Disclaimer: I don't own the Final Fantasy cast.
Copyright: I own Cassandra so please ask me if you wish to use her.
Life's Breath
Tifa ran over to where the canteen with Cloud's blood was laying and she scooped it up. She ran back over to Cloud though and knelt down next to him. He looked so fragile and she was terrified that she was going to lose him. His face was as white as snow and he was bleeding everywhere. He was missing skin on his face and he just looked like hell.
She sat the canteen down and picked Cloud up holding him around the chest. She held him close to her as she sat there. Tears started to stream down her face as she felt how cold his skin was. She knew that he was close to death but she didn't know what to do about. "Don't you die on me Cloud. Don't you dare," she whispered fiercely.
She felt a hand on her shoulder then and she looked up into the eyes of Crystal. "Tifa we need to get the water into that canteen. Give it to me and I shall do it," Crystal said as her voice broke with emotion. She too didn't want to see Cloud die. He was too important to her as a hero and icon.
"All right," Tifa said as she handed the canteen over and her body was shook by sobs. The tears fell down her cheeks and dripped from her face down onto Cloud. He didn't stir much but Tifa didn't expect him to.
"D . . . Do . . . Don't cry for me . . . Tifa," Cloud croaked out. He didn't want her to be sad for him. He didn't want anyone to mourn his passing. It was better if no one did. He didn't want to be loved that much. He didn't deserve such feelings he felt.
"Oh god Cloud why did you have to come and help us," Yuffie said as she covered her face with her hands.
"Be . . . Because I . . . I wanted to," Cloud said as his body was wracked with pain and he arched his back. It was as if some great giant was trying to bend him in half.
"Is he going to be alright," Cassandra asked fearful. He had been one of the only guys that had ever been nice to her. Her father hadn't been and she feared him so much. But when she was with Cloud she felt safe and secure. He had that aura about him and she didn't want to lose that feeling. She knew it was selfish but she also liked him. After all not everyone would have taken her in and helped her like he had.
Marlene was saddened to see the way that her friends were. Tifa was in tears and so was Yuffie something that she hadn't seen very often. She couldn't bring herself to cry for Cloud though. She hadn't known him well enough to feel grief for the way that he was. Marlene was sad though because of the pain Cloud's death was causing Tifa and Yuffie. She was just glad that the rest of the old team wasn't around to see what had become of Cloud.
Crystal had taken the canteen away from Tifa and sprinted over to the fountain. She knew that she didn't have all that much time. That potion that she had given Cloud had helped him but it had also sped up his death. He was on the verge of dying at the moment and every second counted if she wanted to save him.
She filled the canteen and watched in amazement as the gold water turned colors when it came into contact with the blood. The gold water started to bubble and sizzle and the blood was diluted. After about a minute the bubbling stopped and she saw that the water had changed color to more of a silver color and the blood wasn't there to be seen. She knew that the potion had been made then and so she ran back over to where Cloud was laying nearly dead.
"Cloud, Cloud," Crystal yelled at the immobile man. His eyes flickered open and he gazed at her though his eyes couldn't really focus.
"What is it Crystal," Tifa asked as she wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. She couldn't be that weak for Cloud. Not when he needed her to be strong.
"Here I have the cure. You need to make him drink it. He needs to drink it all though," Crystal said as she handed the canteen over to Tifa. She took the canteen gently so as not to drop it. It was Cloud's only salvation and she didn't want to lose it.
"Cloud please listen to me," Tifa begged as she gingerly started to lift the canteen to his lips. "You need to drink this ok. You need to drink this in order to heal," Tifa said and her voice broke on the last part of the sentence. She couldn't help it.
"Tifa I . . . I . . . will drink . . . it," Cloud mumbled.
Tifa lifted the canteen to his lips and started to pour it down his throat. Cloud drank slowly and evenly not wanting to choke on the liquid. Surprisingly it tasted rather sweet with a hint of copper to it. Cloud recognized the copper taste as that from blood but the sweet taste he couldn't figure out why it was there. The liquid cooled down his body as he drank it. He felt his fever break and his throat was no longer on fire. He knew that the cure was working.
"He is going to need to rest now," Crystal said as Cloud drained the last of the canteen on his own. He had taken the canteen from Tifa and downed the rest in a quick gulp. He yawned then and laid back on the hard cold stone floor.
"All right we all need to rest I think," Yuffie said as she stretched and looked around at the rest of them.
"I agree with that," Cassandra said as she stretched out on the ground as well.
"Well I am tired as well," Marlene said. "First though I have to give Cloud something back." She walked over to where he was asleep already and gently laid his sword down next to him. Without even waking up Cloud reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword as if he were searching for the hand of his lover or friend.
