I don't own Final Fantasy VII. The final chapter (as it's highly unlikely that I'll add and epilogue).

Chapter 7

"Vincent..."

"No. I will not curse you with my demons" I glared at the stubborn man and sighed in exasperation.

I ran a hand through my hair, glaring outside at the dark sky. Vincent was on the other side of the room, near the door. He had moved away as soon as I told him about what Aeris had suggested. It was as though just mentioning Chaos' name would make Vincent lose control again.

"Vincent, it's either this or death" I repeated, rubbing a crick in my neck. The pounding headache wasn't helping either. I rested my head on the cool metal of the wall near the open window.

"What if you can't control it? What if..." He stopped, obviously not wanting to think about it. I knew I wasn't going to win this particular fight. On the rare occasion Vincent put his foot down, very little would shift him.

'Weak' An inner voice taunted. This time I didn't protest, or even try to block the voice out. I stared blankly out of the window, not seeing the dark clouds that hailed a thunderstorm.

"I'm going out" I said decisively "Tell everyone not to follow me" I looked pointedly at him. I heard a soft whisper before I swept out of the room, climbing down the ladder with ease. I noticed the clouds now, but I was still unwilling to go back and face Vincent's disapproval.

"Cloud?" Aeris was back, eyes soft with worry. She walked next to me, a silent comfort with nobody else around.

"He won't" I said finally, and she nodded as if confirming something "Vincent has had Chaos inside him for so long that he doesn't want to risk burdening me with him"

"You could-" I swayed on my feet and she stopped "Cloud?"

I was like I was going to collapse, but it was different this time, like something with digging it's way into my head. Red light flashed in front of my eyes, I reached out for the brightness that was Aeris, and fell.

/Awake at last/ I shot up, and frowned at the deep voice in my head. I paid no heed to it, however, when I saw the creature standing across from me.

"Chaos" I growled. Chaos smirked and bowing mockingly, wings shifting to keep his balance.

/In the flesh. With none of the...attachments/ Another smirk.

"Attachments...you mean, Vincent, right?"

/I separated from Valentine to pay you a visit. So for a while you're my host/ Chaos gestured to their surroundings. I glanced around, recognising the twisted structures and mako-doused light of my sub-conscious.

"Why?"My hand eased off the Ultima sword, which had appeared atmy bidding.

/You need a second chance at life, I willing to play along/ A shrug of the wings and another smirk followed /It's been a while since I've been in a swordsman. I miss the experience/

"But-"

/I'd still use Valentine as my vassal. You probably wouldn't cope, despite all the enhancements. I'll just lurk in the back of your mind. Amuse myself with your un-banished ghosts, that sort of thing/

"Great. Another voice in my head, just what I need" I glared at the smirking demon "Why are you helping me?"

/If you died, he'd lose his grip on everything. I don't want a madman for a vassal, takes all the fun out of it/

"And, I take it, you know this from experience?" A smirk, and the demon released me from the confines of my mind.

"...oud"

"...loud"

"Cloud!" I started awake, muttering darkly to myself about arrogant demons while trying to focus on who had spoken. Aeris hovered above me, rain falling past her softly glowing figure.

"Aeris?"

"You'd better get inside. Not much point in surviving the transition to die from a cold" She hurried next to me through the rain "I'm sorry I didn't warn you, I didn't feel him coming until it was too late"

"You knew" I glanced at her.

"I'm linked to everything on this planet, Cloud, even the not so savoury characters" the corners of her eyes creased in a smile "You'll probably feel like a wreak for a while, as your body has to adjust to having another presence inside it, but at least there's no one around to aggravate the problem. You should feel better after a couple of days or so"

"You seem to know a lot" She giggled before replying.

"We, that is, the Cetra, have seen this happen before. The planet shared its knowledge with me. She become very fond of you, you know"

Aswe neared the Highwind,I gave the slowly-fading Aeris a hug, fearfulI might not see her again.

"Take care, Cloud" She pulled away "If you ever need me, you'll know where to look. The planet knows all its children"

As I passed a mirror inside the Highwind, I glanced at myself. I looked like I had just gone through one of Mideel's storms at the peak of the monsoon season, which was pretty much how I felt.

I found most of the rooms empty, and so I had managed to get changed without being disturbed. I padded down one of the corridors out of my uniform and into white t-shirt and black pants. I had asked the time from one of the crew (Eight o' clock in the evening, sir) and then had set out to find Vincent.

"Spike" Cid had grinned, slapped me on the back and offered a drink, which I declined "How are ya?"

"Better" I coughed, still winded from the hearty clap he had given me "I don't suppose you know where Vincent is?"

"Outside" he frowned "Brooding" I thanked him and climbed the stairs, going onto the Highwind's deck.

"Vincent?" He was perched on the railing, and gave me a dark look as I approached. I sighed, at leaned on the railing nearby, choosing to remain silent. The best way to deal with Vincent's disapproval, I had discovered, was to stay quiet until he voiced his reasons, or avoid him altogether. This, however, could not be pushed aside.

"So you are one of his vassals now, too" I winced at the bitter note in his voice, and sighed.

No. I get the sneaking suspicion that I'm just for amusement" At his glance, I added "I've got skeletons in my closet, Vin. And he's going to pull them out"

"You shouldn't have to deal with him at all" He slid off the railing, and stood over me, forcing me to look up. He had the advantage of a couple of inches, something which he used now.

"At least now we have time to deal with it"

I started to pull away at his silence, and instead he reached out and grabbed me, clutching at the small of my back to keep me there. I stopped pulling away, waiting for him to talk.

"I thought you'd die"

"I could have died plenty of times before" I frowned "Why this now?"

"Because it was happening slowly. I could see it coming"

We didn't move for a while after that. We clung to each other, even with the rain pouring down around us, and even with the shared demon, we stayed together. Even as we pulled away from kisses, we stayed in contact, fearing that if we let go completely, the other would fade away.There was no perfect, but this came close.

Owari

Can I mention that I've lost touch with this story a bit? Hopelessly sappy ending. Yes people, this IS the end of Clouds of Fate. Hope you enjoyed the ride; feel free to leave a comment!