AFTER THE FALL: Putting your feet upon the path
-NEVER AGAIN-
"Wake up"
"C'mon Pal...wake up"
"Hey buddy! Wake up!"
The words rousted him from the warmth and comfort of sleep, as he slowly opened his eyes and returned to the land of the waking he felt it coming slowly, and in the time it took him to blink the hangover hit him like an oncoming train, groaning and turning to his side he let the contents of his stomach spill out onto the ground.
"Easy there buddy"
A comforting hand patted his shoulder and for a second he tolorated it as his stomach tried to convince his mind that there was nothing left to expell, when he'd finished dry heaving he cast the hand off his shoulder and sat up, something slipped from his pocket and hit the ground with a crinkle and a small thud, looking down he saw it was a brown paper bag containing a bottle, bits and pieces of what he'd done last night trickled back into his memory.
"You ok friend?"
Though he'd felt the hand he was still surprised when he looked up and saw the concerned face staring down at him, he was amazed further to discover it was the rough scared face of one of Kalm's less fortunate poor population, the man met his gaze unflinching willing to risk the strangers wrath for a few moments of company if any was to be offered.
"What's your name?" the man tried again
For a second he wanted to snap at the ragged figure, he'd been a Turk for crying out loud! he didn't need to answer to some hapless bum in a puke stained alleyway! But as he met the mans gaze his harsh words softened in his throat for he saw nothing but the gleam of friendship there, no trace of mockery rested within the gentle blue orbs.
"Name's Reno"
He croaked out wincing as his voice sounded like he'd been gargling with rocks
"Well Reno, let's get you off the ground...that can't be too comfortable"
Without hesitation the stranger offered Reno his hand, Reno observed it for a moment doubtful but raising his eyes to meet the strangers he again saw nothing but sincerity in the eyes, reaching out he grasped the offered hand and to his surprise was pulled to his feet, the man though worn and dressed in tattered clothing still possessed some strength in his limbs.
The sudden transfer from ground to feet caught Reno off guard and he had to lean up against the wall for support, again without hesitation the man slipped his arm under Reno's and took the brunt of the former Turks weight.
"C'mon friend, I know of a warmer place then this...an alleyway is a place for garbage...not a decent human being"
Not wanting to test his voice again Reno allowed himself to be led down a maze of alleyways until finally they came to the underside of a bridge, true to the strangers word it provided a shelter from the wind, the man eased Reno down on a tattered but still useable mattress, it was a sorry thing but for Reno it was like sitting on a cloud after sleeping on the hard ground, he watched as the man moved to the small fire he'd started earlier picking up a metal cannister, unscrewing the top the man poured some of the steaming liquid into a small cup and offered it to Reno.
"Coffee" the man explained "It's nothing fancy but it's warm"
Reno accepted the cup with a nod, though it was simple black coffee it immdiately warmed Reno, seeping into his bones and banishing the chill from his body, his previously trembling hands steadied and he felt as though the liquid had rejuvinated him better then a cure spell could have, Finally becoming uncomfortable with his own silence he spoke...his voice sounding less worn and abused.
"Who are you?" he asked curiously
"Nobody special" the man said with a genuine smile "Just another person living life to its fullest"
Living life to its fullest? Reno raised an eyebrow, this was clearly not a grand or even middle class lifestyle, the stranger sensed his disbelief and chuckled understandingly.
"It's no costa del sol" he said softly the smile never leaving his eyes "But it's decent enough, got me clean air to breathe, water to bathe in, got some friends who keep me fed...which is more then some can claim"
The stranger cast a glance towards the direction of Midgar and for the first time Reno saw a flicker of sadness enter the mans eyes.
"You...You enjoy this?"
Reno asked still not quite able to believe the mans acceptance of his surroundings
"It gets a little cold in the mornings" the man shrugged his smile returning brighter then ever "But i've got no worries Reno, no bills to pay, no children so i don't have to worry about mouths to feed, I've been a very lucky man in this life, I have my health and my life what more could i want?"
Reno opened his mouth to protest but closed it, there was no insincerity about the man, he was clearly happy.
"But you said it gets cold..." Reno tried again "Surely there are shelters you can go to...they could at least give you a cot to sleep on, a roof over your head"
The strangers smile broadened wider still, putting a gentle hand on Reno's shoulder he gestured with his other hand as he spoke.
"A roof over my head? if i had a roof over my head then i wouldn't be able to see this every morning"
Reno turned and his words stopped before they could exit his mouth, creeping up over the hills in all it's beauty and brilliance was the sun, though Reno had haphazardly watched a sunrise before he was nevertheless stunned by the sight of the glowing red orb as it began it's slow journey from behind the hills to the sky, it's reflection danced of the water not far from where they sat, for a reason Reno couldn't comprehend he was overwhelemed by emotion and he lifted a hand to brush away a tear brimming in his eye.
