((edited: 10/20/11))
Thanks to everyone who faved, alerted or reviewed this story! You make me feel all warm and squishy, ^_^
miarath: Hehe, cute endings are always a nice change in pace from sad ones…
KHGiggle: Hmm, yes. But I'm not saying who…yet. ^_^
Endlessvamp: I'm glad you enjoyed the last few chapters…Hehe, lost puppy. Poor Zacky-kins.
Sanz0girl: Well, wait no longer, here is more.
akitty: Reno is about 17-18 in this fic. He's one of the older cadet's, but not the oldest. Oh, and here is that update. xD
Inthara: I took your recommendation, "Eir's Tommrow" is a very, very good story. I shall take your compliment to heart. =3 I'm always worried about my story pace, however. Too slow and it goes on forever and nothing gets done; too fast and it's like…wait, huh?
InsanityBreakingPoint: Yes, yes, let us all sympathize for Cloud… (I do mention in the disclaimer that while the characters are not mine, I am abusing them. It's rather fun. –evil smile-)
XxOngakuxX: Don't worry, while updates will have slow points in the upcoming month, I will not suddenly drop off the face of the Earth and decide to post one a year…As for your ideas…Thank you greatly for your input and they will be considered. So keep an eye out. Oh, and, is this update quite soon enough? xD
I am open to constructive criticism, advice and suggestions.
Also, I will do my best to keep all characters as in-character as possible. Some discrepancies in behavior (and appearance) will occur, but for the most part, there will be a reason and an explanation. If you feel that I am being horribly OOC, please, I encourage you to tell me. I love feedback because it makes me a better writer in the end (and it usually makes me want to write more).
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII in its entirety do not belong to me but to Square Equinox. To quote another writer: "These are not my toys; I'm just abusing them…"
Rating (chapter): PG-13
Word Count: 3,888
Summary: The first thing on Cloud Strife's mind when he woke was Not Again. Reliving the past once was hard enough, but doing everything again for a fourth time…Refusing to believe that he is trapped in a cycle of endless death and re-birth, Cloud decides to do whatever he can to stop the future he knows from happening. Along the way, he finds himself tangled up with the man he could not help but think was beautiful but learned to hate. Sephiroth was always part of the problem, but could Cloud turn the General into the solution? Time Travel fic/AU.
Fourth Time's the Charm
by Catsitta
((Chapter beta: Meggurra))
"What the heart knows today, the head will understand tomorrow."—James Stephens
Chapter eight: Bruises
((Just a heads up, this is a dream sequence))
000X000
Falling. He was falling. Tumbling through the air, feeling almost weightless. The sky cradled him in a thin mist as he plummeted towards the ground.
Why was he falling? What was his name? Was there a reason for this to be happening…could this be real?
Wind ripped at his skin, icy and needle sharp as he pondered his decent from somewhere in the heavens. He was so cold. So very cold. His body felt numb. No sensation existed within his body but the icy pain. He could barely move.
Tilting his head back, he caught sight of land below. The Lifestream beckoned to him. Called to him. The very blood of the Planet wished to reclaim him.
He closed his eyes and waited.
Suddenly, he was crashing into water—the ocean. Deeper and deeper he fell, pulled beneath the calm tides by Gaia. Breathing was unnecessary for him. He had no heartbeat to break the calm song Gaia sang to him. Deeper and deeper he sank.
Yes. Reunion with the Planet…the Lifestream…She was calling him. She would welcome him.
Then all was quiet and the peace was gone. Opening his eyes, he realized that he was no longer under water, but lying prone upon land. He blinked to clear away the salt and rose up on shaky legs. Beneath him was soft sand. On the hot and shifting sands he stumbled…only to be caught by a stranger with gleaming eyes the color of Lifestream. A single midnight wing emerged from the man's back.
The stranger smiled, darkly, coldly. Silver hair cascaded over his chest and back, like a million strands of silk spun steel.
An angel. He found himself thinking as he stared up at the stranger who held him, his bare chest warm. Yes. The creature before him had to be an angel fallen straight from the heavens. But then, why was his wing dark? Angels did not have dark wings. Clouds mind felt like it was moving through a fog.
"Hello my Pet," Purred the dark angel. Something about that voice was both frightening and seductive. "I have been waiting for you to return."
Return? Cloud could not utter anything in reply.
"Now, you are here in my arms and Gaia cannot save you this time, my Pet." The tones of the voice seemed to caress his skin.
Weakly, he tried to struggle free of the dark angel.
