A/N: Firstly thanks to City-of-Dimes, xOx-Just-Like-Yesterday-xOx, Kaishin Briefs, Sigbru, MtReload, Sironblood1, Kaarina HelveteandGossipGirlxoXofor all reviewing on my last chapter and to all the people who favourite'd and subscribed to this story (I can't remember who did!! So I am sorry) Also sorry if I never replied to some of you personally, the last month I've been revising for a Biology Exam, but that's done now!!
Again sorry I've taken a whole month to get this up. I really didn't like the last chapter, so I might go back and edit it sometime, so I've taken ages with this chapter to get it the best I could.
Thanks for sticking with this story everyone and without further ado, here's Chapter 10.
The clouds passed by quickly, they'd turned a dark heavy black with rain threatening to fall on the city below, which was starting to fade from view. The urge to throw open the doors and feel the fresh wind blow across his face had been suppressed and pushed back to the corner of his mind.
The sky above the clouds was a clear perfect blue like the kind you would see at Costa del Sol while you're lazing on the beach. Everything about this single moment, felt fresh and peaceful, something he felt like he'd long forgotten.
Cloud Strife lent back in the surprisingly comfy helicopter chair. The sound of the two rotors of the helicopter was starting to attack his head, starting a dull headache occurring at the back of his head. He rubbed his neck, feeling the knots of muscle crack and escape from the pressure of his fingers. He'd long decided he wasn't a fan of flying, after the incident with Cid's Tiny Bronco. The thought brought a smile to his lips, remembering his friends strapped to the wings of the small plane.
Was it really just over two years ago since all that happened?
He'd suddenly become totally oblivious of the two other people in the plane. One the pilot and the other his co-pilot. And of all the people in on the Planet they could be they were Tseng and Elena. He guessed it could have been a lot worse; he may have landed in the company of the arrogant red headed Turk Reno and his silent partner Rude. Cloud never really had much of a problem with Rude, when putting their past behind him, it was just that when thinking of Rude he was always associated with Reno.
"Holding up alright?" Cloud blinked back into reality and looked up and locked eyes with Elena's azure ones. He didn't give her an answer and she turned back round grumbling to herself. "Of course I remember you're not the social type!" She snapped mainly to herself. Cloud smirked once wondering how she could say that seeing her boss who was to her right also fell into her new made category of the 'not social types.' He watched her glance to the dark haired Turk Tseng who remained silent, his face blank and solemn like he'd just returned from a funeral. The blond Turk sighed in annoyance, and heard the squeak of leather as she leant back into the chair.
Cloud hadn't been surprised that he was going to be accompanied by a Turk or two as it was. He didn't believe for a second Rufus Shinra would let him off by himself and assume that this job would be done. In the end Elena had kindly informed him that the President didn't trust him to do it alone, therefore he can act as backup for herself and Tseng in case anything came along, that was if he still wanted his Gil. Elena had also added that she and Tseng could blow up an old reactor themselves without the help of a mercenary and the President wouldn't have to pay someone to simply tag along. Tseng had quickly silenced her and the three had soon taken off.
Cloud rolled his eyes remembering Elena almost talking to herself and knew if this thing went smoothly he'd be surprised. Nothing ever went easy, when Shinra was involved. He glanced out of the window and at the white clouds as they drifted in between the clouds and below them, occasionally catching glances of the land below them. At seeing the huge distance below them, he sunk back into his chair, frowning at himself, for being scared of flying of all things.
He'd remembered thinking once, after receiving a brutal 'talking too' from Cid that he should at least know how to fly properly and then maybe the foul mouthed pilot could have been left behind at Rocket Town. He quickly scolded himself for the thought knowing without the very same blond foul mouthed pilot they properly would have never been able to do what they had.
He's alright. Cloud thought to himself, trying desperately to pass the time, even if he had to think about his friends who had most likely abandoned him. At the thought, he flipped his phone open and stared at the blank screen hoping he might have had a message from Tifa, even just wishing him good luck.
