Nostalgia

An alternative version of the legendary Cloud flashback to his past. This is completely made up obviously, do don't sue me. Also, I should inform you that there are spoilers ahead. You have been warned…

There is a familiar smell associated with every place we visit. A trigger of memory, bringing to light lost ages of the past with fond retrospection. It can re-live moments of bliss and sadness, moments of life and moments of death. The smell in the air brought just one word to Cloud's mind. Home.

The streets of Nibelheim were strangely deserted as the four individuals slowly entered the town, their boots crunching in the soil beneath them. The old wooden buildings seemed to creak with an air of mystery, but their appearance seemed far from welcoming to the spiky-haired youth. Back when he had made the promise…

"How does it feel?" The voice of the general cut into his thoughts. He looked up in surprise, noticing that everybody was looking at him. "It's your first time back to your hometown in a long time, right? So how does it feel? I wouldn't know because I don't have a hometown..." The Great Sephiroth. To even be working near him seemed like an honour to the young man. By impulse, he continued the line of questioning.

"Umm… how 'bout your parents?" he asked cautiously, unsure as to whether he should be talking to his superior about such a casual topic. Sephiroth grinned slightly.

"My mother is Jenova. She died right after she gave birth to me. My father..." he paused, before letting out a laugh that echoed slightly of an insane nature. "What does it matter...? All right, let's go." They nodded; all three of them in obedience and set off into the town.

Cloud was the youngest of the group at just 16 years old. As the least experienced of the group, he was often forced into doing the grunt work while the others enjoyed the adventure. But he could hardly complain; he had done nothing to deserve their privileges. The other man in the Shinra soldier outfit went by the name of Valeny. He had the advantage of age with experience and so was treated with slightly more respect from both Sephiroth and the SOLDIER he was travelling with. Zack had always come across to Cloud as the laid-back, bigger brother type of character. Despite his higher ranking, he was always concerned for the well being of ordinary soldiers such as Cloud and Valeny. He was not much older than Cloud, but his skill far out-matched the blonde. That was what made him an appropriate candidate for SOLDIER, unlike Cloud…

The group entered the small town, the streets still deadly quiet. 'They must be afraid of the monsters… No, maybe they're afraid of us…?' Sephiroth paused outside the inn and turned back to the group.

"We leave for the reactor at dawn. Make sure you get to sleep early. All we need is one lookout, so you others, get some rest," he ordered, indicating his desire for Cloud to remain as lookout before heading towards the wooden doors of the inn. He paused thoughtfully and glanced back towards Cloud, whose mako green eyes reflected both his respect and frustration at the order. "Oh, that's right... You may visit your family and friends."

* * *

The Lockheart residence had not changed at all from the image Cloud held in his memory. It was as though time had frozen with his departure and waited for him to return before life could begin again, but in his heart he knew that nothing could ever be the same. 'Maybe it's for the best…' he thought sorrowfully as he gazed up at the window as he had done many times as a youth. 'I wonder if she even remembers me…?'

As if in reply, the door suddenly swung open with a crash causing Cloud to reel back in shock. Regaining his composure, he was stunned to silence as she marched out of the house and straight towards him. She looked different somehow now that she was older, but the glint in her eyes was the same as ever. The same old Tifa Lockheart.

"Hey, you're with Shinra right?" she called out as she strolled towards him. Cloud stared dumbly at her and remained silent. She looked at him questioningly and waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello? Anybody home?" Shaking his head, Cloud saluted and attempted to disguise his voice slightly.

"Yes."

"Are you here to deal with the monster problem?"

"Yes."

"Do you think it will take long?"

"No."

Tifa paused thoughtfully. "Not much of a talker, huh?" Cloud shrugged apologetically, tugging self-consciously at the mask over his face. The last thing he wanted was for Tifa to discover his identity. "Okay, just answer me one last question…" She paused and sighed deeply. "Is there… a man named Cloud… travelling with you?" Suppressing the jolt his heart made, Cloud shook his head slowly. The dark-haired girl sighed at length and glanced sorrowfully at Cloud before turning and walking dejectedly back into the house. Cloud allowed himself a small smile and returned to his patrol duty.

'She remembers me…'