There he was sitting in the corner of the planning room, buster sword
resting on his shoulder. His SOLDIER uniform is cleaned thanks to Tifa.
Cloud could hear the whirring of the engines. He could hear the uniformed
Aeris Soldiers talking. He asked to be by himself. Tifa of course worried,
but did what he asked. Cloud left the cockpit, with everyone in his or her
usual places. He was glad that Vincent joined again. How Vincent knew where
to be was a mystery to Cloud, but he didn't care.
Cloud stared at the cold metal floor. His elbows rested on his knees and his hands dangled in between his legs. "Can't believe I'm doing this." Cloud told himself. "Who the heck is this Mr. H. character?" Cloud's eyes seem to be staring through the floor rather than at the floor.
Aeris please be with me. I don't know how this will turn out. I will always keep you in my heart. So please be at my side, if not personally, then in spirit. Vincent is back. You probably already know that. Barret is here too. No gun arm, so I don't know what he's going to use as a weapon. He's probably pissed as heck finding out that he needed that stupid gun arm again. Aeris, I really wish you were here. You might want to meet Lina; she's just like you. You would like her. Well you like pretty much anyone with a heart.
Cloud smiles to his last thought. Cloud rested the back of his head against the wall and looked up. As he stared at the ceiling, more thoughts flowed in.
Sometimes I could swear that you are Lina. I mean maybe you did answer my prayers. Just maybe you are at my side. That makes me feel a lot better. I remember your green eyes. You were so innocent, and sweet. Everything about you was wonderful. Tifa and I are in love. I don't know how you would react to that. I love Tifa very much. I'm sure Tifa is taking care of me for you. I'll tell you the truth, I was a little attracted to Lina at first, I guess it was because I missed you so much, not that I don't anymore, but I guess it did numb down because of Lina. Sometimes I feel like you're always around me when she's around. What more can I say about it? Aeris, I really need to know. Are you Lina? No, this is serious. Are you really Lina? Or is Lina you? There's no doubt in my head that you two are connected somehow. I think you are she somehow. Perhaps she is something like you. I don't know anymore.
Suddenly Cloud remembered something, "Wait a second! That muscle- bound freak! He said something. I- I was knocked onto Lina when he said it." Cloud knocked on his forehead trying to remember. "I think he said something about Lina not knowing where she came from. What is that all about? Is Mr. H. her leader, no? No Lina would never double-cross us. Maybe he is some kind of a family relative. But what does the H. stand for? Hojo is my best guess."
Hojo you better not think your going to just come back and ruin everything. I will stop you like I did before. Do you really think you could stop me? I killed your almighty son.
Cloud heard a knock on the door.
The door slammed open. "Yo Cloud! Were gonna be there in ten minutes. Got that?" Barret grunted to Cloud.
Cloud nodded "Hey Barret! What are you going to use as your weapon?"
Barret laughed obnoxiously. "You think I came unprepared! Well I have you kno! I brought myself a fucking shotgun. I nice two barrel shotgun! And fo the suckers who think they'll be to fast for me. I'll take em down with my machine gun!" Barret salutes in a mocking manner, and closes the door.
Cloud chuckled to himself. "Hope he knows how to use them."
Clouds smile soon faded away, as his thoughts of who Mr. H. could be came back. "I don't know who the fuck! This is so annoying. It can't be Hojo, can it? Maybe he somehow kept himself alive. I don't know. I mean Sephiroth kept himself alive. Maybe there's a way that Hojo did it too."
The door creaks open. "Maybe he wasn't dead at all." Lina walks in. She smiled. "I asked Tifa if it was ok to bother you. She told me by now you ran out of guesses of whatever you were thinking about, so that interrupting you won't be a big deal."
Cloud laughs softly. "Is there any way that I'm not predictable? This is pathetic. I'll probably by a gift for her, and she'll already know what it is before I even see it, or thought about buying it."
Lina chuckles to herself. She makes her way to Cloud, and sits next to him. "Are you sure you guys killed Hojo?"
