Rated T: I can't promise pristine language, nor can I promise the absence of violence... or comprimising situations.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, names of towns or anything related to Final Fantasy 7, Square Enix and such. I do, however, own my original characters.

Pre-A/N: Since my inbox is getting a few questions regarding later chapters, I'm adding this in at the start.

FFVII isn't just AC.

Advent Children is a tiny span of time after the epic events of the games. If you haven't played the games and only seen the movie, I really do suggest playing it. Else you won't understand some of the things going on here now, or in later chapters.

Road to Junon

5:35am

Our original plan was to leave during late morning; that way we could all get some sleep and prepare for the long ride to Junon. The downside to driving there by car was that we couldn't take the mountain path I usually take on Fenrir. It's not that big of a deal, really. The journey time is only a little longer, and we can take the new bridge along the west coast.

We're almost at the bridge now, two hours into the drive. As I said, the plan had been to leave late morning. However, the night before left me restless, so I decided we'd leave early. It didn't bother anyone too much; Denzel's asleep in the front passenger seat, Tifa sleeping with Marlene across the back seats.

I'm just coasting along the silent roads, enjoying the ride. It feels like years since I'd taken on such a long journey, when in reality, it's only been a few weeks. Reeve's car is great to drive, a simple black saloon with a black fabric interior. The engine could barely be heard through the vehicle, just an occasional choke and cough as I switched gears. The smell of engine oil and gas is comforting. To me, anyway.

The radio had stopped working a long while ago, the range on Edge's station wasn't far at all, but it kept me entertained for a few minutes, since I couldn't count on any bickering, laughing or talking from anyone in the car.

I look around the car, using the large wind-mirrors to scout monsters. "Not very active tonight," I mumble to myself.

If I were to be totally honest with myself, driving really is quite boring. I check the mirrors every few seconds, hoping, praying that some beast will appear, allowing me a few minutes away from the mind-numbing monotony.

Cosmo Canyon

6:14am

There are numerous advantages to my race; agility, reflexes and strength. We can scale buildings and rock faces, avoiding falling debris with ease. I'm grateful for what I am in many ways, but the foremost reason is that I can visit my father whenever I wish. When I had first arrived back home, I couldn't bring myself to visit him. Saying I was ashamed of myself would be a vast understatement.

The air is cold this morning, a biting wind cutting through the Canyon, but now I feel an overwhelming sense of peace standing here, with him. Grandfather had said that he continues to protect us, even as he is now. At first, I hadn't questioned this. He single-handedly fought off an entire invading tribe at the cost of his own life.

I often ask myself: Is... this really so? Thinking back to when I had returned to the Canyon with Cloud; tears fell from his eyes. As the days passed I often wondered if this affliction on my father could be cured.

He is here, standing beside me. His soul is still here, with him.

Of course, I have discussed these thoughts with Lynnea. She had been one of the few survivors of the Gi tribe's attack, escaping to the dense forests south of the Canyon. Her immediate response was to cure my father, to find some method to set him free.

Yet I stand here looking at him, and I can't summon the strength to drive forwards.

Is it fear? That my father might not be everything I remembered? That if anything should go wrong, it could shatter what is left of him?

There must have been a reason Grandfather didn't cure him, perhaps I can find out why.

Junon-Edge Bridge

7:42am

Denzel had his face pressed against the window as he muttered quiet words of awe.

I kept my eyes on the road as best I could, but even I had to admit that the bridge really was something. I'd never bothered using it before; its main use was for industrial transportation between Junon and Edge. It was more hastle than help, not to mention being slower.

I heard shuffling beside me. "How do they build something like this?" he lowered his voice, "it's huge!"

"I'd guess that they build sections on land, then transport them by tug boats into place." It was how I'd seen a lot of above-water structures being built. Besides, Reeve had told me... but I couldn't tell Denzel that.

"Hey, Cloud." He turned to sit properly in his seat, still staring at me with an innocent smile, "can we hire a motorboat there?"

"Sure," I answered before turning back to the road.

