Chapter 3: New Allies and Enemies. Shared interests.
Opening 1: Come by Amuro Namie
Cloud and Akitsu were getting acquainted with Minato and Musubi.
"So you're a college prep student who has failed the exam twice for the well known university here on Tokyo... You certainly do have the expression for it." Cloud pointed out.
"I'm surprised that you know of the Sekirei plan, despite coming from another country." Minato said.
'Minato and the others don't know that I come from another world. Akitsu may have some glimpses of where I used to be, but I'm not sure.' Cloud thought.
Akitsu soon held Cloud from behind, pressing herself on his back. Minato noticed the interaction Akitsu was doing. Musubi only tilted her head in confusion as she watched how the Ice Sekirei was interacting with him.
"What's wrong, Akitsu...?" Cloud asked.
"Ah... I want to lean on you like this." She said neutrally.
Her arms interlinked on his chest, holding close. Cloud snorted for a moment, holding his Sekirei's left hand on his chest. He could feel Akitsu's feelings going in his mind. He didn't mind it.
"I...don't mind. It's up to you, Akitsu." Cloud said.
Akitsu didn't need to say anything. She held him close to her body, unconsciously sending her emotions to his mind. Cloud blushed, feeling her emotion of love coursing in his mind.
"Wow... Minato-san, let me do the same to you." Musubi said, observing Akitsu's actions.
Minato blushed red as he felt Musubi pressing herself on him. Both males were red faced from their respective Sekirei's actions. However, Cloud seemed content, despite showing a close, impassive face. Minato proved weak willed, having a goofy expression on his face while his nose started bleeding comically.
"What's all the excitement here?" Uzume said.
Soon, Uzume saw Cloud, blushing in response. Akitsu, now showing an impassive face, went closer to Cloud, acting like a bodyguard. She held his form tight, not wanting to separate from him.
'Akitsu's been acting possessive lately when Uzume is around... I'm starting to notice she looks slightly...flustered when I'm physically nearby. I have a bad feeling about this.' Cloud thought.
Uzume couldn't contain her desire to be near Cloud for long. Her heart raced, causing her body to burn from the increased blood flow. She was starting to breathe slightly quick, causing her to briefly collapse on her knees. Everyone was surprised of what happened.
"Uzume! Are you alright!?" Cloud exclaimed.
He managed to catch her before she collapsed on the floor. Cloud noticed Miya arriving from outside.
"Miya, Uzume collapsed just now!" He said.
"Oh my... Let's bring her to her room. We'll find out what happened to her." Miya said seriously.
Cloud brought Uzume to her room. Miya sat down, providing a wet towel on Uzume's forehead. Soon, Miya looked to Cloud, mentally asking for an explanation.
"Minato and I were at the guest room, talking for a while... Akitsu and Musubi were present with us. We all saw her having a flushed face and collapsed while breathing hard. Her skin also felt warmer than usual." Cloud explained.
"I see. It isn't a cold though." Miya said with a solemn expression.
"What...do you mean?" Cloud questioned.
"She's reacting to someone." Miya answered.
"Reacting? Is she...a Sekirei?" Cloud questioned.
Miya sighed in response, knowing Cloud was right. She then looked at him.
"Cloud, even if you know she's a Sekirei, I want to ask you this... What do you think of the so-called Sekirei plan?" Miya asked.
"It's a no-brainer to me. This battle royale just to claim the ultimate prize from the game master himself is inhumane. Other than the human mind forcing to embrace their desires at their excess, the Sekirei are also threatened. I fail to see how this plan is meant for a chosen Ashikabi to be declared winner. It's nothing more than a disguise to hide the fact it is a war." Cloud explained.
Miya was surprised of the explanation. She could see her fellow swordsman having a serious expression. Cloud's eyes had a mysterious glow on them as he was lost in thought, recalling previous memories.
"You have a strong mind, Cloud... I may not ask what happened to you before coming here. It's not my place to do so, but I want you to free them from this corrupted plan." Miya requested.
"Why are you...asking me?" Cloud questioned.
"My husband used to work for MBI. However, an accident occurred in his lab, which caused his colleagues to declare him deceased. I didn't believe it at first, but I eventually realized he passed on. I have despised MBI for their involvement in my husband's death." Miya said, showing anger on her face.