"Well enough about me" the man said as if sensing Reno's emotion "Tell me about you Reno"
"I...I...I'm no one...any more...Friends left me...Meteor destroyed any semblence of my job...I guess i'm just a down and out drunk"
Reno said hanging his head, watching the fire snap and crackle he finished off the last of the coffee
"Self Pity doesn't become you Reno"
Reno looked up as the strength behind the mans words grabbed his attention more then a physical blow would have, the man continued the friendly glow still in his eyes but with a twinkle of something else that expressed his words were not to be taken lightly.
"We come into this life with no physical possessions...We come into life as exactly who we are...and no matter how much life changes, no matter what it gives us or takes from us we will always...always have our identities...who we are...You're Reno...and if all your years of experience have left you with no other option then to run and crawl into a bottle then i may have made the first mistake of my life in helping you...but you know what Reno? I don't make mistakes...i didn't pull a hapless down and out drunk off the ground this morning...i lent my hand to a human being"
Reno was taken back by the strength in the mans words, the conviction, and little by little as they sunk in the the black gloom and despair that surrounded him began to lift, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders he realized that by no means was he down and out! He was Reno by god and that was good enough for him! without even realizing it he'd gotten to his feet hands clenched together in a gesture of defiance against the gloom of depression, gazing down at the smiling stranger in front of him he realized he'd learned a lesson greater then anyone had ever taught him before.
"You're right..." he said looking down at the man "You didn't make a mistake..."
The man smiled
"There's no shame in giving into depression Reno...we all do sometimes...but if you sink too deep and let it overwhelm you then thats when you stop being you"
Reno found a smile of his own crossing his face, he couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled, reaching into his pocket he withdrew his wallet, opening it to offer the man some Gil he was surprised when the stranger shook his head
"Keep your money...it only brings trouble"
"But...But there must be some way to repay you" Reno said gazing down at the man
"You already have...I've set your feet upon the path Reno and i can see you'll follow it to where ever it will lead you...that and your company is payment enough"
Reno gazed down at the man, his mind turning, there must be something he could offer the man without fear of offending him with the offer of moeny which the man clearly would not except, then it hit him suddenly, slipping his coat off he knelt by the man and draped it over his shoulders, the man looked up in surprise as if to protest but Reno silenced him.
"You said it gets cold in the mornings now..." He said "I think you can use this more then i can"
The man looked up at him as if doubting his words, but when he saw now the warm glow of sincerity in Reno's eyes he closed his eyes and wrapped the jacket around him tightly, when he opened them again Reno saw they were wet.
"Thank you Friend...it is a wonderful gift"
Reno nodded, casting his gaze acrss the hills to the broken shell of Midgar visible even at this distance he knew where his destination lay, even if it meant going back and facing scorn and hatred.
"I take it you know where you have to go now?" the stranger said rising to his feet
"Yes" Reno said softly "I need to go right my wrongs"
The man smiled and gave Reno's shoulder a gentle squeeze, Reno turned and the two exchanged silent goodbyes, all the words needing to be spoken had been said, and as Reno turned to go his step was lighter then it ever had been before.
Later laden with supllies for the journey to midgar and walking with a confidence never before felt he passed the alleyway where he'd collapsed last night, gazing only momentarily at the dirty, stained ground he left the city.
"Never again" he promised himself
"Never again"
-WAKING UP WITH YOU-
The sound of footsteps woke him from his sound sleep, reflexes and senses sharpened by his soldier and mako enhancements told him that the steps were far away yet but approaching closer to him.
A soft sigh by his side turned his gaze from the window to under the blanket next to him, spooned up against him was the small yet powerful frame of Tifa, a smile played over his features causing his blue eyes to sparkle, reaching down he brushed a strand of brown hair from her face he tucked it behind her ear and kissed her softly on the forehead, this prompted another soft sigh but did not cause her to wake.
Throwing the covers back carefuly Cloud got to his feet and stretched, last night was blur he knew but sex had not been among the nightly activities they participated in, both had been so exhausted that they'd fallen asleep in each others arms...but nothing in the world had ever felt so good to Cloud, and as he cast another gaze to the sleeping beauty at his feet he knew he'd found the person that he would indeed spend the rest of his life with.
The footsteps now crunched on the gravel in the small yard of the building they'd taken shelter in, Cloud sighed tearing his gaze away, whoever was outside was no doubt looking for him to take charge in Reeve's absence, though it was demanding Cloud found it was a task he enjoyed...just not as much as being entangled in Tifa's arms, pulling a shirt on he stepped outside strapping on the giant ultima weapon he carried, all but soldier first class were able to weild such a large blade in the form of a buster sword, but during his travels Cloud had become something stronger, finding the inner strength and discipline within him to weild the mighty weapon and weild it in the destruction of his foe Sephiroth, it was indeed his weapon and his weapon alone...earned by blood, sweat, and Pain.
It was a Soldier that sought his presence, a broad shouldered large man with friendly eyes, he stopped short and saluted, Cloud never comfortable with such military formalities returned it reluctantly and closed the distance between himself and the young Private.
"Mr. Strife sir!" the Soldier said standing at attention as Cloud approached
"At ease Private...Stewart"
Cloud said putting on a friendly face reading the mans name tag on his Shinra uniform, Cloud dimly wondered if Reeve would change the uniforms away from the colors and symbols known and hated by the rest of the world.
