Hello my wonderful readers. I apologize that this one took me longer than I thought. I tried to get this out before Halloween, but at least it was only a two week delay this time. Well, the holidays are in full swing. I can't believe Thanksgiving is only a week away. Egads this year is flying by! I'll be busy with work this weekend and I'll pretty much be busy through Christmas. I might get some free time to write in early December, but it's also possible that this may be the last update until next year.
One side note I wanted to make was towards the end of this chapter. after a characters talks with normal "" marks they are speaking, but then they speak with ' ' marks its a silent message between them. That's just in case it confuses anyone.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and I hope you like the nice little fluff I threw in this chapter. There is some big stuff coming up. Will Sephiroth be able to keep himself together or will Jenova's influence prove to be too strong? We'll find out when the time comes.
Enjoy!
When Cloud awoke he felt the most at peace he had been since after the defeat of the remnants. For once he wasn't waking from a dream. Zack and Aerith had been spared and even his own hellish past was being rewritten. His head was still splitting from sharing the same vessel with his younger self, but thanks to the cetra it had been reduced to a dull ache for the time being, something he could manage. What did confuse him however, was the eerie silence. Normally he could hear the echoed thoughts of the younger Cloud who was always thinking, always trying to figure out how he could do his part to help others.
Cloud had forgotten how he had been once filled with such immense hope, free from the guilt and trauma that plagued his past. Now however he could hear something, but it was so faint it took his enhanced hearing just to detect it.
Making his way through their shared subconscious, Cloud soon found the source. His younger self was sitting with his legs pulled tightly to his chest and he had his head buried in his arms quietly sobbing. The older blonde wasn't sure if it was a good idea if he should interact with him. After all, he had no idea how time travel worked nor did he know what would happen if he interfered with his younger self any further. However it bothered him in more ways than one to see such a sight. In the end his protective nature won out.
"Hey, can you hear me?"
"How?"
Cloud was confused by the response. "What?"
The younger Cloud lifted his head slowly. "How could such a thing have happened?"
Cloud still wasn't following, though he knew that hallowed, terrified look. He was obviously seeing something from the older blonde's past, though as to what it was specifically it was anyone's guess.
"Sephiroth told us and Vincent backed up his story, but…I didn't think it could be so bad! So much fire and death!"
It became clear for the warrior then. Kneeling down to be level with his younger self he suddenly was reminded of the times when he'd have talks with Denzel and he couldn't help the smirk when he realized it didn't feel very different at all.
"It's definitely one of my worst memories, but…" the younger one looked up at the future reflection of himself. "You shouldn't worry about it, because it's not going to happen now."
"You sure?"
The warrior inwardly smiled. "I never thought I'd end up forgiving Sephiroth, let alone consider him a friend, but he surprised me and…he's redeemed himself. If anything bad does happen it won't be because of his betrayal this time. Besides, the team's been reassembled. With such an effective group you should be able to take down Shinra with ease."
"I don't know…Hojo sounds pretty dangerous. And you said he managed to save Jenova?"
"Yeah, that's not going to be easy to deal with, but you stand a much better chance now."
The younger studied the warrior and admired him, though he was amazed that he was actually looking at a future version of himself. "I wish you would have come back with Sephiroth."
"Why," asked the older blonde. "You're perfectly capable on your own. You don't need me. Vincent was just being paranoid. I know we're both not thrilled with what he did, but it's not so bad. You channeled some of my fighting instincts and I got to see my friends again."
"Barret and the others," the cadet asked.
Cloud shook his head with a smile. "Zack and Aerith, my two biggest regrets in life. For years that guilt ate away at me. I couldn't save either of them, but now they're alive and together." He gave his younger self a serious look. "Don't ever take that miracle for granted. Enjoy every moment you spend with them."
The younger blonde shamefully wiped his tears away. "I'll try. I don't know what I'd do if something ever happened to them, especially Zack."
The older warrior merely huffed quietly at the idea. "You'd grieve, pull yourself together and then continue on, carrying his legacy with you. It wasn't easy and it wasn't without regret, but I'd like to think I made him proud in the end." He then felt the strain of their contact and felt that the younger one was starting to wake up. "And there's no shame in shedding tears, especially around someone who perfectly understands why."
