Lest Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot.

Please don't make me repeat the disclaimer. Please. I swear déjà vu this often is bad for you. There's a glitch in the matrix™. Anyway, you should all know from experience that we aren't so lucky to own our own little Cloud, or Leon. Could be cool though! Anyway, enough gassing. Read on!

……

Chapter 7: Awakenings.

"You shouldn't leave him here," a gravelly voice came from over his shoulder whilst a gentle hand squeezed it.

Leon turned the best he could to see Cid standing behind him; a cigarette nestled unlit between tightened lips. With his bearings all over the place, and a bawling ninja grasping his jacket, his jaw simply opened and closed aimlessly.

"Where's your respect?" Cid whispered. "Jeez. He made it out of Hollow Bastion only to fall foul here. Shit."

Leon would have been amused by Cid's lack of profanities, but with the dire situation before him, laughter was something he never thought he'd hear again. "Did you think…"

"Did I think he died?" Cid finished off his wavering sentence. "I believed so." The look of horror on Leon's face probed Cid into an explanation. "The other search party, they died when the chapel tower collapsed. No one told you this and we never recovered them all. If they had found him, he would surely have perished. When we never found him, I wondered if maybe…" he pressed a thumb and forefinger into the bridge of his nose before continuing, "but no. Poor kid. Fk."

Leon turned back to his fallen friend, blinking away his blurred vision. He reached behind him and pulled the raven-haired youngster to his side. Upon witnessing her, he realised she was a wreck. Her head was bowed and her shoulders slumped. Her hands covered her tear stained face, hiding the awful truth before her. Cid quickly lifted her to her feet and aided her down from the platform to a waiting, sympathetic shoulder. When they tried to move her away, her squealing protests would have reached even the deepest slumber.

With one somewhat sorted, Leon chanced disturbing Aeris. She still lay where she had thrown herself. Her sobbing was erratic as she fought to breathe amidst the tears. Refusing to stride over his lost companion, he moved to Aeris's back, reaching over her shoulder and plucking an arm from behind a blonde head. As Leon's fingers grazed his relaxed neck, the feeling of ice spread rapidly along his nerves. Shuddering violently, he quickly pulled Aeris to his chest, wrapping his arms about her and pinning her hands under her chin. Her struggles against him were weak, allowing him to pull her away from Cloud. Bundling her towards Yuffie, he faced Cid and inhaled deeply to steady the tremors that engulfed his fingers.

"Help me with this," Cid instructed the disturbingly quiet brunette, moving to tug at one of the planks of wood on the platform. Its broad width and ample length formed a perfect substitute to a stretcher. With both of them pulling, the nails came loose easily, tumbling away to leave tiny pinpricks of light at each corner.

Laying the board alongside the still blonde, they moved their attentions to Cloud. In his limp form he was a dead weight. Leon gently lifted behind his knees, legs bending with far too much ease. As Cid lifted him by the shoulders Cloud's head lolled backwards, his spikes trailing paths in the sawdust. The girls gasped as they laid him on the makeshift stretcher, easing the calm expression beneath golden locks back into Leon's view. His face displayed no pain. He merely looked like he was lost in eternal slumber.

"Let's take him back to my place," Cid spoke quietly, preparing to lift the wooden slab. Leon simply nodded and followed suit. He matched Cid's lengthy, solemn pace, heading from the second district. He could not say how long the trek took. For him, time now stood still.

Above the Accessory Shop, now devoid of moogles, they laid their companion upon a table, the candles on the shelves flickering across his pale form. Shadows haunted around his eyes as the light failed to reach so far. Yuffie hung back, pressing herself against the wall whilst trying to stem the flow of tears. Aeris sat at the table, clutching a hand that wouldn't return her squeeze. She did not care who saw her, only one person mattered to her now, and he wouldn't respond to her calling out his name. Leon stood behind her, controlling his breathing by means of regular, deep breaths to prevent him succumbing to the emotions the others did. He dared not talk, knowing all too well that his voice would betray him.

Cid hovered about, his head bowed and his goggles in his hands. The atmosphere was heavy and drained them all. "Maybe we should take them home," he whispered into the brunette's ear after some time. Initially, he appeared to have gone unheard, but a solitary nod of brown locks informed him otherwise.

