For previous notes, refer to first chapter. Other than that, no notes. Again, more AU. ^^;;.
White Demon's Treasure - Chapter 2
===============================================
The game
I shall play.
But…
Just how many players
Are there?
Silence. Again. I wanted to scream, yell, something to break it. Zack hadn't changed his position by the door, and he stayed there with a paper bag in his arm. He glanced back and forth between me, and the boy. Then, out of nowhere, Zack grinned. "CLOUD?! Is that you?!" he cried. The boy blinked. "…Zack?" the boy asked. Zack dropped the bag on the ground and rushed up to the boy. I released my hold on the boy, just when Zack embraced the boy. "Man! I thought you died! Where were you all this time? In the cafeteria's storage room getting motion sick? Really, it's great to see you again!" Zack said, after he released the boy, who he called Cloud. Cloud scratched his head. "You two…know each other?" I asked. Zack turned. "Of course! He was in SOLDIER! He trained under me for a while, very talented little bugger. He was in First Class too!" Zack said, all the while gesturing crazily to the blonde.
He was…in SOLDIER. More memories stirred within me. His eyes…the faint glowing of the sky captured in a sapphire. It started to overflow into my mind, flowing like scorching pale water. I clutched my head, and blinked a couple times. My head hurt. "Hey! Seph, you ok?" I heard Zack ask. I managed a faint nod. I looked up the boy. "Have…I seen you somewhere before?" I asked. Zack looked like he was going to laugh, but Cloud looked down. Zack kept giving Cloud weird looks, as if to lead me onto something. Then Zack physically nudged Cloud. Cloud nearly fell over, yet too startled to say anything. Zack hurriedly whispered something into Cloud's ear, all the while glancing towards me. Cloud said nothing, only blushed. He got redder and redder as Zack continued to talk. I simply stared. What in the world were they saying? But Cloud's eyes were still picking at my brain. I've seen them before.
Suddenly, Cloud thrust his elbow into Zack's stomach, knocking him unconscious. I was alert, ready if he was planning to attack me, or kill Zack. He did neither. He gently lifted Zack onto my couch, before turning to me. "Sorry about that. I had to do it. There can't be other people listening when I explain the rules." he said. I blinked. Then I remembered the "game" that was to determine my fate. But I had nearly forgotten due to the commotion Zack had caused. "The rules are simple." he said, guessing that my silence meant for him to go on. "You are to steal the White Demon's Treasure from me. You are given five years to complete this. If not, your soul is mine. You may ask others for help, but you may not ask more than two people for assistance. And that's it. Simple isn't it?" he said, providing a small smile in reassurance.
"What…is it that I'm supposed to take from you?" I asked. It was rare for him to mention something I've never heard about. He smiled. "That's also part of your work. You have to figure out what you're supposed to take." I had a sudden urge to kill him. I ignored it. Cloud walked back to Zack, then snapped his claws, and Zack woke up with a start, smacking his head against Cloud's in the process. Now it was Cloud's turn to be knocked unconscious.
-----------------------------------------------------------
While Cloud was recovering from his rendezvous with Zack's forehead, Zack and I discussed what the blonde demon had just told me. He said I could ask for assistance right? "Sorry, I wish I knew what that was." he said, scratching his head in an odd sort of apology. I honestly wanted to smash the demon's head. "So, why are you guys playing this game anyway? The loser has to buy the winner a drink?" Zack asked, curious. I stiffened. I forgot. I didn't explain that Cloud was…well, to put it simply, dead. And even if I told him, who would believe me. Oh yeah, we're playing this game, 'cause if I lose, I have to give Cloud my soul. Oh, another thing. Cloud really is dead, he just now turned into a demon. Lastly, Cloud's eyes are fucking haunting me. Yeah, like anyone would believe that. "Yeah, something like that." I said. I'd tell him later. I just wanted to rest first, and hope that this whole mess would go away when I wake up.
"Oh yeah! Speaking of drinking, I brought you some wines I got. Real good stuff." Zack said, while taking out long neck bottles out of the brown, paper bag. I looked one over vaguely. "Thanks." I said. Zack grinned. "No prob. But make sure you don't drink too much of this stuff. Even I got drunk on just two glasses. Real hard." Zack said, scrunching up the bag, tossing it at a waste bin. He missed. I heard a scuffle coming from the couch. Cloud rubbed his eyes, walking towards us. He gingerly picked up the crumpled bag off the floor and tossed it at the waste bin. It went in. "What were you guys doing?" he asked sleepily. "Discussing on how to make you lose the game!" Zack said cheerfully. Cloud stared at me. I smiled. "I can ask for people's assistance." I reminded him, shaking a finger at him.
