Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII is © under Square-Enix, as well all other Final Fantasy references.


Through Forest and Grove

Jason M. Lee

Chapter 3: That Which I Remember...


"Hey, Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Hey!"

A wary tone in a child that shouldn't be there.

"What..."

"Can you tell me about Dad?"

Slight hesitation.

"Well..."

"Where's your daddy, huh?"

"Yeah! How come we never see your daddy?"

"Pretty please?"

A motherly sigh.

"Dunno. Now leave me alone!"

"Nyah, nyah! He doesn't have a dad!"

"He was a very intriguing person, who carried a lot of mysteries. Like the kind of man who naturally hides in the shadows yet attracts many ladies. He was never comfortable with crowds, rather wanting to be by himself many times. He had an air about him, that seemed to make him commanding and makes you want to pay attention. Yet, your father was quite gentle and soft-spoken, rarely ever raising his voice. At times, he may have looked like he could break you in half easily, but he held you like you were glass."

"Shut up!"

"Ha, ha! Your daddy left you and your mommy!"

"What did he look like?"

Quiet tone of faint remembrance.

"He doesn't want you anymore!"

"My daddy takes me out and we get to have fun! Yours doesn't cuz you don't have one!"

"I've nearly forgotten what your father looked like, as it has been a very long time. I do remember that he had hair which made him the envy of many girls, considering the length. It embarrassed him quite often and I couldn't help but tease him."

"Ick, girls. Any cool stuff about him?"

"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!"

"Break it up! Causing trouble again!"

"This is what you get with a kid who doesn't have a father."

A loving smile, yet at the same time melancholy.

"A large trench coat that he wore no matter the occasion, its dark indigo color almost matching his hair. The most prominent aspect about your father was that he had a unique tattoo of a large wheel on his back. A fairly elaborate one, at the most. He never spoke of where or when he had it. I suppose he had that tattoo for a very long time."

Alone, baleful eyes glaring at the dark skies.

"Where are you?"

"Cool! I want a tattoo like that!"

Soft chuckling and ruffling of hair.

"Why'd you have to leave!"

The soft crying coming from inside were ignored.

"Only until you're older, then we'll see about you getting your skin painted."

"Aw, Mom!"

"Why did you ask me?"

"Mom's waiting for you!"

Small fists balled up.

Frustration, loneliness.

A childish grin.

"I wanna be like Dad!"

Angry tears falling.

"I HATE YOU, DAD!"

x x x x x x x

Blinking navy eyes, Cloud woke up from memories of a childhood he thought long forgotten.

'I haven't dreamt that in a really long time... Although, I don't really remember asking on how he looked like... Why now?'

Scribbling a note to a still slumbering Tifa, he quietly slipped out of the Inn and headed toward the river that ran through Wutai, Ultima Weapon in hand. The blond hoped that some practicing would help clear his mind.

Reaching the running water shadowed by the forest, Cloud shrugged out of his shirt, performed some warm-ups, and slowly reached into his meditative trance. Gaining that sense of balance, he gradually went through the moves and immersed himself in with the flow.

While the large sword wasn't like what the Wutaians used, he did practice some of the styles that had spread out from the western country. Improvising was a key thing the former mercenary performed often in fights, changing from the usual style designed for the Buster Sword class to the techniques created for the slim and shorter katana. His Murasame and Yoshiyuki turned out to be excellent blades to practice the more Oriental way of the sword, or "kendo", from a stray book he found. Flowing the weapon in a circular motion was the main basis with many of the schools, the key function so that you can switch tactics on the fly.

Another book had mentioned gunblades, the name easily describing the function and only mentioning two users that ever excelled. Whereas the majority of the style sounded awkward, it did help Cloud with one-handed slashes and strikes in case he couldn't use both hands. Although the author of the manual had sounded quite pessimistic throughout the text, a sharp reader can tell the writer was one of the proud gunblade users.

He became so lost in the maneuvers that he practically reacted by performing a massive swing when a twig snapped near him.

"C-Cloud?"

Blinking back into reality, he saw an astonished Tifa staring at something to his right. Looking over, the blond saw a massive tree lying on its side.

What remained of the huge trunk standing up to his shoulders. The cut was a clean one, not a splinter sticking out of place.

Shocked sienna eyes locked with bewildered river blue. It was a while until she could get her mouth in proper order.

"Since when could you slice through trees that are almost three feet in diameter without so much a problem!"

A calloused hand scratched yellow locks.

"Never happened before. Even when fighting monsters with the Buster Sword, it's still hard to cut through bone cleanly (unless you know how to strike). Not even Zack could chop a tree down this big that easily. However he could..." Lips paused, not wanting to say the other man's name as the pain was still there.

She nodded in understanding.

"I hope we find the answers before we start losing our marbles again. C'mon, Reiko's waiting."

As Cloud went over to pick up his shirt, Tifa noticed something on his back.

'A tattoo? I don't ever recall him getting one. If he did, there would be bandages lying all over the bar. Guess he wanted it as a surprise...'

