Jade, Wine, and Turk training
By Kimetara
Multi-part
Disclaimer: Chapter 17, please.
AN: ...lol...seems like everybody thinks Reno's going to help Tifa. Hmmm...guess we shall just have to wait and see, eh?
Chapter 19: Cloud's dream
Reno, holding his little packet of graph paper and two pens, made his way out of Tifa's compartment, his mind still on the conversation he and Tifa had shared today.
*****
"Are you Christian, Reno?" Tifa asked thoughtfully, marking down her little "X". Both of them found X's more comfortable than O's, so they separated them by colors.
"Christian?" Reno laughed. "Yeah right. Heaven and hell and all that bull... Heck, we all know about the Lifestream and reincarnation."
"Yes, but that doesn't mean Christianity doesn't exist," Tifa countered. "After all, what controls the Lifestream? What decides your next life? Maybe heaven is being born in the Promised Land, and maybe hell is being reincarnated into a stray dog. Or a tree destined to be cut down." *Or a human forced to kill.*
The Turk had just shrugged. "Maybe. And maybe you don't get punished at all, and your next life is your next life. Maybe you could be the sweetest person in the world, and you end up as an insect. Maybe the only reason that whole 'heaven and hell' crap was created was to keep people from killing each other off."
"I guess that's possible...so you don't believe in God?"
Reno was quiet for a moment, although Tifa wasn't sure whether it was because he was deciding where to move or he was actually thinking about it. "Yeah," he responded at last. "I believe in God. There's always gotta be somebody up there thinking he's got what it takes to judge you." Reno marked his square. "New game," he exclaimed, not bothering to get the smug look off his face.
Tifa shook her head as she restarted. "You win again, as always..."
"Yep, but you're doing really good. You've only been playing for a couple weeks, and you've already picked up some of my tricks," Reno reassured her.
"'Some.'"
"Yeah, some." He grinned. "You've yet to see my best work..."
*****
Reno was so caught up in his memory, he stopped paying much attention to where he was heading.
And so when Simone stepped right in front him, he almost dropped the items he'd been carrying.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?" the redhead demanded, annoyed.
Simone cocked his head and studied Reno. "What do you think you're doing, Reno?" he asked abruptly.
"What do you mean?" Reno knew exactly what he meant.
Simone's eyebrow rose. "You're supposed to be guarding her, not playing games."
"I'm just brightening up the mood at little, that's all. I mean, she is kidnapped, why not make her stay as pleasant as possible?"
"..." Simone simply looked at him.
*Sometimes this guy could be Rude's alter ego...* Reno shook that thought away. "Look, it's no big deal. So yeah, I go play a few games, chit-chat..." Reno lowered his voice. "She helped me out in a bad spot once, I'm just paying her back, that's it."
Simone crossed his arms and gave Reno a penetrating stare. Reno had to stop himself from squirming uncomfortably; although he was almost six feet tall, Simone was capable of making him feel as if he were shorter than Tifa.
"That better be it," Simone said at last. "But just as a warning, Reno...from a friend to a friend...don't get attached to her. Screw her if you like, but don't get attached." The Wutain turned and walked away to the front of the trailer.
Reno watched him go. *From a friend to a friend...heck, he must be really worried to break through that whole "distant" thing...* he mused. But he wasn't attached to Tifa. He was just feeling guilty about pouring that whole thing with Rude on her. This was his way of paying her back; he wouldn't have a problem with giving her up to Hojo...and the only reason her touch affected him so badly was because she was beautiful. Reno had already thought through this whole sequence many times. True, he never did figure out why he enjoyed her eyes on his, but... *That's irrelevant.*
Confident in his abilities to distance himself from anybody, Reno strode through the door.
~~~~~
Cloud sat in his chair, brooding about the gold trimmed invitation on his desk. It had arrived, from Barret and Elmyra of course, a little under two months ago.
He had yet to open it.
*Tomorrow,* he decided. He'd been putting it off, but...tomorrow would be the day.
As Cloud stood to walk by, the gold flashed in the light of his lamp, catching his eye. For a moment, Cloud hesitated.