"Well kiddos, I have to go. I got a date with the sweetest girl in the world." Zack said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Aerith?" I asked, remembering the flower girl Zack constantly mentioned. He nodded. "I'll bring her over some time. Double date." he said, winking. I stared at him. "Later!" he said, and with a smile, he was gone. It was silent again. I turned around. Cloud had made himself comfortable on my couch, reading a black scroll, the same one hidden in his cape. I grabbed a nearby chair, and sat down. I stared at him. I knew he wasn't reading. His eyes were moving sure enough, but he wasn't reading. He was waiting. "…so your name's Cloud?" I asked. His eyes drew away from the scroll. "Yes." he said. "Just Cloud?"
"Now it is. Demons only have one name."
"What was your last name?"
"Strife."
"So Cloud Strife?"
"Uh-huh."
Then it was silent again. "Where have I seen you before?" I asked. He was startled. He face hadn't changed. But something in his eyes shifted suddenly. "I don't think you ever met me."
"Yes I have."
"How are you sure?"
"Your eyes."
He was confused. "…like I told you, I never met you." he said. I walked over to him. I held his chin, and made him look at me. I looked straight into his eyes. He started to squirm. The same. The way the ice blue shifted, the way it glowed. All too familiar. "Tell me the truth." I whispered. Not one of those wispy whispers. It was a demanding whisper.
"Okay!" the blonde said, pulling away from me, turning red. "I used to watch you whenever I had the chance." he said after he had composed himself. He wasn't facing me. It looked more like he was talking to himself, but his attention was to me. "When you passed by, or when you supervised the classes I had, that sort of stuff." he continued. I said nothing. I waited. He turned to me. "But I made sure that you couldn't see me! So-?!" the demon asked. Once again, I held his cheek so he wouldn't turn away from me. "I could see you." I said. He looked just as confused. "Those eyes of yours. I told you before. I could see them glowing at me." I said. He said nothing. I opened my mouth to ask him why he stared at me in the first place, but I said nothing. I sighed. I released him, and resumed my position on the chair.
Now it was silent again. A awkward silence. Maybe I shouldn't have asked him that. Cloud had given up on reading the scroll, and the scroll was draped over Cloud's face like a book, and Cloud was happily taking nap. He wasn't asleep. He waited. "What is it like, without my soul?" I asked. Cloud stirred, and turned on his side. He pulled the scroll of his face. His hair was ruffled as a result. "Well, it wouldn't be could. You couldn't feel emotions. So you don't feel happiness, sadness, guilt, or even pain." he said. I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that might sound like a good thing, but that's really bad. Say, you left a pan on the stove, and you forgot the fire was on. And your hand accidentally slipped onto the pain. You wouldn't feel the burn from the pan. Then you would leave it alone, and it might start a fire. Get it?" he asked. I nodded. "Then, you wouldn't be able to hear. Well, specific things. Other than people talking, you wouldn't hear anything. No music, no birds singing, nothing. Then your eyesight. You wouldn't be able to see colors. It'd all be one solid color. Also, your eyes are almost always playing tricks on you. So you might get yourself killed." Cloud said finally, shrugging.
Hmm…I knew that taking one's soul wasn't exactly a good thing. But actually hearing the specific effects, I supposed I didn't want that to happen. I sighed. Cloud resumed his nap. I took out a stack of papers that need to be signed from the oak desk in the other room, and I collapsed in the chair, looking disbelieving at the stack of papers that I had to sign. People asked for my permission for the weirdest reasons. I picked up the first one. Permission to commence mission. Signed. Permission to have so and so time for training classes. Signed. Permission to have new bathrooms installed. Signed. Permission to borrow machine gun for practice from the SOLDIER storage. Signed. Permission to bring pet dog Loffy to dorms. Signed. Permission to change brand of toothpaste. Signed. Invitation to next weeks SOLDIER banquet, yes or no. Signed. Wait. Shit. I looked where I had signed. The 'yes' line. Shit. I looked back at my pen. The non-erasable kinds. Double shit. Those banquets were so goddamned boring. Some bozo talks, we eat a dinner that wouldn't be enough to feed a chicken, dance with some person we actually don't' know but brought just for the heck of having a date for this thing, and leave. Shit. I tossed it aside. I'd actually read it later. I went back to signing papers. I was in a bad mood. I picked up the next paper. Permission to attend so and so classes. Permission denied. Permission to change lunch times due to so and so events. Permission denied. Permission to bring other pet dog Roffy to dorms. Permission denied.