"Ah-ah, Pet. Do not waste your energy." The stranger murmured, "You are mine. You were destined to be mine. Heart, body and soul. Look, Mother even gave you wings to mark you as mine. Such pretty wings, I like them very much. So white…"
Wings? The dark angel reached out and began to stroke his back, only…He tentatively twitched the extra appendages he could not recall possessing. Wings, he had wings. Two, delicate, beautiful wings.
"Hmm, mine," Murmured the stranger, placing a kiss on his brow. "Do not struggle, Pet. You can't escape, you are much too tired and I will make you very happy if you agree to behave."
Yes. He was tired…so very…very…tired…
Pain. Death. Steel.
Suddenly, Gaia screamed her warning inside his head. He cried out in pain. The planets warning radiating pain not only through his head but it seemed through his soul.
"All will be well, my Pet. Just sleep. It will quiet Her voice. Soon, She will cause you pain no longer," The dark angel whispered before wrapping his single wing around him.
Calamity's son. Plague. Blood. Remember…
Remember what? Cloud tried to ask through the fog and the pain.
Hero. Champion. Savior. Mine.
Everything collapsed around him. He remembered everything, his name, his past, his dreams and fears. The fog was ripped away leaving the world before him bare.
He was Cloud. The dark angel was Sephiroth. His enemy. The man he feared and hated…
The man you love.
"You are mine, Pet," Sephiroth warned, "Even Gaia cannot change that. Your destiny is still the same. You are a puppet, a plaything. You will never be the master of your destiny…" A cruel smile curled on his lips, "Remember that, Hero. You will never escape who you are."
Slowly, the scene began to break apart like thin glass, leaving Cloud alone in oblivion.
With a gasp, Cloud woke.
Heart racing, breathing ragged, sweat pouring down his face…Cloud's eyes darted about his surroundings, taking everything in…Where was he? Was he safe?
He was in a bedroom…in a bed not his own. The furniture inside the room was sparse and economic in design. Clothing lay scattered about the floor along with magazines and…weapons? This was Zack's room. It had to be. The First was very…disorganized. Then again, the man was only nineteen. How many teenagers were tidy creatures by nature?
Cloud let out a soft groan. He hurt all over, like someone had taken a baseball bat and just thrashed him. Then he remembered the fight. Taking a beating from a bat would have been preferable to being held in the air by the throat any damn day of the week.
Tossing off the dark-blue comforter that lay over him, he swung his legs over the edge and made to stand up. Only then did he realize a couple things; first and foremost, all he wore were boxers. He was pretty sure he never undressed between meeting Zack and waking up…secondly, the bruises were…gone. Cloud held his breath in surprise as he ran his hands along a bare calf and knee. Not even a scar remained from the deep gashes that marked him earlier.
What was going on? Zack was a fine SOLDIER and all, but he was no materia expert. Heck, Cloud never saw the raven-haired man ever use above a basic Cure spell. This was done by someone who knew what they were doing. Or, perhaps, Gaia gifted Zack with a talent outside of bashing people's skulls in with a Buster sword. Though, he somehow doubted it.
Stifling another groan, Cloud climbed out of the First Class's bed and stumbled towards the bathroom. For all that his skin wounds seemed to be gone, the aches lingered. Then again, after being Cured, one usually did still feel sore or stiff and not to mention unbelievably hungry and thirsty. His stomach growled…Yep, there it was.
Once in the bathroom, he stared into the mirror. There was still dried blood tangled in his blonde spikes but aside from that lone reminder, nothing else existed to tell of his past few days of hell and weirdness. Still a bit numb from sleep, Cloud clumsily used Zack's comb to clean away the last of the memory. His hair at last blood free, he backed out into the bedroom.
Where were his clothes?
Rather than going through the First's belongings without permission, Cloud decided to, once again, throw modesty to the wind and opened the bedroom door in search of said First. He has no reason to be shy and easily flustered by the man seeing him half-dressed. It was not like Cloud was some girl just beginning to blossom into womanhood. Boys, and men, got used to being around other half-naked men in the military. It was just a fact of life.
"ZAAAACK," he whined with annoyance, "Where in Gaia's name did you put my clothes?" No response. "Zack? Hello…" Cloud padded through the living area of Zack's apartment. He knew that the place had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a living room, which was a lot of space for a single person, but then again, the First did inherit the place after Angeal…left. Here he lived with his mentor during training. It got both SOLDIER's a lot of crap and jokes tossed their way, but Zack only ever spoke fondly of his days harrying his mentor to eat pizza and play video games rather than sit quietly reading while dining on healthy, balanced meals.