"Sweet dreams Cloud," Marlene said quietly as she laid down then as well. Sleep came fast for the whole group. Much too easy they would have thought if they hadn't all been asleep.
* * * * *
Cloud was the first to awake and he felt sore all over. He looked down at his body and shook his head slowly. He was a mess with blood covering his body and his cloths were torn. His face still hurt from where that thing had spit on him and his arm was sore where it had punctured his shoulder.
Cloud reached down and picked up his sword and cast Cure on himself. He felt a whole lot better after that and so he decided that it was time that he do a real exercise routine to get back into form. He hadn't been able to do one now for a couple of days and his body was protesting it's disuse.
He stretched first and then popped his neck. He walked over and picked up his sword a second time from where he had set it down and slowly walked to the center of the large room. He didn't want to leave his friends while they still slept so he decided that he would be quiet while he practiced.
Cloud went through his formations slowly at first and then faster and faster. He was working so hard that he didn't even realize that someone had already woken up and was watching him. His muscles were burning by the time he lowered his sword point to the ground. He was breathing heavy but that was to be expected. He knew though that it wouldn't take very long at all to be back into shape. The Mako energy would help with his recovery.
While Cloud was catching his breath he heard Tifa say, "That never ceases to amaze me Cloud. It is so beautiful to watch. It looks like a dance and yet I think that you need a partner."
She stepped out away from the wall where she had been cloaked in shadows and smiled at Cloud. He slowly smiled back at her. God she was beautiful he couldn't help but think. Her long dark hair and her eyes that still held their touch of innocence. He wished that he still had that look.
"What's wrong Cloud," Tifa said as she walked up to him. She was still worried about him and Cloud knew it.
"Nothing Tifa. I will be fine after I finish what I started," Cloud said as he shook his head slightly.
"What do you mean," Tifa inquired.
"I must get Yuffie's children back. I will get them back. I promised her and I will keep that promise. Tifa I swear that nothing on this planet will keep from saving those kids," Cloud said savagely.
"I know Cloud I know," Tifa said as she put an arm around him. "That's not what is bothering you the most though is it. Tell me Cloud what is truly bothering you. We have always been able to tell each other anything."
Cloud took a deep breath then. He really wanted to talk to someone. Being alone was what he was used to but having people around was nice as well. "Tifa it is about his guy that kidnapped the kids you know Soren. He isn't that old, no older than I was when we became heroes. He hates me Tifa and I don't know as if I really blame him. After all I killed his father and that is a thing that is hard to live with. I have little desire to kill him but he is forcing my hand here," Cloud said softly.
Tifa had never seen Cloud like that before and it made her wonder. She wondered if he was finally tired of all the killing. He sure seemed to be. Before he had accepted it and dealt with it but it seemed as if now the killing was starting to affect him. "Oh Cloud you are doing the right thing. As you said the kid is forcing your hand," Tifa reassured him or at least tried to.
"Tifa I know what I have to do and I will do it. That kid is mad, he got that from his father, and he has forced my hand. I will have to kill him I know that now. I just, I don't know what I was hoping for," Cloud finished as he shrugged Tifa's comforting hand off. He didn't need it now. Now he needed to be the Cloud that he knew and everyone else knew.
The rest of the group woke up then and they all headed down the mountain with Cloud in the lead. Tifa fell back behind a ways and wondered if she should tell Cloud and the others when they got back to town. She had a secret from them all and she needed to tell everyone. It was something that they should all be in on but she didn't want to hurt Cloud like she knew she would.
* * * * *
Cloud and the rest of them walked into the small town and they went directly to the old man's house. Crystal ran ahead of them then to tell her grandfather that they had returned with the hero still alive and better than he had been. Cloud didn't care though. He had a job to do and once that was done he would go back to his life alone.
He glanced over at Tifa and she looked away almost guilty like. He shrugged and didn't think too much about it. He was entitled to herself as much as the next person. The door to the house was already open for them and they walked in. "Well we made it back," Cloud said to anyone who cared.
"Yeah there for a while I wasn't so sure," Marlene said as she looked around glad to be back in civilization.
"Well I for one am totally glad that we are all alive," Cassandra said as she hugged herself.
Yuffie was quiet which was unusual Cloud thought. He figured though that it was due to her missing children. Cloud would never know that feeling though he figured and so he didn't let it trouble him overmuch. Tifa was good at comforting so he would let her do it.
"Cloud it is good to see you still breathing and in better health," the old man said as he came into the room that they were all gathered in.
"Yeah I am still alive and kicking," Cloud replied.