"Sir, for give me for disturbing you, i was told to bring any important information to you in President Reeve's absence"
President Reeve, Cloud chuckled and wondered if Reeve knew about that title.
"What do you have for me Private?"
"Sir we've come across a bunker...inside we found reasearch we believe belonged to Hojo, notebooks, machinery..."
The Private was cut off as he saw Clouds face turn to a grimace, without even being aware of it Clouds hand moved as if by reflex to his sword at the mention of the man, with effort he stopped himself and forced his hand to his side.
"Lead the way"
Friendlliness gone from his voice Cloud followed the man over the ruins of Midgar, Cloud knew with a certain sadness that though bodies were still being recovered there would come a time when recvering them alive would vanish, eventually they would clear the rubble away and rebuild Midgar anew.
After walking across what felt like the majority of the city they came to a small hole in the ground near the outskirts of town. looking down into it Cloud felt a chill run up his spine as the smells of alcohol and other disenfectants assaulted his nose, he'd spent a great deal of time in the scientists clutches, for a time he'd been the mans private guinea pig and Cloud remembered every vile thing the mad man had inflicted upon him like it happened yesterday.
Forcing the memories aside Cloud climbed down the ladder and into the bunker, the room was lit by flares but there wasn't enough light to conduct a proper search, Cloud's Mako enhanced eyes solved that problem however, he surveyed the room finding notebook after notebook of the damnable scientists research, by the time he'd climbed out of the bunker two hours passed but the Private still stood waiting for him.
"Sir?" he inquired "What should we do with this?"
Cloud took a deep breath, this was a judgement call he was not comfortable making, but in a strange way given his past experiences he was probably more qualified then anyone to decide the fate of Hojo's research.
"I want you to post two guards here, i don't want this information touched by anyone else until Revve knows about it, Hojo did a great deal of reasearch on the Soldier Project but the reasearch down there i feel can be benaficial to Midgar as it's mostly Medical"
The Private nodded and jumped to do Clouds bidding, soon after there was no further need of his presence as the situation had been secured, he made his way back over the landscape, gazing over to where the highwind had been landed the previous night he dimly remembered saying goodbye to Cid, Nanaki, and Yuffie, he'd been even more surprised to see that Yuffie had found a little girl out in the rubble, finding niether of the childs parents alive she'd taken the girl under her wing.
Strangely enough Cloud thought, that might be just what the young girl would need to forget the destruction of the war they'd fought...helping nurture a new life.
Coming over a rise he saw Tifa standing in the doorway of the house they'd claimed as their own the previous night, Cloud smiled as he realized that for the first time in his life someone was waiting for him when he got home, with a smile he jogged down the hill to meet her.
--
-WHAT'S IN A NAME?-
Nanaki watched along with Cid and Yuffie as the little girl allowed the Chocobo to take the greens out of her hands, Cid however seemed to be the most surprised as the bird Warked happily.
"Never seen anything like it...thats gotta be the most disagreeable bird i've ever had the burden of carrying on the Highwind, wont let anyone get near it" the Captain said with a chuckle.
"The child does indeed have a way about her with animals" Nanaki commented from his spot on the floor next to Yuffie
"She's something special..." Yuffie said watching the girl, she had yet to speak to Yuffie or anyone else for that matter, at first Yuffie had blamed the shock of the situation but now she was beginning to wonder if the girl had been born mute or for some reason didn't feel it necessary to speak, she was obviously used to functioning without a voice.
The Chocobo coo'ed as the little girl ran her fingers over the creatures beak, Cid was again surprised as he'd seen that beak put to use snapping at his crew and those who tried to get close to it, with a smile he got to his feet.
"We should be landing in Cosmo Canyon soon Red...i'll go prepare us for landing"
Yuffie watched the pilot amble off to the cockpit a sense of determination in his eyes, she saw his mouth move as if he was silently talking to himself, offering himself comfort for something that was apperently bothering him, Nanaki turned to her and gave her a wink.
"That is a man with a looming issue on his mind" the lion creature chuckled softly
"What could make the great Cid Highwind talk to himself?" Yuffie inquired slightly puzzled.
"I'm pretty sure it has to do with the small black case he's carrying in his pocket" Nanaki sad with a surprisingly human grin "I have a feel before too long we'll be getting invitations in the mail"
Yuffie grinned on the verge of saying something, but she was interuppted when the little girl came back over and planted herself firmly in Yuffies lap, doll in one hand her other hand wrapped around Yuffies arm, she gazed curiously at Nanaki's tail watching the flame dance about lazily and then closed her eyes, she was quite comfortable around the strange creature with the flame on his tail, the little girls logic figured if the monster didn't worry that his tail was on fire that she shouldn't try to put it out.
Nanaki looked over at Yuffie watching her cover up the little girl with a traveling robe.