"Helllooo, anyone here?" Cloud called once again.
Cloud passed the mismatched couch and recliner, which were arranged around a lopsided coffee table and a flat screen TV. He walked to the opposite side of the room and into the hallway that led to the spare bedroom, guest bathroom and kitchen… He glanced into the kitchen first. Black and white tiles gave the place a bit of a retro vibe, especially when paired with all the modern, stainless steel electronics.
Leaving the kitchen, he went and explored the remaining two rooms and found them empty too.
He was alone.
And he had no idea where the hell his clothes were. More frustrated than embarrassed about his condition, Cloud stalked back into the master bedroom and began rummaging through drawers for SOMETHING to wear…
000X000
"I'm fine, Zackary." Sephiroth muttered as the First followed closely behind him.
"Yeah, you say that, but I think you're lying." Zack replied calmly.
The silver General frowned and shook his head. Why was the puppy so insistent? True, it was not every day that Sephiroth had vivid hallucinations while in trying to heal someone. But…no, he refused to believe that the images were anything more than a bad mixture of exhaustion, stress and not enough coffee or, now that he thought about it, maybe too much of the ShinRa sludge. Either way he needed more coffee right now.
"Enough, Zack…Let us drop the subject. It would not do to have Strife wake up to his General and mentor bickering about said General's mental health."
"Cloud…"
"Pardon?" Sephiroth questioned not really paying attention.
"Cloud. He asked you to call him Cloud. At least off duty you should try and use his name." Zack said unperturbed.
"Why?"
Zack rolled his eyes. "Lately have I told you how positively stupid you can be for a man with your IQ?"
"Hmmm, last week I believe was the last occurrence."
"Riiight. Well, I'm saying it again. You're being stupid. Calling someone by their name is polite, Seph. Among friends, people just don't go about referring to each other by title or last name. It's…awkward. A reminder of status and rank. He's overwhelmed as it is, buddy. No need to go reminding him with every other sentence of how you're THE General and how he's but a lowly cadet." Zack spoke like he was talking to a small child.
Sephiroth came to a halt. "We're here…"
Zack glanced at the door to his apartment, while he fished around in his pockets for the key card. Finding it, the raven-haired male smirked and slid it through the scanner. As the door slid open, he was surprised to see Cloud lounging on the couch, looking right at home in Zack's apartment.
Well, that was not the only thing that surprised him.
The blond was dressed in one of the SOLDIER's old third-class uniforms. Dark maroon fabric hung loose from the boy's small frame, distorting the lithe build with folds and creases. Both the jacket and the pants were at least two sizes too large and even with Cloud's makeshift fitting still looked rather out of place.
Blue eyes flicked from the TV screen to watch Sephiroth and Zack enter the room. He smiled shyly at them. Such a sweet, innocent smile and Gaia was he beautiful without all those bruises marring his face.
Zack questioned the General's decision to Cure Cloud. Sephiroth excused his actions by claiming that the cadet's injuries were severe enough that it was either that, or taking the boy to the hospital to have his wounds treated in a slow, mundane method, that would take away from training time.
Healing the blond, he had not expected to feel resistance…it was like Cloud's inner flow fought against Sephiroth's presence entirely. And when he overcame that barrier, he did not expect a connection. Not only did Cloud react positively to the Cure then, but Sephiroth felt as if that spell pulled him inside the boy's mind.
It was like being a player and a watcher all at once, as he witnessed himself reaching out and catching Cloud…only, Cloud had wings. Two of them. And he, himself, had one too. Yet the words he spoke were not of his own accord. Something sinful and dark curled around the scene, forcing strange words through his lips. Then, a horrible stab of pain seized his entire body. Words, ancient and powerful threatened him. That force tried to destroy him. It was that force that tried to prevent him from healing Cloud; yet, as quickly as it all happened, it was over.
Sephiroth woke trembling and exhausted and Cloud's entire body free of marks. He'd originally only intended to Cure the worst of the wounds, close them up and ease the swelling. But that strange presence that fought him also drained him; it had used him.
There was something seriously different about Cloud and Sephiroth was going to find out what it was no matter what. He refused to even attempt to discount the cadet as unusual anymore. Something much larger than either he or anyone else was at play. And Cloud was the catalyst.
After a brisk walk to the lounge for a cup or three of coffee (he still wanted more), Sephiroth felt well enough to prevent the little enigma from figuring out that anything went awry.
