My Cloud seems to be a little crazy...but I suppose he would be. This is a cleaned up version of my old story. It looks neater, and my grammar is better in this one. Completely unrelated titled too. Watch out for the Vincent/Cloud!!!

Chapter 1

I breathed a sigh if relief as I slumped on board the Highwind. Everything ached after the battle and I was vaguely aware of the fact that I was still clutching my sword in my hand. I glanced up and tried to focus on Barret as he spoke to me.

"Hmm?" I managed.

"I asked if you were alright" He repeated. Mentally, I snorted. I was never going to be all right. I just shrugged and gave him a tired half-smile.

Seemingly satisfied, he stood up and I barely noticed him leave the room. I waited for a couple of moments until I was satisfied that he was out of earshot, and then let out a harsh laugh.

"I wonder what they'll think when they find out" I pondered aloud. I had been in denial when Sephiroth told me, but I suppose I got used to the idea, and they'll just have to as well.

I shook myself out of my thoughts and struggled upright. I walked down the stairs, wondering how I was going to explain to them...

"Morning, Cloud, sir!" A voice said. I found that one of the ship's engineers was watching me. I raised an eyebrow, gesturing to the dark sky.

"Morning?" I repeated. He smiled cheerfully in reply.

"It's 2:00 in the morning" I nodded.

"Thanks" He smiled again and I turned away. Moving quietly, I could hear Cid and Barrett talking in the next room.

"What do you think is up with Strife?" I heard Barret ask.

"He's been acting odd ever since..." I couldn't hear what Cid replied. I didn't really need to. I took a few steps back and stamped down hard. I gave them a few seconds then entered the room. I stopped in front of them and waited for the inevitable. I didn't say anything, neither did they. I closed my eyes and waited.

"Cloud..." My eyes flickered open and I looked at Cid in interest. I hadn't been expecting anything for a while.

"We've been thinkin'..." I found that watching Barret stumble over his words vastly amusing. I saw that he was looking at me for help but I put on an 'I don't know what you're talking about' look and gestured for him to carry on. After a few moments of Barrett's nervous mumbles I interrupted him.

"You want to know what's wrong" I stated. He nodded gratefully. I paused. I didn't want to say. I just wanted to be left to my own devices until the end...I know they wouldn't let me though. They're annoying in that way, especially Tifa.

"You...you know that Hojo created me?" I spat the name out. I would never be able to forgive Hojo for what he did. They both nodded.

"Well, a while ago I found out that Jenova cells are...very in tune with their 'mother'. They always know where she is and if" I swallowed "she's dying."

"What's that got to do with you?" Cid asked. He lit up another cigarette and flicked the ash away.

"The cells can't survive on their own. They seem to draw off Jenova for life"

"You mean..." Barrett trailed off. I nodded.

"The cells in my body...they're dying now that Jenova's gone"

"But that won't affect you, right?" Cid demanded.

"If the cells had been recent, I wouldn't be affected but...in that experiment...the cells were fused with my body...they're part of me, I can't survive without them" I watched them as comprehension dawned on their
faces.

"Strife..." I looked Cid full in the eye.

"I'm dying"