Chapter 2.
Cloud walked out of the city, Wutai, heading south for the Cosmo Canyons. He knew it would a long trip, with no friends to talk to along the way. Unless he found Vincent somehow…but that was doubtful. He was almost certain he knew where to find the mysterious man. Lucretia's cave. Vincent was in love with the woman…and he was probably at her cave. He would always love her…like he would always love Aeris. He stopped on the road for a moment…feeling the cool breeze from the mountains brush against his face gently. It would be an extremely long and treacherous walk to Cosmo Canyon…he might want to try and find Cid. He would have to go to the coast though and get a boat, or find a gold chocobo, which would be near impossible. He'd have to breed some. But, that would take much too long.
He figured he would take a boat to get to Rocket Town.. He presumed that's where Cid went after departing. He made his way through the thick woods surrounding the area, thankful for the shade of the trees, from the blazing sun. After a few hours of walking, he came out of the forest, finally. He could see a town close down by the shore, and he headed that way. Along the way, he encountered a Garuda.
It was a nasty creature, but not difficult to beat at all. The thing ran up to him, ready to charge him or something of that nature. He quickly drew his sword to block the assault, but it was too late. He scolded himself inwardly for not paying more attention to his surroundings. His thoughts were interrupted as he felt a jarring pain in his leg. He snapped his head down and saw the little bastard had charged his leg while he was in dreamland. It was backed up, and ready to charge again. This time, he would be ready.
This was a stupid creature, that much he could tell. So, he acted as though he wasn't going to attack the thing, and leaned upon his sword. His little plan worked. It came charging again, this time with extra momentum. Cloud tensed his body as it got nearer, ready to jump aside. Just as it was about 1 foot away, Cloud jumped to the side neatly, and as he did, he brought Soul Blade down and sliced the creature's head off easily. He watched in disgust as the severed head slid off the corpse of the thing, and fell to the ground with a thud, body coming next. The blood poured out of the neck and stained the dirt an ugly red. He took one last look at it, kicked it, got his boat, and carried on, slightly limping.
He couldn't leave the blood on his sword, he knew. He took better care of Soul Blade than that. At the nearest boulder, he sat down and took a small white cloth he carried with him everywhere, and gently cleaned the blade. His leg was throbbing, but it was okay. He had been through so much worse than a hurt leg. It'd most likely be better in the morning anyways. Soon thereafter, he got up and continued on his way.
It was nearing dusk, and he knew he should stop now. So he decided to start looking for a place to spend the night. He walked away from the city..a few miles away, actually, dragging the boat the whole time. He finally came to a copse of trees, and decided to settle there. He unpacked the few possessions that he had brought with him…water, some food, and a light blanket. Cloud wrapped Soul Blade in the blanket, thinking his swords safety more important than his own warmth. Cloud sat and decided not to light a fire…he didn't want to attract any more attention than necessary.
He looked up to the black sky, with the bright stars twinkling. He remembered all the times he had been on the Air Ship, and looked over to see Aeris looking up, so incredibly beautiful. He didn't notice it then….sure, he thought she was beautiful…who didn't? But he didn't realize that he loved her. He remembered how every time he would glance at her, she would turn her head and smile at him…and he would always turn his gaze away from her, trying to deny what he was feeling inside. He could remember those emerald green eyes, and the dark brown hair tied back with a pink ribbon. Her pale, flawless skin…so perfect.
"Why was I so stupid?" he thought to himself "It wouldn't have really made any difference" he mused "she would have died anyways….it would still be painful..but I was never able to hold her like I wanted.." He looked back up to the sky and the stars, to see an occasional cloud float by, drifting away in the wind. He lay down on his back and closed his eyes, and let sleep take him. The chill night air didn't really bother him.
* * *
He was back in the City of the Ancients, running up the stairs. As he neared the top, he saw Aeris kneeling at the altar, praying. He stopped, breathless. He looked upon her, and noticed just how beautiful, and peaceful she was. Before he realized what he was doing, he had his sword out, and was aiming it straight at Aeris. His friends yelled, franticly, wondering what he was doing. Suddenly, out of his trance, he wondered aloud what had made him do that. At the sound of his voice, Aeris' eyes opened, and she looked at him lovingly and smiled, then closed her eyes again, to resume her praying. In that beautiful moment that he realized he loved Aeris, and that Aeris loved him, he saw that a tall, dark shadow had fallen over the angelic form of Aeris. Cloud looked up to see Sephiroth dropping down to Aeris, his silvery, long hair billowing after him, and the deep green eyes staring coldly at her, with his sword out and drawn. At that moment Cloud stood frozen. He understood Sephiroth's intentions fully. Sephiroth smiled then, and thrust his unimaginably long sword into Aeris' back, just to have more than half the blade protrude from her chest. Aeris' eyes opened suddenly, and locked on Cloud.