Cloud shook his head in a mirthless manner.
'Just like what happened... Back at Gaea, Zack sacrificed his life for me when I was suffering from Mako Poisoning... Unfortunately, I didn't recall what I was doing. His memories became my own, but I wasn't...myself.' Cloud thought.
Miya could see the lament of Cloud through his eyes. Though he didn't express any emotions, his eyes were essentially windows to his emotions. Miya could see what he was enduring, but she couldn't find out what it was.
"I'm sorry that I'm being depressive, Cloud-san. I still have some old scars." Miya apologized.
"There's nothing wrong about it... I too have...my share of scars. Most of which will never heal." Cloud cryptically responded.
Miya could see the tone of speech becoming pessimistic. It's as though he blames himself from past incidents unknown to her.
"In any case, Uzume has been reacting to you, Cloud. A Sekirei tends to develop a fever-like condition which grows stronger as their Ashikabi gets physically closer. This same feeling can almost manifest as dreams to any Ashikabi. This feeling is amplified when the same Ashikabi has multiple Sekirei. In other words, the more you wing, the more you affect the ones that aren't within great distances. This same feeling is torture to those Sekirei who haven't been winged for a long time." Miya explained.
Cloud had a mortified expression on his face. He realized that Uzume was suffering from her reaction to him.
"How...can this condition be abated..?" He asked.
"It's simple... You already know what happened when you winged Akitsu. That is the only way." Miya answered cryptically.
Cloud realized that to save Uzume, he had to kiss her. He was reluctant to do so, thinking it was against her will. Akitsu arrived, feeling his distress.
"Cloud... Are you okay?" She asked stoically.
"It's...something we need to talk about." Cloud reluctantly said.
For the next half hour, Cloud explained everything to Akitsu regarding about Uzume. Miya went downstairs to cook dinner.
"If she is reacting to you, then she already has chosen you, Cloud." Akitsu said, placing her right hand on his left cheek.
"Won't this be a problem to you?" Cloud asked.
"No, but Uzume is suffering..." Akitsu pleaded.
"I'm still...confused at the moment. However, I'll wait till she recovers. I don't want her to be unconscious." Cloud said.
"Let me be with you, Cloud." Akitsu said.
He nodded. Soon Uzume groaned as she woke up from her fainting spell.
"Uzume-san, are you okay?" Cloud asked.
Soon, the feeling came to her once more. Uzume's body burned due to how physically close he was. Soon, Uzume came up to his face and kissed his lips. There were wings of light that were white in color, akin to clothing. They formed an outline of wings forming on her back.
"By the veil of my contract, my Ashikabi's nightmares will be dispelled. My Ashikabi, now and forever." Uzume said.
Though Akitsu maintained an impassive face, she was fuming mentally. Cloud could sense some jealousy from her.
"Akitsu, I know you gave your word to me... However, I can't help, but feel as though you're thinking second thoughts about it." Cloud said.
The Ice Sekirei had an embarrassed blush on her face. Cloud felt her embarrassment, causing him to blush in response. Much to his chagrin, the emotion was affecting him deeply.
"Oh Cloud~..."Uzume said with a sing-song tone.
Cloud felt his back shiver in response. Akitsu could see he looked uncomfortable, knowing Uzume was about to pounce on him. He immediately dashed, Akitsu near his side, out of the room. Both jumped out of the window, surprising Uzume in response.
Outside, Cloud was taking a breather. Akitsu provided some relief through her ice powers by simply touching him.
"Thank you, Akitsu." He said.
"Ah... I like it when you thank me." She said, showing a faint smile.
Cloud had the decency to blush, scratching his head in response. Akitsu senses his feelings and playfully got close to him. She held his right hand close to her face.
"Cloud... Even if we're away, I still feel your emotions. I don't want to lose the feelings you have for me. I love you for who you are." Akitsu said.
Cloud couldn't move at all. He stood there, frozen after hearing Akitsu's confession. Soon, he held Akitsu close to him, not minding her body pressing on his.
"Akitsu... I know that you have feelings for me... Will you still be with me, despite learning about my past...?" Cloud questioned.
"Till the end of time." Akitsu said.