Leon could not meet the elder's gaze. He could not meet anyone's. He finally glanced to Yuffie, only to see her using the wall for support. The heavy echo of footsteps resounded through the darkened room as he made his way to her. As soon as he touched her, her strength gave way.

Feeling the warmth of support, Yuffie's knees buckled, slamming her head into a muscular torso. Strong arms held her up to prevent two bodies falling to the floor. She had never expected Leon to approach her in this way, but all reasoning was beyond her now. Guilt flowed into every corner of her soul. She felt she could have done something, but she prevented anyone from approaching Cloud.

"It wasn't your fault," a small voice trembled in her ear. No matter how hard she tried to face the brunette, he wouldn't let her witness his expression. Surrendering once more, she drew strength from his warmth, hardly noticing his trembling.

Seeing Cid at the door with Aeris by his side, Leon cast a final watery glance to Cloud before shuffling after the pilot. Leaving his friend alone felt wrong somehow.

"We'll come back in a short while," Cid explained in a whisper as the brunette passed. "Let's just get you all somewhere welcoming. You all look like you could use a fking strong brandy."

The faintest hue of a smile twitched at the corner of Leon's mouth as darkness descended the makeshift tomb. No sooner had the door been closed, the life from every candle was crudely snuffed out.

………………

Night had descended Traverse Town, but the eternal twilight made sundials useless. The moonlight crept across the floor and found the sleeping form on the table. Silver caressed a perfectly formed frame, deepening the shadowy recesses of his body. Gently, his ribs rose in the still air.

Again, the moonlight rippled as the flesh caused shadows to recede. Lips parted as he drank in the longed-for air. Sparkles of light shone in the darkness as eyelids snapped upwards, revealing the oceans below that fixed unfocussed on the ceiling. Muscles tensed before the table was vacated, the body vanishing from view.

The edging from the counter's panels dug into his back. He could make out little from his position on the floor; the dimmed light and the table before him did little to help. His breath came in snatched gasps with his chest heaving with each lung full.

He did not know how long he lay there, propped up by the wood, but it was long enough for his breathing to settle out. Gazing about his surroundings left him none the wiser of his location. The thought of venturing outside was the last thing on his mind upon seeing his attire. Or rather the lack of one. Although, finding something to wear hadn't crossed his mind either.

A pale hand splayed over the edge of the counter, pulling a blonde head into view. The counter then served as a supportive medium while he leant over it, arms folded beneath his chest. As his feet became firmly placed on the cold floor, he caught sight of his reflection in the heavily polished surface. Even the pungent smell of the polish was overbearing. Eyes became squinted beneath the developing frown that lowered his hairline. Unless he was mistaken, his untainted reflection peered back at him. Smearing a moist hand over the flawless surface, he blinked furiously, unsure of whether his eyes deceived him. Glancing up to the mirror on the wall, it simply confirmed what the counter stated. Weak muscles slowly tugged his cheeks into a disbelieving smile.

He surveyed the room and presumed that indeed he was in a shop of some kind. The name of 'Cid Highwind' above the counter informed him of the building's proprietor and the world he currently resided in. Stumbling around the counter, he moved into the restricted quarters of the premises. He hoped that he could find what he was looking for. After knocking several boxes over in his struggle to walk, he found just what he was searching for.

The trousers he held in his hands were several sizes too big. Right now he couldn't march about in just his underwear. Falling foul to the laws of gravity, he ended up sprawled on the floor with the trousers to his knees. He lay back on the cold floor to take a rest from the ordeal. The unlit lampshade swirled in his vision. Clearly, he had some way to go before he was fully restored.

"Ugh… ow."

The protest was raspy in the back of his throat. His vocal chords felt untrained for the speaking world. It wasn't really a problem. He didn't feel that he needed them right now. Scrabbling to his knees, he fastened his makeshift outfit about his waist with a piece of rope that lay nearby. It may not have been the most adequate fashion accessory, but it would have to suffice for now.

Crawling to the door to the outside, he found it unlocked. He used the door handle as leverage to stand before opening it a crack to make sure the coast was clear. When he was certain that it was, he bolted.