The dark, shadowed environment and the smell of charred wood began to fade and the future Cloud along with it. The young Cloud began to worry until the older one shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Just handing over the steering wheel. If you continue down the path you're headed, then my hellish memories won't become yours." The younger Cloud gave the burning town one last glance as it faded completely, hoping his older self was right.
Cloud opened his eyes to find himself once again in the same room he had woken up in before. Getting up, he stepped out of the room and headed for the open space. He took in the morning sunrise with a feeling of optimism. It was refreshing, then again things did seem to be going smoothly. He made his way towards the Cosmo Candle where the group had held its meeting. There he found Aerith getting her hair brushed by one of the local village girls.
A whisper from his dream came back to him,
"Enjoy every minute you spend with them."
He just stood there and watched the girl weave yellow and purple blossoms into her hair as she braided it. When she was finished, the girl offered a mirror to her, but Aerith closed her eyes.
"What do you think, Cloud?"
The blonde blinked before trying to find the right words to say. "Uh, it's…um, it's nice. I'm sure Zack would love it."
Aerith giggled before looking his way. "You know it's okay to say you like it, no one will accuse you of cheating simply for having an opinion."
Cloud blushed a bit with embarrassment as he scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Well…it's…it's pretty."
Aerith giggled again before gazing into the mirror. "I agree. It's very pretty."
She nodded her thanks to the girl as she smiled and got up to hurry off to finish her chores, leaving the two alone. Cloud looked around, wondering where everyone else was, and Aerith, being the ever clever one seemed to read his mind. "You missed a lot after you blacked out the other night."
"The other night?"
She nodded at his shocked reaction. "The meeting was the night before last. You slept for over a day."
Cloud sat down hard and held his head in one hand at the news. "Oh man, I'm such an idiot. Some future hero I am."
Aerith smiled as turned his way. "Hard to believe Sephiroth said you had no sense of humor in the future. You seemed to enjoy putting Barret in his place."
"I don't remember anything after Barret and Cid accused the general of lying."
Aerith nodded, "I figured you might not remember. After your other self emerged and put the team in their place the others were a bit more willing to believe Sephiroth. Zack suggested they still use the original plan to change Shinra from the inside, but a side plan was also formed. While Zack and Sephiroth returned to Midgar, Cid returned to Rocket Town to do some digging see what he could find out, and Vincent left with Reno and Barret to Corel to try and prevent the town from being destroyed."
"What about everyone else? And me, what am I supposed to do?"
"Tifa and Nanaki are around here somewhere and your job is to recover. Zack didn't want to force you to carry the world on your shoulders this time and Sephiroth agreed. That's why they didn't wait for you to wake up before heading back to Shinra. I believe the general said it'd be best if the company thought you were dead."
Cloud rose to his feet then. "Wait! But then how will I become a SOLDIER if everyone thinks I'm dead?! I can't reclaim the strength I had if I don't get into the program!"
Aerith shook her head. "He said you wouldn't take it well. Sephiroth still wants you to regain the strength you had, but first he wants to make sure the threats are taken care of, or at least contained. There's the Turks to worry about, and the threat from Hojo is still very real."
"What does Hojo have to do with me," asked the blonde. "I never attacked Sephiroth this time so he shouldn't care about me."
Aerith just sat there calmly. "If the bear's asleep, you shouldn't poke it."
"What does that even mean?"
She sighed, "It means don't attract attention from a dangerous threat if you can avoid it."
Cloud glanced away and clenched a fist. "I just don't want to be useless. I haven't done anything to contribute to the team. If anything, I've only made things worse."
Aerith stood up and dusted off her dress before walking over and pulling him into a hug.
"Silly. You're the reason this second chance is even possible. Everyone's still together and are willing to help you. Let us make it easier for you this time and if it means you don't take up the main hero's title then so be it. Isn't it better to be part of a team than a lonely hero?"
A strong feeling from deep within which Cloud knew came from his future self firmly agreed with Aerith and he gave in before returning her hug. "You win."
The flower girl smiled as she pulled away and twirled with another giggle. "Glad you see things my way." She then took his hand and led him around the village showing him all her favorite aspects Cosmo Canyon had to offer.