Cloud willingly kissed her lips, causing her wings to appear in an icy blue color. They shined brighter than usual due to his feelings being transferred to her.
"Cloud." Akitsu said, holding him close.
Miya watched the interaction, holding a gentle smile on her face. She could feel the emotions being exuded from Akitsu.
'He might be the factor needed to fight against MBI. He cares for Akitsu deeply and, with time, he may care for Uzume and the other Sekirei.' Miya thought.
Cloud blushed in feeling Akitsu's emotions. Soon, he felt Uzume's emotions and blushed red.
'Man... I just got linked with someone who's more expressive with her desires.' Cloud dreaded mentally.
Miya could see that Cloud was completely flustered, which made her giggle in response. Steam was visibly exuding from his head. Soon, he went outside before shouting an unfamiliar word.
"Blizzaga!"
Upon hearing the word, Miya and Akitsu went outside to see a large ice block form in thin air. It ensnared Cloud, acting like a small cage. Miya and Akitsu were shocked to see what occurred.
"My word... What happened?" Miya said, unable to contain her shock.
Akitsu was equally surprised. However, a smile was shown on her face. Seeing how Cloud was manipulating ice made her like him more.
"How was he able to conjure ice like that?" Miya said, still aghast.
Akitsu, through her connection to Cloud, knew of the technique upon seeing it. Soon, the ice cage shattered, allowing him to roam about. His face regained its normal color.
"I know you have a lot of questions, but I can't answer them all just yet. For now, just think of it as a request to Akitsu." Cloud said.
Akitsu nodded in understanding, though her smile didn't stop. She held his hands closely. Miya, seeing the display, giggled.
During sundown, Cloud was fruitlessly explaining the interaction with him and Akitsu without blushing to Miya. He could tell she was teasing him.
"Well, I don't mind the affection she gives to you. I can see that she's trying to keep control. Both of you are aware of the rules here." Miya said with a playful, yet stern tone.
"I would rather not go that far... If I did indulge in such illicit activities, I would have caused discomfort to you." Cloud said.
"My, my... Aren't we honest and concerning?" Miya teased.
"Honest to a fault... However, I won't deny that Akitsu and now Uzume have made me develop their bonds with me. It'll be manageable with Akitsu's personality, but with Uzume's... That's a different story on its own." Cloud commented.
Miya couldn't help but pay attention to Cloud. She secretly liked how he was honest and on point.
"Well, you have good qualities for a young man. One question... How come I see a stoic spirit who's been through so much?" Miya asked with concern.
"A lot happened to me prior to arriving here... I won't disclose too much since it may challenge you mentally." Cloud answered.
Miya understood his answered, choosing to nod instead of speaking.
The next morning, Cloud noticed Minato looking frantic. This confused him.
"Why are...you so frantic, Minato?" Cloud asked.
"I had a strange dream... Only, it felt real. It was..." Minato paused.
"A possible Sekirei?" Cloud asked.
"Yes. How did you know, Cloud?" Minato asked.
"I have my ways... Since you dreamed of...this Sekirei, the same being is reacting to you. You'll have to find the Sekirei before someone else does. Didn't the dream show any clues?" Cloud asked.
"What do you mean, Cloud?" Minato asked.
"The scenery within the dream, the feeling from within it... Any of those categories..." Cloud responded.
"Hmmm... I recall being embraced with a lot of plants. The air was filled with the smell of fresh plants growing." Minato realized.
"Isn't there a garden within the city or any botanical garden?" Cloud questioned.
"Yes. There is the MBI botanical garden in the center of the city." Minato answered.
"I got a hunch that our 'game master' will broadcast where this new Sekirei is." Cloud said.
Cloud quickly turned on the TV, only to find his hunch was correct. The game master, Minaka, was providing a message to every Ashikabi in the city.
"Everyone, a Sekirei is located within the outgrowth of the MBI botanical garden! The first Ashikabi to claim it will be the victor! Good luck!" Minaka announced.
Cloud shook his head in response, not liking the ego of Minaka.
"This guy has an inflated ego so thick one could cut it physically..." Cloud remarked.
Minato chuckled from Cloud's response. He then remembered what they were discussing.
"How will we able to get the Sekirei? I'm not sure if I can do this." Minato said.