Again, they met in the same room but without as much tension against the Turk. This time, a blushing Yuffie and a smirking Reno was what greeted the Nibelheim duo.

Tifa glanced at her red-faced friend.

"Okay, what happened?"

The younger woman muttered something under her breath, turning even redder.

"Speak up, Yuffie. I can't hear you."

A scowl flitted upon the Kisaragi kunoichi's face, almost replacing the blush.

"I saw Turk-boy naked," she growled out, feeling quite murderous.

Said man snickered, shoulders shaking.

"Your fault for barging in without knocking, chick."

"Yuffie, not again..."

"At least wear something to bed, Turk-boy!"

"You shouldn't just jump into someone's room without asking the resident, babe."

"Don't call me 'babe', ahou! And you still have my Materia!"

"Reno, not you too..." Cloud groaned, head in palm.

"Ain't giving 'em back, princess. You stole mine, I take yours."

"WHY YOU LITTLE--"

A soft cough stopped Yuffie from swinging her Conformer and Reno from snapping out his EMR.

"Really, the two of you," Reiko spoke in an admonishing tone. However, Cloud could see amusement twinkle in the miko's eyes.

"Sumimasen," the younger Wutaian grumbled.

Reno also muttered something that sounded apologetic, surprising Tifa.

"Shall we continue?" the priestess spoke, setting up her tea utensils.

They all nodded.

"What I spoke of yesterday, hold them, do not inquire, and do not tell. Currently, I will require some services from both Cloud and Reno."

The ex-SOLDIER raised an eyebrow.

"That would be..."

Passing a teacup to Tifa, brown eyes gazed at both men, calculating.

"The two of you work here at the temple."

Blank stares. A carp splashed out of the fishpond before landing again. Tree leaves shifted from a light breeze against the building silence.

Drinking her tea, Reiko smiled mysteriously.

"For several months to pay off a debt both will have."

Jaws dropped at that response. A cracker fell out of Yuffie's fingers.

In the background, a wind played with the fuurin, wind chime, while the bamboo leaves rustled, as if laughing.

Silence reigned, until...

"WHAT!"

x x x x x x x

"Savai, shut your grumbling and help me get that box."

Said man continued to grumble out curses at a certain miko.

"Damn it, Red, will you give me a hand here!"

"I'm tempted to literally give you my hand, Strife."

"Just help me with the damn box."

Finally reaching the container, the older man snorted.

"I've got better things to than this shit. HOW THE HELL DID SHE ROPE US INTO THIS CRAP!"

"Don't ask, don't want to know."

Running a hand through his sweaty hair, Cloud could only shake his head. Just barely two weeks into their new job at Leviathan's sanctuary and he still couldn't get used to the garments a priest usually wore (same thing as Reiko's but a blue hakama).

Reno was no better, constantly muttering that he would be better off with paperwork back at Midgar with a glass of whiskey. All the while making death threats and torture techniques, one involving Reeve, a tequila bottle, and something about the 65th floor. Somehow, Cloud didn't think that anyone could actually perform one notable suggestion on the human body.

One way or another, Reiko got them to agree to work and never spoke of what kind of debt they'd rack up after that. Their chores were mainly normal ones, like keeping the place clean, bringing in firewood, greeting any tourists, and organizing the massive relics collection. Simple yet tedious, not to mention monotonous and repetitious.

Working at a temple may not be as tough as SOLDIER training but it did bring back a lot of memories when he was younger. Fixing bed before the crack of dawn? Same thing but you had to fold and store it up. Clean Leviathan's statue? Not much different than washing a truck, sans a hose and only a well to get water from.

"FREAKIN' PIECE OF CRAP! HOW THE FUCK DO YOU PUT THIS IN SUCH A SMALL SPACE!"

Looks like that didn't apply to Turk training.

"Reno, do cut down on the inappropriate language," Reiko interrupted and gestured upwards, "and do wash up the ceiling. It hasn't been cleansed in quite some time."

A withering glare at her and then at the painted top.

"Since when?"

Slim finger tapped delicate chin.

"I think before my master's time."

Cloud quickly dragged his red-haired cohort away before the Turk could strangle the smiling miko.

Outside, Reno finally let loose what was on his mind.

"Geeze, and I thought Barett had issues."

"Shut up, Spike! Why in Planet's name am I putting up with this from her! I am a Turk! Turks do not work as temple keepers!"

Drawing water from the nearby well, the younger man tossed some rags and brushes at the still cussing assassin.

"If this is supposedly to pay off a debt we'll ring up in the future, I'd rather do it now instead of later."

Huffing, Reno yanked out his tasuki, cloth cord, and tied up the kimono sleeves before grabbing a bucket and soap.

"Then what is this IOU she's talking about? I really hope it's not something huge that'll cost me a lifetime of paychecks."

Cloud couldn't help but snicker, also tying up his sleeves.

"I doubt it's the type to be paid off by money. We're more like indentured servants here, paying the price off by working."

"Keh."

Setting up the bamboo scaffolding, they both got to work, doing it in a companionable silence.

