Hey everyone thanks so much for the support and your comments. Now enjoy chapter 11- Tracking a Beast

Chap 11

Fang's POV

Weeks went by and still not a sign of the Cocoon army had yet shown itself. A few of our scouts had discovered a disaster in the fort in Hanging Edge. In such a place was where Cloud had been brought. I knew instantly from the stories of a winged beast breaking out and slaughtering several scores of soldiers, he had broken free.

After assigning the forces in Forgotten City and leaving a large enough force to protect Oerba, I took off to find him. Much to my dismay, Vanille, Yuffie, and even his prodigy Roxas had forced themselves along in my journey.

"You think we'll find Cloud as a huge monster?" Yuffie asked aloud as I shot her a glare of death.

"If he be anything it isn't a monster." I protested. We sat atop Bahamut riding the dragon on our fifth day searching the area outside of Cocoon's supposed rule for any signs of Cloud.

As if the gods knew my mind, I spotted a village below that was scorched and smoldering. I took Bahamut down and landed. One hop from the dragon and I was in the city observing the destruction and chaos. Blood and parts of humans and even animals were scattered everywhere. I frowned in disgust as I looked ahead and shook my head in dismay.

"Well, at least we're on the right track." I sigh as Roxas steps to my side as though nothing in the area distressed him, same was for Vanille, but Yuffie was close to puking. I walked forward seeing the only sign that stated Cloud had been here… his gargantuan sword slammed near half-way into the ground covered in dried blood. I sighed and turned over my shoulder as Roxas gasped.

"What happened to Fenrir!" He questioned as I scoffed.

"I told you to call him Cloud… that's his real name." I chided as his prodigy rolled his eyes at my words and I continued, "I bore his child and presently lead his force, it would be in your best interests to conform to my will." I stated as he huffed.

"You are a woman, you inherited the role and just because you gave birth to his son means little… Fenrir was a gladiator, a hero and god of the arena! He was strong and fast, quick and agile… I bet the reason he left his sword here was because the one who could rip it from the ground and wield it, would be the one to stop him!" Roxas grinned as I rolled my eyes and walked over to the blade that was much larger than I. "What do you plan on doing, lifting Cloud's fusion sword… ha, I doubt…" I gripped the sword in my right hand and pulled it free with ease. I stared at the boy and smirked.

"You were saying?" I asked as Roxas stared at me in shock. "I am more than just the woman you see before you… Cloud easily saw as much on our first meeting. If you are to be his prodigy and take the mantle of Fenrir, then you must be able to see past what is before you. I won't say I'm stronger than Cloud, but I'd give the man a run for his money… if he is without mind when we see him… then I may not be able to hold back… if that is the case…" I trailed off looking at Vanille who nodded and sighed in discomfort. "Vanille, you and I both know that I'll have no choice… I'll have to be ready to pull out all the stops… if so, get them some place safe." I ordered as I looked at the sword. "Come, we're moving." I stated as Bahamut approached us and we climbed back up the large creature.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lightning's POV

I sat in silence in the cool of the night as I stared out into the darkness that lie before me. I had spoiled my opportunity to be with my love. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought. He had bled and suffered in a cell while I lay calm and comfortable high above him… then I don't have mind to come to his side when he needs me most. I allow my shock to lead me away with nothing but a muted 'no'… "AAAAARRRRGHHHH!" I screamed as I noticed the others to focus on me. I stood as I once again spotted a man that I had always wanted to speak with but at understanding he had been apart of securing Fang and the others away safely before falsely claiming their death. I respected Snow and the man known now to me as Rygdea. They were silent heroes to Cocoon and to completely spurn yourselves from the only life you've ever known because of what you believed was admirable.

"I see you're a bit upset." I looked to my side and spotted Tifa. I sighed and nodded as she placed a hand on mine. "It's Cloud isn't it…" She began as I nodded and looked up to the bright moon. "When I was younger and everyone was saying how much he had a huge crush on me… I felt embarrassed. I mean, Cloud was the meager, quiet kid and to be honest I only saw him as a friend." She looked up at the sky and continued, "I thought I was too good for him… then he went through this whole spill of how much he cared about me and how he wished he was like Zack… and that got me… it made me wonder what a life without him would have been like… and I realized that though he wasn't the big hero of our village, he was the one who would take care of me and do his best for us both. I knew that moment I had found the one I would love forever."

I looked at her and frowned, "how is that supposed to ease my mind?" I asked as Tifa laughed a little and smiled.

"I'm sorry, its just that I understand how it feels to love him and to fear never to have that love again… I live with that now… and though Zack is great… I still remember how special he was…" I stared at the woman and nodded.

"So am I to just allow him to hate me and find another love as you have?"

"You can't speak of allowing his heart to do anything… you must only wish that he finds happiness… you can't be selfish with your love… if you love him as deeply as you say, then hope he finds happiness... even if its with another" She whispered as I scowled.

"To hell with such… I am madly in love with him… I could never allow another woman to have him." I hissed as Tifa cocked a brow.

