aeris thought that she was insane.
"I've already told you Aeris. Well, I remember recieving a phone call about a month in advance of the soldiers coming to Nibelheim. I, of course, was asked to be their guide. I remember the day they said they would be arriving. The next day, I was supposed to take them to the reactor. Anyway, when the soldiers came, I watched them come into the town; hoping to see Cloud. Cloud always wrote to me. In one of his letters, he told me that he had made first class. I remember feeling so proud; he finally had gotten what he had worked so hard for; or so I thought. Anyway, when the soldiers came, I never saw Cloud. I saw Sephiroth, some cadets, and another man who resembled Cloud. He, though, was taller. He and Cloud looked so alike, they could have been twins. But, I never did see Cloud. I remember feeling so hurt. He had called me, and told me that he would be coming. I thought he had lied. But he had been there. He had...he had been one of the cadets that I had seen."
Aeris looked shocked at this bit of information. She had thought that Cloud had been a first class soldier. He had that mako glow to his eyes. Zach had told her that only first class soldiers were "enhanced" with mako energy. But, if he wasn't a first class soldier, or never had been one, why would he have that mako glow in his eyes?
"But how? Isn't he...." Aeris never got the chance to finish her question.
"...an ex-first class soldier? Aeris, it's a lie. I don't know why he'd lie about that. I really don't know why. But, I think I may have an idea. Aeris, you better be ready to hear this; it's a really long story. Similar to Cloud's, but...there's something I thought I'd never tell anyone."
"You left something out the first time, didn't you Tifa?" Aeris asked quietly. Indeed, Tifa had left out alot about Cloud, and Sephiroth. She sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.
With that, Tifa proceded to explain the entire story to Aeris. Eben though she ended up repeating alot of it, she never stopped, and Aeris never complained. Tifa never left out a single detail. Especially about Sephiroth...
********************
Aeris sat outside in the cool night air; digesting everything Tifa had told her. So Sephiroth had never really gone insane. But, if Tifa was right about him, then why would he have destroyed Nibelheim? It didn't make sense to her; then again, anything that involved Sephiroth was bound to be confusing. What Tifa had told her hadn't made it any easier to understand.
She shook her head, wanting to relax and forget everything; even if it was for a moment. Tomorrow morning they would be leaving Kalm to head for Junon. They would be leaving early, and yet, Aeris couldn't sleep. The planet's cry was soft, but still audible to her ears. Hearing this didn't help her relax any. Even though she had learned long ago how to block out the planet's cry, there were times when she could not. And this was one of those times.
The planet, slowly but surely, was dying. The mako reactors weren't helping to preserve the planet one bit. The worst part of it was that she couldn't do a thing about it. Nothing she could do would help save the planet. And yet, when she listened carefully to its piteous, agonized cry, it seemed as though the planet were telling her to go somewhere; to do something. She had a pretty good idea where that place was, but she didn't want to think of it. It would be the end of her life; and she wasn't willing to do that. No matter how tempting it might have been.
Sighing, she stood and wandered slowly back into the inn. Tomorrow would be a long day; trying to get some sleep seemed to be an intelligent idea. And as she climbed into bed, pulling the thin cotton sheets up to her chin, she couldn't help but think of the despair Tifa must be feeling.
'To have to relive something like that must be awful. And to think I though MY life was horrible. I can't imagine what Tifa must have felt these past five years.'
Closing her eyes, Aeris felt sleep wrap its arms around her; pulling her into the dark oblivion of silence and dreams...
********************
Walking tiredly beneath the hot sun, the group groaned and complained of the heat. They had been walking for almost four hours by now, and they needed to be at Junon by nightfall; and they hadn't even reached the Chocobo Farm yet! At this rate, it would be a very long while before they reached Junon.
"Yo Spike! How much longer we gots to walk in this damn heat?!" This was not the first, or the last, that Barret had made it quite clear that he was...displeased about walking in the heat.
"I said we'd be there in a few hours. Besides, we're near the farm. I can see it in the distance. It shouldn't be much longer Barret." If someone could have had a more annoyed tone, Tifa would have liked to hear it. Cloud was as pissed as Hell; it didn't take a genious to figure that out. Yet Barret seemed intent on annoying him.
"Ya' said that two hours 'go Spike! We're all dyin' in this God fo'saken heat!" Tifa winced as she saw Cloud's face tighten; he might have changed alot in five years, but it was still easy to recognize his temper.
