Promised Land

Sephiroth passed a gentle hand on his son's sweaty forehead. Poor Angel wasn't even aware of his presence, breathing heavily, painfully, without knowing what was happening to him. Glazed eyes half open looking at nothing, unfocused, unseeing, head slightly turned on the right. His world was turning around the pain he was the victim of. His injury was deeper than what they thought, and it had gotten seriously infected, leaving him in shock. Transferred into Esthar Hospital in the early morning, his fever hadn't lowered even if the doctors were feeding him with an enormous amount of antibiotics. Sephiroth sighed, and stroked Angel's hair reassuringly.

- Hold on, son.

- ……… dad?

It was very feeble, and barely above a whisper, but the silver haired man heard his distress call. His thumb rubbed his left temple in a soothing rhythm, confirming to his son he was there. Angel seemed to understand and leaned into the touch.

- I am here, Angel.

- ……Don't go…

- I won't. I promise.

Angel sighed before closing his eyes slowly. Sephiroth covered him with the sheet and, hearing footsteps behind him, he turned to see Quistis holding two Styrofoam cups. Coffee was welcomed, and the ex-General accepted and thanked her silently. The blonde sat down in the chair next to him, and both watched over the silver haired man lying on the bed, letting time pass and hoping for an amelioration as the sun was rising in the frisky morning.

After reading the small note Sephiroth had left for him, Cloud was torn between his desire to stay and take care of Riku and the obligation toward his hurt son. The small child was hugging him so tight, sobbing uncontrollably against him that he couldn't go right now. He looked so fragile, so small that his father's instincts took over his will and he gently rocked his child. When Riku calmed down, he let go of him and walked toward Zack to give him a hug when he suddenly stopped. He had noticed his enormous belly.

- … sniff What happened to you, bro?

- Nothing bad. I am so glad to see you again. I was afraid you would go back to Sora's island…, he kneeled and embraced his younger brother tight, We can finally be together once again, a family.

- A family that will grow again, Riku. Zack is going to have a little baby very soon.

Cloud came behind the smaller boy and stroked the fluffy feathers of his wings.

- Really!

- Really, answered Cloud, Now, Riku, I know you must be very tired, but we need to go to the hospital to see your brother Angel. Sephiroth is already there, and I know he wishes to see you more than everyone here. Could you hurry up and take a quick shower?

Riku ran up to the bathroom, pushing out Zell who just gaped at the child. Zack and Cloud supported themselves to the living room, where they collapsed on the couch, the small blond shaking all over. The doctor didn't have to say anything; his father grabbed him by the shoulders and began asking if he was believing it. Part of him wanted to scream, part of him wanted to collapse and cry in relief. He wanted to know what had happened, and at the same time he didn't want to… All he was sure of, it's that he wanted to believe that his son was really back… He had lived through such ordeals just to be able to see him, he had suffered so much from his loss that he wasn't realising how true it was.

The reunion between Sephiroth and Riku had been much more intense. They didn't exchanged words, but since they almost jumped on each other, Cloud could tell his mate was more than exalted. He had almost smothered him and now, an hour later, Riku was asleep in Sephiroth's lap, the silver haired man refusing to let him go. Cloud was holding Angel's hand, while the rest of the group was at the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Something was floating in the air, the blond could feel it. A refreshing energy, vibrating through his whole being, and somehow, he was sure his children could feel the subtle shifting. The recent stress they were living in was finally over. A gentle squeeze of his hand made Cloud smile, his heart got stuck in his throat and a few tears made their way down his cheeks. He bent down and kissed Angel's forehead.

- I know you are feeling better now, he whispered, Your brother is back, so all you have to do is to rest…

He turned his head to look at Sephiroth; the silver haired man was still holding Riku protectively wrapped in his wings. Cloud wiped his eyes and called his name gently to take him out of his trance. Which he did, green eyes shining with joy. The blond whispered that he should go back home to rest with Riku and to call Vincent. Sephiroth nodded, but as soon as he stood up, Quistis barged into the small room, puffing and wheezing.

- … puff…… it's… huff it's happening!

Angel stirred in his bed and he felt a little slap on his cheeks, accompanied by a voice he knew very well. It is with a certain relief he found out he was feeling better; no more fever, the sticky sensation had finally left his skin. He lifted a hand to gently swat away the small hand now pressing harder into his cheek. It was indeed very small, too small, and the arm attached to it too… This forced his eyes to open. And then he saw them; a little silver haired baby and an equally silver haired boy smiling goofily at him. And all he could do was stutter.