He'd never really realised how much he depended on the martial artist, he didn't have to ask for help because she always gave it anyway. But she's happy now, he's sure of it and in the end that's the only thing he would ever want for her. She deserves better. He nodded to himself, agreeing with his thought. Not bothering if Elena could see him in her mirror and see him nodding and frowning to himself. He was pretty sure they already had decided he was walking on the edge of his sanity and had no patience what so ever.
The three had landed at a temporary Shinra army base in Wutai, but far away from the main city. The rebel base had been apparently found out of the city and Shinra had quickly built up a Shinra base, it only being a house they had found and quickly built to their needs. It seemed a totally desolate area, like no one besides the Shinra army had walked there in one hundred years. The building looked old and rickety like it might collapse in a single minute. There were some taupe coloured tents scattered around the building, each one marked whether it was a first aid tent to some Chocobo stables. A chain link fence had been put up round the surrounding area and there were a few soldiers finishing it off or even repairing it.
Cloud lent against the cool metal of the black truck the three of them were to travel in to the abandoned mako reactor. He'd been mainly surprised that there had been a reactor built in the Wutai area and guessed it might have been allowed to try and make peace for the time being on Wutai's side. Some help that had been. Then again, he wouldn't put it past Shinra to storm into the country and build whatever they liked.
He watched the dark haired leader of the Turks speaking to one of the commanding officers, they were both staring off in the distance making Cloud assume Tseng was checking or maybe even getting directions to where this mako reactor is. The commanding officer was pointing off in the distance and occasionally looking down at a map. He sighed and rolled his eyes, ready to walk over and find out for himself where this reactor is.
"Don't think we're always like this!" Cloud turned and was met by Elena's pale face. He watched her load a trunk into the back of the open topped truck. She slowly got back down and dusted off her black suit and smartened up her tie while glaring at him from underneath her blonde bangs. She flicked her hair back from her face and held her head up high before sighing once with satisfaction.
"That Turks have to ask for directions?" He muttered, pulling on the brown leather belt across his chest which held his sword on his back. He watched Elena eye the sword across his back before opening her mouth to speak.
"Yes!" She snapped staring at him. "Wait, no!" Cloud sighed at her, obviously she'd confused herself. "Like I said we're not like this normally, we don't know our way round here and I bet neither do you!" The blonde Turk turned and leant against the truck besides the young man next to her. She held her head up high as the few soldiers walked past glaring at her in disgust, for simply being a Turk.
Cloud loathed the Turks himself as he watched the young men, younger than him in fact walked past. But had some little respect inside for them. To do what they do took something more than bravery and dedication, to almost turn their backs on their families who most certainly hate them for what they do took a whole lot of courage. Something he himself could never do.
They both looked up in unison as they saw Tseng walking back to them, his black hair shining in the Wutai sun. "Its south of here." He muttered pointing slightly in the direction they were supposed to be going before hoisting himself into the driver's seat, with Elena following him in the passenger seat, leaving Cloud to the back seat.
The dry dust of the barren area they were in was thrown from the tyres, as they made their way to the exit of the fenced off area.
Cloud stared at the now open area as they left the army base, wondering if Yuffie was around here somewhere maybe even watching them as they drove away. He doubted it, hoping Vincent had got himself and the Wutain teen out of this whole area. Yuffie was a stubborn girl and if she wanted something he knew she'd fight to get it, but hoped Vincent might have some sway over the girl's decisions, remembering Tifa saying once she thought Yuffie had a soft spot for the certain red cloaked man. The thought of the self proclaimed 'greatest ninja' had finally succumbed to something or in this case someone, but forgetting her obsession with Materia all together, brought a smile to his face.
Suddenly the thought of Tifa hit his mind, he'd thought about her so casually just then.
He'd tried his best to not think about her. He was sure he no longer had feelings for her, but sometimes it was hard to forget the feelings he once had for her. What was it, four months now since he'd left her? And had only seen her twice in that time. If he'd said to himself two years ago, that at one point in his life he'd only see Tifa Lockheart twice in four months he wouldn't have believed it.
He'd been sure they had made such a strong friendship that nothing could shatter it, but now he was sure that had never been so. They were friends now though.
Weren't they?
He rubbed his temples in annoyance, trying to stop his headache from returning. He'd deal with everything once this had been all ironed out, putting all his current thoughts away in the corner of his mind.