"Cloud..." Tifa began in a low, warning voice. It wouldn't do any good for him to round on Barret with that gargantuan sword of his. As Tifa had expected, Cloud rolled his eyes, but didn't make any move to retaliate to Barret's comment.
But indeed, it took them over an hour to reach the farm. Never had any of them been so relieved to see a stable and cottage before.
"Awww...how sweet!" Aeris exclaimed as they neared the cottage. Near the stable was a pen full of chocobos. Aeris ran to the fence and starting petting the chocobos nearest to her.
"Just like a child..." Barret said almost affectionately. Sometimes, Aeris reminded him of his own daughter. Like right now. Cloud was also by the pen, but was examining something on the ground.
"Hey Tifa, Barret, Aeris, Red...come here!" Obediantly, they came to him. He held his hand out to all of them; a shiny red orb in the palm of his hand.
"A summon materia! These are really rare." Cloud seemed excited by his find, while Barret seemed almost confused.
"What the hell is a summon materia?" While Cloud proceded to explain this to Barret, Tifa, Aeris, and Red headed into the stable; hoping to find the owner.
Luckily, the stable had air conditioning, and Tifa sighed gratefully as the air cooled her sweaty skin. Aeris and Red seemed to share the same relief.
"Hello?" Aeris asked quietly, looking around. Upon hearing footsteps, the three turned; only to see Cloud and Barret. Aeris continued moving down the length of the stable. There had to be someone here; no one would leave chocobos unattened like that. Seeing a stable opened and empty, she peeked inside.
"Umm...Sir?" She asked quietly; seeing a man bent over; apparently cleaning. He stood, turned, and brushed his hands off on his dark red pants.
"What can I do for you Ma'am?" Aeris smiled. She liked him already. He seemed so nice. By this time, the four others had joined her. Cloud though, was the one who answered the man's question.
"We need a chocobo to get across the swamp."
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you take any of these chocobo. However, I am willing to sell you a Chocobo Lure materia for only 2000 gil." He reached into one of his pockets and produced a gleaming amethyst orb. Cloud glanced helplessly to everyone in his group. Much to his surprise, they produced money from their pockets; quietly handing him the shiny gold coins. Cloud counted the money and then dumped it into the man's hand. The stable master handed Cloud a Chocobo Lure materia. They then proceded to leave, but were stopped by the stable master.
"You can't catch a chocobo without greens of some kind."
"How much are your cheapest greens then?" Cloud was getting annoyed; he wanted nothing more than to leave this place and get to Junon. But it seemed that this would not be possible.
"100 gil." Cloud groaned and handed the man the money; recieving a small brown sack in return.
"Do you need instructions on how to ride a chocobo?" Cloud shook his head.
"I've done it before; I'll teach them. Thanks for you help."
"No problem. By the way, my name's Billy. If you decide to raise chocobos some day, let me know. I'll be more than happy to loan you some space." Cloud mumbled his appreciation and left; the four others following.
Once outside, they proceded to walk into the plains; Cloud having already equipped the materia.
"How long is this suppose' to take?" Barret asked almost hesitantly. Cloud grinned sinisterly.
"Catching chocobos is a rather tedious process that takes alot of time." At Barret's swearing, Cloud laughed loudly. This was going to be very interesting.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
1. Sorry for not updating in 2 months and 21 days. I've been getting sick, work has gotten in the way, so has laziness, band has also contributed as well.
2. I'm gonna change the title to "A Slightly-Off Reality" Does anyone have objections to this? An idea for a different title? If so, please leave a review, or e-mail me at Kitara_Arpathan@hotmail.com
3. The faster you want me to update, the more reviews you have to leave. Two isn't enough.
"Wow. That's really some story Tifa. But, it conflicts with Cloud's." Aeris stared at Tifa in a way that made Tifa think that maybe Aeris didn't believe her; no, Aeris would believe anything anyone said. She was just that trusting. Aeris, though, was right. It did conflict with Cloud's. Then again, Cloud hadn't been himself lately. He had been so...different. Almost like Zach, but not like Zach. H seemed like a former shell of himself; someone who Tifa didn't know. Someone Tifa wasn't sure she wanted to know. However strange Cloud acted, Tifa couldn't seem to find its source. After the Nibelheim Tragedy, Cloud had disappeared. She hadn't seen him for five years. She didn't know what had happened to him in those five years, but it couldn't have been anything good.