"That is good. I must tell you something that the spirits have seen fit to tell me," he said.
"And what is that pray tell," Cloud demanded not liking this game already. The man had been playing a game with them since they had first arrived. It was as if he knew something that they didn't and was enjoying dangling it right in front of them but not telling them what it was.
"I am to tell you warrior that the only way that you will win this battle you must fight is with the sword," he said happily.
"What sword," Cloud wanted to know. "I already have one."
"No not that one. What you need is the sword at the top of snowkeep mountain. It is a blade that has been there for eons. NO one has ever been able to make it to the blade in order to retrieve it," the old man cackled.
"How am I to get it then," Cloud demanded.
"You are the chosen one Cloud. This blade is made from a part of the Lifestream. It was tore away thanks to powerful magic and forged into a blade by a people long forgotten. Only this blade will allow you to win the battle that must fight," he said.
"Fine I shall go get this blade in the morning. I need to rest my body first," Cloud said as he walked away.
"You do that Cloud. The world depends on you and you don't even know it," the man said sadly and quietly.
* * * * *
Cloud had been laying down by the fireplace when Tifa, Marlene, and Yuffie walked into the room. He looked over at them and smiled slightly glad that his friends were with him.
"Have a seat ladies," Cloud said as he gestured to the floor.
Cloud looked over at Tifa and again she looked away as if guilty of something. He was tired of that look already and so he asked, "What is wrong Tifa. Tell me what it is."
"I don't know if I should tell you with all that is going on," Tifa said sheepishly.
"Whatever it is won't affect what I am doing or what must be done," Cloud said hoping to reassure her.
"Well okay. I was going to tell everyone this before the big incident with your children Yuffie. I had asked everyone there for a reason but then a bigger reason was given to us," Tifa started and everyone was paying close attention especially Cloud. She hoped what she had to say wouldn't hurt him too bad. She loved him like a brother and at one time she had loved him even more than that.
Even she though needed the love of someone. She had finally found that love and it was because of that, which she needed to tell her friends. She had to tell them something very important that would affect her life profoundly.
"Go on Tifa," Marlene encouraged. Marlene's smile was infectious and Tifa smiled back. She was glad that Marlene was there for she would be as happy as Yuffie would be. At least Tifa hoped they would be happy for her.
"Well I am just going to come out and say it. I am getting married next year," Tifa said as she smiled at them all.
They were all stunned but none so much as Cloud. He should have known that it would happen but he had never thought about it. He had always thought that she would wait for him but it never occurred to him that she would find someone with whom she could love. He had secretly always hoped that she would but he hadn't even thought about it.
"That is great so you and Cloud are finally getting married huh," Yuffie said as she jumped up and hugged Tifa who was still smiling.
Tifa thought that it felt great to get that out in the open. She had been tired of hiding it from everyone. She was just glad that they were happy for her. Then it dawned on her what Yuffie had said. Her and Cloud. No it wasn't her and Cloud but her and Steven a man with whom she loved as much as she had once loved Cloud. Before Tifa could correct Yuffie Cloud spoke up.
His voice was so cold that it sent a shiver up Tifa's spine. She had hoped he would be happy for her now though she knew that she was wrong. "No Yuffie not Me. I am not in that picture perfect world of hers," Cloud growled as he stood up slowly.
"What do you mean. I always thought that you two would get hitched. You were meant for each other," Yuffie said not quite understanding.
"Well I couldn't wait for you any longer Cloud! Steven was there when you weren't and I needed someone. He comforted me and treated me like I had always wanted to be treated. When he asked me to marry him it was the happiest day of my life! Then you came back when I didn't think that I would ever see you again," Tifa cried out to him.
"Save it Tifa. You have Yuffie here and Marlene who are both happy for you. I don't have to be that is my right. I will say though that I am glad that you found someone who will be there for you though," Cloud said his voice still cold as he walked out of the room his back stiff. On his way out he grabbed his sword from where he had left it leaning against the doorway.
Tifa felt tears come to her eyes but she wiped them away to see the smiling faces of Marlene and Yuffie. "I am sorry that it isn't Cloud but it is great you are getting married," Yuffie said.
"Who is this Steven guy," Marlene wanted to know all excited again. She had never thought that Tifa could keep such a good secret from anybody.
Tifa didn't want to talk at the moment but she didn't want to her friend's feelings. She stood there and put on a smile which didn't need to be forced as she started talking about Steven. It wasn't long until she forgot about her feelings of a moment before.
"He is the greatest man. He is sweet and kind and will do anything to please me. He is everything that I have wanted in a man," Tifa said after she had described him a bit to them.
"That is truly great Tifa. So are we all invited or what," Marlene asked hoping that she could be a bridesmaid.