The truck suddenly crashed through a set of fenced gates and then skidded to a stop. Cloud looked up surprised they had arrived already, he decided Tseng had to be a fast driver. The mako reactor had a fence running round it, which had now turned rusty and had holes where the chain link fence had been cut, most likely by the Wutai rebels to see the place for themselves. There was a gentle but cold wind blowing, most likely from the sea sending chills up and down Cloud's spine as they eventually came to halt in front of the reactor.
The three crawled out of the truck and Elena made her way to the back of the truck and dived into the trunk she had loaded herself earlier. He watched her for a moment load everything she needed to complete the bomb that would demolish the old reactor before them.
Cloud stared at the rusted reactor; there was no trace of mako being pumped into the air like in Midgar only two years ago. But felt the same feeling of being near one of the reactors in Midgar when it pumped out the Planet's life source. Deciding it must be his heightened senses that were picking up the old traces of mako that must still litter the place. He stared at the rusted metal for a moment and at the few bullet holes that had dinted the side, where obviously the Wutai rebels had released their exasperation.
"Come on." Tseng spoke suddenly, he began walking ahead of them, and Elena brushed past the other man following her boss to the entrance to the reactor. Tseng quickly entered the old security code to the building and the door slid open, with a few screeches from neglected use. He looked over his shoulder to check the two others were following. He watched the blond walk up the few steps and then followed them inside; he saw the man's mako glowing eyes dart around the inside as if expecting something to fall out on them. "Let's get going." He saw Elena nod in agreement.
Tseng reached the first rusty ladder and Cloud watched him test it, making sure it could take his weight. He stopped himself from volunteering to go first, knowing if it took his weight it would take the others. Instead he stood by and watched Elena peek over the edge before glaring at him and following her boss down.
The metal rung as he jumped off from the final three steps, he wrinkled his nose against the stale smell inside the reactor. He'd barely noticed it before but now he was even a little away from the open door the smell rushed through and attacked him, it dried his throat and made him choke once as he tried to breathe in clear air. Elena and Tseng were both ahead of him, but their footsteps rung loud through the reactor.
Suddenly he heard another chime of metal against metal and Cloud instantly spun round his hand on the hilt of his sword. He stood as quite as he could, straining his ears to make sure he'd defiantly heard something, he glanced over his shoulder once and saw both Turks had drawn their own guns and turning on their heels. "What is it?" Muttered Tseng, taking a step closer to the blond young man.
The three remained silent and in turn nothing could be heard throughout the reactor. "Thought I heard something." Cloud muttered, releasing his grip on the hilt of his sword. He heard the annoyed grunt from Tseng followed by the sound of his footsteps as he headed towards the lift. Cloud stood silent one single time, sure he'd heard something before deciding to push it to the back of his mind but remain vigilant.
He finally followed the two Turks into the rusted lift; the doors screeched close and the lights above them flickered on and off. "You sure you heard something?" Tseng asked, knowing not to doubt Cloud hearing. He watched the blond nod and looked briefly at him. "I wouldn't be surprised if we're being followed." Tseng began, bringing his gun out and turning to Elena who did the same. "I've expected it."
Cloud nodded in agreement, knowing the Wutai rebels are probably keeping a close eye on this place, seeing as this is the last place they can keep their rebellion on. "Plan?" Elena muttered, heaving the backpack on her back.
"We set the bomb; the rebels would have shown themselves by then." Tseng finally added. The doors of the lift screeched open once more and the three were met with a pitch black room. Elena quickly brought out a torch and shined it through the room. They all stepped out and spotted a door at the end of the room.
Tseng stepped forward and stared at the door and its combination pad at the side. He quickly pulled a lever down and cracks of electricity erupted through the room and lights slowly began flickering on. Cloud eyed the man, as he punched in another code. He could feel something numbing against his mind, like someone was speaking but he'd blanked them out but could still hear the mumbling of their voice.
The door slid open and they were met by a metal bridge, looking over the edge it was completely black almost like it was never ending. "We'll set it here." Tseng muttered, glancing once round the now lit up room. Elena nodded and walked across the bridge and stopped by another room and began placing the bomb together. Cloud watched her, before turning and looking round the room. The evidence of misuse in this room was nil.