"May i assume that you've had time to ponder and reconsider this...Destiny thing?" he smiled
Yuffie looked up at him suddenly and he expected her to launch a verbal attack telling him to mind his own business, he was quite surprised how ever when she shrugged and said
"Maybe..."
For Nanaki it was a resounding yes, he covered up his broad grin and was about to speak when Cid's voice came over the intercom and urged them to find secure spots for landing, for Nanaki this meant going to the bridge, but for Yuffie he figured she was safe where she was, he got to his feet and allowed himself to be hugged then ambled off towards the cockpit his tail swishing back and forth.
The little girl opened her eyes and watched the strange creature go, snuggling deeper into her rescuers arms she gazed up at Yuffie and gave a sleepy yawn.
"Tired are we?" Yuffie smiled down
The little girl nodded in response
"Well before you go to sleep on me i think we need to give you a name" Yuffie said
The little girl nodded her head in agreement again.
"Hmmm" Yuffie pondered "Kady?"
The little girl shook her head no
"Melissa?"
Again a resounding no
"Trisha?"
The little girl stuck her tongue out and shook her head no, Yuffie giggled
"Well...you don't like that one...Hmmm"
It struck her so suddenly that she was surprised she hadn't thought of it in the first place, so appropriate for the given situation.
"Destiny" she whispered
The little girl gazed up at Yuffie and considered, then shook her head in the affirmative...she liked it
"Destiny" Yuffie said again "Then that's what we'll call you"
The little girl smiled and closed her eyes deciding it was now time for some sleep, Yuffie sighed and leaned back against the wall, it felt like it'd been so long since she'd seen home, she missed the sights, the smells, the sounds...but for some reason the Ninja girl was troubled by the thought of returning.
Perhaps it was the memories, perfecting her skills of theivery in Wutai, earning the ire of well over half the town, they considered her a brat, and only tolorated her because her father was ruler of Wutai, she realized that she wasn't the little girl who'd left Wutai...somewhere during the journey she'd grown up...though looking back she couldn't pin point the exact time or place.
"I don't want to go home..." Yuffie whispered sleepily as she closed her eyes and faded into a peaceful slumber.
Destiny opened her eyes and gazed up at Yuffie, the little girl had no idea what had befallen her parents but she felt a resounding sense of loss, knowing they were gone, the tears welled in her eyes but didn't fall as they had last night, Destiny knew she was safe in this young woman's arms, and she wasn't going anywhere but where her new mother took her.
Sighing and snuggling down Destiny closed her eyes as the Highwind descended into Cosomo Canyon, She sensed a change in the air as if the very air was charged with something she could touch if she reached out, but she was too tired for that, before the Highwind had landed she was sleeping soundly.
--
-WHAT DREAMS MAY COME: Part Two-
She was dreaming this much she knew...
There was a quality about the landscape she could quite put a finger on or rationaly explain, but her mind told her it wasn't real, she was asleep it told her, but nevertheless there was something important about this dream...it wasn't merely an escape into the dream world.
She was walking down a beach, waves rolled in and crashed against the shore, but as she drew closer she realized it wasn't water, her jaw dropped as she realized it was the lifestream, bending closer she could hear subtle soft whispers that stayed just out of reach of her understanding, the whispers were urgent but she coudn't quite grasp their message.
A sudden groan caused her head to snap up, further up the beach in the dying light was a body, whomever it was had managed to prop themselves up against the rocks, straighting up Elena rushed over the to figure who was obviously in pain.
She was out of breath by the time she reached the figure, on closer examination it was a man, his head rolled back and forth as if he was being battered by invisible waves of physical force, his arms jerked and convulsed and Elena found he was soaked to the bone, his eyes rolled around and he appeared to be in the grip of a terrible agony, she reached a hand out to touch him but suddenly hesitated.
His black hair was plastered to his forehead and his Turk uniform was in ruins, suddenly his hand snapped out and clenched around hers in an iron grip...she made no move to tear away instead her eyes filled with tears
"Tseng..."
The eyes stopped rolling as she whispered his name, finally and with some effort they came to focus on her, widening in recognition.
"Elena..." he whispered softly
They stayed eyes locked for how long she didn't know, but dimly she realized Tseng was beginning to fade, she cried out in protest gripping his hand tighter, but to her dismay the man she loved was dissapearing before her very eyes.
"Mideel"
She almost didn't hear the softly spoken words so focused on trying to keep him solid, but the effort was in vain, Tseng dissapated and blew into the breeze his last word ringing in her ears.
"Mideel"
Elena screamed in frustration....
Sitting bolt upright the first sounds to greet her was the crackling fire, Elena was free from the grip of the dream.
"Mideel"
She echoed the parting word, suddenly she flew into motion packing things as best she could, after the camp was cleared she put out the fire, daylight had not yet returned but she knew her destination well enough to navigate in the moonlight.
"Mideel"
Elena said again with a tone of finality, she would go to Mideel and hope her dreams were not leading her in vain.
But Elena couldn't deny her fear, she knew he was there waiting...but would he be alive? would he recognize her? the questions would rage on in her head until she broke down and wept if she let it get that far, instead she steeled herself and put her feet on the path.