The stack of papers that consisted exactly half of yes's and no's were now completed and put aside for me to give to the main office later. I looked at the clock. It's late. I picked up the stray paper concerning the banquet I reluctantly joined. Requirements. Must wear formal clothing. Cannot not bring animals. Must check weapons at door. Must bring a date. Fuck. Come at nine o' clock at night next Wednesday. I sighed, cursing my total lack of luck. First I have some demon person comes in here, with the intention of taking my soul, and then I have to go to some sad excuse of an event. I exhaled deeply, leaning back into my chair. Closing my eyes for a moment. Wait. Demon. I opened my eyes, and looked at the couch. Was the little demon still here? He was, deep in sleep, on my couch might I add.
Now standing next to the couch, I looked at him. This is actually the first time I took the chance to really study him He was a little pale, and in sleep, looked childish and vulnerable. Cloud stirred in his sleep, shifting slightly, holding his cape (which he used as a blanket) tighter, to keep warm. I chuckled softly. At least he was cute. I stared at him for a couple minutes longer, before I got up. I sensed something outside. A long train of loud quick knocks were pounded onto my door. Cloud started to stir. I swiftly went up to the door, and pulled it open. Zack, who hadn't adjusted to the sudden lack of door, nearly fell down, saving himself just barely by grabbing the side of my door. "Seph! You won't-" Zack screamed. "Be quiet!" I hissed at him, motioning towards the sleeping demon. Zack stopped mid-talking. "Seph! I got what the deal is about!" Zack whispered hastily, thrusting an old dusty book in my face. I took, curious, going to the place Zack marked. I read the short page quickly. I finished reading it. I read it again, at a more relaxed pace. I finished. I read it incredibly slowly to process everything. I finished. I couldn't believe this. Oh man. I stared incredulously at Zack, then the sleeping Cloud. Please, oh please let this just end. This is some really sick joke. Maybe the thought that Cloud was cute should've never crossed my mind. It may have very well jinxed me. The page, read as follows.
===========================
Damn! Am I cursed to only write three page chapters?! -coughs- ^_^. So, what do ya think? Do review. The next chapter will tell the main plot (or at least some of it. Side parts are fun.) So look forward to it! Meanwhile, review! XD.
White Demon's Treasure - Chapter 2
===============================================
The game
I shall play.
But…
Just how many players
Are there?
Silence. Again. I wanted to scream, yell, something to break it. Zack hadn't changed his position by the door, and he stayed there with a paper bag in his arm. He glanced back and forth between me, and the boy. Then, out of nowhere, Zack grinned. "CLOUD?! Is that you?!" he cried. The boy blinked. "…Zack?" the boy asked. Zack dropped the bag on the ground and rushed up to the boy. I released my hold on the boy, just when Zack embraced the boy. "Man! I thought you died! Where were you all this time? In the cafeteria's storage room getting motion sick? Really, it's great to see you again!" Zack said, after he released the boy, who he called Cloud. Cloud scratched his head. "You two…know each other?" I asked. Zack turned. "Of course! He was in SOLDIER! He trained under me for a while, very talented little bugger. He was in First Class too!" Zack said, all the while gesturing crazily to the blonde.
He was…in SOLDIER. More memories stirred within me. His eyes…the faint glowing of the sky captured in a sapphire. It started to overflow into my mind, flowing like scorching pale water. I clutched my head, and blinked a couple times. My head hurt. "Hey! Seph, you ok?" I heard Zack ask. I managed a faint nod. I looked up the boy. "Have…I seen you somewhere before?" I asked. Zack looked like he was going to laugh, but Cloud looked down. Zack kept giving Cloud weird looks, as if to lead me onto something. Then Zack physically nudged Cloud. Cloud nearly fell over, yet too startled to say anything. Zack hurriedly whispered something into Cloud's ear, all the while glancing towards me. Cloud said nothing, only blushed. He got redder and redder as Zack continued to talk. I simply stared. What in the world were they saying? But Cloud's eyes were still picking at my brain. I've seen them before.
Suddenly, Cloud thrust his elbow into Zack's stomach, knocking him unconscious. I was alert, ready if he was planning to attack me, or kill Zack. He did neither. He gently lifted Zack onto my couch, before turning to me. "Sorry about that. I had to do it. There can't be other people listening when I explain the rules." he said. I blinked. Then I remembered the "game" that was to determine my fate. But I had nearly forgotten due to the commotion Zack had caused. "The rules are simple." he said, guessing that my silence meant for him to go on. "You are to steal the White Demon's Treasure from me. You are given five years to complete this. If not, your soul is mine. You may ask others for help, but you may not ask more than two people for assistance. And that's it. Simple isn't it?" he said, providing a small smile in reassurance.