Pumping a fist, he hissed, "yes!"

I couldn't help but smile. "They have lots of things to do there besides boating, y'know. There's Go-karting, Dodgems, Surfing..." I shrugged and turned my eyes to meet his. "There's a lot to do, we'll check it all out."

He looked so excited, nothing at all like last night. Then again, I think we all felt a lot better after packing the car and knowing we were getting away for a while. I turned back to face the road and lowered my window a little, letting the cool, salty air flow through the vehicle.

The remainder of the drive was uneventful. Neither Tifa nor Marlene had stirred during the six hour journey, Denzel fell asleep soon after we'd hit land. I wasn't quite sure how long I'd been driving, but before I knew it, Junon's new port came into view. I glanced down at my watch. 10:41am.

Fatigue hit me like a hammer. "This late already," I sighed. No wonder I'm so tired.

There was a quiet shuffling in the back seat, followed by a rough yawn and a squeak. The unmistakable sound of Tifa stretching. "What time is it?" she asked, her voice gruff.

I shrugged and turned my head before whispering, "almost 11am."

Looking up into the mirror, I could see the comical mess of her bed hair.

Tifa bit at her lower lip before replying, "what? I'm sorry, you can take a break, it's my turn now."

Restraining a laugh, I shook my head instead. "It's okay, we're almost there," I replied, my attention on the gentle swerves in the road.

She crossed her arms, frowning up at me. Perhaps she felt bad for oversleeping, or perhaps she was grateful for the extra sleep; I didn't know, but I didn't mind either way. I was glad she had gotten some sleep.

I looked back at the mirror and saw her frown. "I'll drive home," she said, crossing her arms.

"Mmm, maybe," I replied.

I slowed the car, turning the sharp corner into the boat's empty queue. The heavy scent of sea air, along with smog from the boat's engine perked me up in no time. After shutting the car down and opening all the windows, I glanced over at Denzel, then back at Marlene.

"Well, if this ain't a surprise!"

I snapped my head to the voice's direction, smirking at the ticket officer. "Afternoon, Zell," I said and reached a hand out.

The old man took mine, giving me a rough handshake before rubbing at his beer belly. "Been a long time, son! Now what's this car business?" He flicked a finger at the vehicle, an eyebrow perked.

"We're going on vacation for a few weeks," I said, throwing a thumb at the occupants.

Zell leaned to his side, throwing a goofy smile into the back windows. "'ah see. Well then," he said, grunting as he reached for his back pocket. A large pad of tickets emerged between his fingers. He took a long drag of his thick cigar and tore a number of pages, handing them to me. "That'll be 1240gil."

I handed over 1300 in notes and took the tickets. "Thanks, Zell." I shook his hand once more and nodded.

Zell just winked and trotted off to the control unit, opening the barrier. "You kids 'ave a good trip!"

Costa Del Sol, Villa Cloud

2:22pm

"Okay! Who wants to go down to the beach?" Tifa laughed as Marlene and Denzel threw their hands into the air.

"I wanna go swim in the sea!" Denzel stuffed a potato in his mouth and grinned.

"I want to go and find pretty rocks to take home!" Marlene bounced on her seat, fiddling with the table cloth.

Cloud hunched over the table, glancing between the three of them with tired eyes. He'd been driving since the early hours; without having a chance to doze on the boat, the kids made sure he was awake with laughing and games. He'd only just set himself down on the sofabed, longing to drift into a deep sleep before being woken up to go get groceries.

Playing in the sea was the last thing on his mind.

"Go and get changed then," Tifa said, clapping her hands together.

The kids both nodded and jumped down from their chairs, bolting to their shared bedroom.

She called out after them, "and make sure you have two towels and a bag to hold the stones!"

Cloud jabbed a slice of ham, staring at Tifa.

She looked over to him while gathering dirty dishes from the table. "You can sleep on the beach, Cloud. I'll stay with them," she said, offering him an apologetic smile.

After swallowing, he took a sip of ice-cold water and grumbled, "Sure."