Cloud thought about it. "Well I'm not one-hundred percent sure. We were in a hurry to get out of there." Cloud thought about that night. "Well I'm not entirely sure, so it's possible. Plus I really don't know anyone else with an H. capable enough to do this. Yet, He looks so different."
"There is something I gave thought. You say I am like Aeris, or look like her right." Lina pauses, and then sighs. "Ok, I don't know how to say it, but here goes nothing."
Cloud looks at her curiously. "What's wrong?" His blue eyes gaze at her green eyes staring at the ground. He looked at her purple dress. She looked beautiful in it.
"I don't remember- no, I have no memories of anything in my childhood." Lina admits.
"What do you mean?" Cloud shifted his posture.
"I mean that I don't remember my mother, father, what school I went too. Nothing!" Lina slowly brings her eyes and meets his. "Cloud I'm worried. What if I'm not real?"
Cloud looks at her. "Lina as real as anyone I know."
"Why can't I remember anything? Am I just a dream? You heard Mr. H say something. You heard him didn't you?" Lina's eyes started to glisten with unshed tears.
Cloud nodded. "Maybe he's your father?"
"He doesn't look anything like me Cloud, be serious." Lina brought her gaze to the wall opposite from Cloud; she didn't want to look at him. "What if I'm nobody? Perhaps I'm just a dream. Floating through life. When will my dream end Cloud?"
Cloud didn't know what to say. "I." Cloud lost his words. He sighed and put his hand on her shoulder. "Look Lina, you can't be a dream. You're here standing with me. Err, sitting. You know what I mean!"
She giggled, and a tear streamed down her beautiful face. "Cloud, what do you think about me?"
Cloud thought about it for a minute.
"Does it really take that long?" Lina asked with a half-smile.
"No, I'm just making sure I say the right thing. A-" Cloud corrects himself. "Lina, you're a sweet person. You're warm-hearted, and care for everyone. You even make sure Tifa doesn't get jealous. Heck all I hear about you from Tifa is good things. She likes you a lot. So do I." He looked at her and wiped her tear with his index finger. "I'm sure everyone feels the same as I."
Lina felt happy, and gave into an uncontrollable urge to just hug him. So she did.
Cloud didn't know what to do. He didn't hug back because he felt uncomfortable.
"Don't worry Cloud. You don't have to hug back. I just need to do this. Something in me told me to take advantage, and just hug you. Something told me I might not get the chance to ever again." Lina spoke from his chest.
Tifa slowly opened the door. She saw Lina hugging Cloud. Her eyes narrowed to understand the situation. She didn't want to jump to conclusions. She knew both Lina and Cloud wouldn't do something like that.
Cloud looked at her, and made a facial gesture.
Tifa read it loud and clear. Lina just needs some reassurance. Cloud is trying to lend an ear, and a shoulder. She smiled to Cloud, and blew a soft kiss. Then she closed the door behind her.
Cloud decided to hug her finally. So he did.
Lina felt warmth from Cloud; she felt like this was where she had to be. Something inside her wanted to cry. Something yearned for this. Lina felt warm tears streaming down her face. Her heart told her something, she couldn't understand. Her heart told her soul something she never thought about before. Cloud means more to Lina than she possibly could understand. But why? She asked herself in her thoughts. Lina dug her face deeper into his embrace. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. I'm always here for you." He looked down onto her hair. "Do you feel the same thing I do?"
Lina nodded in his arms. "I feel it too. Something is right about this."
Tifa stood at the front of the cockpit, looking out to the ground that passed under the Highwind. "Hope Lina is ok." Tifa thought about many things about Lina. The most occurring thought was her likeness to Aeris. At first she felt threatened, but she learned very quickly that Lina, just like Aeris, is a very trustworthy person. Tifa likes Lina a lot.
"I sure miss Aeris." Tifa sighed. "Not too much anymore, thanks to Lina."