They met up with Tifa who had been conversing with a woman who was praising the heritage of the town's ale that had been passed down through the generations. Tifa listened with interest and Aerith couldn't help a mischievous smirk before pushing Cloud into her and catching her attention. Cloud turned to asked why the cetra had done that when Aerith was nowhere to be seen.
"There are better ways to get my attention, Cloud," Tifa told him, sounding annoyed.
"Sorry, I tripped," he fibbed.
Rolling her eyes, Tifa turned back towards the woman who was now eyeing the two with a knowing smirk. "I'd love to finish the history lesson, dear, but I've got work to do and I don't want to keep your boyfriend waiting. I'm sure the art of brewery would bore such a dashing young warrior."
She left smirking while both teens were blushing at her words.
"He's not my boyfriend," Tifa shouted in the direction the woman had left, which hurt Cloud a little, but he didn't let it show.
"Sorry for ruining that for you, I'll catch up with you later."
"No, wait," Tifa called as she grabbed his hand, stopping him. "I didn't mean anything by that. I um…I'm glad you're feeling better."
Cloud looked down at their hands. He had always secretly had a crush on Tifa, but was unsure if she ever felt the same. He had tried, ever since he had the dream where he saw an adult Tifa he had tried to see if they had become anything more than friends, but all he got were conflicting emotions and confusion as if even his older self was unsure, but one thing was still the same, his feelings for her hadn't changed. He wondered if there was anything he could do this time to make their bond stronger and hopefully she might share the same feelings.
"Tifa?"
"Hmm? What is it," she asked.
He looked her straight in the eye, "Teach me to fight."
"You mean hand to hand?"
Cloud nodded.
It had been four days since their reinstatement into SOLDIER and Zack was bored. Bored and annoyed. He knew that they'd be watched when they got back. After all, desertion wasn't a new thing to Shinra and they were worried that their remaining two First Class warrior would also turn traitor. Zack had expected it and went through the days with a big smile and a cheerful attitude, the same as he always did, however he was anything but cheerful on the inside. He was always keeping his eyes and ears open for any clues or information about anything that they could use to flush out the threats. He wasn't so quick to consider Tseng one just yet. He still saw him as a man carrying out his orders and he was unaware of the truth, but as a Turk it was still too dangerous to bring him into the loop just yet. Reno had been a different story and Zack was thankful for his loyalty.
Sephiroth wasn't having it any easier. The scientists had run several tests on him, not anything medical. Hojo had forbade anyone other than him to perform medical tests on his favorite specimen. It disgusted the general every time. The man was a sick creeper and Sephiroth had learned long ago to tolerate the scientist's exams, though it was always taxing and left him gloomy and reclusive for days. But with Hojo gone he was merely given the most basic of tests. Just monitoring his vitals and checking his mental status, like they feared he might go insane and start killing everyone in sight at the drop of a hat. It didn't sound like a bad idea to the general, and the only thing that saved them from such a fate was the fact that he was still in control of his sanity.
Once he was freed from the lab, Sephiroth headed to his office, calling Second Class Kunsel on his way.
Once the Second arrived the general motioned for him to be careful of what they said. Kunsel understood the signal to speak in code and began the conversation.
"You wanted to see me, Sir?"
Sephiroth nodded. "I'm worried about Zack. He's dealt with a lot recently and I fear his most recent loss may yet be his undoing."
"The cadet you mean," asked Kunsel. 'This is about Cloud?'
Sephiroth nodded. 'Indeed.'
"I thought perhaps there was something Hojo could amend, considering he has had success with me," the general continued, "but he's not here." 'Hojo is up to something and we need to know where he is.'
"It's a shame. I never got the meet the kid, but Zack always talked highly of him, even though they hadn't known each other long," Kunsel replied. "Is there anything I can do to help?" 'Say the word and I'm up for the job.'
"I need you to be there for Zack. We're both backed up with assignments and have hardly been able to spend more than a few minutes together since our return." 'I need you to find Hojo and see what he's up to. Zack and I are both being watched closely.'
"Yes sir," Kunsel replied. 'You can count on me.'
Sephiroth nodded and searched through a stack of papers before pulling out a folder. "Zack had a mission to Wutai, but it's nothing classified and he's far too backed up to go. I need you to take care of it in his place." 'Begin your search there.'
Kunsel nodded, understanding perfectly. "Yes sir."
Sephiroth returned the nod, "dismissed."
