Disclaimer: I DO NOT own FFVII Advent Children. O.o

a/n: Very nice. Hope you liked it so far! Thank you to the one person who convinced me to put out this chapter without three reviews, Kira. I think I just want to get it out there and be done with it. The documents are taking up too much room. Enjoy!

Shiloh's POV:

I felt pain no matter what. Even if I was as still as a board, everything hurt.

We had walked for quite a while I remember. I had wanted to lie down and not get up again, but realized that I was already holding them back so much. So, I willed my legs to keep going for the sake of the people who had so selflessly taken me in. And I found the strength to get me to Cloud's bike. But everytime I moved, it was agony. It still is, but it was worse then. Every time I put my foot on the ground I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. And I heard his laugh echoing in my ears.

When we stopped I heard Cloud say, "We're here. Now I'm going to have to have Shiloh sitting in front of me so I can hold her. Marlene, you're going to have to sit behind. Shiloh? Shiloh!"

They had slackened in their grip, and I tried to keep myself up for just a little bit longer, but my legs turned into liquid. They crumpled beneath me, and I fell. Cloud caught me before I landed, but I couldn't stay awake any longer. I do remember though waking up once before now. And we were still on the road. I know because I felt the vibration of Cloud's bike, and heard the hum of it's engine.

I had tried to move my hand, but that was too heavy. Cloud must've noticed because I felt one of his hands leave the handle bar to rest on top of my head and stroke it slightly. It was such a nice feeling that I immediatly closed my blinded eyes and passed out once more.

Now, we weren't moving, we were on solid ground. There was a blanket tucked underneath my chin and a fire was crackling and radiating warmpth to my left. But my arm was being held tenderly by someone. I tried to ask who it was, but only a strangled glob of words came tumbling from my lips.

"It's okay. It's me." I relaxed back onto the pillow, recognizing Cloud's voice, but I didn't fall asleep again.

He continued wrapping my arms with bandages. They must look terrible. I could feel the bruises comming. But, he probably wouldn't even be able to tell. My stigma was probably covering them up too much for them to show.

His touch was so light and caring. All I could think about was that. I didn't understand how Tifa, Denzel, and Marlene were so mad at him. He obviously cared for them alot, and would do anything for them. Right? So, what was the problem? Oh well, it probably wasn't something I should poke my nose into anyways.

I managed to get my mouth wet enough to croak, "Thank you. How's Marlene? Where's Denzel?"

"She's fine. I gave her a potion and she fell asleep a while ago. But...I couldn't get Denzel. But, we'll get him back." he said after a momments silence.

"That's good. Thank you again." I didn't understand either why he didn't trust himself or think he could do anything.

"...you're welcome..." he mumbled finnishing with the last bandages.

"Here. Take this. It'll help." he said, taking my hand and placing a bottle in it. When he let go I felt tingles erupt all over from where he had touched me, and I shakily brought it to my lips. It was a potion, and I felt better as soon as I had swallowed it.

"So what is you're problem?" I asked looking up, trying to imagine what the sky was looking like. He didn't answer me, so I slowly eased myself onto my side and asked him again, "Huh? What's the deal with you?"

He whispered, "No one really has asked me that before."

"Well...cough...I'm waiting for an answer."

"Just...I...struggle. With myself." he said softly. "But, now I know what I have been doing wrong. You helped."

I stayed silent, not quite sure how to answer. Then I said just asked quietly, "Who was it?"

"...they were...my friends. And I let them down. I thought that it was my fault, but I realized tonight that I can't help everyone. I'm only human."

"I'm glad. I bet that they don't blame you for what happened at all. I bet that they are happy for you. Knowing that you are living out your life, and helping as much as you can." I said lying on my back once again.

"I wish I could help you, with...with your Stigma." he sounded sad now, like it was tearing him apart seeing me like this. "I wish I could have helped you and Tifa and Marlene at the church."

A tear came from my eye, and I'm glad that he couldn't see it. I said, "You couldn't have. And you're helping me more than you know."

And then, I felt lips press against mine. I hadn't even heard him lean over. But he was there, and kissing me. As soft as an angel's kiss would be. His hand touched the side of my face, stoking on half skin, half cloth. I wish that this stupid thing would come off. I didn't even know what he looked like. But that didn't matter. He drew away for breath, but stayed only centimeters from me. I could feel him just above, so I pushed my head up and returned his kiss. I kissed deeper though, and for a little bit longer.

A few minutes later, and he was under my covers, cradling my head in his arms. I asked him, "What color is you're hair?"

"Blonde." he said.

I wanted so badly to know what he looked like. I turned around and held out my arms. His hands closed over mine and guided them to his face. First I felt his jaw. I trailed my fingers over them for a while, then slowly they moved up to his nose. I moved around his face, exploring every single bump and indentation there was. I then snaked my fingers through his hair. Trying to figure out the length it was.

Right in the middle of this, he grabbed the side of my own head and moved to where my eyes were hidden under the fabric. He traced them with his thumbs for a few seconds, then guided his hands down my neck and to my shoulders. He pulled me towards him and pressed his lips over mine again.

For about another hour we held each other. Me ocassionally having to cough or shift because of my injuries, but at leased the potion took away some of the damage. He then told me that we had to keep moving so we could get home and try to help Denzel. I was able to sit behind him though, and I held Marlene in my arms for the rest of the journey.

When we got into the house we saw that Tifa wasn't there.

"Stay here. Get Marlene in the house, and don't leave what ever happens." he said quickly. He gave me another kiss and left. I put Marlene in her bed a few minutes later and she woke up a little.

