Part Six

"I didn't do it! I swear I'd never-" she tried to pled, but the door shut on her, leaving her in the dark. The words haunted her like a plague, always lingering but never finishing.

She curled up in a corner, trying to get the torchlight from around the corner. The dull metal bars of this place made her go into an even deeper depression. If she wouldn't die of the cold, they would certainly kill her if he didn't live. Maybe she should've just let her father send her into the darkness again, then no one would be in anguish.

She heard a door open, and she slid to the bars to see who it was. She could not see completely, but saw a man with a ragged cape, sighing almost in relief as he put a hand on his forehead. She heard him speak as he walked with his eyes closed towards her.

"Man, all that jolly stuff was really getting to me," he said, shaking his head. "At least this is more like home." As he continue to keep his eyes shut, he had no idea she was there. He felt for a wall, and when he found one across from her cell he sat, a hand still on his head as if with a headache. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw the starving, pale figure gazing at him. He just blinked, soon continuing. "Oh...it's you. Did think they put you down in this part."

"Well, they did...unfortunately," she stated. She looked at him, a slowly began to back away. "You're not here to kill me, are you?"

Vincent laughed. "No, of course not! I'm here to get rid of all that...that..."

"Happy stuff?"

"Well, sort of. More like...mushy-gushy, hugs-n-kisses stuff. It was seriously screwing up my head, you know, just being around it!" He tried to speak in terms with her age.

She smiled, seeing what he meant. "I'm not used to that kind of thing either. What kinds of things?"

"Good lord, don't even get me started! Those ducks that can talk just won't stop eyeing each other, the Queen is just so worried about the King, and even Aerith is all mushy talking to Cloud!"

Jeria looked down, not really wanting to hear about Cloud or Aerith. They were as mad at her as they were at the Heartless, maybe even more. She couldn't be trusted, no matter who she was, because it all matter of what she was. Vincent shrugged, seeing this in her, and was willing to explain.

"Don't blame them too much for hating the Heartless. It's what turned Cloud into what he is, but why Aerith is here now."

Jeria came closer, interested to what he had to say. "What happened?"

"I think it was about six or seven years ago. They were searching for an answer to save the planet. Someone threatened it, and thus they had to ask the planet for help. Aerith, being the way she is, went by herself to the City of the Ancients, where she prayed. When Cloud and the others came..."

Jeria stared, knowing he wasn't going to finish without some sort of talking from her. "What happen?"

"Well, let's get this straight. Cloud was like you once, a being possessing one. It drove him to the brink of insanity once, but he recovered. The one was possessed him, however, never realized the truth."

"What was the truth?"

Vincent didn't answer, hurt in his eyes. But he straightened, coughing, and turning back with the same, narrow gaze. "Anyway, at the City of the Ancients, this being almost got to him. Almost, but not quite. So instead, this being, alive and well, decided to kill her himself. And that's what he did." Vincent shrugged again. "Then the Heartless came. They killed everything and everyone, all but a few and us. The saw that I was no threat, seeing I did not care for anyone at the time, and the man that killed Aerith easily joined with them. However, Cloud was left. The Heartless almost took his heart, but in the face of death there was a deal. If Cloud sold himself as a soldier to Hades, he'd bring back Aerith. He didn't want to, but what choice did he have? He wanted Aerith back, so he became what he is today because of it. I think he's gained a little of his old self back, but not by much.

"I told you this story for I believe your scenario is no different....Is it?"

"...I swear I did not mean to hurt Riku. I didn't," she cried.

"I know that, and I believe you. I don't have a past to blind me, and I see someone else made you do it. But there is one thing I have been wondering." He leaned forward, his face as serious as it could be. "Five years ago. What happened that day?"

"I...I was only doing what I as told. I was just...just..."

He smiled, putting a hand on the top of her head. "Trying to be daddy's little girl, right?"

She nodded her head slowly. "How did you know?"