………………

The mood at the flat that Leon and the girls shared was heavy. No one dared to speak. Aeris had momentarily left the lounge to retreat to the room she shared with Yuffie. The ninja in question sat curled on the sofa, Leon perched by her side on the arm of the furniture. There were no words he could offer her. His voice would certainly betray him. Instead, he settled for draping his arm about her shoulders. Her slight frame continued to shudder from grief. Even him squeezing her shoulder appeared to have no effect. Hating to see her this way, he pursed his lips before speaking.

"Hey Yuff…"

Her red-rimmed eyes frowned up at him. It took all his composure not to melt. He gave her his best attempt at a smile before she buried her head into his forearms whilst resting on his knees. Gently massaging her scalp with his fingertips was all he could do. He even continued this action when Aeris pulled herself into view.

She leant up the doorframe, her head bowed with arms folded across her chest. Her gaze was unfocussed on the floor. She had changed out of her usual pink attire and had opted for something more casual. The jeans she wore hugged her figure appealingly, yet her sweater appeared more suited to Leon's physique. All the same, she chose to wear it. Her fringe fell about her saddened visage, all ties removed from her hair. Her cascading locks had him mesmerised.

"What?" she whispered hoarsely when she realised that he stared at her.

Closing his mouth, he shook his head. "Nothing," he mumbled. She nodded solemnly and shuffled to the door. "Where are you going?" he objected when her fingers encased the doorknob.

"I need some air."

Leon sighed and thought better of standing in her way. The ninja leaning on his knees did not even flinch as the door closed behind the flower girl. Wishing her his condolences, he bowed his head over finger-tousled raven.

No sooner had the door closed behind her, Aeris struggled to keep her emotions in check. Her face twisted with sorrow as she hugged her shoulders. Sparkles of light danced and reflected rainbows of neon as they fell. Taking a deep breath, she headed from their home in the second district to the Alleyway. It was quiet and she would hopefully be undisturbed.

Her pace was painful, yet she didn't care. Each step filled her mind with visions of the one she longed for. Memories from both now and back then. They interchanged so vigorously she pounded at her temples in despair, crying out from torment. Being so preoccupied, she did not notice where her feet took her until she had stopped.

Aeris leant against the crate in the cut through where she was certain she had heard Cloud that time. Looking about her revealed only shadows. Sighing once more, she clambered up on the crate and leant against the one behind. She made herself as small as possible by pulling her knees up under her chin and wrapping her arms about them. She could not see round the corner to the plaza of the first district, only the gap by the second floor of Cid's shop offered the smallest gift of light.

Seconds, minutes, or perhaps hours passed her by. Lost in thought of days gone by, even the click of a distant latch failed to rouse her from her pondering. However, the obliteration of all light caused her to snap her eyes in the direction of the disturbance. She had not encountered a single soul in her wanderings; they were all tucked up in bed. The day's events held little meaning for them. All the same, she devoted her entire attention to the newcomer.

They clearly weren't familiar to the layout of the town, for they fell the short distance into the alleyway. Despite the noise they made upon making hard contact with the cobbles, they did not object verbally. Shrinking further into the corner, she watched them pull their groggy form to their knees. The lifting of their head was laborious, but whoever it was they strove for their goal. For a split second she wondered if Cid had misjudged his journey home from the bar, but she soon dismissed this. No matter how far he went, Cid always made it home in one piece. This person before her moved in a painful manner, as if they had awoken from a lengthy slumber.

She did not move as the newcomer, clearly male from his lack of clothing, used the jagged wall to pull himself up off his knees. His hands never left the wall, not even when he edged in her direction. The closer he moved to her position, the more fear welled in her chest. That is, until he moved into a sliver of light.

Gold shone through neon highlights, hints of cerulean glistened as his face was revealed to her. She could not conceal her sharp intake of breath but he didn't seem to notice. Still, he crept closer to her hiding place. Without realising her actions, she leant forward trying to get a better look at the one that interrupted her quiet reflection. Before she realised it, a piercing creak shattered through the silent alleyway, causing a blonde head to snap up and stare panicked in her direction.