Why hadn't Cloud saved her? Why hadn't he stopped Sephiroth? But there was also an answer in those eyes. Her death was necessary for the safety of the world. That much he understood. But why? Why Aeris?
Cloud went forward and caught Aeris before she fell. Her ribbon had come loose, and out of it came the White Materia. It bounced down the steps he had just run up moments before, and into the water. The White Materia had been lost. But that didn't matter.
When she died, he knew only one thing. He had come to realize that he loved Aeris. He loved her with all of his heart. And now she was gone to him. He had lost her. Sephiroth had killed her. He looked up only to notice that the bastard was gone. He would kill him. He had to. But he left a nasty surprise for Cloud and the rest. Jenova. Yes, he had to kill this thing too. And so he did.
Aeris.
Why had he denied those feelings for Aeris? Why hadn't he taken the chance? He took the body of Aeris down to the lake. He stood in it, and let her body float down to the floor. She would be where she belonged now. In the City of Ancients.
* * *
Cloud woke up, damp with his own sweat, even though it was rather chilly. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark pink ribbon, the one Aeris had worn. 'I've had that dream a lot lately,' he thought to himself as he fingered the ribbon. So, I see you've still got my ribbon.." A soft voice said, seeming to come from all directions. The young warrior looked around and blinked, looking for the source of the voice.
"I am still dead, Cloud. I am linked to you, talking to you through your mind..the Mother has granted this to me."
His heart clenched hearing the voice, as his knuckles whitened from clutching the ribbon. "A..Aeris? Is that really you..?"
"Yes, you dolt." She giggled as she said this, lightening the mood a little " listen, I haven't much time. But I'd really like you to know that I am ashamed of your actions towards Tifa. We shall speak of this later, though. However, I do ask this of you, Cloud Strife. Please. Come retrieve me. Rest assured, you shall all see me again, and all will be well. Now. I must go. Farewell, Cloud Strife." And with that, he was left alone.
After a few moments of the silence, he relaxed and stuffed the ribbon back into his pocket. He was positively beaming, save for a hint of sorrow in eyes. Aeris had spoken to him! He would see her again! He knew he would see her again.. She told him that they would see one another again someday..and he trusted in her word completely.
He noticed it was almost dawn, so he figured he would go ahead and leave. He unwrapped Soul Blade, and laid it across his shoulder. He left the blanket there, knowing he would reach Rocket City before the night was over. He took out some bread he had brought with him, and took a few bites. Knowing he would be tired on the way, he decided not to eat the whole loaf, so he put it back in the small pouch.
He came to the waters edge a few hours later. He looked out over the clear, blue seawater and sighed. He had once again been dragging the boat the whole time, and had had no rest. So, he stopped at the shore, and sat. It was still early morning, as he was hoping it would be, and as he suspected, his leg was no longer injured. The only bad part about this though, was the fact he would be out on the open water with the afternoon sun bearing down on him full force. He had considered that piece of information and chose to ignore it. He wanted to get to resurrecting Aeris as soon as possible, and this was the quickest way he knew how to do it.
After about 10 minutes of resting, he pulled the boat out into the water, and sat Soul Blade down close to him, and pushed out into the water. He kept rowing the boat for almost the whole day. With the sun at its zenith, the heat was almost unbearable, but he knew he could stand it. Anything to quicken his search for Aeris. He estimated that he had a few hours left to go, at the most 5. He stopped rowing for a brief time and took a swig of the fresh water he had brought along. While he was resting, he took a moment to stretch and flex his arms, shoulders, and hands…..they were extremely sore at that moment. His hands were raw, and almost at the point of bleeding. He didn't really care though. He resumed his rowing heading South East, every now and then bringing a forearm up and wiping the sweat off his brow.
The sun was nearing the western horizon now, turning the sky a beautiful array of colours. Deep reds, light purples, pinks, and light yellows. He took note of how amazing it was. How he wished Aeris was with him now, to witness this sight. He had to remember though…she was part of the planet. She did see it. He shook his head and looked to the East. He noticed that there was land. He was nearing his destination. He quickly resumed his rowing and headed straight for the coast.
In less than an hour, he reached the shore. He knew he wouldn't need the boat anymore after this point, so he let it drift away into the water. He took his sword, Soul Blade, and set it across his shoulder, after drinking some more of his water. He wasn't going to rest. Not when he was this close to Cid Highwind. He needed to get that airship. He remembered now that he didn't have any Materia. He had given it all to Yuffie. He shrugged and walked on. He would get in battles along the way, he was sure, but they wouldn't be any match for him.
* * *
Along the way he kept feeling an itch between his shoulder blades, like something was watching him, stalking him. He ignored the feeling at first, but it wouldn't go away… "This is madness," he thought to himself. "There isn't anyone behind me, or watching me…just my imagination" He shifted uncomfortably, when he heard a twig snap in the woods. He spun around and had himself in his fighting position immediately. He watched warily, and finally, out of the woods, a form began to appear. It was tall, and thin, with a dark red cape flowing behind it..the form was human, that much Cloud could tell…if it was good or bad, he wasn't sure.