Mideel it was...
-NEVER AGAIN-
"Wake up"
"C'mon Pal...wake up"
"Hey buddy! Wake up!"
The words rousted him from the warmth and comfort of sleep, as he slowly opened his eyes and returned to the land of the waking he felt it coming slowly, and in the time it took him to blink the hangover hit him like an oncoming train, groaning and turning to his side he let the contents of his stomach spill out onto the ground.
"Easy there buddy"
A comforting hand patted his shoulder and for a second he tolorated it as his stomach tried to convince his mind that there was nothing left to expell, when he'd finished dry heaving he cast the hand off his shoulder and sat up, something slipped from his pocket and hit the ground with a crinkle and a small thud, looking down he saw it was a brown paper bag containing a bottle, bits and pieces of what he'd done last night trickled back into his memory.
"You ok friend?"
Though he'd felt the hand he was still surprised when he looked up and saw the concerned face staring down at him, he was amazed further to discover it was the rough scared face of one of Kalm's less fortunate poor population, the man met his gaze unflinching willing to risk the strangers wrath for a few moments of company if any was to be offered.
"What's your name?" the man tried again
For a second he wanted to snap at the ragged figure, he'd been a Turk for crying out loud! he didn't need to answer to some hapless bum in a puke stained alleyway! But as he met the mans gaze his harsh words softened in his throat for he saw nothing but the gleam of friendship there, no trace of mockery rested within the gentle blue orbs.
"Name's Reno"
He croaked out wincing as his voice sounded like he'd been gargling with rocks
"Well Reno, let's get you off the ground...that can't be too comfortable"
Without hesitation the stranger offered Reno his hand, Reno observed it for a moment doubtful but raising his eyes to meet the strangers he again saw nothing but sincerity in the eyes, reaching out he grasped the offered hand and to his surprise was pulled to his feet, the man though worn and dressed in tattered clothing still possessed some strength in his limbs.
The sudden transfer from ground to feet caught Reno off guard and he had to lean up against the wall for support, again without hesitation the man slipped his arm under Reno's and took the brunt of the former Turks weight.
"C'mon friend, I know of a warmer place then this...an alleyway is a place for garbage...not a decent human being"
Not wanting to test his voice again Reno allowed himself to be led down a maze of alleyways until finally they came to the underside of a bridge, true to the strangers word it provided a shelter from the wind, the man eased Reno down on a tattered but still useable mattress, it was a sorry thing but for Reno it was like sitting on a cloud after sleeping on the hard ground, he watched as the man moved to the small fire he'd started earlier picking up a metal cannister, unscrewing the top the man poured some of the steaming liquid into a small cup and offered it to Reno.
"Coffee" the man explained "It's nothing fancy but it's warm"
Reno accepted the cup with a nod, though it was simple black coffee it immdiately warmed Reno, seeping into his bones and banishing the chill from his body, his previously trembling hands steadied and he felt as though the liquid had rejuvinated him better then a cure spell could have, Finally becoming uncomfortable with his own silence he spoke...his voice sounding less worn and abused.
"Who are you?" he asked curiously
"Nobody special" the man said with a genuine smile "Just another person living life to its fullest"
Living life to its fullest? Reno raised an eyebrow, this was clearly not a grand or even middle class lifestyle, the stranger sensed his disbelief and chuckled understandingly.
"It's no costa del sol" he said softly the smile never leaving his eyes "But it's decent enough, got me clean air to breathe, water to bathe in, got some friends who keep me fed...which is more then some can claim"
The stranger cast a glance towards the direction of Midgar and for the first time Reno saw a flicker of sadness enter the mans eyes.
"You...You enjoy this?"
Reno asked still not quite able to believe the mans acceptance of his surroundings
"It gets a little cold in the mornings" the man shrugged his smile returning brighter then ever "But i've got no worries Reno, no bills to pay, no children so i don't have to worry about mouths to feed, I've been a very lucky man in this life, I have my health and my life what more could i want?"
Reno opened his mouth to protest but closed it, there was no insincerity about the man, he was clearly happy.
"But you said it gets cold..." Reno tried again "Surely there are shelters you can go to...they could at least give you a cot to sleep on, a roof over your head"
The strangers smile broadened wider still, putting a gentle hand on Reno's shoulder he gestured with his other hand as he spoke.
"A roof over my head? if i had a roof over my head then i wouldn't be able to see this every morning"
Reno turned and his words stopped before they could exit his mouth, creeping up over the hills in all it's beauty and brilliance was the sun, though Reno had haphazardly watched a sunrise before he was nevertheless stunned by the sight of the glowing red orb as it began it's slow journey from behind the hills to the sky, it's reflection danced of the water not far from where they sat, for a reason Reno couldn't comprehend he was overwhelemed by emotion and he lifted a hand to brush away a tear brimming in his eye.