*I've been saying tomorrow for two months...at this rate, I won't ever get around to opening it. Heck, I may have missed the wedding already.* Cloud shook his head at the thought. He was sure Barret would have called and yelled his ear off it he'd missed it. He smiled, remembering the big man.
Still...he might as well not put things off any longer, right? After all, it's just an invitation...
Coming to that decision, Cloud steeled himself and swiftly took hold of the letter to break its seal. His blue Mako eyes scanned the contents.
Greetings!
You have been invited to the marriage ceremony of
Barret Wallace
and
Elmyra Gainsborough
Wednesday, February 19th
at 6:30 p.m.
On the plains of Cosmo Canyon
We hope you'll be able to come!
The ex-SOLDIER took a deep breath. *See...that wasn't so bad...why'd you wait so long anyway?*
Cloud put the invitation down and went to bed.
~~~~~
~ I had a dream that you stood right in front of me
And called to me in black and white ~
"Cloud..."
Cloud blinked, looking around. He was surrounded by jagged black and white shapes. It reminded him of the ending of his Knights of the Round summon.
"Cloud."
Cloud shook his head. He knew, knew that voice...
"Cloud!" Aeris appeared in front of him, her bright smile on her face and her arms open. She was the only thing in this place with color, outside of himself.
"...Aeris?" Cloud asked, dumbfounded. Aeris' eyes glowed greener than usual, as her dress seemed a brighter shade of pink, the colors enhanced by the stark atmosphere.
She smiled at him. "Hey Cloud!" Aeris chirped, her voice light. "Let's go have fun like in the old times!"
"Huh?" was all he managed to get out before Aeris grabbed his hand and pulled him forward.
Cloud found himself running, half-pulled and half-chasing the flower girl holding his hand. Her sweet laughter filled his ears, the surroundings blurring with the speed of his passing.
When they stopped, Cloud was in Aeris' church. Aeris was kneeling, tending the flowerbed. Cloud stood on the side, unable to move.
He watched himself fall through the roof.
"Say Cloud, have you ever been a bodyguard?"
"You CAN do anything, right?"
"So get me out of here. Take me home."
"OK, but it'll cost you."
"How about if I go out with you once?"
Cloud blinked, and was returned to the irregular black and white edges of before, Aeris still holding his hand.
"Aeris..."
She shook her head, smiled, and ran again.
This time Cloud was at Gold Saucer.
"Let's go have some fun Cloud!"
"I want to get to know you Cloud."
"I'm right here."
"No, I mean really know you..."
Cloud found himself running once more, through the Ancient Forest, Aeris' words floating past him.
"Leave him to me, Cloud."
"I'll be back when this is all over, Cloud."
Finally, they stopped at a wedding. Looking down, he saw himself in a tuxedo, standing before the altar. Cloud held his breath as he raised his gaze, traveling up the brilliant white dress before him.
Sky blue met emerald green. *Aeris...*
Aeris gave him a grin, visible even through her veil, before lifting the concealing article of clothing. Standing up on tiptoes, Aeris flung her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a sweet, short kiss. She quickly pulled away, her eyes laughing. Cloud reached up to touch her face, when white swiftly filled his vision, and Aeris' face faded slowly away.
~ Though I could see you
I couldn't reach you
You faded into the light ~
Cloud blinked again, only to be in the same place where it all started. Black and white shreds filled his vision, until he looked at the girl holding his hand. Then his world consisted only of her.
Once more, Aeris pulled him forward. Once more, he gave chase.
But this time, they stayed in this world of black and white, of sharp edges and irregular forms. Gradually, Aeris let go of him, glancing back teasingly for a moment before she continued running. Cloud followed, desperate to touch her again.
"Aeris!" he called.
But Aeris only laughed, still running. She almost seemed to be flying, she was going so quickly. Cloud found himself falling behind.
"Aeris!"
She didn't even look back.
All of a sudden, far away from Cloud by now, Aeris tripped. The jagged black edge in front of her melded into an impossibly long sword.
