Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.
Chapter 7 – Cabin in the woods
"We're here!" Cloud announced as he stopped the car and then got out. He gathered his bags and then looked in front. There was an average sized cabin. It was old looking and hidden deep within the forest of the region.
"It looks just like it did all those years ago," he whispered. He approached the door and then quietly opened it. All the furniture was covered in while sheets and everything was covered in white sheets and everything was covered in a thick layer of dust.
"This place needs a good cleaning," Red XIII stated as he looked around.
"Yes and you're going to help me put it back into shape," Cloud said quietly. Red XIII sighed, but didn't complain. He could tell that this place still meant a great deal to the boy so he would help.
They both got started. It took them the rest of the day to clean the place up, but it felt good to them to finally be in a clean house. There were three bedrooms, one kitchen, a small living room and a bathroom. This was all on one floor, but if you went downstairs, you would just see one large room with many weapons lined up on the wall. However access to the room was blocked because Cloud was the only one who held the key.
"What are you going to do now?" Red XIII asked as he eyed the blond haired boy who was headed towards the entrance.
"I'll be back," was the only answer before Cloud left the cabin. He walked down a grassy path and then noticed a river.
'I wonder if the bridge is still there?' he thought. He looked to the side and spotted the wooden bridge. He laughed and gently crossed it before he continued to follow the path. He kept on walking until he reached a cliff. The cliff showed you a great view of the ocean. However what Cloud was interested in was the two tombstones that were placed apon the soil.
"It's been a long time," he said quietly. He approached the graves and pulled away the weeds that were blocking the engravings.
Cloud passed his fingers over the stone.
Maria Williams
Date Unknown
The one who took care of me
And now lies because of it.
He turned to the other graves and sighed.
James Williams
Date Unknown
The one who died to protect me
Cloud smiled sadly and then looked at the moon that was high in the sky.
"It's been fifteen years now since that time…I was an abandoned child. One with no memory except for the name Cloud Strife. Though about a year after you found me…those strange men came and killed you both. I'm so sorry Maria…James…" he whispered.
"It's not your fault kid," someone said from behind the assassin. Cloud turned around and saw Red XIII staring at him with sad eyes.
"It is though," Cloud whispered. He closed his eyes and then remembered what had happened so many years ago.
-Flashback-
"Maria! Maria!" Cloud shouted as he rushed towards the woman. He was six years old. The woman had brown hair and warm brown eyes. She turned and looked at Cloud with her gentle eyes. "How many times have I told you that you can call me mom?" Maria said. "Look! I completed my first mission," Cloud exclaimed happily.
Maria saw the strange creature standing behind Cloud and quickly pushed the boy behind her to protect him.
"Cloud!" she shouted.
"What are you so upset about? This is only Red XIII. He was one of the experiments in the building I went to. The man I killed said that he was very important for their research so I set him free. He's been following me ever since," Cloud explained cutely. The two people he worked with were assassins too and they decided to train him even if they weren't part of the family.
"That was a good reaction," Red XIII stated. Maria stared at the creature in shock, but the moment she decided to comment, a loud scream came from the woods. They all looked at each other before dashing into the woods. They found a bloodied body on the ground.
"James!" Maria shouted as she lunged at her husband. Men in black suits emerged from the foliage and pointed guns at her.
"Where is the boy?" they asked. Maria's eyes went wide and then she turned to Red XIII.
"Take him and go Red XIII!" she screamed. The hybrid nodded and grabbed the small boy's collar with his teeth before taking off. Soon afterwards, they both heard the sound of gunshots.
"Maria! James!" Cloud shouted. A few days later, Cloud returned and spotted the torn bodies of his mentors. He buried them on a cliff and left the house with Red XIII, never looking back.
-End of Flashback-
"Can't you see…it was my fault," Cloud whispered.
Here's a bit of Cloud's past. I hope you enjoyed.
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