Disclaimer: The songs belong to Breaking Benjamin and it's called "Into the Nothing". And still, the boys belong to Square Enix.
Beta: Azrax (Thank you. 3)
A/N (Anae): It's been far too long time since we've posted anything, so, we're sorry! And short chapter is short, but it's necessary! So, I guess sorry about that too.
We, err… post next chapter faster?
Anyways, hope you enjoy!
A/N [QttQ]: Alright, so we've brought you quite an amount of drama lately. We introduced you to Aerith and to some of the many questions that trouble Leon. Now it's time to return to our boys and what's going on between them, what their situation is. It's time to take you back to the very core of this fanfic; to the shadows and their importance.
Enjoy this chapter, guys! And thanks for reading this far!
Chapter XIV: You cannot follow
Where I lead you cannot follow
Straight into the light
For a good few days, Leon merely kept on eye on both Tifa and Aerith, trying to figure their trail of thinking. The gunblader had no desire to pry anything from the two women, least of all Cloud's past. So, he told himself, somewhat disappointed, that what Cid told him was good enough. That he didn't need to know more.
That decision lasted until one day he found Cloud looking outside from the window. Leon hadn't expected to find anyone inside - he had only come to return his gunblade to the room, day's practice already done.
It was one of those rare moments that the men had nothing to do in particular; it was one of the too rare breaks. More than that, it was one of the rarest days when no heartless' were seen near town. For once, you could go outside without fear of being attacked. Leon glanced outside as well - it truly was a beautiful day outside: warm sunrays were cast on the hollow town, painting it golden, and the darkness of the night wasn't yet to take away the light.
"You should go outside", he offered, placing his gunblade next to the wall. He didn't step any nearer to the blonde warrior - instead he stayed near the door.
Cloud didn't even turn to answer him. He only kept on looking the golden rays that painted the horizon. They didn't come inside the house though - the sun was shining from the opposite direction, leaving this side of the house untouched.
"You know I can't."
Leon didn't answer. He recognized a futile argument when he saw one - the issue of light was one.
So, without saying a word, Leon left the room and the house. As he closed the door, his fist hit the stone wall next to it.
The frustration Leon felt was overwhelming. He had dragged Cloud from the Colisseum, promising not to be his light but his shadow. Shadow that could shelter him from the light. He couldn't be Cloud's light so he had thought he could be his shadow.
Thought. That was the co-operative word.
The idea had sounded good at the time, but now… it sounded ridiculous, even to Leon's own ears. It wasn't even possible to become someone's shadow, was it. Besides, despite his promise and vow to himself, what had he managed to do this far?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
And besides dragging Cloud away from the dark, cold Colisseum, what good had he done?
Again, nothing.
Leon breathed out deeply, dark bangs hiding his face. Temptation to hit the wall again was great, but he resisted. Facts were facts. He still cared about Cloud, that was for sure. And he still wanted to help.
He wanted to pull Cloud out of that darkness that was wrapped around him. He wanted Cloud to understand that there was light within him.
More than anything, he wanted to see Cloud standing in the sun.
But to pull Cloud out of that darkness, he had to understand. He had to know the man's past. Aerith, Zack, Sephiroth.
And for that, he needed to ask either Aerith of Tifa.
Before the gunblader pondered the question for other moment, he glanced window on the second door. Leon couldn't see Cloud from this angle, but he knew the blonde was there. Because he thought that he didn't deserve to be touched by the light.
It ached, more than he was willing to admit.
Leon tore his gaze away, decision made.