The form chuckled softly to itself "Well, well, Cloud. It has been a long time, eh? You always were quick to draw that sword of yours." Cloud stood, astonished, as he watched the cloaked human nearing him. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The red cloak billowing behind him….the scarf covering nearly his whole face…the long, raven black hair. And those red eyes. He would never forget them. Standing before him, was his old friend, Vincent Valentine.
"Vincent…!"
" Yes, it is I." He chuckled softly
"Where the hell did you come from?!?! I thought you'd be in Lucretia's cave…"
"I was" Vincent took the scarf off that was around his head, and hesitated before answering Clouds question. He thought of the many weeks he had indeed spent in her cave, talking with her , and of the conclusion they had both come to. He shook his head and continued, stuffing the scarf in one of his many pockets. "but I had decided it was time to leave…and I just thought I walk around and try to figure out various things.…" he paused, thinking for what to say "and then I saw you rowing in from the sea." He laughed to himself quietly "And I figured, hey…I'm just gonna stalk him, and the scare shit out of him!" Cloud grinned, and examined his friend. What was he doing out here? It was odd for him to try and have fun. But then again, now that Sephiroth was dead, Vincent had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. He shrugged, and walked over to the dangerous, yet frail looking man.
There was a moments silence as both men savored the memories of the past days running through their heads. After Cloud actually realized he had Vincent next to him, he spoke up "So, what would you think about finding Nanaki and going on a little adventure?" Cloud asked Vincent casually.
"Finding Nanaki? Why him? Not that I have any problems with that. I would love it, actually. But why not Barret, or Tifa….. or Yuffie, even?" He frowned, thinking of the vibrant youth that had kept the entire teams spirits up. Ending his thoughts, the tall man shifted his eyes to Cloud, noting the deeply pained look on his face.
Cloud coughed and continued, feeling the crimson eyes boring into his soul "I didn't feel I had to bring any of them along..they each have their own duties that can wait..in any case I guess I'll go over everything on the way to Rocket Town. We aren't going to attempt getting to Cosmo Canyon on out feet, and then back out." Vincent nodded, while he and Cloud resumed the path that Cloud had been taking when he scared him.
"After we had defeated Sephiroth and gone on our ways, we wound up in Wutai, Yuffie's home village, as you well know. After all, Midgar and every other city had been destroyed, pretty much." Cloud explained, "Well…you know how Tifa loved…loves me, and how I had fairly strong feelings for her? Well, Barret and Yuffie and everyone else I knew kept telling me to marry her….to have a life with her. And I couldn't say no to her. That would have hurt her too much, ya know? So, I said yes, and got married to her. It wasn't a very happy marriage for me…because of…" He looked to the ground and closed his eyes tightly, not finishing the sentence.
"Because of Aeris" Vincent finished for him, quietly, understanding now. Cloud nodded his head and cleared his throat.
"Yes, because of Aeris…I never stopped loving her. Even though she is dead, I can't stop loving her!" Cloud muttered softly
Vincent took his good hand, and set it on Cloud's shoulder, squeezing it gently, comfortingly. He understood completely how the young man felt. He had a deep, if not undying love for Lucretia. But it was time to let go. He figured that was one of the main reasons Cloud had chosen him to go with him. Because Vincent understood him. He also understood now, the young mans intentions. That's why he was seeking Nanaki, and once again, himself. He wanted to bring Aeris back. Cloud had said nothing of this, but Vincent was sure that was why Cloud was here.
"Anyways," Cloud continued, regaining his composure, " I finally came to a decision the other day. I was going to leave home, and find a way to bring her back. I had a talk with Tifa ….she took it well….the only reason she's letting me, is because she loves me so much, and wants me to be happy..," Vincent saw a dark look come over Cloud's features. " She loves me so much, she'd risk her own being, herself, for me to be happy, with another woman…" Cloud shook his head, " anyways, I went to Barret's house to tell him, and my children…" He noticed Vincent frowned at the news he had children, and left them. "So, I left, and now I'm here. I needed to find you…because you were one of the more sensible ones in the group. And Nanaki…he's the most intelligent, the most knowledgeable.. And I need you both to help me find a way to bring Aeris back." Cloud smiled lightly at his next words, "Not to mention, I miss you both. It's been way too long…7 years." Vincent hid his smile behind the shawl wrapped around his head.
"It has been too long, hasn't it?" He noticed Cloud was kicking loose stones along the hard packed dirt road. "But…are you sure Nanaki will come with us? He has a family now…And he's the guardian of Cosmo Canyon…" Cloud looked up from the road and at Vincent.
"I don't know….he will need a good reason to leave his home…he is not an irresponsible person. Or…beast, for that matter…but..we need him….
Vincent nodded his head, as the two friends continued to walk down the road, towards Rocket Town.