"Hey, you look good in that SOLDIER uniform, Spike." Zack broke the General's state of concentration with a sudden, cheerful bark of laughter. "Not your size though…"
Cloud narrowed his eyes at the First and quirked his head to the side. "You took my clothes, Zack. I couldn't find any sign of them. So, I'm stealing yours until you return mine."
The First bounced into the room and plopped on the couch beside the blond.
"They're trashed, Spiky. Blood just does not come out of cadet uniforms quite the same as it does the SOLDIER's uniforms." Zack quipped, "Consider that next time you have open wounds and you decide to get dressed."
"So, you're telling me that I know only have one uniform left?"
"Pretty much," Zack said unconcerned.
"Wonderful…I was planning on sending what little I did earn as a cadet to my mom back home, but I guess I'll be spending it on a new, not bloody, cadet uniform." Cloud groaned and shook his head with genuine disappointment.
"Hey, kiddo. Don't worry about it. I was the one who threw 'em out so I'll buy you a new set."
"But!" Cloud yelped in half-panic.
"Not buts…My mentor always covered the costs of certain things like food and clothes because he knew that the cadet budget was next to nothing. And because I had a mentor, I was always involved in stuff that was above my class level that usually involved my uniform getting messed up. Then again, I paid to replace anything that was destroyed by my own failings…"
Cloud looked both shocked and sad? Suddenly, the blond tackled Zack and hugged his mentor tightly. Was he crying?
"Woah, Spike…why are you so excited?"
"Just…happy I guess. I get somewhat emotional about weird stuff, okay...So just shut up…"
Zack grinned and hugged his pup back. They were such a happy pair…
Sephiroth felt a pang of (was it possible) jealousy? Disappointment… The beautiful cadet was embracing an equally beautiful SOLDIER. There was nothing wrong with that, Zack always hugged Angeal like that. It was harmless… The puppy would not do anything that he thought would upset his new charge right?
"Ahem…" he made sure to be as audible as possible.
Hoping there was not a faint blush on his cheeks, Sephiroth watched as Cloud looked up from his play, a watery smile on his face. How could someone look so heartbroken and joyful at the same time? It was as if the boy was reuniting with a long lost friend or something.
The SOLDIER sat up and wrapped a companionable arm around his student's shoulder.
"Heh, sorry Seph. I forgot you were there…Hey Cloudy, you hungry?" Zack's voice was bright.
The blond nodded vigorously.
"Great…lemme order us up some chow then…what kind of pizza do you like?"
Cloud tilted his face so that Sephiroth could not see his expression very clearly.
"Hmmm, just whatever."
"Pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, olives, extra-extra cheese and bell pepper?" Zack asked cheerfully.
"Mhmm, sounds great."
"Cool! I'll go order us up three of those…hey Seph, you mind staying with Spike while I go and get our order?"
Sephiroth nodded slowly. "I will stay."
Zack was beaming by the time be bounced his way to the door, PHS in hand, babbling their order. Soon, he disappeared into the hall, leaving a curious Sephiroth alone with a secretive cadet. Turning, the silver warrior noticed that the blond was trying his best to fake a smile but was doing a poor job of it. Cloud's eyes were filled with terror.
000X000
He was alone with Sephiroth. Bad. Bad. Bad. He had to get away. Escape. Gaia's voice echoed inside his skull, screaming at him that he was in danger.
Forcing his lips into a cheap parody of a smile, Cloud tried to fake ease, but the wary glimmer in that mako gaze told him that Sephiroth knew he was afraid. He would ask why…he would walk closer. Damn. He was not sure if he could take it…
Then again, Masamune did not rest at the warrior's hip or anywhere else that Cloud could see. Dressed in a dark, button-up shirt, with the top three buttons unfastened, leather pants and calf high boots, the General certainly did not look ready for battle There was no need for him to carry the legendary katana if he was going to a casual event, like visiting a friend…
But Cloud knew from experience that Sephiroth never went anywhere without the blade, it had to be hidden somewhere. Maybe he was using one of those specialty sheaths that allowed him to draw the blade from, seemingly, thin air. Science and magic together could accomplish scary stuff like that. Nothing was more unnerving than seeing a seven-foot blade appear out of nowhere, ready to dice you to bits.
Sliding off the couch, he found his legs still unstable.
"You should remain still, Cloud. Your body needs time to recover." Sephiroth informed him politely from where he stood near the door. The silver-haired warrior did not seem all that interested in moving any closer, thankfully. Sephiroth quirked his head to the side, looking at Cloud, "We can't have you injuring yourself due to further stupidity."