"Well enough about me" the man said as if sensing Reno's emotion "Tell me about you Reno"
"I...I...I'm no one...any more...Friends left me...Meteor destroyed any semblence of my job...I guess i'm just a down and out drunk"
Reno said hanging his head, watching the fire snap and crackle he finished off the last of the coffee
"Self Pity doesn't become you Reno"
Reno looked up as the strength behind the mans words grabbed his attention more then a physical blow would have, the man continued the friendly glow still in his eyes but with a twinkle of something else that expressed his words were not to be taken lightly.
"We come into this life with no physical possessions...We come into life as exactly who we are...and no matter how much life changes, no matter what it gives us or takes from us we will always...always have our identities...who we are...You're Reno...and if all your years of experience have left you with no other option then to run and crawl into a bottle then i may have made the first mistake of my life in helping you...but you know what Reno? I don't make mistakes...i didn't pull a hapless down and out drunk off the ground this morning...i lent my hand to a human being"
Reno was taken back by the strength in the mans words, the conviction, and little by little as they sunk in the the black gloom and despair that surrounded him began to lift, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders he realized that by no means was he down and out! He was Reno by god and that was good enough for him! without even realizing it he'd gotten to his feet hands clenched together in a gesture of defiance against the gloom of depression, gazing down at the smiling stranger in front of him he realized he'd learned a lesson greater then anyone had ever taught him before.
"You're right..." he said looking down at the man "You didn't make a mistake..."
The man smiled
"There's no shame in giving into depression Reno...we all do sometimes...but if you sink too deep and let it overwhelm you then thats when you stop being you"
Reno found a smile of his own crossing his face, he couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled, reaching into his pocket he withdrew his wallet, opening it to offer the man some Gil he was surprised when the stranger shook his head
"Keep your money...it only brings trouble"
"But...But there must be some way to repay you" Reno said gazing down at the man
"You already have...I've set your feet upon the path Reno and i can see you'll follow it to where ever it will lead you...that and your company is payment enough"
Reno gazed down at the man, his mind turning, there must be something he could offer the man without fear of offending him with the offer of moeny which the man clearly would not except, then it hit him suddenly, slipping his coat off he knelt by the man and draped it over his shoulders, the man looked up in surprise as if to protest but Reno silenced him.
"You said it gets cold in the mornings now..." He said "I think you can use this more then i can"
The man looked up at him as if doubting his words, but when he saw now the warm glow of sincerity in Reno's eyes he closed his eyes and wrapped the jacket around him tightly, when he opened them again Reno saw they were wet.
"Thank you Friend...it is a wonderful gift"
Reno nodded, casting his gaze acrss the hills to the broken shell of Midgar visible even at this distance he knew where his destination lay, even if it meant going back and facing scorn and hatred.
"I take it you know where you have to go now?" the stranger said rising to his feet
"Yes" Reno said softly "I need to go right my wrongs"
The man smiled and gave Reno's shoulder a gentle squeeze, Reno turned and the two exchanged silent goodbyes, all the words needing to be spoken had been said, and as Reno turned to go his step was lighter then it ever had been before.
Later laden with supllies for the journey to midgar and walking with a confidence never before felt he passed the alleyway where he'd collapsed last night, gazing only momentarily at the dirty, stained ground he left the city.
"Never again" he promised himself
"Never again"
-WAKING UP WITH YOU-
The sound of footsteps woke him from his sound sleep, reflexes and senses sharpened by his soldier and mako enhancements told him that the steps were far away yet but approaching closer to him.
A soft sigh by his side turned his gaze from the window to under the blanket next to him, spooned up against him was the small yet powerful frame of Tifa, a smile played over his features causing his blue eyes to sparkle, reaching down he brushed a strand of brown hair from her face he tucked it behind her ear and kissed her softly on the forehead, this prompted another soft sigh but did not cause her to wake.
Throwing the covers back carefuly Cloud got to his feet and stretched, last night was blur he knew but sex had not been among the nightly activities they participated in, both had been so exhausted that they'd fallen asleep in each others arms...but nothing in the world had ever felt so good to Cloud, and as he cast another gaze to the sleeping beauty at his feet he knew he'd found the person that he would indeed spend the rest of his life with.
The footsteps now crunched on the gravel in the small yard of the building they'd taken shelter in, Cloud sighed tearing his gaze away, whoever was outside was no doubt looking for him to take charge in Reeve's absence, though it was demanding Cloud found it was a task he enjoyed...just not as much as being entangled in Tifa's arms, pulling a shirt on he stepped outside strapping on the giant ultima weapon he carried, all but soldier first class were able to weild such a large blade in the form of a buster sword, but during his travels Cloud had become something stronger, finding the inner strength and discipline within him to weild the mighty weapon and weild it in the destruction of his foe Sephiroth, it was indeed his weapon and his weapon alone...earned by blood, sweat, and Pain.
It was a Soldier that sought his presence, a broad shouldered large man with friendly eyes, he stopped short and saluted, Cloud never comfortable with such military formalities returned it reluctantly and closed the distance between himself and the young Private.
"Mr. Strife sir!" the Soldier said standing at attention as Cloud approached
"At ease Private...Stewart"
Cloud said putting on a friendly face reading the mans name tag on his Shinra uniform, Cloud dimly wondered if Reeve would change the uniforms away from the colors and symbols known and hated by the rest of the world.