"So if Cloud some how wanted me, you'd never allow it?" I scowled and rolled my eyes at her words. "I kid, but honestly… what of Fang, the mother of his son, your friend… how could you hate her?" She asked as I stood without a word.

"I…" I began but found no words and shook my head. "I would not allow such, unless he understood the truth… the truth that I had never forgot of him… that he's everything to me… we've been through much together and its just sickening to think that I could lose him without him ever knowing I never betrayed him… you and Zack gave him up… I never did that…" I sighed and hugged myself. "I would prefer death than life without him… I told him that his affections for me were as allowing a blind man sight for but a day… I told him he couldn't take such from me and expect me to ever live the same…" I whispered and clenched my fists in anger.

"Well when we see him again I pray you have the chance to show him truth." I turned to Tifa at hearing her words and set my mind to the task.

"I will not have to pray, for I shall have him lend an ear to my words… I will not allow him to the affections of another when I have done nothing wrong! I have never stopped loving him and if I am to beat such a fact into his skull then so be it." I stated calmly as I turned back to the night sky and stalked off alone to my sleeping mat to rest for the night.

In the morning, we continued our pace away from Palumpolum towards the Pulse Wilds where it was said the city of Oerba lies… and if that were the case, I would be able to meet with Fang, whom I knew would aid in my search for Cloud had she not already heard of the incident in Hanging Edge.

We had gained the allegiance of many soldiers who had followed Snow and Zack in battle, I estimated our ranks to be at a thousand which was surprising. I knew that we'd be tracked easily to Oerba if the entire force went and that would spell disaster for my friends. "Zack, Snow." I called as the two looked to me. "I will head to Oerba alone… you take the rest to Forgotten City." I ordered and instantly one of the men scoffed.

"You may have been a high-ranking officer due to being Cid Raines' wife but we no longer bow to him nor those in power in Cocoon, here you are a woman who is more of a liability than an asset! Stories say that beast was aiming for your head back in Hanging Edge." He stated as my anger rose but Tifa spoke up.

"Silence." She hissed as the man lost his voice. "She is a woman and such is true for me… yet will you show such disrespect?" Tifa asked as the man shook his head.

"But Lady Fair, your skill is known and you are not hunted by a demon…"

"He is nothing such!" I shouted and jumped from Odin as the skies above began to cloud. "If fear grips your cock then worry not, when we encounter Cloud, I alone, will face him." I turned to the others and shook my head. "I was a slave for several years before Dysley supposedly found me…" I growled and then began shouting so that all who wanted could hopefully hear my words. "I fell in love with that man… the one you all call a beast… he is not such! Dysley poisoned him against me and if I must face him on the battle field and beat him to submission then I shall!" I called as several of the men laughed and I pointed them out. "What causes such mirth?"

"You mean to challenge the Slayer of Gods Fenrir?" He asked as I rolled my eyes, "We know who he was before the beast… the undefeated gladiator of Midgar, a supposed god in many aspects… the one who killed the false god… he struck down the one known to us as Sephiroth, the same man who decimated our forces by raining hell and brimstone upon our ranks… he killed Sephiroth the Shadow of Death single-handedly… he achieved what an army could not… how is it you believe to even stand against that… how are any of us to? We shall be slaughtered… so forgive us Claire Raines if we care not to listen to your madness."

I scowled and lifted my right hand and then looked to a tree and threw my hand down. A bolt of lightning from the heavens decimated the lone tree. I turned back to the man who had spoken and then looked to the one who had opened his mouth first. "Have any of you heard of the only one to every face such a man and live? A woman whom was known as Lightning?" I asked as they looked amongst themselves. "I am the owner of such a title… Claire Raines is a name that disgusts me… to you all I am Lightning… is that clear?" I asked as the thunder rumbled high above me as many nodded and looked above, fearing to be struck from the heavens. "As I stated earlier, I alone will meet him on the battlefield if you all are gripped with terror… I shall not hold back for I have no reason to… I no longer need to…" I looked to Zack and Snow and nodded. "Take care of my sister and your child, Fair." I told him before hopping back upon Odin.

"Claire…" I heard Serah call as I turned to her. I smiled sadly and then rode over to her and placed a hand on hers, "be careful, you are my last blood relative and I would not see you depart from this world." She whispered and I nodded.

"I will return Serah… now go to Forgotten City and hopefully whatever remains of Cloud and Fang's force allows you entrance." I leaned over and placed a kiss upon her brow and smiled. "I will come back worry not for me." I turned Odin and instantly he took off into the Pulse Wilds.

I wanted to make Claire a badass this chapter and reveal Fang to be searching for Cloud. I plan on getting the next chapter out hopefully this upcoming monday... anyhow, thanks everyone for reading and sorry for the short chapter but I didn't want to force dialogue and drown the suspence and storyline.

I want to thank Lightning Farron, Lightning Lockheart, baltz00, TheRealPS, gagboy, and HTM! I am glad the insane Cloud was well recieved by you the readers. I thank you all so much for reading and taking time to give me your insight. I promise next chapter and the coming chapters will be full of action, love and chaos.

UNTIL CHAPTER 12 see you all next update!

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