- Wha!… Riku! Th-the baby!

- Angel! Zackary gave birth! Say hello to your nephew!

Somehow, Angel felt a lot better knowing it wasn't his. He would really get mad if by his fault he shouldn't be there for Quistis when she would need him. He looked at those soft blue eyes and smiled.

- Does he have a name, yet?

- Yeah… Zell told me, he whispered, because he doesn't want the others to know before Zack wakes up. But I guess since you are hurt I can tell you; Zeiko Kai Valentine. Cool, huh?

- Should have know they would find a name starting with a 'Z'. Speaking of which, where is the mommy?

Riku pointed the bed across him. Zack was there, sleeping, obviously, but Zell was nowhere to be found. Angel asked his little brother to go to the other side of the bed and to let him take the baby for a while. He might be better, it didn't mean his side wasn't killing him right now. The boy did as he was told, and placed the newborn in his brother's hands.

- The nurse fed him an hour ago, then gave him to Zell, but Zell handed him over to me few minutes after. Daddy Cloud went out with him and told me to be careful with the baby.

- So have you been?

Both turned their head to see Cloud in the doorframe. He approached the bed carefully, not wanting to disturb the now half asleep infant in Angel's arm. The blond informed the youth that Sephiroth was ready to go home, so Riku said Good bye and good night to his brother, promising he would come back tomorrow morning. The silver haired man then asked about Zell.

- Don't worry, he is better now. He was feeling weak, but Quistis and a nurse are taking care of him.

Angel smiled a little sheepishly. How could he know if he would react the same way?

- You look like you're suffering… You should try to get back to sleep. (He reached out and scooped up the child) Little one here must go back to the nursery. He's adorable……… like you………………

But Angel didn't hear the rest, his own body deciding it was time to return to sleep.

A few days later, Angel, now able to walk, was going into the nursery to visit Zeiko Kai and Valkyrie. Quistis had given birth less than 12 hours after Zackary to a cute little silver haired girl, so far the only one born in the family. Back in Balamb Garden, when Squall announced it, Selphie decided to throw a party to celebrate the news. So all the Garden had been given a day off, and there was music everywhere, people cheering up for the two newborns.

The nurse smiled at him and immediately reached for the crib and took out his daughter, giving her to him. His angel was half asleep, half awake, waiting for her meal. Since Quistis had to rest, Nuriko, the nurse, was about to feed her the bottle but instead she gave her seat to Angel and let him do it. The silver haired man had done it so many times to Riku, but the sensation was so different this time… This was his own child. A very special link had developed already between them.

- She's beautiful… Your hair and your eyes, but the face of her mother. Such a beautiful name, too.

- It was Quistis's idea… Valkyrie. That's a good girl… Now, now, don't make such a face, you have to return to sleep. C'mon, close your eyes or your angel won't find you.

- You know both of you will have your leave tomorrow. You should go back and rest as much as you can. You won't sleep much for the next months…

- I know. But it's worth it.

Both of them smiled at that comment.

The ground had shook with force, the blast pushing him away. He had been too close, he knew… His body was shaking from the shock, the lack of air and rage. Green eyes closed an instant and instead of seeing his life, he saw a brunette with grey eyes. Grey eyes that would be soon shedding tears, like he was now. It was so hard to breathe, and only his connection with Ifrit was preventing him to loose his mind. The GF was slowly taking over his will, but Seifer refused and focused his energy into staying alive. He would make it to say goodbye… he would… Even if his lungs weren't responding, even if his body couldn't move, he would say goodbye, one way or another…

………Squall……

A squeeze of hand… He never woke up… Breathed his last… He… Seifer…

Squall looked at that pale face and his eyes caught the small splatter of blood near his hairline. His hand reached shakily to brush it again, feeling the life flowing out. Over. He was gone. Seifer was dead. Tears flowed, breath escaping into painful sobs as he grabbed his body and held it close, calling his name over and over again.

Behind the door of the infirmary, Dr. Kadowaki, the orphanage gang, Cid, Edea Kramer and Laguna Loire closed their eyes an instant. Realisation kicked in as they heard Squall. He was really gone. A stupid accident had taken one of theirs away. Balamb gas station was blown away by an explosion while the blond was passing by to go to the port to welcome Raijin and Fuujin. Someone had been stupid enough to throw a cigarette butt near it.

