In Search Of Lost Souls.
Well… I'm back! With a sequel for you all!
Summary: Sequel to "Lest Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot". Cloud has returned from the dark side and put the past behind him. So too have Aeris and Yuffie. But not Leon. With things not going his way, he decides to alter his fortunes and search for a certain someone from his past. How will Yuffie cope with his decision?
For all those who didn't know, this is the sequel. I don't think it's necessary to read it, but if you want hint hint. A recap though, if you cant be bothered! And then a brief summary of where this fic is going,
After nine years away from the group, Cloud made his existence known. But not in a form the others recognised. Appearing as a monster before his friends, Aeris and Yuffie shunned him. Only Leon could see through the false exterior to the real person underneath. Searching for answers, Cloud succeeded in returning to his original form, but at a cost. One that had devastating consequences for the group.
As life settles back into normality, unexpected events arise and appropriate decisions must be taken. Having to watch the rest of his friends build lives around him disturbs Leon and leads him to think of what might have been. Thoughts turn into actions, leading Leon to set off on his own quest to satisfy the niggling questions within.
Not enough for ya? Why not read on. Hmmm… and now for the usual nag. Reviews…alright… my last fic acclaimed 19! WOO! Some people go "Yay… 200 reviews" I think I will be happy if I get 20 by time I'm halfyway through. Care to help me out here? Please? Alright! I'll beg if I have to. You really want to see that? Please review? Pouts please? Well… at some point… say something at least! :)
And now for the usual…. Disclaimer: I don't own Square, or the characters within Kingdom Hearts. I have the game. I'm just using them for my will but I still don't own them. Shame. Oh the plans… the plans…
Chapter 1: Unexpected Changes.
Two months after Cloud's return, life had almost returned to normal. Almost being the operative word. The blonde camped in with Leon, Yuffie, and Aeris. That is until they all got under each, other's feet. And then there were the snatched moments of intimacy that were often interrupted. The lounge couch wasn't the best place but when rooms were shared, it was the lesser of two evils.
In search of spreading his wings, Cloud finally sought out his own accommodation. The constant company became a struggle after years of solitude and only the Heartless for company. Not to mention the occasional apparition from a silver haired deity. However, whenever the chance arose he was back around to Leon's, namely to visit a particular soul and for the opportunity to spar. At the end of the day he was glad to return to his empty quarters located in the second district, some doors away from Leon's. Slowly, the unwelcome dark grew more uninviting during the days after moving in. Little did he know how much his life was going to change in the upcoming weeks.
Aeris was always at the forefront of his mind. Their relationship grew from strength to strength over the days they had quarters to escape to. Although, there was much taunting on Yuffie's part. Taking part in a routine 'mission' with Leon, he was not around and unable to spot Aeris's rapid descent into a quiet state.
Ten weeks after Cloud's revival found Leon and Yuffie chatting away in the first district café. Despite one couple faring well, times had not been kind to the other living under the same roof. A combination of peoples' whispers, an age gap, and having to watch a blossoming couple put inadvertent strains on their own relationship. Before it had even gotten started, they mutually agreed to cool things for the time being. All the same, they remained very amicable. On this occasion, the train of conversation rolled round to Aeris's recent odd behaviour.
"There goes that bolshy old witch," Yuffie growled into her hand as a rather plump woman waddled past, glaring at the pair.
Leon merely raised a hand in mock greeting, sending the woman speeding on her way out of the district. "It only takes one," he sighed, clasping both hands in front of his chin.
"Rumours," Yuffie spat. "All rumours. We didn't have a problem with the age difference. It was them."
"I know," he exhaled, gently placing his hand on hers. "Vicious tongues will talk. At least one couple is still going strong."
"Yup," Yuffie leant back in her chair, stretching above her head. "I wonder how they're getting on; you two only came back home yesterday. Aeris has been pretty quiet this past week."
"She was probably pining," Leon mused.
"Probably. But she's been very secretive. Keeps nipping out and coming back five minutes later. She's also going scatty."
