Take care Cloud...
"Tifa?" he turned his head to the side as if looking for her voice. He rode through the city on his trusted Fenrir, running away from her again. There was only guilt and pain in his heart as he continued riding further and further away. She would have a better life without him always weighing her down. He didn't deserve her, and she probably didn't want her. So why not run away? It was the easiest way out.
The traffic ahead him was heavy as he came to a full stop. His leg sat co down on the floor as he looked ahead for any movement in the traffic. A movement caught his eyes as he watched the small boy sitting in the dark alley. The child look no older than four. His clothes were ragged and his face was blackened from probably not having a shower in a while. Why was this world so cruel? He was only still a baby.
Sighing, Cloud let the best of him get away as he swerved his Fenrir to the alley. He took a step down of his Fenrir and neared the whimpering child.
The child looked up as if startled at the nearing stranger. He whimpered even more as he stretched his hands forward to protect himself.
Cloud's heart soared with sadness as he watched. The child had his hands up in the air in battle mode but wasn't standing. His face was pale as he saw bits of dirt falling off the hand of the child.
"I'm not going to hurt you." His voice was soft as he went down on his knees near the child.
"Who are you?" The child demanded through his small voice. "Don't come any closer."
Cloud winced at the way the child had spoken. He wasn't the only one with a broken heart. This child's heart was equally as broken as his. He stepped forward on his knees and pulled out a paper bag from his pocket. He took out a sandwich that Tifa had packed for him earlier this morning and held it out to the kid. His food would be put to better use with this child than eating it himself.
"Here," he spoke softly as his eyes met the innocent ones of the child's.
The child whimpered at first before keeping quiet and quickly snatching the food from Cloud's hand. "Thank you," was the soft reply Cloud got.
For once he did something right in his life. He was helping another life on this world. Giving away his food for the welfare of another's well being. Though, as much as he ignored the silent whispers of his mind, deep in his heart he still wasn't at peace. Forgiveness was his number one priority. But forgiveness from one person alone, all others had forgiven him and he was thankful, but there was one soul that he yearned for. One that he couldn't face.
It was her who stood beside him in battles. It was her who greeted him each time he returned, though inside she was hurting, she still smiled for him. It was all for him. She was his friend, his first ever friend, whom he made a promise too a long time ago.
Hey, why don't we make a promise.. Umm..if you get really famous and I'm ever in a bind, you'll come and save me, alright?
What?
Whenever I'm in trouble, my hero will come and rescue me. I want to at least experience that once.
Come on..Promise me!
Alright, I promise.
He promised her that he was her hero. The one who she depended on when she needed a help. How would she ask for help? Would she even tell him? So much has changed over the years and he wondered, did she ever need help? She never asked, so she would be just fine, right? She always smiled, so she wasn't in any pain was she? She never cried, well not that he had ever seen. So she was okay, right?
"Hey mister, are you okay?" the child seem to be a little less scared as he questioned the startled stranger.
Cloud looked down and saw the boy staring back up at him, he nodded. "Just thinking," he answered.
"Do you have a home mister?" the boy asked.
He nodded. 'Yes I do, with a woman and two children.' They were his only family. They were the ones who greeted him when he came home and the ones that he could always count on. Though he never showed it, somehow they know. Maybe.
"Can I go home with you?" the boys lips trembled as a chill air blew pass them. "My daddy said he will come for me, but it's been 32 weeks."
Cloud winced, 32 weeks by himself? A child at his age, how could he even survive in the streets? Without no weapon, no one to look out for him.
"You're alone?" Cloud asked as he looked around.
The boy nodded lightly.
"I'll take you home," his voice was softer this time. He outstretched his hand to the boy, who took it willingly. It surprised him at first when the child took his hand. He was a stranger to this boy, but yet the boy trusted him? How could anyone trust a stranger?
"Thank you," the boy said softly and the look in his eyes were softer and more trustful this time.
"What is your name?"
"Daddy never gave me one," the boy answered sadly.
No name? This child, he was so gentle looking, so adorable. He had no name? No identity.
'Michi, a name that meant pathway. It was best suited for this child who needed to be led into his future, whatever it held for him.'
"How about Michi?" Cloud asked his brows raised.
The boy narrowed his eyes for a moment before he let a smile grow on his lips. "Okay."
As Cloud attempted to pull the child up on his legs, he jerked for a moment and stared down at the child. The boy was still on his legs, sitting.
"My legs hurt," was his soft reply. "Could you carry me?"
His eyes widen. 'Carry him?' He scooped up the child into his arms as he stood and walked back to his Fenrir.
/"So this is what you are always going to do ey? Pick up homeless kids and dump them at her door?"/ the voice entered his head.
'I.. no..'
/"Seriously Cloud, I never thought of you as a guy who would do that, at least stay with her and give her a hand in things around the bar."/ A lower but cockier voice entered his head.
'Zac?'
/"You promised to her that you would be her hero when she needed help. She needs you now, more than ever,"/ her voice was softer than any he had ever heard.
'But Aeris..I..'
/"Stop lying to yourself already Cloud. The past has happened and passed. I'm happy here Cloud, Zac he's actually a very nice person once you get to know him more,"/ she sounded happy, like she had found something in her life. A meaning. Was she in love with Zac? At least she was happy.
'You're in love?'
He heard her stiffen giggle/"Why I don't know Cloud. But I know something, and that is you need to move on. What matters to you most apart from me?"/
It didn't take him twice to even think, 'Tifa.'
/"Why don't you let your heart run free when you talk to her Cloud. Rather than keeping abrupt and quiet. She cherishes you so much, more than I ever did. I just don't see why you've blinded yourself from seeing that,"/ she left it hanging.
'She cherishes me?'
No answer.
'Aeris?'
Nothing.
'Zac?'
"Mister, are we going home?" he looked down at the child in his arms and he froze.
He stared for a moment before nodding, "Yes."