Laguna could take no more; he ran into the room and stared at the scene. It wrenched his heart out of his chest, bringing up so many painful memories. But he knew now was the time to act up as a father. Squall was looking at him with panic in his eyes, sobbing, still clutching his lover's body close to him. Laguna walked calmly to him, relieving his son of his burden. He carefully placed Seifer's body back on the bed, then he asked silently to Squall to stand up. Both of them grabbed the white sheet and covered him.

- Why……

Squall buried himself into his father's arms, crying his pain and loss until he was left too exhausted to think, falling asleep there.

The ceremony was attended by all the Gardens and it was impregnated with respect. Squall was up at the front, reading an homage to his fallen friend. Though his voice was of steel and ice, he couldn't hold back his tears. They flowed freely like a river, he had put his heart into that speech, fought to find the right words and it seemed natural that he finished with a typical phrase of his.

- This time, there will be no 'whatever' to answer to your arrogance. Only this; damn it, you bastard for leaving us so early, we love you more than you'll ever know. I love you more than you could ever imagine. You were a man of action, a man of honour, and I'll live to raise your name to the full glory it deserve. Your spirit will always remains here in our hearts, and may peace be your Promised Land.

There was a moment of silence, then Sephiroth, Cloud, Vincent and Cid began to sing in the ancient Cetra language, filling the void with a serene melody that haven't been heard in hundred years. Throughout the song, everybody cast down their head to pray, the Lifestream bringing back to the Planet a deeply loved man, and leaving behind his half deeply wounded.

After the burial, Squall, to no one surprise, asked for a leave, which he was granted. Edea and Cid took his place to run the Garden for a while, since Quistis had a lot on her arms with her daughter. He accepted his father's offer and went back with him in Esthar. The first days were hell, the pain so fresh in his bones, enough to tear his soul apart, making his awakenings pure torture. His father was there, though, every time he needed him, every time his loss was too heavy to bear. A part of him was gone, and coping with the situation was hard.

- One day at the time, son. No one wants to rush you, take the time you need. You'll eventually come to terms with it. Seifer and Raine's loss will always hurt, but we will remember them, so in a way, they'll always be alive.

Selphie and Quistis were calling often, and Zell was always there in the Presidential Palace and sometimes he was coming to work with little Zeiko Kai. The boy was very energetic, a lot like Zell, and was helping Squall into believing that he could succeed in living through this. So, after a few months after his arrival, the brunette decided to return to the Garden.

Sky was drawing quietly under the star-filled sky of the secret area, now called the 'Almasy Sanctuary'. It was a warm night, and the red-eyed man was happy. Being here with Angel and Quistis, near his niece, was filling him with joy. Cloud and Sephiroth had a lot to do with Zeiko Kai, since Zack had started to work again on a half-time shift. He was a real tornado. Even if he couldn't walk yet, he was crawling through the house and wreaking havoc. Last time he did, he completely emptied the flour container on the kitchen floor, playing in it like in a sand square.

Sky laughed at it; he could just imagine the faces of his fathers. He stopped, though, when he heard quiet footsteps getting louder and few seconds later, the Garden Commander stepped into the Sanctuary, talking on his cell phone.

- No, Rin… I am fine. You should really stop by to see it for yourself, I know you won't believe it, but my dad helped me a lot. You will? Okay. See you tomorrow, then. Bye.

Sky watched him as the brunette closed the phone and leaned against the railing, sighing. Squall turned his head up, looking at the stars, and the wind blew his hair around. He shivered, and closed his jacket a little more. And then, Sky saw him.

His eyes shone with a soft glow, as they were each time it happened. Like the first day he saw Lucrecia, and when he saw Cid few days after his demise, and Aerith. The flower girl had been in their surroundings for so many years that he couldn't remember the first time he had seen her. Now she was here for real, but still… it has been a weird feeling. He had also seen Raine, once, near Laguna after the first attempt to his life. And now, he could see Seifer, sitting on the railing, a hand over Squall's shoulder as he was looking up at the stars. Without losing a second, he flipped over his page and started a new portrait immediately, before Seifer could decide he didn't want to be seen. Sky was a talented artist, and in no time he had his first draft.