Leon raised his eyebrows at the raven youngster that peered at the ceiling above them. "Yeah?" he pressed when she didn't elaborate.
"Yeah," she lowered her head, whipping hair into her eyes. Her companion battled the desire to brush her fringe aside but resisted, especially in the open environment. Shaking the offending strands aside, she replied: "She keeps doing silly things. Like putting the house keys in the fridge, milk in the TV cabinet, putting salt in my tea over sugar…"
Before she could complete the list, Leon resisted the urge to fall into fits of laughter. Rare was it he acted so relaxed in anyone's company. "Take the hint Yuf," he smiled, "she's trying to kill you."
A brief raspberry was her initial reply, followed by a scowl. "Yeah, right," she scoffed. "They make me sick."
Leon chose not to question her words, feeling he knew all too well what she meant. "Uh huh…" he groaned.
"You didn't see them like I did!" she shrieked.
"Yeah?" the brunette frowned. "I've caught the pair lip locked on the sofa at midnight."
"That's nothing," she quickly retaliated. "I came down one night for a glass of water and had to walk through the lounge to the kitchen. It was… gross," she concluded, sticking her tongue out.
"Oh yeah?" he smirked, knowing all too well she was over exaggerating.
"The pair of them were on the sofa. Cloud had only his boxers on…" she trailed off, thinking back to that six-pack. "I don't know what Aeris was wearing; she hid under a cushion…"
"No, you just remember Cloud half naked."
"Mmm…" she replied without thinking. "Thank heavens it was just the one night I went down. Oh, talk of the devil," she muttered upon seeing the subjects of their conversation enter in the line of vision.
The seated pair watched as Cloud steamed down the steps and into the open plaza before the café; Aeris hot on his tail. They could not make out what was said, only that it was heated. Cloud continuously bobbed his head and shrugged his arms in frustration. It seemed he was pushing Aeris for an answer of some kind and didn't take too kindly at having to wait. On the other hand, Aeris appeared timid before him, not as a result from Cloud's actions but something undisclosed. The blonde shrugged once more and awaited an explanation.
"What are they saying?" Yuffie strained to lip-read.
Narrowing his gaze, Leon watched the pair. "I don't know, but they're whispering. That's for sure. Ah," he sat up straight; "I think Aeris said 'I'll tell you later, but not here'."
Yuffie cooed, as Cloud demanded a reply. He spoke animatedly, serving only to fluster the flower girl more. Pushing further, he achieved his goal. Aeris covered her mouth with cupped hands and spoke in hushed tones.
Leon and Yuffie were bewildered by the blonde's reaction; he froze. His mouth opened and closed but no words escaped his lips. He smothered his face with a hand, shaking his head in despair whilst looking away from her. He moved a few paces away before returning to face Aeris. Lowering his head to speak something close to her, he shrugged whilst awaiting confirmation.
A solitary nod of her head appeared to cement his worst fears. He threw his arms up in the air in an exasperated flap. Yet the look on his face spoke differently. His hand obscured the lower half of his face from view. Delicately tanned skin had now flushed deathly pale. Tugged hair stood in all directions framing an expression that could only be described as a grimace. Throughout, Aeris tried to calm or comfort him yet to no avail. He simply walked round her and headed back the way he had come.
"Cloud!" she screamed his name in desperation, causing him to halt.
"I'm not talking to you when you're like this," he hollered back, sending her over the edge and into a fit of tears. Yuffie desperately wanted to barge in and stop the fight, but Leon held her down whilst shaking his head. Cloud stepped close to Aeris, shaking a fist to the air. An extended index finger informed the numerous onlookers of a non-violent attempt to emphasise his hushed argument.
After a brief exchange of words, Cloud extended a palm to her face, evidently taking all he could for the day. He shook his head sternly and walked away from her. Aeris called out to him again, turning the heads of others but he did not stop until he had scaled the bottom step. Even then he did not turn to face her. An extended hand was all that he expressed, lowering all digits until the index remained before speeding towards the Second District, scaling two steps at a time.