"Hiya Tifa!" Yuffie waltzed up to Tifa, and leaned on the railing next to her. "Jealous?"
Tifa snapped her head to Yuffie. "No!"
"I'm sure!" Yuffie grinned, and nudge Tifa. "Come on, you have to be jealous about Lina, she IS with Cloud."
"So." Tifa looked ahead from Yuffie."
"Together." Yuffie continued.
Tifa ignored.
"Alone." Yuffie nodded her head smiling. "Yep! Right now, they are probably all over each other."
"Shut up!" Tifa yelled at Yuffie.
Yuffie jumped up frightened from Tifa. "Whoa! Sorry! It was a joke." Yuffie composed herself. "Nothing to get all bent out of shape over." Then she changed the subject. "OH! Guess what!!!"
"What?" Tifa said annoyed.
By this time Yuffie was jumping up and down. "I got another materia!" Yuffie holds out the materia on her palm. "Look!" She extends it to Tifa.
Tifa snatches it away, and laughs.
"Hey!" Yuffie throws her fists down.
"I know how to steal too." She smirks.
"Yuffie!" Reno yells from the other end. "Give it back to me!"
"Uh oh." Yuffie pries Tifa's hand open, and snatches the materia. "Gotta go!" She makes a run for it.
Reno jumps in her way. "Got you now!"
Yuffie slides under his legs, and continues running away from him.
"Hey!" Reno looks under his legs, and turns around. "Come back here you!" Reno runs out of the room. "I really can't stand kids."
"Back to my thoughts." Tifa said happy, now with no accusing teenagers. "I am not jealous of Lina. That's why I left them there. Together. Alone." Tifa smiled.
"Yo Tifa! We're almost there! Get ready!" Barret yelled.
"Shut the fuck up! Don't yell in my ear!" Cid shouted.
"Kiss my ass Cid!" Barret grunted.
"Whatever." Cid laughed. "Good to see you again fart-knocker."
Cid spoke into the microphone. "Alright! Get ready we're jumping in less than 2 minutes." Cid thought about a second comment. "Everyone who's jumping, line up at the flight deck.
Twelve soldiers stood in line. Cloud and Lina were already there, by the time the others joined up. Tifa, and Barret walked up to Cloud and Lina.
Vincent soon strolled up the staircase with Yuffie, and Reno.
Cloud stepped up. "We are about to surprise attack our enemy. I hope you are all prepared. Watch your back, and each others as well." Cloud turned around to face the night sky. "We don't know what we'll run into."
"Yes sir!" The troops shouted.
"Alright Pansies, strap up and chuck yourselves out!" Cid yelled coming up the staircase.
"Who is flying?" Lina asked.
"Same guy that flew it during the whole Meteor catastrophe." Cid already had his harness on. "Lets throw the ropes over and straps yourselves now!" Cid ordered the soldiers.
"Tifa, Lina, and Yuffie." Cloud turned to them.
They all looked at him. "What?" Yuffie asked.
"I'm asking you guys- girls if you want to stay?" Cloud waited for an answer.
"Cloud I told you already, I'm with you no matter what." Tifa pulled her gloves tight. She wore a tight white shirt, and brown shorts.
"You should no my answer by now Cloud." Lina said looking to the night sky.
"Sheesh! And miss all the fun. Not to mention the materia!" Yuffie said.
Cloud nodded.
"We're here!" Barret yelled.
"Alright pansies go!" Cid yelled
The soldiers click in their harness to the long rope. One by one they jumped off the ship.
Cloud walked up to the rope on the other side. "Here goes nothing." Cloud strapped himself on. As he unsheathed his sword and held it above his head, Cloud jumps off the ship. Cloud felt the wind pounding onto his body through the semi-freefall. Cloud turned to see other soldiers falling parallel to him. His uniform shook furiously from the impact of the wind. He saw the camp below him. Cloud grins. "Get ready!" he told himself. The ground came close and quick. Cloud pressed on the brake, and slew himself down. Finally Cloud got to the end of the rope, and left behind conventional ideas. He unlocked himself and jumped off the rope.