"Sir, for give me for disturbing you, i was told to bring any important information to you in President Reeve's absence"
President Reeve, Cloud chuckled and wondered if Reeve knew about that title.
"What do you have for me Private?"
"Sir we've come across a bunker...inside we found reasearch we believe belonged to Hojo, notebooks, machinery..."
The Private was cut off as he saw Clouds face turn to a grimace, without even being aware of it Clouds hand moved as if by reflex to his sword at the mention of the man, with effort he stopped himself and forced his hand to his side.
"Lead the way"
Friendlliness gone from his voice Cloud followed the man over the ruins of Midgar, Cloud knew with a certain sadness that though bodies were still being recovered there would come a time when recvering them alive would vanish, eventually they would clear the rubble away and rebuild Midgar anew.
After walking across what felt like the majority of the city they came to a small hole in the ground near the outskirts of town. looking down into it Cloud felt a chill run up his spine as the smells of alcohol and other disenfectants assaulted his nose, he'd spent a great deal of time in the scientists clutches, for a time he'd been the mans private guinea pig and Cloud remembered every vile thing the mad man had inflicted upon him like it happened yesterday.
Forcing the memories aside Cloud climbed down the ladder and into the bunker, the room was lit by flares but there wasn't enough light to conduct a proper search, Cloud's Mako enhanced eyes solved that problem however, he surveyed the room finding notebook after notebook of the damnable scientists research, by the time he'd climbed out of the bunker two hours passed but the Private still stood waiting for him.
"Sir?" he inquired "What should we do with this?"
Cloud took a deep breath, this was a judgement call he was not comfortable making, but in a strange way given his past experiences he was probably more qualified then anyone to decide the fate of Hojo's research.
"I want you to post two guards here, i don't want this information touched by anyone else until Revve knows about it, Hojo did a great deal of reasearch on the Soldier Project but the reasearch down there i feel can be benaficial to Midgar as it's mostly Medical"
The Private nodded and jumped to do Clouds bidding, soon after there was no further need of his presence as the situation had been secured, he made his way back over the landscape, gazing over to where the highwind had been landed the previous night he dimly remembered saying goodbye to Cid, Nanaki, and Yuffie, he'd been even more surprised to see that Yuffie had found a little girl out in the rubble, finding niether of the childs parents alive she'd taken the girl under her wing.
Strangely enough Cloud thought, that might be just what the young girl would need to forget the destruction of the war they'd fought...helping nurture a new life.
Coming over a rise he saw Tifa standing in the doorway of the house they'd claimed as their own the previous night, Cloud smiled as he realized that for the first time in his life someone was waiting for him when he got home, with a smile he jogged down the hill to meet her.
--
-WHAT'S IN A NAME?-
Nanaki watched along with Cid and Yuffie as the little girl allowed the Chocobo to take the greens out of her hands, Cid however seemed to be the most surprised as the bird Warked happily.
"Never seen anything like it...thats gotta be the most disagreeable bird i've ever had the burden of carrying on the Highwind, wont let anyone get near it" the Captain said with a chuckle.
"The child does indeed have a way about her with animals" Nanaki commented from his spot on the floor next to Yuffie
"She's something special..." Yuffie said watching the girl, she had yet to speak to Yuffie or anyone else for that matter, at first Yuffie had blamed the shock of the situation but now she was beginning to wonder if the girl had been born mute or for some reason didn't feel it necessary to speak, she was obviously used to functioning without a voice.
The Chocobo coo'ed as the little girl ran her fingers over the creatures beak, Cid was again surprised as he'd seen that beak put to use snapping at his crew and those who tried to get close to it, with a smile he got to his feet.
"We should be landing in Cosmo Canyon soon Red...i'll go prepare us for landing"
Yuffie watched the pilot amble off to the cockpit a sense of determination in his eyes, she saw his mouth move as if he was silently talking to himself, offering himself comfort for something that was apperently bothering him, Nanaki turned to her and gave her a wink.
"That is a man with a looming issue on his mind" the lion creature chuckled softly
"What could make the great Cid Highwind talk to himself?" Yuffie inquired slightly puzzled.
"I'm pretty sure it has to do with the small black case he's carrying in his pocket" Nanaki sad with a surprisingly human grin "I have a feel before too long we'll be getting invitations in the mail"
Yuffie grinned on the verge of saying something, but she was interuppted when the little girl came back over and planted herself firmly in Yuffies lap, doll in one hand her other hand wrapped around Yuffies arm, she gazed curiously at Nanaki's tail watching the flame dance about lazily and then closed her eyes, she was quite comfortable around the strange creature with the flame on his tail, the little girls logic figured if the monster didn't worry that his tail was on fire that she shouldn't try to put it out.
Nanaki looked over at Yuffie watching her cover up the little girl with a traveling robe.
"May i assume that you've had time to ponder and reconsider this...Destiny thing?" he smiled
Yuffie looked up at him suddenly and he expected her to launch a verbal attack telling him to mind his own business, he was quite surprised how ever when she shrugged and said
"Maybe..."