"Shiloh?" she mumbled sleepily.

"It's alright. Cloud went to get Denzel back." I said giving her a kiss on the forehead. She smiled seeming satisfied with my answer and rolled over and fell back asleep.

I left her room and went outside onto the front steps. I heard people running and yelling so I called out, "What's happened?"

Someone stopped and said histarically, "There are these madmen in the square. They took some children, and...and...ahhh!"

They ran away, but I didn't need anything else. I knew what I had to do. I went down the steps and ran. I had to find Rufus. I followed my sences. I didn't even know where I was after a while. But somehow, I found him. I could tell that he was being led into an elevator by Reno and Rude. I waited for them to return. And when the two got out without Rufus I slid in. I pressed a random button and waited.

Momments later the door opened and I rushed out yelling, "Rufus! Rufus where are you?"

"Shiloh?...Over here." he sounded very surprised, and maybe even a little bit scarred.

"Rufus! I need to help my friends. You have to take this off of me. Now! I don't care if they see, I need to save my family!" I panted falling at his feet and clutching at his robe.

"I can't do that..." he mumbled trying to pat my head.

I jerked back and started crying, "Please! You have to!"

He stayed quiet. I supose that I thought of him as a father. I never thought of that before now, but when I do, I can only think of him that way. A few more seconds of silence and he caught the top of my head. He pulled me lightly. I leaned forward and bent my head. He rustled in his cloak for a while, and finally I felt something scrape into the lock. He turned it slowly.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard the metallic click of the lock comming off. He slid it off, and I felt the fabric slacken it's grip. It slowly slipped off of my face and let it fall to the floor. But, I didn't want to open my eyes. I ran my fingers shakily over my face and through my hair instead. I felt the wind blow against it for the first time in a long time.

"Thank you." I whispered wiping away the remnents of the tears that had falled a short while ago. I stood up with my eyes still closed. I don't know why I didn't open them, it's just that I wanted to wait. I wanted the first thing that I saw to be him. Cloud. He was the only one right for that.

But my 'thank you' was cut short, Rufus grabbed my wrist and pulled saying, "Quick under here. Someone's comming."

He pushed me under his robe and told me to stay still no matter what, and to not speak a word. I did as I was told, and not a momment too soon. The elevator doors opened and someone stepped out. When he came close enough Rufus spoke.

"Hey Kadaj, I've got a question for you."

He chuckled and said, "And I've got an answer."

"You said you needed Jenova cells in order to be whole again. What did you mean by that?"

"Him. He's comming back."

"Sephiroth. The nightmare."

"So they say. I've never known Sephiroth. I just...I sence him there."

I took a shallow breath, but luckily no one heard it. They were too busy with their conversation. But, I knew what Kadaj ment. I felt him there too.

"It's unbearable! To think Mother might want Sephiroth more than..."

"Poor little remnant."

"It doesn't matter who she picks! You'll all meet the same end!" he was getting angry now, "If Mother willed it, I would do anything."

"Hmph! Go on. Bring your Jenova's and your Sephiroth's. It won't matter. We will do as life dictates, and stop you every single time."

"Please, sir! Is that your excuse for going after Mother yourself? You don't seem all that sorry."

"Sorry? Why, I've never had this much fun!" and he truly sounded like he was enjoying himself. I snuggled up closer against him, suddenly feeling chills run up and down the length of my spine.

They got worse when Kadaj spoke, "Good. Then, let's put an end to all this."

From where I was sitting, Rufus' cloak moved just the teeniest bit. So now I could see what Kadaj was doing.

His arm was glowing. And when he raised it slowly, it got brighter as it grew in power. I was scarred. I thought that he was going to kill Rufus. But instead, he turned away from us, and shot the energy like a bullet into the sky.

When it struck the clouds I saw that they began to twist and form into a giant dark cloud. Blue thunder quaked in my ribs, as the thing got worse. What has he done? And then I saw it form itself into a funel. Almost like a tornado were about to come from it. Instead, it retracted back into itself. Suddenly, it opened and out came a gigantic monster. Screeching and swooping down upon where I knew my family was. It then jumped on top of the great monument in the middle of the square. And then formed a ball of blue energy, and shot it. It blew the thing up, and I almost cried out. But, I held it in.

It continued to tear and rip off pieces of it, searching for Jenova. I watched in horror. Until finally it screamed out. Signaling that it couldn't find anything. Then it screamed again, looking like it was being pelted by little bullets. It flew up when a giant red cat looking thing jumped on it.

Something flew in from the sky and attacked, throwing a boomerang looking weapon. Then I saw two more figures come in and either shoot at it, or stab with a pole. It flew off over a construction sight. And they followed. The people were then joined by...

Cloud's POV:

I put on the breaks, and the bike slid to a halt in front of Tifa and Denzel. I pulled out one of my other swords.

"Marlene and Shiloh will be safe. I took them home." I said to them placing my sword in the holster on my back.

I heard Tifa give her aproval from behind me and I smiled a little, "I feel lighter. Maybe I lost some weight...all that Dilly-Dallying."

Denzel told us that he was going back to see Marlene, and I promised him that I would be there. Tifa jumped on the bike, and we headed off towards Bahamut Sin.

When we got there, I had to help Barret get out from under some flaming steel heading straight for him. And when I set him down he yelled up to me, "Hey how you been?" But, I didn't answer. Instead, I jumped and started swinging my swords with all the strength I had. But, then the thing started to glow and it flew up. I knew what it was going to do. So, I jumped after it.

a/n: Great fun. You know what screw getting reviews. People don't anyways so whatever. O.o