Cloud picked his first target, and smiled. Cloud yelled as he raised his sword high above his head. Cloud started to swing down his buster sword with ferocity.
Cloud stared at the cold metal floor. His elbows rested on his knees and his hands dangled in between his legs. "Can't believe I'm doing this." Cloud told himself. "Who the heck is this Mr. H. character?" Cloud's eyes seem to be staring through the floor rather than at the floor.
Aeris please be with me. I don't know how this will turn out. I will always keep you in my heart. So please be at my side, if not personally, then in spirit. Vincent is back. You probably already know that. Barret is here too. No gun arm, so I don't know what he's going to use as a weapon. He's probably pissed as heck finding out that he needed that stupid gun arm again. Aeris, I really wish you were here. You might want to meet Lina; she's just like you. You would like her. Well you like pretty much anyone with a heart.
Cloud smiles to his last thought. Cloud rested the back of his head against the wall and looked up. As he stared at the ceiling, more thoughts flowed in.
Sometimes I could swear that you are Lina. I mean maybe you did answer my prayers. Just maybe you are at my side. That makes me feel a lot better. I remember your green eyes. You were so innocent, and sweet. Everything about you was wonderful. Tifa and I are in love. I don't know how you would react to that. I love Tifa very much. I'm sure Tifa is taking care of me for you. I'll tell you the truth, I was a little attracted to Lina at first, I guess it was because I missed you so much, not that I don't anymore, but I guess it did numb down because of Lina. Sometimes I feel like you're always around me when she's around. What more can I say about it? Aeris, I really need to know. Are you Lina? No, this is serious. Are you really Lina? Or is Lina you? There's no doubt in my head that you two are connected somehow. I think you are she somehow. Perhaps she is something like you. I don't know anymore.
Suddenly Cloud remembered something, "Wait a second! That muscle- bound freak! He said something. I- I was knocked onto Lina when he said it." Cloud knocked on his forehead trying to remember. "I think he said something about Lina not knowing where she came from. What is that all about? Is Mr. H. her leader, no? No Lina would never double-cross us. Maybe he is some kind of a family relative. But what does the H. stand for? Hojo is my best guess."
Hojo you better not think your going to just come back and ruin everything. I will stop you like I did before. Do you really think you could stop me? I killed your almighty son.
Cloud heard a knock on the door.
The door slammed open. "Yo Cloud! Were gonna be there in ten minutes. Got that?" Barret grunted to Cloud.
Cloud nodded "Hey Barret! What are you going to use as your weapon?"
Barret laughed obnoxiously. "You think I came unprepared! Well I have you kno! I brought myself a fucking shotgun. I nice two barrel shotgun! And fo the suckers who think they'll be to fast for me. I'll take em down with my machine gun!" Barret salutes in a mocking manner, and closes the door.
Cloud chuckled to himself. "Hope he knows how to use them."
Clouds smile soon faded away, as his thoughts of who Mr. H. could be came back. "I don't know who the fuck! This is so annoying. It can't be Hojo, can it? Maybe he somehow kept himself alive. I don't know. I mean Sephiroth kept himself alive. Maybe there's a way that Hojo did it too."
The door creaks open. "Maybe he wasn't dead at all." Lina walks in. She smiled. "I asked Tifa if it was ok to bother you. She told me by now you ran out of guesses of whatever you were thinking about, so that interrupting you won't be a big deal."
Cloud laughs softly. "Is there any way that I'm not predictable? This is pathetic. I'll probably by a gift for her, and she'll already know what it is before I even see it, or thought about buying it."
Lina chuckles to herself. She makes her way to Cloud, and sits next to him. "Are you sure you guys killed Hojo?"
Cloud thought about it. "Well I'm not one-hundred percent sure. We were in a hurry to get out of there." Cloud thought about that night. "Well I'm not entirely sure, so it's possible. Plus I really don't know anyone else with an H. capable enough to do this. Yet, He looks so different."