"Yeah, it is different. But, Cloud...he hasn't....he isn't...something's wrong with him." Tifa buried her face in her supple hands; forcing her tears back. Aeris placed her hand on Tifa's shoulder, unsure of what to say.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with him?" Tifa looked up with tear- filled eyes. She wouldn't, no couldn't cry. She took a deep breath; knowing that this wouldn't be easy.
"Do you remember when Cloud told us what had happened five years ago when he came to Nibelheim on a mission?" Aeris nodded, patiently waiting for Tifa to continue.
"Do you remember when he said that he challenged Sephiroth, and he lived? When he said he couldn't remember what happened?" Tifa didn't wait for a response from Aeris.
"He...he...oh god this is so hard. Aeris, Cloud's story, it...alot of it isn't real."
"What do you mean?" Tifa was positive that Aeris thought that she was insane.
"I've already told you Aeris. Well, I remember recieving a phone call about a month in advance of the soldiers coming to Nibelheim. I, of course, was asked to be their guide. I remember the day they said they would be arriving. The next day, I was supposed to take them to the reactor. Anyway, when the soldiers came, I watched them come into the town; hoping to see Cloud. Cloud always wrote to me. In one of his letters, he told me that he had made first class. I remember feeling so proud; he finally had gotten what he had worked so hard for; or so I thought. Anyway, when the soldiers came, I never saw Cloud. I saw Sephiroth, some cadets, and another man who resembled Cloud. He, though, was taller. He and Cloud looked so alike, they could have been twins. But, I never did see Cloud. I remember feeling so hurt. He had called me, and told me that he would be coming. I thought he had lied. But he had been there. He had...he had been one of the cadets that I had seen."
Aeris looked shocked at this bit of information. She had thought that Cloud had been a first class soldier. He had that mako glow to his eyes. Zach had told her that only first class soldiers were "enhanced" with mako energy. But, if he wasn't a first class soldier, or never had been one, why would he have that mako glow in his eyes?
"But how? Isn't he...." Aeris never got the chance to finish her question.
"...an ex-first class soldier? Aeris, it's a lie. I don't know why he'd lie about that. I really don't know why. But, I think I may have an idea. Aeris, you better be ready to hear this; it's a really long story. Similar to Cloud's, but...there's something I thought I'd never tell anyone."
"You left something out the first time, didn't you Tifa?" Aeris asked quietly. Indeed, Tifa had left out alot about Cloud, and Sephiroth. She sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.
With that, Tifa proceded to explain the entire story to Aeris. Eben though she ended up repeating alot of it, she never stopped, and Aeris never complained. Tifa never left out a single detail. Especially about Sephiroth...
********************
Aeris sat outside in the cool night air; digesting everything Tifa had told her. So Sephiroth had never really gone insane. But, if Tifa was right about him, then why would he have destroyed Nibelheim? It didn't make sense to her; then again, anything that involved Sephiroth was bound to be confusing. What Tifa had told her hadn't made it any easier to understand.
She shook her head, wanting to relax and forget everything; even if it was for a moment. Tomorrow morning they would be leaving Kalm to head for Junon. They would be leaving early, and yet, Aeris couldn't sleep. The planet's cry was soft, but still audible to her ears. Hearing this didn't help her relax any. Even though she had learned long ago how to block out the planet's cry, there were times when she could not. And this was one of those times.
The planet, slowly but surely, was dying. The mako reactors weren't helping to preserve the planet one bit. The worst part of it was that she couldn't do a thing about it. Nothing she could do would help save the planet. And yet, when she listened carefully to its piteous, agonized cry, it seemed as though the planet were telling her to go somewhere; to do something. She had a pretty good idea where that place was, but she didn't want to think of it. It would be the end of her life; and she wasn't willing to do that. No matter how tempting it might have been.
Sighing, she stood and wandered slowly back into the inn. Tomorrow would be a long day; trying to get some sleep seemed to be an intelligent idea. And as she climbed into bed, pulling the thin cotton sheets up to her chin, she couldn't help but think of the despair Tifa must be feeling.
'To have to relive something like that must be awful. And to think I though MY life was horrible. I can't imagine what Tifa must have felt these past five years.'
Closing her eyes, Aeris felt sleep wrap its arms around her; pulling her into the dark oblivion of silence and dreams...
********************
Walking tiredly beneath the hot sun, the group groaned and complained of the heat. They had been walking for almost four hours by now, and they needed to be at Junon by nightfall; and they hadn't even reached the Chocobo Farm yet! At this rate, it would be a very long while before they reached Junon.