Tifa carried their plates to the sink before making her way to his side. "Thanks for driving all that way. I'll take the ride home," she said, resting her cheek against his neck.

A wave of fatigue passed over him; he closed his eyes in a long, drawn out blink. "No problem," he mumbled.

With that, she gave him a kiss on the cheek and made her way towards their room to grab her swimsuit.

Tifa couldn't help but feel a little bad; she hadn't meant to sleep the whole journey. Last night had been tiring for both of them. They had gone to bed shortly after their talk; laying with each other in silence, it hadn't been too long before she had drifted into a fragile sleep. Cloud had woken her up a while later, asking her if she wanted to leave right that moment.

She'd been surprised, but didn't argue. While the thought of taking that journey was a more than a little daunting, the idea of a vacation on the sunny stretch of the quiet beach town more than made up for it.

A fact that she was realising again right now.

The wardrobe opened with a quiet squeak, revealing all of the clothes she'd packed for Cloud and herself. She pursed her lips while fingering garments aside; none of them seemed suitable. A red, two-piece bikini was her first choice; even though the town was quiet this time of year, the beach almost empty, she wasn't so sure the kids should see her in something so revealing. Opting for a brand new, yellow one-piece instead, she slipped it off of the hanger and turned to throw it on the sofa bed.

She covered her mouth, snorting a laugh as Cloud frowned, the swimsuit dangling over his face.

"Thanks, Tifa," he said, pinching the swimsuit between his fingers and throwing it onto the sofa beside him.

Her hand fell from her mouth. "It would suit you," she chuckled.

Cloud rolled his eyes, stepping around her to grab a pair of swim shorts from one of the shelves. "I'll stick to these." He made his way to the sofa; making short work of his fleece and pants, he threw them to the floor without a second thought.

Tifa made herself look busy as she grabbed the swimsuit and turned it the right way around, making sure all the tags were removed. At least, that's what she wanted him to think. His scarred, pale chest always drew her attention away from what she was doing, though. His shoulders, both slim and defined; tummy, firm yet without chiseled muscles. She licked her lips, fighting the urge to reach out and touch him.

It took her a while, but she finally realised: When does Cloud get changed with me in the room?

He was oblivious to her looks; yanking his socks off while scratching an itch on his neck.

Tifa decided that if he was going to get undressed here, then so was she. Her white shirt came off in a flash, deliberately throwing it onto Cloud's lap.

He frowned, blinked then sniffed. Snapping his head up, he perked an eyebrow at Tifa's expression.

She swivelled on her heels, smiling down at him; eyes only partially visible behind long eyelashes.

Cloud tilted his head, glancing at their closed bedroom door, "Tifa?"

"Hmm?" She revelled in the fact that he had stopped what he was doing, his look of confusion and desire only fuelled her efforts. "What's wrong, Cloud?" she said, popping the button on her shorts.

He swallowed; glancing back at the bedroom door, listening for any outward signs of movement. "What are you doing?"

Tifa shimmied side-to-side, revealing her bra's matching white panties as the shorts dropped to her ankles. "What does it look like?" She stepped out of her shorts, kicking them over to his feet, "I'm getting changed," she stated.

His eyelids lowered; poking his tongue out to wet his lips while his gaze wandered over her form. Her gorgeous face with large, brown eyes; her chest, home to the most amazing pair of breasts he had ever seen, or felt. The large scar, a scar that brought back many bad memories, which led like a trail down her smooth stomach to her white panties. His gaze darted between each of her strong, toned thighs.

"I thought you were getting changed."

Cloud shook his head. "I-I am," he squeaked.

She grinned. Cloud is so easy to mess with.

A/N:

I considered carrying on, but I've been so busy recently that I wanted to get an update out to show you all I'm not dead.

Just a side note: This will likely continue into a separate, M-rated chapter if my other one turns out well.

Again, I'm sorry for the slow updates. I hope you'll all take a few moments to review, I'd appreciate it.

See you in the next chapter!