"There is something I gave thought. You say I am like Aeris, or look like her right." Lina pauses, and then sighs. "Ok, I don't know how to say it, but here goes nothing."
Cloud looks at her curiously. "What's wrong?" His blue eyes gaze at her green eyes staring at the ground. He looked at her purple dress. She looked beautiful in it.
"I don't remember- no, I have no memories of anything in my childhood." Lina admits.
"What do you mean?" Cloud shifted his posture.
"I mean that I don't remember my mother, father, what school I went too. Nothing!" Lina slowly brings her eyes and meets his. "Cloud I'm worried. What if I'm not real?"
Cloud looks at her. "Lina as real as anyone I know."
"Why can't I remember anything? Am I just a dream? You heard Mr. H say something. You heard him didn't you?" Lina's eyes started to glisten with unshed tears.
Cloud nodded. "Maybe he's your father?"
"He doesn't look anything like me Cloud, be serious." Lina brought her gaze to the wall opposite from Cloud; she didn't want to look at him. "What if I'm nobody? Perhaps I'm just a dream. Floating through life. When will my dream end Cloud?"
Cloud didn't know what to say. "I." Cloud lost his words. He sighed and put his hand on her shoulder. "Look Lina, you can't be a dream. You're here standing with me. Err, sitting. You know what I mean!"
She giggled, and a tear streamed down her beautiful face. "Cloud, what do you think about me?"
Cloud thought about it for a minute.
"Does it really take that long?" Lina asked with a half-smile.
"No, I'm just making sure I say the right thing. A-" Cloud corrects himself. "Lina, you're a sweet person. You're warm-hearted, and care for everyone. You even make sure Tifa doesn't get jealous. Heck all I hear about you from Tifa is good things. She likes you a lot. So do I." He looked at her and wiped her tear with his index finger. "I'm sure everyone feels the same as I."
Lina felt happy, and gave into an uncontrollable urge to just hug him. So she did.
Cloud didn't know what to do. He didn't hug back because he felt uncomfortable.
"Don't worry Cloud. You don't have to hug back. I just need to do this. Something in me told me to take advantage, and just hug you. Something told me I might not get the chance to ever again." Lina spoke from his chest.
Tifa slowly opened the door. She saw Lina hugging Cloud. Her eyes narrowed to understand the situation. She didn't want to jump to conclusions. She knew both Lina and Cloud wouldn't do something like that.
Cloud looked at her, and made a facial gesture.
Tifa read it loud and clear. Lina just needs some reassurance. Cloud is trying to lend an ear, and a shoulder. She smiled to Cloud, and blew a soft kiss. Then she closed the door behind her.
Cloud decided to hug her finally. So he did.
Lina felt warmth from Cloud; she felt like this was where she had to be. Something inside her wanted to cry. Something yearned for this. Lina felt warm tears streaming down her face. Her heart told her something, she couldn't understand. Her heart told her soul something she never thought about before. Cloud means more to Lina than she possibly could understand. But why? She asked herself in her thoughts. Lina dug her face deeper into his embrace. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it. I'm always here for you." He looked down onto her hair. "Do you feel the same thing I do?"
Lina nodded in his arms. "I feel it too. Something is right about this."
Tifa stood at the front of the cockpit, looking out to the ground that passed under the Highwind. "Hope Lina is ok." Tifa thought about many things about Lina. The most occurring thought was her likeness to Aeris. At first she felt threatened, but she learned very quickly that Lina, just like Aeris, is a very trustworthy person. Tifa likes Lina a lot.
"I sure miss Aeris." Tifa sighed. "Not too much anymore, thanks to Lina."
"Hiya Tifa!" Yuffie waltzed up to Tifa, and leaned on the railing next to her. "Jealous?"
Tifa snapped her head to Yuffie. "No!"
"I'm sure!" Yuffie grinned, and nudge Tifa. "Come on, you have to be jealous about Lina, she IS with Cloud."