Aeris seemed to fall in slow motion, allowing Cloud to catch up to her. He reached out his arm to grab her, keep her from having contact with the tainted blade. Just as Cloud could brush his fingertips against the soft fabric of her dress, time resumed normally, and Aeris fell, screaming as the Masamune pierced through her body.
"AHHHHHHHH!" Cloud's eyes shot open, and he tried to bolt up, only to end up falling on the floor, too entangled in his sheets to move. For a moment, Cloud thrashed around in his sheets, still caught up in his dream – a dream turned nightmare.
~ And when the sun turns a dream to reality
I'm left with such an empty space
I feel your spirit
Know that I'm near it
I swear I can see your face
Hear me calling you
Calling you
But you just don't seem to answer anymore ~
Cloud hung his head, panting heavily. He had somehow gotten himself on his hands and knees, his body shaking and sweat-covered. Trembling, Cloud grabbed onto the side of the bed and pulled his body up. He sat there on the edge of the bed, his hands covering his face, until the sun rose and peered through his fingers.
~ And I supposed to pretend I don't feel the pain
Like it happened only yesterday
No use in trying
To stop the crying
I can't make it go away ~
Blinking blearily, Cloud stumbled up, laying his hand on the dresser next to his bed for support. As he did so, he accidentally knocked over a picture.
Cloud absentmindly reached down to pick it up, and in doing so, happened to glance at the image. His eyes filled with tears as his fingers traced over Aeris' and his forms.
*****
"Hello sir! How are you, miss?" A Gold Saucer photographer waved them over cheerfully. "It's a great night for Enchantment night, isn't it? How about a picture for memories?"
Aeris tugged at his arm. "Come on, Cloud! Let's go get our picture taken!" She smiled at him happily.
Cloud nodded. "Sure."
"Great!" The photographer, a young girl with her own dreams of romance, grinned cheerfully. "Now, just stand over here...mm-hmm...Miss, why don't you put your arms around his neck? Now, it wouldn't be right if you didn't respond, would it sir? Just put your arms around her waist, that's all."
Cloud did so, blushing.
"Right, that's perfect!" The girl quickly snapped the photo. "I'll give it to you as soon as it develops! What's your room number? Oh, you are staying at the Ghost hotel, right?"
Cloud nodded again. "Yeah. Room 8432."
"8432." The photographer nodded. "Got it. Oh, and miss? I loved how you laid your head on his shoulder." She winked at Aeris.
Aeris giggled. "Thanks. Nice meeting you!" she chirped, grabbing Cloud's hand. "Let's go on the Gondola now, Cloud!"
*****
~ Hear me calling you
Calling you
But you just don't seem to answer anymore
I'm calling you
Calling you
And I'm afraid that you won't answer anymore ~
"Aeris..." Cloud whispered, before tenderly placing the picture back in its rightful position. "Aeris...you promised to come back...so where are you...?"
~ Where is the healing you promised me
Maybe this feeling will burn in me forever ~
"I've waited four years, Aeris...four years..." Cloud staggered into the shower, feeling sick at heart. He turned the water on as hot and hard as he could stand it, and simply stood there underneath the spray, letting the water droplets pelt against his skin. His tears mingled with the water.
Abruptly Cloud's knees buckled, and he fell sobbing onto the floor of the shower. Curling into a ball, he hid his face from reality, thankful for the spray hiding his cries. "Aeris..."
~ Hear me calling you
Calling you
But you just don't seem to answer anymore
I'm calling you, calling you
And I'm afraid that you won't answer anymore
Calling you and I'm afraid that you won't answer anymore... ~
AN: "Calling You" belongs to Richard Marx.
Whew...more angst, and another really long chapter. ^^;; I hope I didn't make Cloud too OOC (I hope I didn't make anybody too OOC, lol). I do want to make one note on the dream that was probably overlooked – it was so subtle, it's something that I made even Cloud himself miss, because it's within in his subconscious – but Cloud blames himself for Aeris' death. If you noticed, she died after Cloud touched her...just thought I'd mention it.
And if it was blaringly obvious, well then...I'm sorry for the long AN. ^_^;; Either way, please review!