The lights didn't flicker like the others from before, the light was an eerie blue and lit up the entire room giving the whole room a strange blue look. The walls and bridge had no sign of rust, like it had been maintained. No dust had settled either anywhere like everywhere else in the reactor.
Cloud turned to Tseng and saw his dark eyes were on him, watching his every move. Cloud frowned at him once before crossing the bridge and stood behind Elena. "I can do this myself!" She snapped, but Cloud paid her no notice, he was too busy staring at the door in front of him. He forced back the reoccurring memories of another mako reactor he'd rather forget.
Everything about this room gave no hint that it had been abandoned. "Shouldn't we set the bomb up in the main reactor room, so we know it's in the centre of the building?" Cloud muttered, wanting to hear the reaction he needed to confirm his beliefs.
"This place is suitable, it will do." Answered Tseng, too fast for Cloud's liking, like it had been rehearsed, like Tseng knew this question was coming.
"Open this door." Cloud grunted. Not getting a reaction he kicked Elena softly in her side just to get a reaction, he glared down at her and she glared back. "I said open this door." He watched Elena turn to Tseng and he sighed. He grabbed his sword and allowed the familiar blue energy charge up and down it before slashing at the door, the door exploded in front of him and he covered his eyes from the dust in the air before glancing up into the room.
The green light of mako filled the room and its force rushed past him. "Shinra's still producing mako?!" He shouted angrily, he spun round and was met with the barrel of Tseng's gun. Cloud glared at the man, he should have known. "This is why Rufus sent you." He growled, watching Elena continue setting the bomb. He tightened his grip round his sword, ready to knock the man back and stop the blonde Turk.
"Don't. Drop it." Tseng muttered. "I will shoot if I have to." Cloud relaxed his grip round his sword and let it clatter to the ground before staring at the head if the Turks. "Hurry it up Elena."
"You can't do this." Cloud answered, he couldn't allow them to blow this place up. He stared at the other man. He didn't doubt the man's skill with firearms and knew he could easily knock him to the side, but by the time he'd reach Elena the man could easily let off a bullet to his head. Something he didn't intend or else this place will go by unnoticed like it has been.
"Okay." Elena answered, getting to her feet and watching the bomb begin to tick. "We've got twenty minutes to get out of here and a few miles away from this place."
Tseng nodded once still not taking his eyes off of the other in front of him. "Let's go."
A muffled cry filled the room and Tseng turned quickly, allowing the blond to grab his sword. "Lower your weapons or I'll shoot!" The two men stared at the Wutai Rebels before them. The two dropped their weapons in unison allowing them to clash against the floor. One had grabbed Elena, holding a gun to her head with others behind him. Their clothes looked simple enough, nothing out of the ordinary or Wutai custom. Black bands tied across their foreheads and rifles slung over their shoulders. Their hair was dark, almost black and their skin pale proving they were the Wutai Rebels.
Cloud mentally hit himself, why the hell hadn't he heard them? He instantly thought back to Yuffie remembering the times she easily crept up on him with her proclaimed 'ninja skills'. "You." Muttered another pointing with his gun to Tseng. "Diffuse this." He muttered again nodding his head at the bomb on the floor.
Cloud watched Tseng walk forward, expecting the man to suddenly leap on the men and unleash a number of punches but nothing came. Maybe he did care for Elena but never let off, maybe he feared for her safety.
He watched the head of the Turk's diffuse the bomb and hand it over to one of the rebels. The obvious proclaimed leader of the group of rebels nodded once more and five young men ran forward grabbing the two men's weapons before running back. The blond frowned, hating to admit seeing his own sword in others hands.
Elena was suddenly pushed forward and she spun round catching herself before she fell. Tseng grabbed her and pulled her to her feet his hands round her shoulders."Ready." Five more rebels strode forwards and raised their rifles. Cloud heard the small gasp from Elena before she stood up straight, raising her chin defiantly. "Aim." Cloud, Tseng and Elena watched the five young men hold their weapons, the almost shook in their hands showing none of these men had military background. "Fire."