Chapter Eleven: Time
Author's Note: I haven't had Cloud dream since Chapter Eight, and I missed it. xD
Disclaimer: I don't own anything… although I have collected all the Olympic Coca-Cola cans!
There was smoke rising from the town he had left behind, but Cloud didn't care. His legs kept him going, let him burst into the reactor as he chased Sephiroth. They shook as he saw Tifa, as he saw Zack, but when he called upon strength he didn't know he had and threw… Sephiroth… into the abyss, they were strong.
"We have to get out of here, the plate's going to fall!" He was running again, following Tifa and… Barret…, cursing Reno and… Shinra… as he ran, hoping Aerith was safe, knowing that they had to get her back.
"What a crew." It was Rufus Shinra, eyeing them with disdain, and Cloud looked over to see… Nanaki… baring his teeth.
"More nightmares will come to me now, more than I previously had." Vincent was looking at him, red eyes dull as he enclosed himself in his coffin once more, only to come back out and join them as he sought atonement.
"You're pretty scared of me, huh?" Yuffie asked, grinning, hands on her hips – he rolled his eyes and replied "…Petrified."
"Hold onto your drawers, an' don't piss in 'em!" Cid shouted as the plane dipped lower and lower and Cloud tightened his grip on the wing as they crashed, waves flying over them.
"W-wait a second. I won't run or hide. Yes, I was a spy. I was hired by the Shinra. I couldn't help it. How 'bout if we continue like nothing ever happened?" Cloud glared at… Cait Sith… as the stuffed cat spoke, not able to ignore the pain of betrayel.
"I think I want to be forgiven," he admitted, and Aerith's answer shocked him.
"By who?"
As Cloud tossed and turned in his sleep, Merlin sighed. "The dreams are more than just dreams now," he whispered, turning to look at Leon. "He's remembering. I can make it so he won't remember these when he wakes up, at least not consciously, but…"
Leon nodded. "Just give me a little more time."
Merlin closed his eyes, raised his wand, and began.
--
In the darkness of the hangar, Vincent's glowing red eyes opened. He had always been a light sleeper, but he had found himself able to sleep surprisingly well with Cid's loud snoring close by. Something about the man was far too familiar, but Vincent didn't dwell on it. Standing up, the black haired man pulled on his cape and slipped out onto the roof of the hanger. There was a blue glow coming from the room Cloud and Leon shared.
"Chaos."
"What?"
"Can you tell what that light is?"
"Hmm… it feels like some sort of magic. Nothing I know well, but it radiates off the old man – Merlin, I believe he was called. Leonhart is in there, too – awake."
Vincent frowned. "What about Cloud?"
"Sleeping. He – oh, my, this is curious. Merlin is doing something to him; looks like he's tossing about in his sleep."
The gunman's frown grew wider. "If it is to help nightmares, they would just wake him up and do it then, with his permission… He's still dreaming, too. I don't like this, Chaos – these people are keeping something from us."
There was a dry chuckle, but no more out of the demon. There was nothing for Vincent to do now but watch.
--
Cloud woke up to find Leon already gone and the sun shining merrily in the sky. Groaning, Cloud got up and stumbled around until he was ready to go downstairs. For some reason, he felt really strange – almost light-headed.
"Mornin'," Cid grunted from his computer, where he appeared to be working with some sort of equation. "Tea's in the kitchen, an' I think Aerith saved you some toast. You're off today; Leon's got work to do in the castle's study."
Nodding, he stepped into the kitchen, ignoring the tea and only grabbing one piece of toast. He hadn't ever been to the castle, and what Leon was doing there that meant Cloud had to stay away. He frowned slightly; he hadn't gotten to ask Leon about what had happened to Hollow Bastion yet. Stepping outside, grabbing the Buster Sword on his way out, Cloud vowed to ask him when the man returned. A flash of silver caught his attention, and Cloud froze.
Silver hair, green eyes, slit pupils, maniacal laughter, a long sword held by skilled hands, and a single black wing bursting from his shoulder…
"Cloud!"
Dropping his sword, Cloud almost ran after the single flash of color, his heart pounding – but someone was holding him back. Brown hair and gray eyes assaulted his senses, warm, calloused hands holding him.
"…Leon?" Cloud's world seemed to be spinning, black shadows encroaching on his vision. "Thought you… castle…?"
"I came back," Leon whispered, attempting to keep the surprisingly heavy man up.
Cloud reached out, his fingers hooking on the edge of Leon's glove. "…Silver," he mumbled, and then passed out.
Sighing, Leon pulled him closer, even as Cid burst outside swearing to help. This wasn't supposed to happen. When Cid looked at him, the brunet found himself shaking his head, his voice colder than normal. "I need more time… as much as I can take."
His gaze lingering on the tight grip his friend had on Cloud, Cid nodded, understanding flooding through him, though reality told the both of them that time was running out.