"You have the privilege to find this one, Minato. This Sekirei was reacting to you. Akitsu and I will provide support in blocking off the other Ashikabi. Hopefully, it'll buy some time for you." Cloud said.
"Okay. Thank you for your help Cloud." Minato said.
"We'll start an assault on sundown... No doubt MBI may have sent their military within the entrances. We'll head to the north entrance. I'll take down the guards and protect you from any oncoming threats." Cloud explained.
"On sundown!?" Minato asked in shock.
"If we wait any longer, the Sekirei you saw may not escape unscathed." Cloud reasoned.
Minato relented in response. He understood Cloud's explanation in regards of the plan.
It was sundown. Cloud and Minato were with their respective Sekirei. They arrived near the north entrance of the park, where several soldiers of MBI were guarding.
"Leave them to me, Minato. Once I decimate them, that'll be your chance." Cloud said.
Minato noticed Cloud placing a strange green orb in one of the open slots in his sword. Soon, he and Akitsu dashed to the guards.
"Who are you!? This is a restricted area!" One of the guards said.
"Not on my watch. Blizzaga!" Cloud retorted.
A giant of block of ice surrounded the guards, flash freezing them solid before shattering. Akitsu created a blizzard to block off the other guards near the vicinity.
'Here goes...' He thought.
Cloud raced through the blizzard, slicing every soldier down with his Buster Sword. Soon, a tank moved into view.
"Great, a tank..." Cloud remarked.
He jumped up, shrouding himself in a blue aura. Minato watched as Cloud descended from the air with a powerful leaping strike.
"Braver!"
Cloud's sword sliced through the tank like butter. It exploded due to a ruptured gas pipe.
"Go! We'll be behind you!" Cloud shouted.
Minato and Musubi nodded as they dashed into the park. Cloud and Akitsu followed along.
(Play Final Fantasy VII OST - Who are you?)
Cloud and Akitsu were on their way, following Minato as he continued moving through the forest outgrowth.
"Are you sure this is the direction?" Cloud asked.
"I don't know. I just feel the need to hurry in this particular area...!" Minato said.
'Could it be that this Sekirei is in distress...? Then we must hurry...!' Cloud thought.
Reaching at his fastest speed, Cloud was briefly levitating above the ground, surprising Akitsu. Both were able to keep up with Minato and Musubi as they delve deep in the forest.
"I can feel the Sekirei calling out to me...! We're almost there!" Minato said.
"Let's pick up the pace. We might encounter enemy Sekirei as well." Cloud said.
The quartet dashed through the overgrown forest. Soon, a soft green glow was visible to them. Within the glow, a young girl was shown. She had bright blonde hair and green eyes. Her only tricks of clothing was a long white dress that reached below her knees.
"Kū! Can you hear me!?" Minato called out.
The young girl looked at Minato with a slightly fearful expression. Upon seeing Minato, her expression changed with a relieved smile.
"Onii-chan!" She said in joy.
Cloud and Akitsu made it in time to see the interaction. A soft smile briefly ghosted his face till he sensed something.
"We're not alone here..." He remarked.
Minato held Kū close as he moved to Cloud. A sudden gust of wind blew, causing the quarter to move back. It was a sickle of wind that sliced some of the outgrowth. A woman was shown with a large scythe. She had brown hair and eyes, wearing a black gown with matching gloves and stockings. Around her neck she tied a red ribbon.
"That child belongs to my master Mikogami. Hand her over." The woman commanded.
Cloud equipped his Buster Sword in response. A battle was about to happen.
"That child again...? I warned him not to push my patience." Cloud spoke with a calm, but irritated voice.
Akitsu, despite keeping a poker face, was mentally irritated as well. Small ice formations began to form as she took a step.
"So you're the man whom has caused a disturbance to stop him from acquiring the Sekirei you're with. I'll have my fun time cutting you up." The woman said with glee.
Akitsu walked up front to Cloud, ready to fight.
"Sekirei number 7, Akitsu. I will fight you to protect my Ashikabi." She said.
"Oh? I'm number 44, Yomi. I'm known as the Death Scythe Sekirei!" The woman named Yomi said, moving up to Akitsu.
Cloud wasted no time and joined the fight. Minato watched as the battle began.
"What are you waiting for, Minato!? Head out of the park, quickly!" Cloud shouted.