"What…is it that I'm supposed to take from you?" I asked. It was rare for him to mention something I've never heard about. He smiled. "That's also part of your work. You have to figure out what you're supposed to take." I had a sudden urge to kill him. I ignored it. Cloud walked back to Zack, then snapped his claws, and Zack woke up with a start, smacking his head against Cloud's in the process. Now it was Cloud's turn to be knocked unconscious.
-----------------------------------------------------------
While Cloud was recovering from his rendezvous with Zack's forehead, Zack and I discussed what the blonde demon had just told me. He said I could ask for assistance right? "Sorry, I wish I knew what that was." he said, scratching his head in an odd sort of apology. I honestly wanted to smash the demon's head. "So, why are you guys playing this game anyway? The loser has to buy the winner a drink?" Zack asked, curious. I stiffened. I forgot. I didn't explain that Cloud was…well, to put it simply, dead. And even if I told him, who would believe me. Oh yeah, we're playing this game, 'cause if I lose, I have to give Cloud my soul. Oh, another thing. Cloud really is dead, he just now turned into a demon. Lastly, Cloud's eyes are fucking haunting me. Yeah, like anyone would believe that. "Yeah, something like that." I said. I'd tell him later. I just wanted to rest first, and hope that this whole mess would go away when I wake up.
"Oh yeah! Speaking of drinking, I brought you some wines I got. Real good stuff." Zack said, while taking out long neck bottles out of the brown, paper bag. I looked one over vaguely. "Thanks." I said. Zack grinned. "No prob. But make sure you don't drink too much of this stuff. Even I got drunk on just two glasses. Real hard." Zack said, scrunching up the bag, tossing it at a waste bin. He missed. I heard a scuffle coming from the couch. Cloud rubbed his eyes, walking towards us. He gingerly picked up the crumpled bag off the floor and tossed it at the waste bin. It went in. "What were you guys doing?" he asked sleepily. "Discussing on how to make you lose the game!" Zack said cheerfully. Cloud stared at me. I smiled. "I can ask for people's assistance." I reminded him, shaking a finger at him.
"Well kiddos, I have to go. I got a date with the sweetest girl in the world." Zack said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Aerith?" I asked, remembering the flower girl Zack constantly mentioned. He nodded. "I'll bring her over some time. Double date." he said, winking. I stared at him. "Later!" he said, and with a smile, he was gone. It was silent again. I turned around. Cloud had made himself comfortable on my couch, reading a black scroll, the same one hidden in his cape. I grabbed a nearby chair, and sat down. I stared at him. I knew he wasn't reading. His eyes were moving sure enough, but he wasn't reading. He was waiting. "…so your name's Cloud?" I asked. His eyes drew away from the scroll. "Yes." he said. "Just Cloud?"
"Now it is. Demons only have one name."
"What was your last name?"
"Strife."
"So Cloud Strife?"
"Uh-huh."
Then it was silent again. "Where have I seen you before?" I asked. He was startled. He face hadn't changed. But something in his eyes shifted suddenly. "I don't think you ever met me."
"Yes I have."
"How are you sure?"
"Your eyes."
He was confused. "…like I told you, I never met you." he said. I walked over to him. I held his chin, and made him look at me. I looked straight into his eyes. He started to squirm. The same. The way the ice blue shifted, the way it glowed. All too familiar. "Tell me the truth." I whispered. Not one of those wispy whispers. It was a demanding whisper.
"Okay!" the blonde said, pulling away from me, turning red. "I used to watch you whenever I had the chance." he said after he had composed himself. He wasn't facing me. It looked more like he was talking to himself, but his attention was to me. "When you passed by, or when you supervised the classes I had, that sort of stuff." he continued. I said nothing. I waited. He turned to me. "But I made sure that you couldn't see me! So-?!" the demon asked. Once again, I held his cheek so he wouldn't turn away from me. "I could see you." I said. He looked just as confused. "Those eyes of yours. I told you before. I could see them glowing at me." I said. He said nothing. I opened my mouth to ask him why he stared at me in the first place, but I said nothing. I sighed. I released him, and resumed my position on the chair.