"Yes you are all invited," Tifa said as she laughed at the youthful exuberance of Marlene.
"I am glad that you are getting married. I was getting a little lonesome in the married life. I was starting to think out of all of us I was going to be the only one to get married," Yuffie said as she hugged Tifa again.
"This is great but I can't help but wonder about Cloud," Marlene said.
"Oh he is just Cloud. He will cool down and come back and congratulate Tifa shortly," Yuffie said.
Tifa wasn't so sure though. The reaction she had gotten from Cloud hadn't been one of the many that she had played out in her mind. She hadn't anticipated him not being the lest bit happy for her. She had thought that he would be mad she almost was sure of it.
Cloud though had not been hurt like she thought. He had been mad true but just a little bit. He had been more cold and distant than anything. She hadn't expected that and it made her nervous. She wondered what he would do. She hoped that he would come around and even go to her wedding. It would be that much better if he did but she just didn't know.
The way he had just stood up and walked away so quickly and without a backwards glance. It was as if he had known something like that was coming and she wondered if he hadn't expected it. It was as if wasn't even hurt like she had thought he would be. She had figured that his feelings would be hurt since she had always thought that they would end up together.
At least she hadn't told him that she was pregnant. She couldn't imagine what he would have said had he found out she was two months with child. He was bad enough just knowing that she was getting married.
* * * * *
Cloud walked away from the room where his friends were. That was all they were now was just friends. There was no chance of him getting back with Tifa and patching things up they way he should have so long ago. No she was truly gone and he knew it was coming.
He had his sword on his back and his bracer on. He was nearing the door when Crystal came running up to him and asked, "Where are you going."
"I am going to go get that sword that your grandfather was talking about," Cloud said his voice even.
"Don't you want your friends to go along with you," Crystal asked curious.
"No this is a path that I must once again walk alone," Cloud said.
"What do you mean," She asked.
"I mean that I am a loner Crystal. I always have been and I always will be it seems. My path was chosen for me a long time ago. I must walk it alone like I always have. It is best that way. No one will get hurt but me," Cloud said as he walked out of the building not looking back once.
"Oh Cloud that is such a cold and lonely existence though. Why won't you let yourself love anymore," Crystal asked as she watched him disappear into the mountains.
"It may be a lonely existence but it was chosen by him as much as by fate granddaughter," the old man said as he came up behind her.
"Yes so you say. It wasn't his choice though," she argued like she did every time. "Tifa chose to marry that other man not Cloud. He had no choice in being a captive for five years."
"Yes but he didn't have to leave in order to search for a way to bring the girl Aeris back did he. He didn't have to hunt Hojo's men down did he. No girl it was as much his choice as anyone's," he said quietly.
"I know but it is sad to see such a great man like him. He lives day to day not caring whether he lives or dies. In actuality he is hoping for death. He is a man who knows that love is something that he will never have and he has accepted the hand that life and fate have dealt him. It is sad to see Cloud Strife like that. Such a great man and hero with no family and few friends," Crystal said.
"I agree with you child I really do," the old man said sadly as he looked to where Cloud had disappeared from view.
* * * * *
Tifa and the rest of them woke up in the morning to find that Cloud was still gone. It was worrying her and so she ran into the main room where she found Crystal with a note in her hand.
Already in the room were the rest of the group. "I was waiting for you Tifa before I told you what this says," Crystal said as she held the note up.
"Ok I am here now so tell us," Tifa said as her breath became quick.
"It basically says that Cloud has went to get the sword without any of you. He said that he couldn't let you all risk your lives for something that he must do. It was his path and his choice. It also said to tell you Tifa to have a long and happy life if he didn't return from his trip," Crystal said as she pocketed the note.
"That is just like Cloud trying to get all the glory," Yuffie said though she wondered about it. Cloud normally wouldn't have done that.
"Let's go after him. He made need our help," Tifa said as she started for the door.
"I am afraid that I can't let you do that," Crystal said as the door slammed shut.
"What do you mean," Tifa yelled at Crystal.
"It was you who set him upon the path and so it is all of you who must sit here and wait for him to come back to you," Crystal said.
"I don't get it," Cassandra said confused.
"What I am saying is that Tifa forced Cloud into doing this yesterday. There is no way that you could catch him. He asked me to keep you all here so that none of you would get hurt. I will do that for him," Crystal said as she sat back down.
"Fine we will wait here for him but we don't have to be happy about it," Marlene said angry.
"I never said that you did," Crystal said as she watched them all. She could tell that they all loved Cloud in their own way. It was nice but Cloud wouldn't allow himself to feel that one emotion.