Minato nodded in a frightened expression as he comically fled the outgrown forest with Kū in his back. Cloud and Akitsu were the only ones remaining.
"So you're going to buy that boy time to flee with that Sekirei. Admirable, but wasted effort." Yomi commented.
Cloud ignored the comment as he dashed forward, swinging his sword horizontally.
"Akitsu, I need your help." Cloud said.
Akitsu created an orb of ice and hurled it in bullet speed. The projectile managed to knick Yomi off balance on her arm. The momentary distraction allowed Akitsu to created a sword of ice. She dashed forward and managed to injure Yomi in retaliation.
"Oww!! That hurt!" Yomi exclaimed.
"Like you're one to talk." Cloud retorted sardonically.
He started glowing blue before unleashing a new technique.
"Cross Slash!"
Cloud quickly moved to Yomi, slicing her in a kanji formation for misfortune [凶]. Yomi took the full brunt and was paralyzed.
"What was that technique!? I can't move!" She questioned in shock.
"A technique that I know and you don't. Since I didn't chose to dispose of you, I suggest you take this chance to retreat before I truly finish you off." Cloud warned.
Yomi could see the man in front of her was serious. However, she dissuaded his threat and felt her paralysis wane. She attacked with a powerful sickle gust. Akitsu managed to create a shield of ice to absorb the impact of the gust. It briefly caused her to stumble, forcing Cloud to catch her before she fell.
"I left you with a warning...and you refused to heed it. A foolish choice to make." Cloud responded ominously.
He briefly placed his sword on a hook on his back to hold it. Soon, a green yellow aura surrounded his feet. He concentrated on the green Materia from his sword as he channeled the aura on his hands before extending it outward.
"Blizzara!"
A torrent of freezing air encompassed Yomi, leaving her frozen. Crystals of ice surrounded her, caging the Sekirei's body. Cloud briefly took a knee from the exhaustion of using the technique.
"Cloud, are you okay?" Akitsu asked.
"I'm okay... It's minor mental fatigue since I haven't used this spell a lot." Cloud remarked.
Akitsu was confused of what Cloud said. Regardless, she held him up as they both left Yomi in a frozen state in the outgrowth.
'Damn them... I was foolish to underestimate him. I can't believe I was beaten by a human and a handsome one at that. What was that technique he used? No matter, I'll have to wait till someone frees me from this icy prison.' Yomi thought.
(Who are you OST ends here)
Minato and Musubi were waiting for Cloud and Akitsu as they left the park.
"Minato-san, where are Cloud and Akitsu?" Musubi asked.
Akitsu was with Cloud, holding him out of the outgrowth. He still felt fatigued but was able to walk. They noticed them moving out of the park.
"Time to leave... Don't worry about me." Cloud commented.
The quartet fled as a limousine arrived at the area too late. It was Mikogami observing the quartet.
"Mutsu, that Cloud person may have incapacitated Yomi. I can still sense she's alive in there. Go and retrieve her quickly." Mikogami ordered to the large male near him.
The quartet arrived in Izumo Inn. Miya was cooking dinner, despite the time being at 8 PM.
"We're back." Minato announced.
"Ara, welcome back. Oh my, what happened to this child?" Miya questioned.
"We found her lost in the MBI Botanical Garden. She doesn't have any relatives nor any parents." Cloud explained.
"I trust your word for it, Cloud-san. In any case, I'll prepare dinner for everyone. Also, talk with Uzume. She looked peeved since this morning." Miya said.
Cloud nodded and bowed in response. He held his sword carefully as he walked inside his room. Everyone heard a smooth thud.
"Had to place the sword in an appropriate place... In any case, I'll bring Uzume out." Cloud said.
Miya had a gentle smile as she watched Cloud heading to Uzume's room. Her attention shifted to the barely conscious Kū on Minato's back.
"Ara ara... She looks famished. Don't worry dear. I'll cook up a meal for you." She said in a motherly tone.
Within Uzume's room, Cloud noted she was sleeping. He nudged her body to wake her up.
"Uzume, wake up. Miya...has started cooking for dinner." Cloud said.
The Sekirei woke from her sleep. She noticed Cloud looking at her. Brimming with love, she quickly clamped on to him, pulling his body close to hers.