And it wasn't too late, because Squall was now looking down at his work, and his gaze was totally lost. Leaving his things there, he sat up, patting his back to reassure him. Seifer was also there, but he seemed to ask for a special favour. Sky nodded to him, but Squall was the first to talk.

- Why did you… do this? He looks so… alive, he whispered

- He is, in a way, answered Sky, Squall, I would like to ask you one thing; do you feel like he is still near you sometimes?

Squall nodded, a few tears making their way down.

- Well, you two shared a bond that few ever felt… The Planet hasn't see fit to send him to the Promised Land yet, so he is here, beside you and he will stay until the times comes for you to go with him. Before you can ask; I have been granted by the Lifestream a very special gift. I can see people who became guardian angels in the living world. He wishes you to see him.

- But I can't! I wish!… I wish he would still be there…

Sky went behind him, letting his wings open, and he held his hand together, gathering the energy in the form of golden rays of light. Slowly, he grabbed Squall's hand and brought them with his own, passing him the energy. Grey eyes closed as he was surrounded by the Holy Light, and when he opened them, the shining form of Seifer was standing just before him, smiling. A surreal moment passed, Sky saw them exchange a few words, then the magic was over, and Squall collapsed. The professor smiled to Seifer, who had simply sat beside his beloved.

- He said he is more happy with me than in the Promised Land. He'll stay with me… Until we will be together again.

Sky did as Seifer wanted and hugged the brunette, whispering that he should go back to his room to rest. Squall nodded, and as he was standing up to thank the professor, he felt Seifer's hollow touch on his shoulder. It somehow lifted a little of his pain away. Seifer wanted him to be happy, too. Not to close up and dwell in grief, and if he was to find love again, he had told him he wouldn't mind because he would wait for him. Everything was so confusing now, nothing would ever be the same. Nothing at all.

Cloud squeezed his grandson one last time before laying him in his bed for his afternoon nap. Sephiroth was downstairs with Riku, playing a game with him. Zack and Zell were at their respective jobs, so little Zeiko Kai was home under the blond's watchful eye. It has been sunny this morning, so instead of staying indoors, both of them went out in the yard, Cloud to pluck out the weeds in the garden while Zei was playing with the butterflies.

Sephiroth called him from downstairs, so he left the baby to his dreams and joined his mate in the living room. He was alone, sitting on the couch and looking up at the painting of his mother with a curious gaze. Cloud sat down beside him and asked where was Riku, but the youth could easily be seen through the glass door practising his katas outside. So he just kept silent and leaned against Sephiroth's shoulder until the silver haired man would tell him why he had called.

- Cloud… did you feel it last night?

The blond closed his eyes and kissed his cheek. He was probably referring to the dream he had had last night.

- Yes… Yes, I did. But you know, Aerith had warned us that once she would be back, the Planet, and Zack, would call her back. Red and Yuffie had also the desire to return to the Promised Land.

- Father told me… that he and Cid felt the pull, too. But they didn't want to go, yet. They felt the Planet gave them the permission to live again.

- And why are you so sad all of a sudden?

- Because I am afraid, Cloud. I realise, now that Riku is back, that I don't want to see any of our child die… You know as well as me that they won't live longer than us and…

Cloud cupped Sephiroth's face with his hands and forced him to look right into his eyes.

- Sephiroth… Those things are not for us to decide. You of all people should know that life sometimes isn't fair. I suffered a lot when my father left us, and I still miss my parents and friends that are not with us anymore… I can't imagine life without Angel or Zack or Sky, Zei, Riku, Valkyrie… They can't imagine life without us, too… We will live long, yes, and that will only allow us to enjoy it at his fullest so when the inevitable will happen, we, or our kids will have nothing to regret.

There was so much compassion into those eyes that Sephiroth didn't resist to the urge to hug his lover. Talking with him always made him feel better.

- Let's hope the future will be as wonderful as our past, then, he whispered.

Cloud only smiled

End

Author's notes

TA-DA! Opens up Champaign and dances around Finally! The ending I was so frantic about! I wanted it to be cute, I wanted it to be opening on 'Kingdom hearts 2' (which I wait for impatiently) and I wanted it just like that. Seifer's death is a tragedy, but I needed it to advance. A life is over, others are rising… Maybe I'll write a few one-shots about Zack and Zell, Zeiko Kai and Valkyrie… But for now, Memories of Gold is officially over! Huh? What will I write about, now!……