"So." Tifa looked ahead from Yuffie."
"Together." Yuffie continued.
Tifa ignored.
"Alone." Yuffie nodded her head smiling. "Yep! Right now, they are probably all over each other."
"Shut up!" Tifa yelled at Yuffie.
Yuffie jumped up frightened from Tifa. "Whoa! Sorry! It was a joke." Yuffie composed herself. "Nothing to get all bent out of shape over." Then she changed the subject. "OH! Guess what!!!"
"What?" Tifa said annoyed.
By this time Yuffie was jumping up and down. "I got another materia!" Yuffie holds out the materia on her palm. "Look!" She extends it to Tifa.
Tifa snatches it away, and laughs.
"Hey!" Yuffie throws her fists down.
"I know how to steal too." She smirks.
"Yuffie!" Reno yells from the other end. "Give it back to me!"
"Uh oh." Yuffie pries Tifa's hand open, and snatches the materia. "Gotta go!" She makes a run for it.
Reno jumps in her way. "Got you now!"
Yuffie slides under his legs, and continues running away from him.
"Hey!" Reno looks under his legs, and turns around. "Come back here you!" Reno runs out of the room. "I really can't stand kids."
"Back to my thoughts." Tifa said happy, now with no accusing teenagers. "I am not jealous of Lina. That's why I left them there. Together. Alone." Tifa smiled.
"Yo Tifa! We're almost there! Get ready!" Barret yelled.
"Shut the fuck up! Don't yell in my ear!" Cid shouted.
"Kiss my ass Cid!" Barret grunted.
"Whatever." Cid laughed. "Good to see you again fart-knocker."
Cid spoke into the microphone. "Alright! Get ready we're jumping in less than 2 minutes." Cid thought about a second comment. "Everyone who's jumping, line up at the flight deck.
Twelve soldiers stood in line. Cloud and Lina were already there, by the time the others joined up. Tifa, and Barret walked up to Cloud and Lina.
Vincent soon strolled up the staircase with Yuffie, and Reno.
Cloud stepped up. "We are about to surprise attack our enemy. I hope you are all prepared. Watch your back, and each others as well." Cloud turned around to face the night sky. "We don't know what we'll run into."
"Yes sir!" The troops shouted.
"Alright Pansies, strap up and chuck yourselves out!" Cid yelled coming up the staircase.
"Who is flying?" Lina asked.
"Same guy that flew it during the whole Meteor catastrophe." Cid already had his harness on. "Lets throw the ropes over and straps yourselves now!" Cid ordered the soldiers.
"Tifa, Lina, and Yuffie." Cloud turned to them.
They all looked at him. "What?" Yuffie asked.
"I'm asking you guys- girls if you want to stay?" Cloud waited for an answer.
"Cloud I told you already, I'm with you no matter what." Tifa pulled her gloves tight. She wore a tight white shirt, and brown shorts.
"You should no my answer by now Cloud." Lina said looking to the night sky.
"Sheesh! And miss all the fun. Not to mention the materia!" Yuffie said.
Cloud nodded.
"We're here!" Barret yelled.
"Alright pansies go!" Cid yelled
The soldiers click in their harness to the long rope. One by one they jumped off the ship.
Cloud walked up to the rope on the other side. "Here goes nothing." Cloud strapped himself on. As he unsheathed his sword and held it above his head, Cloud jumps off the ship. Cloud felt the wind pounding onto his body through the semi-freefall. Cloud turned to see other soldiers falling parallel to him. His uniform shook furiously from the impact of the wind. He saw the camp below him. Cloud grins. "Get ready!" he told himself. The ground came close and quick. Cloud pressed on the brake, and slew himself down. Finally Cloud got to the end of the rope, and left behind conventional ideas. He unlocked himself and jumped off the rope.
Cloud picked his first target, and smiled. Cloud yelled as he raised his sword high above his head. Cloud started to swing down his buster sword with ferocity.