"Cloud, you came to wake me up? How sweet." She said, in a flirty tone.
Cloud was initially confused till he sensed Uzume's feelings. He also felt her lust, causing him to blush red. Though flustered, he cleared his throat to regain control of himself.
"Uzume, I'm pretty sure you're aware of not performing illicit activities here in Miya's place. I know you want to share your feelings, but try to be subtle. Perhaps later on, I can...take you out." Cloud suggested.
Uzume smiled happily, pulling Cloud's head into her bosom. The swordsman quickly pulled himself out, controlling his blushing in response.
"Aww... Aren't you a shy one?" Uzume teased.
"Just...come downstairs before you lose your dinner." Cloud said.
Uzume kept a smile on her face as she watched Cloud head to the dining room.
Everyone gathered in the dining room. Kū showed how hungry she was by eating 5 plates of rice with miso soup. Everyone was surprised on how fast the young girl ate.
"Thank you, Miya-kaasan." Kū said to her in a cute manner.
Miya had rosy cheeks upon hearing what Kū said. Even Cloud couldn't resist how cute it was, though he kept himself controlled. Akitsu and Uzume were not so conservative. They began imagining a family with Cloud.
'My children with my Ashikabi...' They both thought.
Cloud sensed the feeling from both of his Sekirei, causing him to react by nearly choking on his meal. He quickly drank some water to help unclog his throat.
"Cloud-sama, are you okay?" Akitsu asked.
Cloud could barely answer as he recalled both Akitsu's and Uzume's desires. Akitsu noticed what he was thinking and blushed red, realizing what happened.
"Ah... I don't mind." She whispered to him.
Akitsu's breath tickled Cloud's ear as she whispered. Miya noticed the interaction and giggled as she watched the swordsman's response.
Later on in the night, Cloud was overlooking the horizon in the roof. He began to ponder of the recent events.
'This whole Sekirei game... I detest on how barbaric it is to use Sekirei's feelings in order to fight. I won't let them suffer for what they have been enduring.' He thought.
Soon, a painful memory came to his mind, one that he wished it would not occur.
'Aerith... I can't forgive myself since Sephiroth killed you. It's...hard to move on.' Cloud thought.
Akitsu came up to the roof and sat next to him. Cloud felt her presence near him and kept himself calm.
"Cloud-sama, are you thinking about the Sekirei battle game?" She asked.
"I have. You can sense my feelings so you understand why I have such negative thoughts of the event." Cloud answered.
Akitsu soon held Cloud's face as she kissed him on the lips. Her wings emerged, showering them with diamond dust snow.
"Cloud-sama, I will follow you wherever you go. I want to be with you, no matter what." She said.
"Akitsu..." Cloud said.
"My heart belongs to you. I don't want to leave you." She continued.
Akitsu made a bold move by grabbing Cloud's right hand and placing it in her chest. Cloud could feel her hear race as she kept it from being removed. He blushed in response.
"I don't want to lose you, especially from the battles that may occur." Akitsu said.
She released Cloud's hand. However, Cloud held her close he felt Akitsu's emotions. It was a pleasant night for them.
'Maybe... My redemption is through the Sekirei. Maybe I might be able to forgive myself.' Cloud thought with hope.
At the atrium garden, Minato was overlooking the place where he arrived in Izumo Inn.
'It's hard to believe that the tree saved us from a dangerous fall. Kū was probably the one who created it. I should thank her.' Minato thought.
Soon, he noticed Kū was with him. It briefly took him by surprise, but he kept himself composed.
"What's wrong, Kū-chan?" He asked.
"Onii-chan... I want Onii-chan to be my Ashikabi." Kū said as she kissed Minato.
Minato was taken by surprise from the sudden kiss. Upon being kissed, wings of mint green light were shown. The air smelled beautifully with a fragrance of bloomed roses. Nearby, several plants were growing and bloomed beautifully.
"The garden..." Minato said with surprise.
Kū was lying down on his lap. She had a content expression as she felt safe with Minato.
Ending 1: Memories of Days gone By - akane
Note: The Cloud that this story takes place is after FInal Fantasy 7 and before Advent Children. It's sometime after he defeated Sephiroth, hence why he still feels angst-ridden. Not to worry, he'll recover.