Angelicxox: lol well I think they'll all be surprised. And I'm glad you've recovered from feeling sorry for Rufus. For a minute, I thought I needed to call the shrinks lol.
Ankosune: hee hee she'll have an effect on him alright!
RoxasxNamine4ever: Cloud won't be pissed! That's not a strong enough word for what Cloud's gonna think lol
RoyalFanatic: You can find out what's going on now
Chapter 8: Acceptance
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Denzel watched as her eyes closed and her head turned away from him. He kneeled down next to her, gently feeling under her neck for a pulse. He was relieved to find one and he could feel her breath on his face, even if it was a bit too laboured. He sat up a little and sighed. He had to get her out of here fast if the plan was going to work.
He got his hand under her head, lifting it against his chest. He placed his other arms under her knees and stood up, letting his hand fall to the base of her neck. Her ponytail dripped over his arm as she lay motionless. Denzel took off, not wanting to keep her here too long.
The fire was already climbing the ledges around them and spreading ahead. He growled as a tree fell over in his path and looked around for another way. He turned around, making for the ridge of the mountain that sloped into the river outside Midgar.
He skidded to a halt at the edge. He had forgotten how high up it was. He glanced behind at the flames and then at the girl in his arms. He took a step back before he ran and leapt off. He didn't notice a red wolf watching him from the edge of Midgar.
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Cloud paced the Entrance hall as it grew near five o clock. Yuffie, Reno, Aeris and Vincent were gathered in the room, all amused at the King's behaviour.
"Cloud, don't worry." Aeris sighed. He turned to her to see if she was annoyed but she had a smile on her face.
"She'll be fine." Vincent added. Cloud didn't say anything. Instead, he started pacing again, glancing out of the door before he turned away. Immediately he turned back, his eyes wide.
"No." He whispered in disbelief as he saw smoke rising outside Midgar.
"No!" He cried, taking off. The others stood up and had similar reactions to the sight.
"Marlene!" Cloud yelled, racing through the streets to the edge of the city, praying his daughter would be all right.
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Nanaki watched as Denzel splashed into the river. The fall had caused him to let go of the Princess and her unconcious body was slowly disappearing under water. Denzel emerged in time to see her disappear and quickly dived under. He grabbed her waist and pulled her up. He pulled her across the river, using one hand to hold her head above the water. He noticed her eyes starting to open as he hit land. Carefully, he pulled himself up the bank and lifted her out after him.
"I must tell Cloud." Nanaki whispered but he stopped when he caught the King's scent on the wind. He must have saw the smoke from the palace.
Marlene groaned and opened her eyes. She blinked as she tried to realise where she was.
"Where…where am I?" She asked tiredly as she sat up and held her head. Denzel took a proud stance as he replied.
"You're safe." He assured her before sticking his head up high. "In Midgar." Marlene looked up.
"Midgar?" She repeated before jumping up. "No! Why did you bring me here? Who do you think you are?" She cried, poking him in the chest and shoving him away. Denzel frowned at her.
"I think I'm the one who just saved your life!" He snapped.
"I was doing fine!" She replied coldly.
"Not from where I'm standing."
"Then move downwind." She said, moving to walk around him. He leapt in her path. She scowled and moved to the other side but he repeated the movement. She let out an annoyed breath and moved again. This time, when he stopped her, he raised an eyebrow.
"What are you doing?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. Marlene's eyes widened. She had heard that question before. She looked at him, straight into his eyes.
"Denzel?" She said in uncertainty. Denzel gave a small smile.
"Marlene!" The Princess turned her head as she saw her father racing towards her. Aeris ran forward and grabbed her in a hug.
"Thank goodness you're alright!" She sighed in relief. Yuffie and Reno glared at the boy, who they didn't recognise and Vincent stayed silent behind Cloud. The King just stared at the boy in front of him and took account of how close he was to his daughter. Marlene released herself from her mother's arms and glared at her father.
"Daddy, how could you break your promise?" She questioned in an annoyed tone. Cloud replied sternly.
"It's a good thing I did. No more Cetra duties for you, not ever!"
"What!" Marlene shouted. "That's not fair! I was doing just fine, even before Denzel…"
"Denzel?" Cloud repeated, looking at the boy again. Now that she said that, he did recognise the boy. Without warning, he unsheathed his sword and went for Denzel. The rebel was just as quick and his own blade struck Cloud's. The King snarled and made another move.
"Cloud!" Aeris cried in disbelief. The King glanced at her and moved away, sheathing his sword but still keeping a suspicious eye on him. Nanaki stepped out of the bushes.
"Hey you!" he cried, causing everyone to turn to him. He lifted a paw to point at Denzel.
"How dare you save the King's daughter!" he said. Cloud frowned.
"You saved her? Why?" he asked. Denzel stood up straight.
"I ask, to join your army."
"No!" Cloud replied instantly. Denzel seemed shocked at the answer and Cloud noticed.
"You were banished with the other rebels."
"I have left the rebels." The boy replied. "Judge me now, for who I am." He added before folding his arms and frowning at the King.
"Or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit?" he asked.
"Cloud, you owe him your daughter's life." Aeris said. Yuffie and Reno still glared at Denzel, not fully trusting him. Vincent stepped forward.
"The Queen is right Sire. We are in his debt and your father's law clearly states that all debts should be paid." He explained. Cloud scratched his head and stared at Denzel. The boy immediately stood up straight and put his hand behind his back. Cloud sighed.
"My father's law will prevail. For now, I reserve judgement." He said. "We'll see who you really are." He turned and walked away, leading the group back to the castle.
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It was dark by the time they arrived, Cloud stayed in the gardens as everyone made their way inside. He stared at the sky, silently asking the Great Royals if he had done the right thing. He turned to enter the Castle and saw Denzel walking up the stairs. With a snarl, he raced forward, blocking the boy's path. He grabbed the doors.
"Just because I'm letting you stay in Midgar doesn't mean you can stay in here!" He growled before he shut the doors. Denzel glared at the shut doors and shivered slightly.
He turned around, deciding to sleep on the bench just outside the doors. Marlene had seen the whole thing. She glanced at her parent's bedroom window and then at the figure walking towards the bench. She took a step towards him and saw him turn towards her.
"Hey." She greeted softly. "I wanted to thank you for saving me today." She explained. He snorted.
"You can't climb, you can't swim. God you won't last a day on your own." He laughed. The Princess scowled.
"I can take care of myself!"
"Yeah, right." He scoffed.
"Oh, and I suppose you can teach me." She replied mockingly. Denzel rolled his eyes.
"Yeah." He said shortly before he made for the bench again. Marlene smiled and leapt in his path.
"All right." She agreed. "Impress me. We start at dawn." She walked away with her head held high. Denzel scratched his head.
"I look forward to it." He sneered.
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At the edge of their cliff, Jenova and Rufus were able to see everything in the gardens.
"Did you see that?" Rufus cried. "He let her go! If that were me I would have…"
"Hush." Jenova commanded. "The fire plan worked perfectly and Cloud fell for it. Now, the closer he gets to the daughter, the closer he gets to Cloud. Then, when he has Cloud alone…" She finished her sentence by drawing her sword and slicing the tree behind Rufus, with him just ducking in time.
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