Chapter 4.
It was around twilight when the duo has finally seen the lights. Both men sighed with relief as they saw the small, twinkling lights of the small, isolated town. Their whole bodies ached horribly, and their legs felt something like rubber. Thankfully, however, their was a cool breeze still coming in from the sea. For this, they were grateful.
They'd pushed themselves all day, catching up on each other's stories occasionally, but usually, they wouldn't talk. This didn't bother either one of them. Both were excited in an odd way. Their love for adventure, it seemed. Not even thinking of the pain in his legs, the young blonde warrior had started to quicken his pace, headed for the small town.
"Whoa there, Cloud. Don't rush yourself. Cid is probably settling in for the night. And if he isn't, then I still wouldn't recommend leaving tonight. You and I need to rest. And you know it. So don't try and argue with me, all right? You've not had good rest in a while now, that much is evident. Tonight you can. So lets just take it slow like we have been, and rest when we get there."
Cloud stopped and looked at Vincent, considering the tall mans words. As he stopped, he noticed his legs were throbbing and he was altogether tired. But hell, the urge in him to keep going was so incredibly great. He had to listen to Vince though. The man was right. He reached up and wiped the sweat off his brow, lowering Soul Blade to his side.
"Right, Vince. Sorry. Just that…it's almost like something is calling to me, you know? I can hardly stop myself. So..let's hurry, and not stand here, okay? I wanna get there soon as possible. And we aren't making any progress standing here, are we? No. So let's move on."
"Yes. I know the feeling of…being..'called'. But, okay. Let's go ahead and move on to Rocket Town." Vincent motioned his good hand in front of him, quietly telling Cloud to go ahead. As Cloud started walking again, Vincent stepped in beside him.
"Hey, Vincent?"
"Yes, Cloud?"
"…what do you think about my actions on this whole thing?"
Vincent remained silent for a moment, carefully choosing his words. What did he think about all this, anyways? He wasn't really sure himself. But he had to say something quickly. The man was probably in despair, for what he had done. And he was depending on Vincent to make some sense of it all. Vincent frowned and then began speaking.
"Cloud, that's a very difficult question to answer. I'm not sure of it myself. Only thing I can think of is…the fact that Tifa is hurt severely. The child is really too young to understand this. But then you must think about the fact that you were forced into this. Everyone must have known it was coming. If I had known anything about it, I would have been counting down the days until you decided to take action against all of this. Point is, I believe you were right in you actions of leaving Tifa, I suppose. Although, I would have taken a different route. Perhaps given her a little warning of some sort. But, one cannot dwell over this, can one? No. I should hope not. But Tifa will recover, if she hasn't already." He saw a dark look come over Clouds face. "She still loves you, do not get me wrong. I am just saying that she is a smart girl, and it simply is not in her nature to dwell over depressing things. Anyways, she has Yuffie, Barret, and her children with her. She should eventually realize that she has a life, and responsibilities. And none of this was done in vain, my friend. We shall have Aerith, as I like to call her, among us again. That you can be sure of." He looked straight ahead as he finished his speech.
Cloud was silent for a few moments, taking in all of Vincent's words. "You really think so, Vincent? I mean..that we'll get her back, and Tifa will be alright, and that I was pretty much right in my actions?"
"I believe so, Cloud. You might also want to ask Nanaki's opinion as well. But what do other peoples opinions matter? In the end, it's all up to you anyways, isn't it? Other peoples opinions simply give you more trouble, and more things to think about, wouldn't you agree, my friend?"
Cloud laughed softly at this, shaking his head slowly. "Yes, yes I would, friend. Sometimes it's nice to know other people's feelings, and opinions on things. 'Specially if that person knows what they're talking about. Heh heh. Where'd you come up with Aerith, eh? It's interesting.
"Hm? Oh. Aerith. I don't know. Just came to me one night while we were all traveling to some place…can't remember where, though." He paused for a few moments "You know, Cloud, she was one hell of a woman. And she will be again.
He laughed softly and nodded. "Oh, I know, Vincent. I know.." He looked up into the clear sky and sighed. Once again it had that beautiful array of colours that he so loved.
How different things were. His life had been completely unbalanced since Aeris had died. Nothing had been the same. And now this. Sometimes, he couldn't understand it. He shrugged and looked back down, following the road down to the town with his eyes.
* * *
"Damnit, you two. I finally get my ass settled down, and now ya have to come and ask for my fuckin' Airship! What the hell is wrong with you? The both of you! Nevermind. It'd take too damn long for you two to explain that one." Cid's face was slightly red with the anger that Vincent and Cloud had stirred up. Vincent was in the corner, but he'd occasionally say something. Even though the man that almost always had one of his notorious cigarettes seemed ready to kill the both of them, Cloud knew that Cid would give in sooner or later. He always over-exaggerated things……he wasn't as mad as he seemed.
"You really want to know, Cid?" He was still aching all over. They still hadn't rested. He chose to ignore the pain and get down to business now.
"Well, hell, it'd be nice to know why you want to borrow my freakin' baby, you know."
"Right, well, we have a mission, so to speak. And in order to complete this mission…we need your 'baby'."
"That much I figured out. But what is this mission, if I may ask? I need to know. Otherwise, you aren't gettin' her. Understand?"
Cloud didn't want to tell Cid the reasons for them needing his Airship…he wanted the least amount of people to know about it possible.
Realizing that Cloud wasn't going to tell Cid himself, or wouldn't for while, Vincent went ahead and told Cid about their goals.
