Cloud was in another one of those parties. It seemed to go on forever. As he grew tired suddenly Reno twirls him around and sent him to his new partner. He came face to face with Sephiroth.

And soon as they danced the music changed. High pitch, low drums alternated in a chaotic sort of way. Somehow Cloud wasn't exhausted anymore. Some singing in a foreign language started. A couple of times he thought he caught the name Sephiroth in the lyrics.

It didn't really matter to Cloud. He was experiencing a new high.

"Good, Cloud. Very good." Sephiroth smirks.

That voice had him reeling. And it seemed whatever he was doing was pleasing Sephiroth. And that was enough for him.

"That's it. Don't resist me. Embrace me." There was a hunger in those eyes.

Cloud was drawn into them. Tentatively he leans up. They paused in their dancing. Those lips were tantalizingly close. Cloud could almost taste him.

Then like that the spell was broken.

Another presence was here. Sephiroth diverted his attention to the new guest with cold fury. Cloud wanted to glance behind him to look, but the grip on his hip told him not to. So he stared into a pale chest barely visible through the black trench coat.

"You shouldn't be here." Sephiroth addressed venomously.

"And yet here I am." Said a charming female voice.

"You really think you can break through to him? He is mine." Sephiroth frowns.

"We shall see about that. It's my turn now."

"If you really think you can, then by all means." Sephiroth twirls him around to face his new partner.

Soon as their hands touch the music faded into a more calming and slow tune. Cloud couldn't help but admire the forest green eyes and long brown hair. Forgetting that he was supposed to take the lead the young woman took the initiative.

They danced a slow pace. Almost a lovers kind. Cloud wasn't so dizzy with this in comparison to Sephiroth.

Cloud stared into those eyes, drawn to them. But it was different than his want for Sephiroth. While he lusted after the silver haired man, he felt more of a brotherly sister connection with this young woman. She smiles knowingly.

"You don't remember me, do you?" She asked.

"Should I?" He wonders. She sighs.

"I guess I got my work cut out for me then. Oh, well. You're worth the effort."

"But why? I barely even know you." Cloud frowns. He's worth something to someone who didn't see him as a tool?

"Because you're a good friend I cherish. In fact, a lot of people care about you."

A lot of people? Like whom?

He had visions of red hair. Bald head with shades. Blonde woman with an attitude. A man with long black hair. Then a man with blonde hair with similar facial structure to his own.

"That's it, Cloud. Focus on them."

Then visions of yellow and white flowers came to mind.

"Aerith?" He tested out the name. She smiled.

"You remembered!" She giggled.

They stopped dancing. Soon as they did the flowers appeared all around them. The pair took a moment to admire them.

"Follow the flowers." Aerith whispered more to herself.

"Is that what they say?" Cloud asked.

She nods, locking her gaze back at his.

"Follow the path. It will lead you to where you need to go."

"Which is where again?" He didn't even know where they were.

"Did you really think this is real?" She laughs, and he put two and two together.

"This is... a dream?"

"In a way. Yes. It's kind of like a dream. But in order for you to wake up, you have to follow the flowers."

"... Okay." He wasn't sure why hehesitated.

Cloud turns and began to follow the flowery path.

xXx

"I think he will be fine." Aerith announced to the others.

"So what do we do with him? We can't just leave him." Tifa wondered.

"I suggest handing him over." Rufus appeared, followed by the Turks and Darkstar.

"Now hold up. What's he to you?" Barret asked, wanting to confirm their theory from earlier.

"He is one of my Turks. What else." Rufus glared.

"Must be pretty important for you to come here on your own accord." Barret's gun arm pointed at the spiked blonde head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Reno readies his weapon.

Rufus whistles and Darkstar bounded forward, growling. Soon as Barret took his aim off Cloud the hound stopped. Both sides glared at each other.

"Hand him over and I will let you people go. I will let you slip away this one time. But only if you hand him over." The president compromised.

"You serious?" Barret blinked. "You want him over the Ancient?"

"I have no care for the Promised Land. Why should I look for something when I can create my own paradise?" Rufus frowns.

"... Guess our theory is correct." Barret scoffs.

"And what is that? Time is ticking."

"He's your brother."

The atmosphere grew cold at the revelation.

"The hell you know shit?" Reno cursed.

"That would be Vincent's theory."

"And how did he come to this conclusion?" Tseng wondered.

"I used to be one of you. My name is Vincent Valentine."

"That old legend?" Reno scoffs. "He died."

"...Perhaps I did. And yet here I am."

"If you really are then - "

"Time is up. Will you hand him over or not?" Rufus interrupted.

"Yes. Yes we will." Aerith answers before Barret could.

"Finally someone sensible." Rufus mutters. "Bring him to me."

Vincent was the one to comply. He picked up the unconscious blonde and carried him towards the president. Darkstar walked alongside the Ex-Turk to ensure he didn't pull anything funny. Or perhaps to protect the young Turk.

Reno and Rude moved to accept carrying the blonde, but Rufus held up his hand to stop them. Instead the president held Cloud in his arms.

"I suggest you all take your leave. I plan to bomb this place and burn it to rubble." Rufus warns before taking his leave. Darkstar and the Turks followed suit.