"Yo Spike! How much longer we gots to walk in this damn heat?!" This was not the first, or the last, that Barret had made it quite clear that he was...displeased about walking in the heat.
"I said we'd be there in a few hours. Besides, we're near the farm. I can see it in the distance. It shouldn't be much longer Barret." If someone could have had a more annoyed tone, Tifa would have liked to hear it. Cloud was as pissed as Hell; it didn't take a genious to figure that out. Yet Barret seemed intent on annoying him.
"Ya' said that two hours 'go Spike! We're all dyin' in this God fo'saken heat!" Tifa winced as she saw Cloud's face tighten; he might have changed alot in five years, but it was still easy to recognize his temper.
"Cloud..." Tifa began in a low, warning voice. It wouldn't do any good for him to round on Barret with that gargantuan sword of his. As Tifa had expected, Cloud rolled his eyes, but didn't make any move to retaliate to Barret's comment.
But indeed, it took them over an hour to reach the farm. Never had any of them been so relieved to see a stable and cottage before.
"Awww...how sweet!" Aeris exclaimed as they neared the cottage. Near the stable was a pen full of chocobos. Aeris ran to the fence and starting petting the chocobos nearest to her.
"Just like a child..." Barret said almost affectionately. Sometimes, Aeris reminded him of his own daughter. Like right now. Cloud was also by the pen, but was examining something on the ground.
"Hey Tifa, Barret, Aeris, Red...come here!" Obediantly, they came to him. He held his hand out to all of them; a shiny red orb in the palm of his hand.
"A summon materia! These are really rare." Cloud seemed excited by his find, while Barret seemed almost confused.
"What the hell is a summon materia?" While Cloud proceded to explain this to Barret, Tifa, Aeris, and Red headed into the stable; hoping to find the owner.
Luckily, the stable had air conditioning, and Tifa sighed gratefully as the air cooled her sweaty skin. Aeris and Red seemed to share the same relief.
"Hello?" Aeris asked quietly, looking around. Upon hearing footsteps, the three turned; only to see Cloud and Barret. Aeris continued moving down the length of the stable. There had to be someone here; no one would leave chocobos unattened like that. Seeing a stable opened and empty, she peeked inside.
"Umm...Sir?" She asked quietly; seeing a man bent over; apparently cleaning. He stood, turned, and brushed his hands off on his dark red pants.
"What can I do for you Ma'am?" Aeris smiled. She liked him already. He seemed so nice. By this time, the four others had joined her. Cloud though, was the one who answered the man's question.
"We need a chocobo to get across the swamp."
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you take any of these chocobo. However, I am willing to sell you a Chocobo Lure materia for only 2000 gil." He reached into one of his pockets and produced a gleaming amethyst orb. Cloud glanced helplessly to everyone in his group. Much to his surprise, they produced money from their pockets; quietly handing him the shiny gold coins. Cloud counted the money and then dumped it into the man's hand. The stable master handed Cloud a Chocobo Lure materia. They then proceded to leave, but were stopped by the stable master.
"You can't catch a chocobo without greens of some kind."
"How much are your cheapest greens then?" Cloud was getting annoyed; he wanted nothing more than to leave this place and get to Junon. But it seemed that this would not be possible.
"100 gil." Cloud groaned and handed the man the money; recieving a small brown sack in return.
"Do you need instructions on how to ride a chocobo?" Cloud shook his head.
"I've done it before; I'll teach them. Thanks for you help."
"No problem. By the way, my name's Billy. If you decide to raise chocobos some day, let me know. I'll be more than happy to loan you some space." Cloud mumbled his appreciation and left; the four others following.
Once outside, they proceded to walk into the plains; Cloud having already equipped the materia.
"How long is this suppose' to take?" Barret asked almost hesitantly. Cloud grinned sinisterly.
"Catching chocobos is a rather tedious process that takes alot of time." At Barret's swearing, Cloud laughed loudly. This was going to be very interesting.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
1. Sorry for not updating in 2 months and 21 days. I've been getting sick, work has gotten in the way, so has laziness, band has also contributed as well.
2. I'm gonna change the title to "A Slightly-Off Reality" Does anyone have objections to this? An idea for a different title? If so, please leave a review, or e-mail me at Kitara_Arpathan@hotmail.com
3. The faster you want me to update, the more reviews you have to leave. Two isn't enough.