Aeris wrapped her arms about herself, feeling vulnerable in the centre of the district. She struggled to hide the tears she shed. Her only reaction was to bury her head in her hands. Yuffie wanted to console her and, at the same time, knock Cloud's lights out. But she made no move to do so. Leon would only sit her back down before she could even stand up. Stamping a foot in frustration, Aeris took off towards the fourth district for some quiet reflection.
"Whoa," Yuffie gasped after the pair had vanished. "What was all that about?"
The brunette did not reply. His own features twinged white, wondering just what they were arguing about. "Huh?" he bumbled when Yuffie ploughed her elbow into his upper arm. "What? Oh, I don't know."
Already preoccupied, Yuffie failed to notice his avoidance of the situation. "Anyway," she pushed her chair back, "I best be off."
"Don't go after either of them," Leon reasoned. "Aeris won't give you much sense and you won't find Cloud now."
"I wasn't going to," she retaliated. "I have someone important to meet."
Yuffie now had Leon's undivided attention. Unable to disguise his startled nature, his voice gave the game away. "Anyone I know?"
"You don't know him, no."
"Where are you going?" his voice sounded weaker in his ears.
"Dunno," she shrugged whilst standing and reaching for the bill.
Before she could pick it up, Leon plucked it from her reach. "Hope he treats you nice," he grumbled into the palm that supported his head. "I'll get this."
"Thanks," she breezed, squeezing his shoulder as she passed. "See ya around."
Sapphires followed her leave the café and head towards the Third District. Even now, he couldn't resist the sneak peek below the waist as she walked off. Long after she had left the district, he paid for their beverages and heaved himself from his seat to return to the paper work from their trip. He knew too well that he would end up back in the café, milking his breaks for all their worth.
………………
Some hours later found Leon once again in the café, this time finishing off a tasty meal. Looking up from his outdoor seat, he saw Cloud somberly descend the steps from the second district. His entrance was painfully slow as he tightly gripped the railings. He appeared not all with it. His face was still ghostly pale, yet now tainted with hues of green. He constantly ran a hand through his hair, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Leon observed the blonde when he halted on the last step, scouring the area for Aeris. Not seeing her, he walked into the open plaza.
"Cloud!" Leon waved to him. A golden head gazed sheepishly in the direction of the shout and clumsily shuffled to greet him. Taking his time he seated himself alongside Leon. "You look rough," the brunette commented. When a groan was his only reply, he offered: "Say, you want a coffee?"
"Make mine a tea," Cloud sighed, "it's easier on the stomach," as he clamped his arms across his stomach with a groan.
Leon raised his eyebrows. "Fine…" He signaled the waitress over, whispering his order and asking for something a little extra when Cloud wasn't listening.
Shortly, their drinks had arrived and Leon began sipping at his whilst Cloud merely started into the top of the mug in front of him. "It won't bite, you know," Leon mocked. Cloud only huffed without looking up, dragging a hand down his face. "We saw you and Aeris 'talk' earlier. She didn't look too good. Nor did you, come to that. What did you do?"
"Just a little…" he faltered, "unexpected turn of events. I learnt something that I didn't know how to deal with. I still don't."
"Oh…" Leon sighed, assuming the worst about what Aeris had told him. After a few moments silence, he began to wonder what Cloud had been told. Observing his stoic company for a little while longer, he chanced a joke to move the conversation away from him completely. "You look like someone who's received news depicting the end of their world."
'Complete change of my world,' the blonde thought.
"Come to think of it," Leon continued with a chuckle, having acknowledged his curt sigh, "you look like the guy who's just been told by his girlfriend that she's pregnant."
Blonde spikes snapped backwards as he whipped his head up to face the brunette. The frown on his face could only be read as 'How the hell did you know that?!'
"No way!" Leon spluttered his coffee over the side of his cup. "Seriously?" he gasped, followed by a strangled, "What?"
