-1Chapter Seven

Cloud and his Fenrir were welcomed to the Capital by a barrage of bullets from Yazoo. Cloud was surprised to see his two 'brothers'. He was too determined and too fast to ever be hit though, and Loz was getting upset. When Cloud got close he leaped off the motorcycle which went sliding right into Yazoo.

"Fuck! Get him brother!" Yazoo yelled as he pushed the bike off of himself.

"Too bad you weren't here earlier, I took care of that bitch of your's once and for all!" taunted Loz.

What is he talking about? Vincent? No…Vincent can handle himself. "I should have returned you both when I had the chance. I won't make the same mistake again." Cloud said as he sent his sword to meet Loz. Loz held up his arm in defense and shielded the blade with his Dual Hound. Cloud swung the massive sword again, but Loz was too quick and dodged the attack. Yazoo regained himself and immediately began firing at Cloud. This was useless though, and the bullets were swatted down by Cloud. They were only a minor annoyance. "Such an uncivilized and inferior weapon." Cloud said, grinning.

Vincent suddenly came down from the trees and stood next to Cloud. "That depends on the person using it." Vincent said. Yazoo fired at Vincent. Vincent pulled out his gun and nailed Yazoo's bullet, which exploded in mid air. He did this almost instantaneously. "I'll take him, you get the other one." Cloud broke away from Vincent to take on Loz, who was hiding behind a tree. Loz reveled himself. He moved with a furious speed, and struck Cloud in the back with his Dual Hound. Cloud slammed onto the ground and dropped his sword. Loz pounced onto Cloud, electrifying his body.

"You will pay for killing brother! After I'm done with you, she will pay too. They are already on their way to get her."

Tifa?

Cloud fought through his pain and wrapped his hands around Loz's neck. Loz tried to fight back, but Cloud's grip was too tight. Cloud began to get up; his hand's still clenched around Loz's throat. Loz had no choice but to get up as well. Cloud punched Loz in the face, which sent him right back down. Loz's mouth became filled with his own blood. Cloud picked up his sword. Loz went to get up, but before he could, Cloud plunged his sword through him, pinning him to the ground. Loz lay there in a pool of blood. Cloud left the sword in. Tears rolled down Loz's face. He was smiling.

"Finally. I can finally meet Mother. You will lose her again. There's no chance for you two. I'm coming, mom." Loz said these words before evaporating into the Lifestream. Cloud picked up his sword.

It can't be. Aeris?

Vincent and Yazoo were involved in a heated firefight. The two gunmen were very evenly matched. Yazoo fired constantly, but Vincent was too quick. Vincent hesitated for a second when he noticed Cloud approaching and was struck in the leg. Yazoo laughed. He was laying in wait behind a tree, ready to finish Vincent off. Yazoo sprung from his position, but Vincent was ready this time, and hit Yazoo in the arm.

"Vincent! Are you alright?" Cloud asked.

"I'm fine."

"You bastard! You killed our last brother! This isn't over!" Yazoo shouted while clutching his arm. Yazoo ran into the woods. Vincent raised his weapon.

"No. Enough blood has been shed here today." Cloud said. Vincent holstered his gun. The two men looked up to the sky. They heard a helicopter.

"Aeris! Cloud! Come on, follow me!"

Cloud's heart sank. He felt like he was dreaming and was exhausted from the non-stop violence he had been involved in for days now. "Vincent, what the hell is going on?"

"Aeris, Cloud…she is here. There's no time! Hurry." Cloud followed suit and raced in Vincent's lead to the house she was in. They went inside. A pink dress, a red jacket, and a pair of gardening shoes lay on the floor. The soaked bed which Aeris was in, was now empty. She was gone. Cloud fell to his knees and lost himself. He had never felt so weak. The guilt came back to him. He didn't want this.

"How? Why?" he asked. "I don't believe you! She's dead. How can she be back? Please, I don't need this."

Vincent put his arm on Cloud's shoulder. "I don't know. She was shivering and very weak. She could barely speak or move. She's alive though. I don't know how or why Cloud, but get up. Get up damn it! Don't waste her time. We will get her. You will get her."

Cloud wiped his tears and stood up. He had never felt this way in his life. His guilt and sorrow turned into purpose. He was truly unstoppable now. Cloud took Aeris' clothes and he and Vincent raced back towards the capital. The airship was parked just outside the city, on the outskirts of Bone Village.

"It had to be ShinRa." Said Vincent. Cloud said nothing. Yazoo's cell phone was next to the pool of blood where Loz had fallen. Cloud picked it up. He checked the call log. Rufus. He began to dial the number, but Vincent stopped him.

"No. That will only make matters worse. It will only upset you. You know what we have to do."

"What I have to do."

They ran to the airship and boarded. Vincent's wound was healed; he pulled the bullet out and put it in his pocket. "One more memento." He said.

"What da hell is goin on?" asked Barret.

Cloud said nothing. He sat down. He clutched Aeris' clothes. He could smell her.

"It's Aeris." Vincent said.

"What?" asked Cid.

"What da hell do ya mean? Well where da hell is she?" asked Barret.

"The ShinRa have her. They took her." Vincent replied.

"How could you let that happen?" Cid yelled.

"Enough!" Cloud sat up. He walked over to Cid. He looked him in the eye. "Take me to Junon."

"I'll take yer ass there, but I'm not letting you go alone." Cid said.

"Just get going."

"I'm comin too damnit!" Said Barret.

"No daddy!" Cried Marlene.

"She's right big man." Cid said.

"After we get there, go back to Edge with the children. Take them back to Tifa's. We three will be able to handle this." Said Cloud.

"No fucking way!"

"Daddy!"

Barret sighed. "I'm sorry Marlene."

"It's going to get nasty in there." Vincent said. "Listen to your daughter. It's too dangerous. Someone has to bring them back."

"Damn you guys! Ok, but you better not get yourselves killed. Aeris means just as much to me as she does to you Cloud. Bring her back home. You deserve each other."

Cloud said nothing. He walked away from everybody and gazed up towards the sky. He still had Aeris' clothes in his hand.

I'm coming. I really hope it is you. I'm not taking any chances this time. I will not lose you again. I will not lose you.

They were almost there.

Author's Notes: Well another chapter. I liked this one too, not as much as the last one but I had fun with it. Anyway, not much to say here. I might continue and post chapter eight tonight too. I'm having a good time with this story and I hope everyone else is too. A topic like Cloud and Aeris has been done to death, especially Aeris coming back. I'm trying to stay somewhat fresh and original though. Let's face it; Cloud and Aeris belong together. I mean, even there names match up. Cloud, air, Aeris. It's meant to be! Anyway, I'm not gonna make it easy for them. Like I said before, the story is drastically shifting gears here. Please read and review. I love it when people post their thoughts and encouragement, I really do. So if you read the story then please review it. Thanks,

NazMan