Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters. All rights belong to Square-Enix.

Final Fantasy VII: Sin's Past

Chapter 4: I Forgive You

Zetrion breathed in the dusty air the mansion gave off. No one had ever stepped foot in this place for a while; most believed that it was haunted. Of course, they wouldn't be too far off with that accusation. Hojo created many monsters in this house, and ghost had been spotted here before. It was certainly a place no one would want to spend the night in. However, Zetrion had been prepared to face any kind of threat. In fact, he knew the dangers of this mansion. After all, he used to live here…. sort of.

Nothing's changed.

Zetrion began exploring the first floor. Everything seemed to still be in the same place. When he came to the living room with the large carpet on the floor and the chandelier above him, he saw the same two stairways that led to the same place. He chose the right stairway, running his hand on the railing. However, this was not to make sure he wouldn't fall, but just to get a feel for the old place again. He slowly made his way up the steps, his boots making an echo everytime they hit the floor. Soon, Zetrion came to dead end, having only the choice of turning left or right. On instinct, he turned right.

After navigating his way through a hallway, he came to a small library. It was very messy, paintings and furniture scattered throughout the room. He started tossing furniture and paintings aside, as if he was trying to look for something. When he ceased his search, he kicked a small coffee table aside out of frustration. Then, something came to him.

Like it was some sort of memory, he recalled being carried to this room. He was unconscious before, but then, he opened his eyes slowly to see a hunched man in a labcoat pulling on a certain book, which caused the bookshelf to open, revealing a hidden door.

Zetrion pulled himself out of his trance. I always get headaches when I think about this place. Remembering what he saw in his memory, he searched the book shelf for that certain book. Finally, he found it. He grabbed the book and pulled it back. Doing so initiated a sequence of locks being unlocked until finally, the secret door opened, revealing a winding staircase that led all the way down.

"Hehe… found you."

---

The dishes were all done. Tifa had just cooked dinner for the kids. It was Denzel's favorite meal. She felt she had to cheer him up somehow since he was so disappointed by Cloud. After she finished the dishes, Tifa snuck to the closet, managing to get past Denzel's line of vision. The night was not over. They couldn't forget one of the most important parts of a birthday: presents! Tifa grabbed two presents. There were supposed to be three, but… well, someone forgot this special day.

Tifa made her entrance holding one present in each hand. "Tadaaa!" she said. Marlene laughed at Tifa's silliness. Densel smiled a little, not really in the mood to laugh. Tifa quickly set the presents down in front of the birthday boy. Marlene left quickly to go into the kitchen to receive the other significance of a birthday: the cake! She and Tifa then joined in singing Denzel his birthday song.

Though the boy wished another person could have been singing with them, he put on a smile for the two ladies of his life. "Thanks Tifa. Thanks Marlene. This all looks really great. It's been a good birthday." He smiled again. Tifa knew that he was still sad however. She was sad too. She missed Cloud, as did Marlene. But they tried to make the best of a bad situation.

Denzel opened the first present. The card read, "From: Marlene". Denzel didn't care what it was; he knew that he would like anything from Marlene. After ripping off the wrapping paper, he opened the box to find a picture. When he looked closer, it was a drawing Marlene had made of them, encased in a rather nice picture frame. Denzel immediately liked it. It had also seemed that Marlene was becoming quite the artist.

"Thanks Marlene! It's a really nice picture." Marlene giggled as she hugged Denzel. "You're welcome."

"Ok. One more present to go." It seemed like Denzel was finally starting to cheer up, despite Cloud not being there. He reached for the second gift and ripped the wrapping paper eagerly. He opened the box to find something that… was confusing to say the least. It was a piece of paper with various drawings and arrows on it. At First Denzel didn't understand, but the more time he took to look at it, he soon realized that it was a treasure map.

"Is there treasure at the 'x'?"

Tifa giggled. "Follow the map and you'll see."

Denzel quickly got to work on following the map, Marlene close behind him to help him follow it right. Tifa got up from her chair as well, a smile on her face. Seeing Denzel being so excited brought such a joy in her heart that a mother feels for her child when they're happy. Denzel had become like a son to Tifa. Since she was a child she dreamed of having a family of her own. Denzel was like a first step to having a complete family.

The child was eventually led to the back door. With eagerness in his heart, he quickly opened the door. Denzel's eyes went wide when he saw his new present. He couldn't contain his excitement as he leapt into the air out of joy.

"A new bike!" Denzel looked behind him to see Tifa smiling back at him. He ran to his foster mother and gave her the biggest hug he had ever given her. "Thank you, Tifa!" He then ran to his new bike and began riding it around the area, Marlene and Tifa just watching him from the doorway.

"Today did turn out good after all. Right, Tifa?" The little girl looked at Tifa with happy eyes. She wanted to hear Tifa say that today went perfectly.

Tifa wasn't very good at lying, but for Marlene's sake, she would try. "It was perfect, Marlene." She said as she bent down and hugged Marlene. The happy girl went out to meet Denzel and played with him

The beautiful brunette just sighed as she watched them play. It was getting dark. She looked up at the sky, seeing the first signs of stars piercing the black substance of space. She sighed again, thinking of Cloud and wondering if he were doing the exact same thing. Cloud. Cloud. Why couldn't she get him off of her mind? She still had every right to be mad at him. She still slightly was. But something about how happy Denzel was in the end somehow made her feel a little better.