Cloud sighed heavily. "Yeah…"
"So that's what happened earlier," Leon gushed with a hint of relief. "How the hell did you manage that?" he pressed much more animatedly than usual.
There was an intense scowl from the blonde. "I think I can spare you the details," he spoke through gritted teeth.
Leon scoffed. "I didn't mean that. I do have an imagination, despite popular opinion. I mean, y'know," he motioned circles with his hand, "weren't you two careful?"
"We were," Cloud clasped the mug in his hands and felt the steam gently dampen his features. "Maybe just… not enough."
"Cor," Leon battled the snickers. "You? A father?" he added with a slight pang of jealousy.
The corners of his lips tweaked into a tired smile. "Have you seen Aeris?"
"She's in Fourth."
"Oh," Cloud nodded, slowly processing the information.
"You should speak to her," Leon encouraged. "She looked heartbroken after you left." His reply was only a sheepish look from brooding company. "It's not just you it affects," he reasoned, this time receiving a glare. "I mean you're not the one carrying your child. Think how this is affecting her. She's going to read too much into your departure. And knowing her, she'll take it the wrong way."
Sighing in deliberation, Cloud muttered, "I'll go talk to her. I just need a moment," he concluded. Whistling through his teeth, he took a sip of his cooling drink. "Brandy?" he grimaced, staring at the cup.
"You look like you needed it," Leon grinned. "Clearly you do."
………………
Long after Leon had departed to resume the mundane activity of report writing, Cloud still found himself at the café table, his gaze fixed on the Fourth District doors. Before he realised it, his palm was splayed on the ornately carved designs on the doors leading to where his lover hid. Swallowing his nerves, he pushed the protesting doors open. Instantly, the overwhelming colour and intoxicating scent of heaven dazzled his senses. For some reason, the flowers seemed much more powerful today. Clearly, something boosted their energy.
Winding his way through path and flowerbed, his search ended after some time. Several metres before him knelt an exhausted figure, caressing the blooms that kept her company. Gathering himself, he walked forward until he stood behind her, landing a foot a little more forcefully than usual to inform her of his presence.
Upon hearing the sound of a boot landing heavily behind her, Aeris glanced discreetly over her shoulder. Seeing the customary purple pants and brown boots that her lover adored, she felt her mood rise considerably. His earlier fretting had now ebbed away, leaving exhaustion in its place. Pretending not to notice his presence, she continued to devote her attention to the scented entities before her.
Fabric rustled as the wearer altered his position behind her. Strong arms wrapped themselves about her shoulders whilst he buried his head into the back of her neck and pressed his body against hers. The words he spoke reached her alone.
"I'm sorry."
The tone of his voice was small, but conveyed the fear she also experienced. Neither one of them was prepared for this. They had never even considered discussing the matter but now it was upon them. And real. She struggled with the information herself: a new life grew inside her. As scary as it was, it felt incredible. She only wished that he felt the same.
"If you don't want…" she started with what she thought he wanted to her.
Before she could even finish, he sat and twisted to face her. "No," he exclaimed. "No. That's not what I want. And its not what you want either. Is it?"
Shaking her head, she answered firmly with; "No." When emeralds met cerulean, she conveyed more than words could.
"I shouldn't…"
"Shh," she raised a hand to silence him. "What's been said and done has. We can't change that. I know how you must feel. But we'll manage."
Cloud smiled properly for the first time that day. "We certainly will," he reached out and placed a palm on her lower abdomen. "And there's nothing I regret."
Smiling and feeling greatly elated, Aeris placed her hand atop of his before sinking into his deep embrace.
……
Right… about 16 more to come… so far. I have most of it planned out and written up, but expect one about once a week. Now that I have my happy little laptop all mended and better again, I can be more prolific than before. Should funds permit, I will get ASDL… and then you might scream at me to go away! Any hoo… I know its early days… but ideas? Please? Ta muchos! And as for the lingo… sorry if you don't get it. Pester me, and if the spelling skips between American and British... blame the spell checker… its crazy I tell you.
Short but sweet... and that's just for starters.