Cloud scowled.
"M'fine," he mumbled.
That actually made the silver General chuckle softly…his laughter was pleasant. Not at all like when he was the insane monster who wanted to destroy the world, then, it was disturbing to hear the man laugh. "Stubborn little thing, aren't you?"
LITTLE! Okay, commentary about his size still hurt.
"Sir," Cloud murmured, realizing only after he said it that he sounded like a whiny teenager. Blast it! Even with an adult mind, his damn age still messed with him. Why did he have to be such a crybaby at fifteen? It was embarrassing now that he looked back.
"Hm?" Sephiroth hummed his curiosity, "What did you say?"
Cloud flinched and slowly began to inch towards Zack's bedroom. If he could just get inside and shut the door.
"Sephiroth,"
"Huh?" Cloud looked at him confusion written on his face, but not halting in his attempt to make it to Zack's room.
"Zackary insists that we drop the formalities between us while in private. I will call you Cloud, and you will call me Sephiroth. Calling me 'sir' or 'General' is unnecessary when I'm off duty, which is not often, as of late."
The silver haired warrior watched Cloud with an almost unblinking gaze. Mako eyes glittered faintly in the dim, artificial light.
"Uh…sure…sir…er…Sephiroth…sir." Cloud not only stammered, but his face heated up too. What was wrong with him? He had not felt so enamored with the silver demon since he was an ignorant cadet for the first time. Back then, he half stalked the General like all the other creepy fangirls and boys out there. Things were different now and he knew things. He hated Sephiroth for them too… Right?
Lost in his uncertain train of thought, he froze where he stood, a mere three feet from his destination. Cloud barely registered Sephiroth approaching until the General was practically within arm's reach; his reach, not Sephiroth's. Okay, that was excessively too close for comfort for more than one reason!
Cloud squeaked.
"You seem nervous, Cloud." The silver-haired man leaned precariously close. Those mako eyes were dangerous. His tone was icy with suspicion. This was the Sephiroth that was more familiar to Cloud. The one who did his best to be intimidating simply by invading someone's comfort zone.
"N-nu-uh." He could not think logically. His mind scrambled for a solution to the problem. If Cloud tried to make a run for it, the General could just grab him. If he stayed and held his ground, Sephiroth would make an anxious puddle out of him. The Planet's warnings mixed with his natural aura were enough to make his brain temporarily short circuit.
Inching sideways, Cloud half hoped the silver General would not notice.
Laughter. Soft, dark laughter. Obviously Cloud had no luck.
"I intimidate you, just admit it," Sephiroth…teased!
Cloud shook his head.
"Then why are you so…twitchy?" Sephiroth was enjoying himself.
He was fairly sure he darkened a shade of red.
"Well, cadet?"
"Because…SIR, I am wondering where Masamune is… And it's rather nerve wrecking to know that you are never without the blade yet I cannot see it." Not exactly the truth…
Sephiroth arched a fine brow, "Again with Masamune. Is that you're excuse for everything?"
"Alright, fine, I'm also worried I'm going to get kicked out of the SOLDIER program. I'm also curious to know how I ended up Cured and why and by whom…I don't want to embarrass myself in front of you since you're the General. Aaaand, you're seriously way too close for me to possibly be anything but uncomfortable. Do you even realize what kind of power you radiate? I feel like you're trying to squish me," Clouds mind flashed back to the little comment, "Just by standing nearby. It's unsettling…"
The General took a single step backwards.
"Hm, that I'm more inclined to believe." Sephiroth murmured, "Though not entirely."
Cloud blinked.
"There is still something else that's bothering you…"
"And I'm not sharing that "something else" so leave me alone!" Cloud hissed.
A smile curved onto the silver warrior's lips. A smile that stated quite simply: Never.
A new rush of panic took over and Cloud darted towards the door. Sephiroth did not interfere. Soon, he was alone, a barrier between him and the living nightmare he had to learn to deal with. He slid to the floor and took in even, steady breaths. In. Out. In. Out. Deep, slow, breaths…In. Out. In. Out.
His eyes slipped shut.
In. Out. In. Out.
The panic faded.
Cloud found a small island of peace within all the turmoil he felt. And there he stayed until the front door opened, and Zack came in, heralding his arrival and his success in the conquest to obtain pizza.
(( A/N: Comments are appreciated. I love reviews. And I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Though, I am considering making an AU oneshot based off the beginning dream sequence, maybe altering it a bit so that it's well…not a dream. Dunno. Any opinions?))
