Disclaimer: Sony and SquareSoft's FF7 characters were used in this story for non-profitable entertainment purposes. No infringement intended.
First and foremost, I am sorry for having disappeared for more than a full year. The past year has been truly tiring, vexing, and depressing. Honestly, I have long finished this half-chapter of 7 and chapter 8 (complete with the author's notes! ), but I was unable to complete chapter 7 until only recently (erk, I don't think I can post part 8 without posting 7…) After 3 computer crashes, thankfully, I found out that I unknowingly saved this as a draft in my yahoo email ad. dances yep, I OWE yahoo… big time! :D those I saved happen to have my favorite piece too.
This is for zelda6, tiy, Vashchan aka Makoto Almasy, JessAngel, Ruine, WrexSoul, nameless reviewer, lady scatterbrain, metallic spirit, sakura-angel2, and burning-angel – I'm not sure if any of you remember me, or if you guys would still be reading this. Nonetheless, I owe you guys everything. Thank you for showing me that somehow, there are a few who appreciate my little works you are my little angels!
This is my shortest chapter… A bit awkward, but this scene HAD to happen. :)
The Night a Star Fell
Part Six: Calm
If there's one thing I hate more than the thought of dealing with something shitty, it's the actual moment when I have to go face that particular situation I so dread. I almost always use laughter as an escape; it never fails to lighten the load of anything that I dread… But of course, I know I can't rely on humor to be my shield all the time. There are times when I just have to confront problems head on, no matter how tough that could be.
It's not fair. Really. Humans should be given the power to freeze time, until they're completely sure they are prepared for a certain situation. Heh, I'm being silly… I am given time. It just isn't enough.
"Zack?"
I'm not surprised that you seem startled to find me here. Fate must have led you to her place. But it has also sadistically put me here instead. Funny, you've only missed her by a few minutes.
"Cloud, she left for class…" My eyes meet yours.
And from my position, I see you in your perfection. That sun-kissed hair. Bronze skin. Great teeth. Sapphire blue eyes…
Most girls adore you because of that. But she has loved you even when your hair looked like a rat's nest. When you had that dreadful sickness that caused horrible marks on your skin. When some preschool bully left you with no front teeth… Even when your eyes are shining for someone else.
She tells me things, you know… And what her words leave off, I find in her eyes.
I should hate you… because the girl who holds my heart belongs to you, and you don't know it. Given everything that you aren't doing, I could hate you, but you know I can't. But believe me, I would hate you if you break her heart…
Cloud, you moron…
"You…" My words catch in my throat, and I falter. "I tried to tell her."
You sit down beside me, uncertain if you should. "Why didn't you? What happened?"
"It's not my place to tell her." And it's hell difficult to even try and open that topic – I have not been able to do it, not when those eyes are watching me, unaware of the pain my words are about bring… But, I know she doesn't want to hear that from me. "You have to, Cloud."
The determined burning in your eyes was obvious, even at this moment, when you are staring at the sky as if it holds the answer to life's mysteries. "That's why I went here."
I would have smiled and congratulated you for your bravery, but… I fear terribly for her heart. There's just something about her that makes me want to protect her, to wrap her up in the midst of all the world's beauty and wonders, and… shelter her from anything that could remotely hurt her.
Right now, there's no hope from defending her against her own fragile love for you.
"If there's some other way…" You do not continue. There is no need to, after all, the two of us know what you mean to say.
"Please…" My plea catches in my throat, and I look up to meet your gaze. I want to see if there is an allusion that would assure me that you wouldn't… "Don't break her."
You do not answer though. Silence does. The clouds above keep rolling by, and a cool breeze sweeps past our still forms.
It is deceiving, how today seems to be just an ordinary day. Contrary to how things appear peaceful, I can't stop worrying.
Something is bound to break this calm…
Author's Notes: My after a strenuous finals week, I managed to pull this out of my barely surviving brain. :) It's not my best work, but I love it still. Again, the concern that what I'm writing might turn shonen-ai-ish fell upon me when I began continuing this chapter.
I don't know if I succeeded in showing you guys (the readers) just how deeply Cloud and Zack's friendship runs. "Undone" showed Cloud's perspective, and I thought it was time you saw and read things through Zack's eyes in "Calm." I also wanted to make some things clear, that even if Zack had enough (or maybe some) reasons to "hate" Cloud, he didn't. :p err, most of those, I tried to do by mere implications. if ever I confused anyone, you guys are free to ask me anything :D
For now, I'm off!Just onemore chapter to post ;; and we're done… this will be my first finished multi-chaptered story. Gah, makes me all teary-eyed from the nostalgia xx
btw, burning-angel, your questions, i shall answer! :)
Chapter 3: So, Tifa is in love with Cloud, and Zack is in love with tifa? And zack and cloud are best friends, and zacks the one who introduced Cloud to Tifa when when they were both stuck in detention? - Zack loves Tifa wholoves Cloud... :) Cloud introduced Zack to Tifa, since Tifa is his childhood friend and bestfriend
Chapter 4: so that chapter was clouds view, and obviously he's in love with tifa, but he thinks that tifas in love with zack?! This is so confusing... - Cloud loves Tifa, but not like how she loves him... :) his love for her is (sadly) merely platonic in nature. sorry if i confused you! xx
Comments and criticisms are welcome. :D Please drop me a review if you want. Thank you for reading andanswering the question in chapter 5! :)