"Hey, Spike."

"Yeah?"

A thoughtful look on Reno's face.

"You're not so bad after all."

River eyes blinked in confusion until a small smile.

"If circumstances had been different..."

"...we could've been friends, yada, yada," the other finished but he had a smirk. "So, how are things between ya and Lockhart?"

Looking back, Reno didn't know what possessed him to start a conversation with Cloud. Maybe it was the sense of frustration, puzzlement, and something else.

Or maybe because they wanted this mystery solved before unconscious or dead folks started piling up in not-so conspicuous areas. They also both shared the loss of someone close to them during their employment under ShinRa. Tseng had been his boss and mentor throughout his time as a Turk yet acted somewhat of a father during off time. From what they could gleam out of surviving SOLDIER small fries, Zack had acted something of a big brother to Cloud before Sephiroth went insane.

'Kindred spirits... Feh, never thought I'd use that term.'

"Nothing really different. She works the drinks, I play bouncer. Sometimes we do a little exterminating or help out around with the local orphanage. You?"

A nonchalant wave with a soapy brush before going back to scrubbing.

"No real changes with the work, 'cept less assassinations. Reeve has gotten us more into intelligence gathering. Not that I haven't done dry work before. 'Sides, fits better since we ARE the Administrative Research Branch."

"So what did you do before joining the Turks?"

Reno shrugged.

"Basically surviving what I could. Lived with my mother in the slums and did our best to avoid the usual gang wars."

Though not spoken, Cloud could detect some bitterness.

"What happened?"

A vicious swipe on a beam.

"Stray bullets got her."

"Ah."

"How 'bout you?"

Slight shock before turning his attention back to the wood.

"Soldier grunt but I was mainly considered a trouble maker back in Nibelheim. Often got teased by bigger guys, 'specially Zack."

Glowing aquamarine eyes looked at the other one in minor surprise.

"Hey, I never did have a perfect record. Often got blamed for something I never did when I was still a kid. Pissed me off to no end at times, especially if it involved with Tifa."

"Something screwed up?"

A harsh laugh, cloth splashing water forcefully.

"Got beaten around when she got hurt; I was nine-years old then. Tifa believed her mother went to Mount Nibel, but Mrs. Lockhart had actually passed away. Several of the other kids followed but they chickened out. Teef kept on going and I followed to keep an eye on her. Somehow, she went into a coma when the bridge broke and the adults thought I was at fault."

"There's more than just that."

"Ever grew up without a father?"

"You're asking a guy who grew up in the Sector 4 slums."

"Point."

Sector 4 was one of the worst places in Midgar even before Meteor. No one dare go in there unless you were suicidal, had a lot of guts, carried a weapon, and/or really knew the streets. It wasn't uncommon to find kids whose parents either abandoned them there at birth or just left them after some time.

Cloud heaved a tired sigh as he wrung his rag.

"I think it was mainly because I never knew my old man. Come to think of it, why are we having this conversation?"

"Cuz I know how you're feeling and cuz I guess I feel like it."

"You 'feel like it'?"

"Yep."

Blond hair shook in amazement.

"Will wonders never cease..."

"Hey, I may be a Turk but I'm still human. We just lock our emotions up and then have a hard time finding the key."

"Never thought I'd hear that from your mouth."

"Blame it on working here for some time and the lack of booze."

"Heh. Your mother ever talked about him?"

A drenched hand flicked back red bangs not held back by the usual goggle-shades.

"Don't really remember. I think I used to ask about him."

"Same here."

"Never found out much."

"That, too."

Both sighed. Silence broken by the wet sounds of soaked cloth and bristles on wood. Only the pyreflies (as Reiko described the floating lights) and the soft Hymn were keeping them company.

"Look at us, Spike. We're like drinking buddies, pouring out our sorrows over vodka. 'Cept its soapy water and tea."

Cloud chuckled, giving a finishing wipe to a ledge.

"I don't really touch alcohol."

"What? No liquor for you? But you work at a bar!"

"Hey, I'm bouncer. Tifa needs someone sober to toss out the rowdy idiots. She doesn't need me smashed away as well."

"Not even a drop?"

"Well, only once in a while. Tonic or gin, nothing real strong."

Reno shook his head in disbelief.

"One of these days, I'm taking you out for a good night's drink, Spike. And it ain't gonna be that weak stuff you touch."

"Over my dead body, Turk."

"That can be arranged."

"Let me rephrase that, then."

Grinning, the redhead chucked his soaked rag and it landed with a plop on Cloud's hair.

"Hey! What's that for?"

"Loosen up, man!" Reno retorted, splashing some water. "You're always tense!"

"Cut it out!"

That started a splashing war, which Reiko later made them clean up below from all the fallen water without so much batting an eye.

While all this work was boring, truthfully, both men felt that something started between them which they didn't mind. Odd quirks and all, the two learned that they weren't all that different. Maybe they could be more than just reluctant allies.


A/N: If Reno sounds a little too much like Inuyasha or Sohma Kyo from Fruits Basket, I apologize.