Now it was silent again. A awkward silence. Maybe I shouldn't have asked him that. Cloud had given up on reading the scroll, and the scroll was draped over Cloud's face like a book, and Cloud was happily taking nap. He wasn't asleep. He waited. "What is it like, without my soul?" I asked. Cloud stirred, and turned on his side. He pulled the scroll of his face. His hair was ruffled as a result. "Well, it wouldn't be could. You couldn't feel emotions. So you don't feel happiness, sadness, guilt, or even pain." he said. I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, that might sound like a good thing, but that's really bad. Say, you left a pan on the stove, and you forgot the fire was on. And your hand accidentally slipped onto the pain. You wouldn't feel the burn from the pan. Then you would leave it alone, and it might start a fire. Get it?" he asked. I nodded. "Then, you wouldn't be able to hear. Well, specific things. Other than people talking, you wouldn't hear anything. No music, no birds singing, nothing. Then your eyesight. You wouldn't be able to see colors. It'd all be one solid color. Also, your eyes are almost always playing tricks on you. So you might get yourself killed." Cloud said finally, shrugging.
Hmm…I knew that taking one's soul wasn't exactly a good thing. But actually hearing the specific effects, I supposed I didn't want that to happen. I sighed. Cloud resumed his nap. I took out a stack of papers that need to be signed from the oak desk in the other room, and I collapsed in the chair, looking disbelieving at the stack of papers that I had to sign. People asked for my permission for the weirdest reasons. I picked up the first one. Permission to commence mission. Signed. Permission to have so and so time for training classes. Signed. Permission to have new bathrooms installed. Signed. Permission to borrow machine gun for practice from the SOLDIER storage. Signed. Permission to bring pet dog Loffy to dorms. Signed. Permission to change brand of toothpaste. Signed. Invitation to next weeks SOLDIER banquet, yes or no. Signed. Wait. Shit. I looked where I had signed. The 'yes' line. Shit. I looked back at my pen. The non-erasable kinds. Double shit. Those banquets were so goddamned boring. Some bozo talks, we eat a dinner that wouldn't be enough to feed a chicken, dance with some person we actually don't' know but brought just for the heck of having a date for this thing, and leave. Shit. I tossed it aside. I'd actually read it later. I went back to signing papers. I was in a bad mood. I picked up the next paper. Permission to attend so and so classes. Permission denied. Permission to change lunch times due to so and so events. Permission denied. Permission to bring other pet dog Roffy to dorms. Permission denied.
The stack of papers that consisted exactly half of yes's and no's were now completed and put aside for me to give to the main office later. I looked at the clock. It's late. I picked up the stray paper concerning the banquet I reluctantly joined. Requirements. Must wear formal clothing. Cannot not bring animals. Must check weapons at door. Must bring a date. Fuck. Come at nine o' clock at night next Wednesday. I sighed, cursing my total lack of luck. First I have some demon person comes in here, with the intention of taking my soul, and then I have to go to some sad excuse of an event. I exhaled deeply, leaning back into my chair. Closing my eyes for a moment. Wait. Demon. I opened my eyes, and looked at the couch. Was the little demon still here? He was, deep in sleep, on my couch might I add.
Now standing next to the couch, I looked at him. This is actually the first time I took the chance to really study him He was a little pale, and in sleep, looked childish and vulnerable. Cloud stirred in his sleep, shifting slightly, holding his cape (which he used as a blanket) tighter, to keep warm. I chuckled softly. At least he was cute. I stared at him for a couple minutes longer, before I got up. I sensed something outside. A long train of loud quick knocks were pounded onto my door. Cloud started to stir. I swiftly went up to the door, and pulled it open. Zack, who hadn't adjusted to the sudden lack of door, nearly fell down, saving himself just barely by grabbing the side of my door. "Seph! You won't-" Zack screamed. "Be quiet!" I hissed at him, motioning towards the sleeping demon. Zack stopped mid-talking. "Seph! I got what the deal is about!" Zack whispered hastily, thrusting an old dusty book in my face. I took, curious, going to the place Zack marked. I read the short page quickly. I finished reading it. I read it again, at a more relaxed pace. I finished. I read it incredibly slowly to process everything. I finished. I couldn't believe this. Oh man. I stared incredulously at Zack, then the sleeping Cloud. Please, oh please let this just end. This is some really sick joke. Maybe the thought that Cloud was cute should've never crossed my mind. It may have very well jinxed me. The page, read as follows.
===========================
Damn! Am I cursed to only write three page chapters?! -coughs- ^_^. So, what do ya think? Do review. The next chapter will tell the main plot (or at least some of it. Side parts are fun.) So look forward to it! Meanwhile, review! XD.