"I can see these sort of things," he stated, pulling his hand away. "How old were you then, though?"

"Fifteen."

Vincent smirked. "Oh I get it. That's probably just another reason he doesn't like you."

"What?"

"That man, named Sephiroth, was the one who killed Aerith those years back. Cloud didn't get the chance to seek his revenge, but you defeated him within a matter of seconds. Now tell me, how do you think you'd feel if the daughter of the darkness, only fifteen, almost killed the person for fun when you, for years, searched him down and prepared for the battle that would finally destroy him?"

"Oh...I see..."

Vincent nodded. "Now you get it. I'm surprised, rather, that he didn't kill you went he had the chance."

"He would've, if only Queen Minny didn't step in right then."

"Maybe...But do you really think that would stop him?" Vincent stood. "Maybe because he got to witness Sephiroth suffer the way he did brought some joy back to him, and he realized that just before he almost did sever you head." He walked over to the jail cell, Jeria standing up when he unlocked the door and opened it. He stood out of the way and put out a hand for her to walk out.

"What's this?"

"I'm not here to kill you, I'm here to release you."

"Why didn't you tell me?" she frowned angrily, and he smirked again.

"You never asked."

"Isn't that always the case," she stated, walking out. Vincent laughed, tossing the keys to her.

"Just stay out of the way while you're up there."

"Aren't you going up?"

"No, I like it down here. Dark, cold...just like home."

Jeria raised an eyebrow, backing away. He laughed again.

"Get moving!"

She did what he said without hesitation, running out and barely closing the door behind her. Vincent took his spot against the wall again, crossing his arms and shutting his eyes. Finally, he could get some sleep...without having to worry about those blasted brooms...

She ran along the marble halls, trying to recap where the medics room was. She witnessed everything as it usually was, like nothing had ever happened. As she reached around a corner, her heart about skipped a beat when he saw him standing there. But she stood fearless, beginning to walk on quickly. He did not turn his head, but his eyes kept a cold lock on her. She stared at him as she past. There was a moment when everything seemed to freeze, as she wondered what he would do, but he did nothing. Cloud only looked on ahead of him, out into the courtyard, as Jeria ran past, turning yet another corner. Aerith came out of her hiding, where she had expected this, and wanted to see what he'd do when Jeria was released. She was proud of him for not doing anything, and walked next to him. As always he gave no emotion when she came to his side, but she took his hand, looking out where he was looking.

"Thank you..."

Jeria came to where the medics was, her throat tightening. She had no idea what he would think of her now. Would he able to trust her ever again? But there was only one way to find out, so she opened the white door, it slowly creaking open. Her heart, in happiness, dropped to the floor in surprise, seeing him sitting there and staring out the window. He turned, hearing her, and smiled.

"Hey, Jeria. You okay?" Riku asked.

The notion of him asking if she was alright was shocking, and she walked over to him, knowing he did not hate her. He got up slowly, holding his side. As he saw she was beginning to cry he stretched out an arms, putting it around her shoulder.

"The question is, are you okay?" she asked.

"Of course I am. Can't keep a good guy down, you know?"

She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry..." she said.

"It's okay. I know you didn't do it. Though everyone else did...I actually saw what happened to you." He backed away, still smiling. "But hey, no need to worry. We'll be leaving soon anyway."

Jeria looked at him with question. "Where?"

"Traverse Town! It's where all this seemed to start before. When the worlds separate, it's where mostly everyone goes, so we might be able to get some answers there."

Jeria nodded. "Good idea."

Riku laughed, walking out with her. "Hey, we might actually be able to find a Gummi Ship there too!"

"Gummi Ship? What's that?"

Riku went on explaining, shutting the door behind. This was a new start, a slight of things revealed, but they all new it would lead to much greater perspectives, all rounding back, once more, to Traverse Town...

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A/N so what do you think? Ultra different perspective on Cloud, huh? (maybe not...) ANYWAY, please review and tell me what you think!