Warning: Warnings: Extremely cute Cloud, slightly less mild Zack x Seph relationship.

Disclaimer: Don't own them. Again².

Chapter 8: A Holy Revival

            Gloom settled over the SOLDIER complex. Had Zack been in a better mood he would have found it amazing how many people knew and loved Cloud. Had it really only been ten months since Cloud had been transformed? A mere two months since that near disaster at Nibelheim? Zack silently greeted Sephiroth with a nod as the General entered the room. He rose from the chair next to Cloud's bed side and allowed his friend to take his place. The two had managed to rearrange their schedules so one of them could stay with Cloud constantly. If they couldn't, one of the 'Superb Six' would fill in.

            Zack reached Sephiroth's quarters and opened his messages. He ignored the first five. Some were invites to parties; others were common every day reports form other bases. The sixth and either were messaged pertaining to the successful SOLDIER candidates. The seventh was a list of new SOLDIER applicants. The tenth gave him a start of surprise.

                        Zack,

                        I know something's wrong with Cloud. Meet me at the usual spot at seven.

                        ~A

             Zack's eyes widened in surprise. Aeries had never contacted him before. Thanks to Cloud, Zack knew that Hojo wanted Aeris and that the Turks still had standing orders to capture her. It didn't surprise him that Aeris knew of Cloud's condition. Aeris had always been uncanny like that. A quick glance at the clock told him he had just enough time to make it. The SOLDIER left a quick note for his friend and slipped out the door. 

*~*

Zack and Sephiroth watched as Aeris approached Cloud's bed. The Cetra had asked to see Cloud to try and help him. They had managed to smuggle her into the complex. Zack only hoped she could help.

            "Only one thing left to try," Aeris murmured an hour later. She pulled something out of her hair and held it in her hands.

Suddenly a shrill alarm sounded in the air. "Oh hell!" Airi shouted from across the room. She ran over, not apologizing as she knocked into Aeris's. "He's crashing!" In the next few tense moments no one noticed as Cloud's hand clenched around something that had fallen on the bed.

*~*

For the first time in days Cloud became aware of another presence besides the destructive power of the Black Material or the alien Jenova. A kind, healing presence slowly intruded his mind. Cloud grabbed it as a drowning man grabs a lifeline.

Many called the planet cruel and harsh. It sent terrible storms, earthquakes and tornadoes. Others believed it to be an alien presence beyond human comprehension. Still other called it 'mother' for its nurturing role. Cloud found it to be a sisterly presence, an older sister that would occasionally torment him but still loved him. Brilliant white light filled Cloud and held him Cloud. It contained the black energy of Meteor and forced Jenova from his mid. The blond felt his fears and pain fall away in the planet's comporting embrace.

In the physical world, the small white material that Aeris had dropped vanished from Cloud's hand.

*~*

            Airi considered herself many things. Confident, competent, compelling and commanding were definitely among them. She was well away she was no God and couldn't save everyone. She had learned that years ago when her first patient died. Airi knew Cloud was going to die. All of the signs were there.

            So how in the world could she explain Cloud's miraculous recover?

            Airi stared down at the young blond, his bright blue eyes closed in peaceful slumber. Aeris had said something about her white material canceling out Hojo's. She supposed it was possible. Though she certainly didn't like it. Scientist and doctors certainly hated being left in the dark. "And I'll probably never know," Airi murmured aloud.  A faint blue glow alerted the doctor to her patient's return to consciousness. "How are you feeling?"

            "Better," Cloud said softly. He shifted in the bed. "What happen?" Airi related all that they knew. "How long do I have to say in bed?"

            "A while at least. We still don't know a lot about what happened. You should be able to go home in a few days though. And there are plenty of visitors waiting to see you." She scowled. "Unfortunately you'll have to go back to Hojo eventually. President ShinRa was adamant about that."

            "That's alright," Cloud sighed.

            Airi stared at her young charge. "Cloud he almost killed you!"

            Cloud shrugged. "I know. But sometimes I can help others Hojo is trying to hurt. Knowing others won't have to go thought what I do makes it worth it." Blue eyes closed as the small boy went to sleep.

            "I'll never understand him," Airi went back to work.

End Chapter 8

Kinda a short chapter but anyway….

Yes, Cloud's alright now. I just couldn't kill him. He's SO CUTE! *Hugs Cloud*

And once again I have TWO people to thank!

Katie14: Sorry about the logging in thing. I KNOW I took the 'rejects anonymous reviews' off but it decided to put itself back on. *glare* I didn't think it would be reasonable for Cloud to stay with Sephiroth and Zack all the time because of their duties so I had to bring a few other people in to the picture. As for the black materia, well holy will keep that under control. Its actually coming up in the second arc (which I'm currently writing) or at least its origin. But Cloud's emotionions DO influence his spells which will come up eventually…

Cloud: I AM SO MAD! *ultima spell levels the building* Oops…

Blue Eyed Angel 2: Cloud's my fav too. In fact all of my FFVII stories revolve mainly around Cloud and his relationships with Zack and Sephiroth.

Author of the Update:  lynlyn for her FFVII story Emerald Skies which we all hope she updates soon.