"Listen, Cid. We need that Airship. Reason? We're going to find Nanaki. We need him. And we are not going to travel through the Cosmo Canyons on foot. This would take too much time, as you can imagine. You do not need to know the rest of the story, but since you and I are old friends, I shall tell you. Cloud wants to bring Aeris back, somehow. In order to figure out how, we need Nanaki.
His relationships back at home aren't very good. He married Tifa a year after Aeris died, if I am correct. She bore one child by him. The child's name is Terra. Even with these bonds to Tifa, Cloud couldn't forget Aeris. I am sure you understand this. He has risked much for this little chance to have Aeris back. Possibly ruined his whole life. So, it would be greatly appreciated if you lent us your Airship."
Cid simply looked at Vincent, though you could see a softening of the man's face and eyes. Ah, yes, Vincent did have a way with words.
"…Get Aeris back, eh?" He took a long drag on his cigarette and slowly blew out the blue tinted smoke into the already smoky air.
Cloud licked his lips quickly and ran a dirty hand through his blonde hair. "Yea…get Aeris back"
"Well, one thing is for damn sure, I'll tell you that right now."
"And what is that?"
"Well….I'm sorry to tell you, Cloud. But.." he paused and took another drag off his cigarette then looked at Vincent, and back at Cloud "but you're gonna need a good 5 hour shower, by the look and smell of you." He grinned broadly and laughed.
"Hell, Cid, you had me scared you weren't going to let us use her."
"Yea, well…you need 'er. I miss that girl, you know? Such a sweet young woman.." he shutup quickly and blushed, realizing he had said that. He was never really one to show any kind of love, really.
Cloud smiled softly and nodded. Yes. Sweet young woman. He snapped out of it and regained his composure. "And Cid, we need a place to rest. Would you mind if we crashed here for the night?"
"Or possibly even two, if that wouldn't be a problem." Vincent added quickly, before Cid answered and before Cloud stopped him."
"Eh? Oh, yea, sure, that'd be fine. No problems there. Shera!!!! Get your ass in here and fix these people some damn tea, will you!?!
A small woman with brown hair pulled back in a braid came in and looked from Cid to Cloud. She started talking as she fixed the tea for them.
"Oh, alright, Cid. Need'nt be so loud about it, though. Anyways, boys, how are you all? It has been a long time, hasn't it? What brings you two here? I mean, you come this way to visit Cid and I? Odd. Well, we'll try and make your stay as comfortable as possible. How long will you be staying, anyways? And where are all of your nice friends?"
"Shera, leave 'em alone, will you. Damn. All you do is talk, and you don't know when to fix tea at the right time. Women. Don't need 'em." Shera busied herself fixing the tea, while Cid sat down and motioned for Cloud and Vincent to do the same.
"So, Vincent, stay for two nights, hm? We can arrange for that. No reason we wouldn't be able to." He paused as Shera placed the tea in front of the three men, and once they had all been served, he started speaking again. "So, do you think you would be able to swing back by once you get her back? I'd love it to see the three of you again.."
They both let a small smile play on their lips, and then Vincent answered him after making his face unreadable once again. "We'll be sure to, Cid. It won't be that much of a problem, unless Cloud has a problem with it.."
"A problem with it? No..I have no problem with that, Cid. We'll come back by here. I don't know how long this will take…but we'll be back. I promise."
"Good..anyways, you two must be tired….Shera!!!! Show these idiots where their room is."
"Cid…you don't have to be so rude about it, you know." She didn't wait for a response from Cid. She continued on with gathering the two men and showing them to their rooms. Cloud shrugged as he followed Shera. Vincent followed quietly, his eyes downcast.
She decided to break the silence as they walked down the rather long hallway. "I really am glad you two came by, you know. And I am sure Cid is…you must really understand he means no harm when he talks as he does.."
"Oh, yea, we know, Mrs. Highwind. We did travel with Cid for a few months, you know." Cloud remarked, his blue eyes shining with amusement.
"But of course you did..I apologize. And by the way, you two, call me Shera." She smiled warmly as she approached a door and stopped, turning around. "Well, here we are. If you need anything just call or come and get me, and I'll be sure to get whatever you want. The bathroom is the next door on your left, by the way."
Cloud nodded as he patted her shoulder gently, giving her his thanks. "Thanks, Shera!" he replied happily, going into the bedroom.
Vincent walked to the bedroom, stopping by Shera to nod his head most respectfully and to mutter something that sounded like a thanks, then continued on into the bedroom.
"Well, get some rest, boys." She said warmly and walked away briskly after shutting the door to the quaint bedroom.
The bedroom was well sized, easily big enough for two people such as Cloud and Vincent. There were two twin-sized beds, each shoved up against a wall. Next to each of the two beds was a small night table, each adorned with a lamp. The floor was covered with a light beige carpet. To the right of the door stood chester-drawers, and on top of them, there was a small box.
Cloud laid his belongings on the bed closest to him and plopped down next to them. "Ah, we finally get to sleep…we'll be up early, though, right?"
His dark haired friend kept silent as he laid his few belongings on the floor next to his bed, and laid down on the soft mattress. After staring at the ceiling for a few moments, he answered. "Yes, Cloud, of course we will..have no worries about that. Now..let's get to sleep."
Cloud rolled his eyes and laughed. "Yea, okay, Vince. Night." Vincent kept silent and closed his eyes, thinking of a young scientist he'd known so many years ago.