"I forgive you."

---

The roar of the Fenrir came to a halt at a certain hilltop. The rider clothed in black stepped off of his back and went through his bag to find something. He finally found what he was looking for and slowly started walking up the hill. The dust from his footsteps rose and settled each time, the soft wind blowing it away. When he came to the top of the hill, Cloud saw something that was a great reminder of why he embraced a normal life. The sword which stuck into the ground was once the sword of his best friend Zack. It was the sword he used to challenge Sephiroth, the sword used to protect Cloud when he and Zack were on the run; it was the very sword passed on to Cloud after Zack died defending his best friend. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, torn with shame of being unable to help his friend. Cloud quickly shook his head to get those thought out of his head. He walked up to the sword and knelt in front of it, placing down what he brought from his bag: two pink flowers. Cloud then got up and slowly backed away from the sword.

"I will keep my promise to you… I'll live your share of life too."

Before Cloud turned to leave, he looked up at the sky. He noticed the first signs of stars. Something brought such a calm feeling to him when he looked at the stars. It seemed like only yesterday that he was with Tifa on the tower as they both watched the stars. Is she looking up too? A small smile escaped onto Cloud's lips as he thought about Tifa. This was indeed a rare thing. Cloud almost never smiled, but the very thought of Tifa gave him… peace. Like the peace he had been searching for nearly all his life.

Will I ever be able to move on? Will I…

As another thought was about to enter his mind, he quickly dismissed it. He looked up once more at the stars, then made his way back down the hilltop.

---

Cloud stopped his motorcycle just outside the house. He had hoped that it didn't wake anyone. Most likely they were already asleep. He looked at his watch, seeing that the time was 11:54. He got off his bike. Before he went into the house, he noticed a bicycle parked on the porch. He was confused at first. Then he realized it was Denzel's new birthday present. I'm gonna have to find something better than that to make him like me again. Cloud then quietly entered the house.

No one was downstairs, just as he expected. He slowly walked up the stairs, avoiding every loose and creaked board he knew of, and finally made it into the hall. He stopped by Denzel and Marlene's room, opening the door to check on them. They were fast asleep. On Denzel's nightstand, he saw a new picture. He admired Marlene's drawing, as well as the frame it was encased in. He closed the door quietly and made it to his room.

He didn't even have a chance to take his clothes off before the phone started ringing. Cloud flinched really quick, cursing under his breathe. You've got to be kidding me. Reluctantly, he answered the phone, a slight hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Strife Delivery Service. You name it, we deliver it." Now go away.

"Is this Cloud Strife?"

"Speaking."

"I have a job for you to do."

"Sorry. I'm closed tomorrow. Got something I need to take care of."

"If I were you, I would reconsider."

First he has the nerve to call this late. Then he starts with the threats? Cloud was very unhappy with this customer. "Look pal, what part of, 'I'm closed tomorrow' didn't you understand?"

"If you do this job for me, I'll pay you double your normal fee."

Cloud was stunned at this offer. "Double?" he asked confusedly.

"Not enough? Fine, I'll triple it."

Cloud now had to think about this. He had promised Denzel today that he would take him to the park tomorrow and spend quality time with him. Cloud was even going to take him to the market and let him choose whatever he wanted as a present. He didn't want to break his promise, but triple his normal fee? That wasn't something he could just walk away from. I could even use the money to get Denzel something really nice. With a heavy heart, Cloud put the phone back to his ear, ready to make his choice.

"What's the destination?"

The man on the other line chuckled in victory. "You'll pick up the package in Kalm tomorrow. Then make you way to Nibelheim." Cloud's eyes widened at the name of that town. "Someone will meet you at the gate to pick up the package and give you your money. I'm sure you'll have no problem making your way to Nibelheim. Meet the man in Kalm at he bar around 12:00. The package doesn't need to be delivered until the next day, so feel free to stay the night. That's all."

Cloud heard a click on the other line. He then hung up his own phone. He let out a great sigh, taking off his black clothing to slip into his tank shirt and pajama pants. Before going to sleep, Cloud decided to do one more thing. He slowly crept into the hall again and went past the kid's room to another door further down. Easily and smoothly laying his hand on the doorknob, he turned it slowly and opened the door. Tifa slept comfortably in her bed, sound asleep, not aware that Cloud was watching her.

Cloud tip-toed to her bedside and knelt down beside her. He just gazed upon her face, watching her inhale and exhale. He saw her move a little. She was shivering the cold atmosphere in her room. Cloud noticed that her sheets were down at her waist. He grabbed the sheets and softly pulled them over the sleeping beauty. As his hand stopped near her chin, he hesitated at first, but then dared to move a lock of hair from her face.

This was enough to stir the sleeping Tifa. Cloud picked up on this. Quickly, but softly, he came to her door and got on the other side. Tifa opened one eye seeing the door close. Faintly, she saw a blonde spike in her line of vision before her door closed completely. She thought this strange at first, wondering what just happened. She then noticed that her sheets were pulled up over her. Looking back at the door, she realized that Cloud had been here. She laid her head back down on the pillow, a smile appearing on her lips as she closed her eyes. This smile remained on her face even when she fell asleep again.

A/N: W00t! Finally done. Sorry for not updating last night. I was partying with my friends cause it was my best friends last night to hang out with us until he moves. I got home really late and just wanted to go to sleep. Well, what do you guys think of the chapter? R&R please!