Warning: Warnings: Extremely cute Cloud, mild Zack x Seph relationship
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. If I ever get the rights I'll let you know.
Chapter 4: Ominous Prophecies
Cloud zipped around Aeris' house, helping Elmyra finish lunch. The flower girl laughed as she watched the young boy. The last three months had been a blessing. Cloud often came with her to sell flowers when he didn't have appointments with Hojo. Despite his age Cloud was swift on the battle field. After their first run in with some less than savory types, Aeris had started to teach him how to fight with a staff. He had put the lesions to good use of more than one occasion. A sweet, curious child, willing to help and full of unusual intelligence. Aeris shook her head. Cloud seemed too good to be true sometimes. At least her mother had completely accepted him. Some how Aeris knew Cloud could allow her to become close to Zack again. Even if it wasn't romantically. "Calm down Cloud."
"Zack is coming back today!" Cloud cheerfully chorused. This wasn't new news. It was all Cloud could talk about since he gotten the call last night. They quickly ate lunch then Cloud ran upstairs to grab his bags. Aeris gathered her staff and flower basket. Cloud flew downstairs and out the door with Aeris following him. "Bye Mrs. Elmyra! I'll be back to visit!"
Once they reached the spot where they usually separated, Cloud turned and gave Aeris a big hug. With a bright smile on his face Cloud skipped thought the crowd towards the train to go to the plate. He didn't even have to deal with Hojo today! The scientist had meetings all day. Cloud found an out of the way perch where he could easily watch the gates to the military wing. Two hours later his surveillance paid off when he saw two trucks pull in to the base. Weary troopers tumbled out and stood at attention while Sephiroth gave them last minute instructions then dismissed them. Two other SOLDIERS that had accompanied the General on the mission walked off towards the SOLDIER barracks. The troopers tromped off towards their own. Zack and Sephiroth turned and walked toward ShinRa head quarters.
Cloud slipped off of his perch and quietly followed the pair keeping an eye out for watchers. His existence wasn't generally know per say and there was no reason to broadcast it. "Zack! Sephiroth!"
Zack whirled and scooped Cloud up. "And how long have you been watching little mischief maker?"
"A few hours," Cloud replied. He smiled shyly. "I missed you."
"We missed you too kiddo," Zack said with a smile. He glanced at Sephiroth. "We need to go report and Seph has to see Hojo then let say we go out to eat?"
"Hojo's in meeting all day," Cloud supplied. "He was really mad because he had a delicate experiment going. I'll probably have a longer session tomorrow."
Zack's hands tightened around him. Worry showed on both of Cloud's guardian's faces. "Can you run off to our room Cloud? We need to go." Cloud nodded and allowed Zack to put him down. He gave Sephiroth's hand a squeeze then zipped off to their rooms.
"I don't like this," Zack murmured to Sephiroth as the blond vanished from sight.
"We can't do more then we have," Sephiroth responded. "I suggest we make tonight as enjoyable as possible for him. Tomorrow will be difficult."
*~*
Cloud valiantly struggled to hold on to consciousness as Hojo added another round of drugs to his system. His ability to block pain had long ago vanished. The only thing keeping him conscious was Hojo's mutterings. The scientist sounded happy about something-never a good sigh for Cloud. And more disturbingly it concerned Sephiroth.
"After all these years…preparations finally complete…"the scientist voice wavered in and out as Cloud fought to stay awake. "Nibelheim. It will begin at Nibelheim."
*~*
Cloud awoke with a jerk. Cool hands restrained him from sitting up. "Shh, Cloud. You've had a bad night."
"Sephiroth?!" Cloud gasped in surprise. He coughed.
The General passed Cloud a cup of water. The blond gratefully sipped it. "You've been unconscious for nearly three days. Hojo over did himself this time."
"Not usually that bad," Cloud mumbled.
"I'm sure," Sephiroth said blandly. He knew all too well that Cloud put a great deal of effort into not to displaying his pain. Zack didn't understand the huge amounts of agony Cloud went through on a regular basis. Having been there himself the General knew how Hojo treated his 'specimens." It didn't surprise the silver haired man that Cloud had become extremely tactile. There was only two ways to deal with life in the lab. With draw, as he had done, or cling to whatever joy you had. In the lab where touch meant little more than a conduct for pain, compassionate touch was to be retained at all costs.
"Where's Zack?" Cloud asked.
"He's getting the troops ready for next week's mission," Sephiroth reluctantly told his young charge.
"Another one already?" Cloud whispered.
"It's supposed to be short," Sephiroth tried to reassure Cloud. "A week at most. We just have to check out a mako reactor and clean out the monsters around it. A couple of Zack's friends in SOLDIER will be taking care of you. You are in no condition to go gallivanting through the city. And if Hojo tries something like this again you certainly won't make it back to Aeris' house."
"Where are you going?" Cloud asked.
Sephiroth paused. The information for their destination wasn't classified; in fact it was rather well known around the barracks. However Cloud hadn't shown any evidence of regaining his previous memories. Mentioning the name of his former home might bring unfortunate result. Reluctantly the General acknowledged that Cloud would find our one way or another-especially if the tried to hide it. "Nibelheim."
"Where's that?" Cloud asked in confusion. No recognition showed on his face.
"It's in a mountain range on another continent. However the President has some impressive political get together in three weeks so we're going to use the Glinka. Travel time will be under a day by air." He took the glass of water. "Now you need to get to sleep," he said sternly. "You'll have to be in tip top shape if you're going to see us off."
Cloud nodded and closed his eyes. It wasn't until hours later that he remembered that he had heard of Nibelheim before-and from whom.
End Chapter
Oooooo. I'm so mean. Not really. Next chapter is already typed. Just have to finish editing it. Actually the entire story is typed. Finding time to post is the problem.
Katie14: I'm sorry FF.net won't let you post in Chapter 3! Thank
you for your review! Yup we now know why Cloud's aging quickly. As you can
probably tell from this
chapter Cloud's going to do something about the Nibelheim situation too. As for
his memories I think that comes up in a chapter or two.
Author of the Update: Asprosdracos for her FFVII fic, Xehorista Tora!!!!