Swallowing nervously, she retreated to the wall as the other pulled himself upright, if still clinging to the wall for support. Gently pushing himself off, he took a step out into the open space between the two of them. She waited with bated breath but he took no more. She could see him squinting into the darkness where she hid. He could not see her, but she could more than see him. And she couldn't quite believe her eyes.

He stood in all his glory before her. Clearly still confused from his ordeal, the moonlight that lit his features concealed little. As she swung her legs over the edge of the crate and slid to the floor, she saw he still had one hand on the wall. He knew someone was there, but he couldn't focus on him or her. Half stepping forward, she offered the outline of her frame, her features still bathed in shadows.

Upon seeing her, his head pulled back sharply before being tilted to the side. The frown had now been replaced with a puzzled look. Taking another step forward bathed her in light, hiding nothing from him. His reaction was instantaneous. Pulling away and pressing his back flush against the wall, she did not hold it against him. It only served for her to lift her chin to face him.

A sigh escaped parted lips as his eyes drank in her appearance before recapturing emeralds. His right hand reached out for her cheek, faltering at the last moment. A gasp of apprehension was her only explanation. His fingers gently curled inwards, his hand pulling back to obscure the lower half of his face as he studied the situation. As his head tilted to the other side, he failed to see her hand reach out for the one that hung by his thigh.

Her touch tingled beneath his skin when he felt his hand being lifted upwards. The feeling intensified when her other hand clasped his and drew it to her face. As her lips brushed his knuckles, his eyes lidded over whilst he sighed in exhilaration. When he lengthily regained his vision, he realised that her frightened gaze was fixed on something over his left shoulder.

Baulking in realisation, he tried to move away from her but her touch simply would not allow it. Letting go with one hand, Aeris reached out for that which captivated her. He twisted away from her, tugging his hand from her grasp as he did so. He nervously shifted his attention from her to behind him. Reaching around his back, he stretched out his solitary black wing. Apparently, he had not lost all his previous features. Teasing a feather loose, he hid the lower half of his face behind its oversized yet silky appearance. Creases formed around his eyes as he coyly hid his smile from her. Unsure of his actions, Aeris nervously held her position.

His movements were slow but deliberate. They indicated no ounce of threat. She closed her eyes as he gently trailed the tip of the feather along the bridge of her nose. Its tickling nature then recommenced below her ear lobe and followed the contour of her lower jaw. She could not help the curt giggle that escaped when the unusual sensation made its way to the nape of her neck. Feeling much more relaxed in each other's company; they chanced a smile at the other. Taking her upturned palm in his hand, he gently pressed the considerable feather into the open flatness and curled her fingers about it. She glanced upward and met oceans of cerulean.

Being unable to stop the smile erupting on her face, she used the feather as means to tease him by hiding behind it herself. Holding the other's gaze for an eternity, the man before her made the first move.

He cupped her face in his hands and brought her head close to him. He buried his chin in her hair, savouring both her closeness and the intoxicating scent of flowers that enveloped her. In reply, she pressed her forehead under his jaw, flinging her arms about his torso. He too, wrapped his strong arms about her shoulders, holding her close as not to see the tear he shed for her.

After an unknown length of time, they pulled away to hold the other at arms length, studying the faces they had longed to see close up. Aeris wishing that if this truly was a dream and that he had been returned to her, then she never wanted to awake from slumber. Choking back her emotions, she chanced her first face to face conversation with him in nine years.

"Cloud," she spoke his name in a small voice, "aren't you going to say anything?"

His initial silent reply confused her. Instead, he merely offered a curt chuckle, the sound of which was music to her ears. A slight clearing of the throat informed her of his preparation to reply. And which he did.

"Well…" she pressed once more.

A shy smile spread from ear to ear as he momentarily glanced downwards.

"Hello."

……

But what about Leon and Yuffie? They don't know yet. Hah, that's for next week. Can't say as I really planned for Leon to seem to consider everyone's reactions, kinda just happened. Though, talk about secretive. Well, he did go from moody and uncaring to pretty much considerate throughout the course of FFVIII. He even carried Rinoa across the Fisherman's Horizon. Aww. Man, did she annoy me. Sorry, she just ruined my fight plans. Oh well. But well, only a chapter and an epilogue to go. Don't be sad, I think I might have a sequel up my sleeve! Watch this space and I will keep you posted!