For Nanaki it was a resounding yes, he covered up his broad grin and was about to speak when Cid's voice came over the intercom and urged them to find secure spots for landing, for Nanaki this meant going to the bridge, but for Yuffie he figured she was safe where she was, he got to his feet and allowed himself to be hugged then ambled off towards the cockpit his tail swishing back and forth.
The little girl opened her eyes and watched the strange creature go, snuggling deeper into her rescuers arms she gazed up at Yuffie and gave a sleepy yawn.
"Tired are we?" Yuffie smiled down
The little girl nodded in response
"Well before you go to sleep on me i think we need to give you a name" Yuffie said
The little girl nodded her head in agreement again.
"Hmmm" Yuffie pondered "Kady?"
The little girl shook her head no
"Melissa?"
Again a resounding no
"Trisha?"
The little girl stuck her tongue out and shook her head no, Yuffie giggled
"Well...you don't like that one...Hmmm"
It struck her so suddenly that she was surprised she hadn't thought of it in the first place, so appropriate for the given situation.
"Destiny" she whispered
The little girl gazed up at Yuffie and considered, then shook her head in the affirmative...she liked it
"Destiny" Yuffie said again "Then that's what we'll call you"
The little girl smiled and closed her eyes deciding it was now time for some sleep, Yuffie sighed and leaned back against the wall, it felt like it'd been so long since she'd seen home, she missed the sights, the smells, the sounds...but for some reason the Ninja girl was troubled by the thought of returning.
Perhaps it was the memories, perfecting her skills of theivery in Wutai, earning the ire of well over half the town, they considered her a brat, and only tolorated her because her father was ruler of Wutai, she realized that she wasn't the little girl who'd left Wutai...somewhere during the journey she'd grown up...though looking back she couldn't pin point the exact time or place.
"I don't want to go home..." Yuffie whispered sleepily as she closed her eyes and faded into a peaceful slumber.
Destiny opened her eyes and gazed up at Yuffie, the little girl had no idea what had befallen her parents but she felt a resounding sense of loss, knowing they were gone, the tears welled in her eyes but didn't fall as they had last night, Destiny knew she was safe in this young woman's arms, and she wasn't going anywhere but where her new mother took her.
Sighing and snuggling down Destiny closed her eyes as the Highwind descended into Cosomo Canyon, She sensed a change in the air as if the very air was charged with something she could touch if she reached out, but she was too tired for that, before the Highwind had landed she was sleeping soundly.
--
-WHAT DREAMS MAY COME: Part Two-
She was dreaming this much she knew...
There was a quality about the landscape she could quite put a finger on or rationaly explain, but her mind told her it wasn't real, she was asleep it told her, but nevertheless there was something important about this dream...it wasn't merely an escape into the dream world.
She was walking down a beach, waves rolled in and crashed against the shore, but as she drew closer she realized it wasn't water, her jaw dropped as she realized it was the lifestream, bending closer she could hear subtle soft whispers that stayed just out of reach of her understanding, the whispers were urgent but she coudn't quite grasp their message.
A sudden groan caused her head to snap up, further up the beach in the dying light was a body, whomever it was had managed to prop themselves up against the rocks, straighting up Elena rushed over the to figure who was obviously in pain.
She was out of breath by the time she reached the figure, on closer examination it was a man, his head rolled back and forth as if he was being battered by invisible waves of physical force, his arms jerked and convulsed and Elena found he was soaked to the bone, his eyes rolled around and he appeared to be in the grip of a terrible agony, she reached a hand out to touch him but suddenly hesitated.
His black hair was plastered to his forehead and his Turk uniform was in ruins, suddenly his hand snapped out and clenched around hers in an iron grip...she made no move to tear away instead her eyes filled with tears
"Tseng..."
The eyes stopped rolling as she whispered his name, finally and with some effort they came to focus on her, widening in recognition.
"Elena..." he whispered softly
They stayed eyes locked for how long she didn't know, but dimly she realized Tseng was beginning to fade, she cried out in protest gripping his hand tighter, but to her dismay the man she loved was dissapearing before her very eyes.
"Mideel"
She almost didn't hear the softly spoken words so focused on trying to keep him solid, but the effort was in vain, Tseng dissapated and blew into the breeze his last word ringing in her ears.
"Mideel"
Elena screamed in frustration....
Sitting bolt upright the first sounds to greet her was the crackling fire, Elena was free from the grip of the dream.
"Mideel"
She echoed the parting word, suddenly she flew into motion packing things as best she could, after the camp was cleared she put out the fire, daylight had not yet returned but she knew her destination well enough to navigate in the moonlight.
"Mideel"
Elena said again with a tone of finality, she would go to Mideel and hope her dreams were not leading her in vain.
But Elena couldn't deny her fear, she knew he was there waiting...but would he be alive? would he recognize her? the questions would rage on in her head until she broke down and wept if she let it get that far, instead she steeled herself and put her feet on the path.
Mideel it was...