A/N; hola.
Thanks to Kisdota-The Freak Gamer, LAWLIAMMAD, Skyhanhunter, and Amu123. I'd give you a hug if this wasn't the internet.
Here's chapter 6, and even though it may not be the best written...I like it. It sort of explains what I think went through Cloud's mind (oh boy was that fun to figure out, haha), so sorry if you don't think this in character or anything :( ugh, but I think I did okay.
have fun!
The driver peered back at Yuffie and Cloud, trying to figure out where he had seen them before. Either that or he's wondering why we're going to Midgar. Edge was slowing disappearing from the car's view, ruined buildings and people flashing by. The grey landscape was slowly becoming darker with each mile. Where are we going? He knew he would never get an answer from the girl next to him, so Cloud sat in peace, glad that she was quiet for once.
When the car suddenly came to a halt, Cloud glanced back at the ninja with bewilderment. Why? It didn't make sense why she would want to come here. The fresh smell of newly gathered gasoline stained his nose, making him eager to leave the presence of the car and go into the building in front of them.
But something also held him back. The last time I was here, I saw… He shook his head. It was okay to see them. They were okay. They had forgiven him for all he had done, for it really wasn't his fault in the first place, right? At least that's what everyone keeps telling me. He supposed a part of him believed it.
The air still smelled of ash, years and years later. The buildings around him remained decrepit, scorned from battle and neglect. Maybe one day it'll be like it was again. But that thought wasn't comforting. No, one day it'll be better.
"You just gonna stand there?" Yuffie slammed the car door and gave the driver half of the gil she owed. "The other half later, when we come back. It'll only take chocobo head here a few minutes."
The driver turned off the engine, still trying to place the faces.
"Let's go inside."
Cloud shook his head, "No, Yuffie." Why does she want me to go in anyway? It wouldn't have done him any good. It may just remind him of what happened a couple of months ago. He was finally ready to put all of that behind him, to start a new life free of guilt and disease and feelings of worthlessness.
She didn't seem to hear him, "Enough of the procrastinating!" Yuffie viciously pulled his wrist, trudging then both towards the decaying church.
His eyes glanced from side to side, from the ethereal stained glass to the middle altar yards in front of him. Cloud's memory was flashing back and forth. His spine panged in remembrance of his fall through the church's roof. He felt his heart quell as he first remembered seeing Aerith's ghost 2 years ago. But the last memory was a happy one, the one that was responsible for his new life. He no longer had to wear the black sleeve to hide his shame. The young ninja was strolling casually in front of him, unaware of the sacredness of the place. "You think we have time for a swim?" She gestured to the glittering pool in the center of the church. It was that water that saved hundreds of people months before. She wants to swim? Yuffie caught the scowl. "Kidding! Can't take a joke, can you Strife?" She flicked her hair back.
His patience for the ninja was straining, especially now in the church. Cloud's vision peered to the side, away from the pool, where he saw his mat and lantern strewn in the corner. He walked towards his forgotten items, a slight sensation of shame returning. But it wasn't because the items reminded him of his past actions. Well a little, but how could I leave that here? His gloved hands ran through the folds of his mat and now semi-molded blanket. It felt soppy, saturated with miracle water and green algae. How did I ever stay here? He didn't now how he could have done it. Or comprehend what made him so eager to run away.
What had he been so afraid of?
Cloud remembered his fear as the damp piece of paper was found by his right hand. He tucked it carefully down his shirt, trying not to draw the ninja's attention. "Why did you bring me here?"
The young girl was pacing along the bench aisles, actually considerate enough not to intrude on Cloud's personal space. "Hmm?" She traced her hand across the ruined benches. "This place is a mess."
His heart singed. It was Tifa's back that caused the wooden pews to crumble. She had told him soon after he found her lying in the flowers, practically unconscious. "You couldn't possibly want a tour of the church. You've seen it."
"Nah, I'm good." Yuffie's smile wavered. "It's more for your benefit."
Hmm? He didn't understand. Luckily, Yuffie explained. "This place reminds you of Aerith, doesn't it?"
An image of the flower girl immediately filled his thoughts. "…yes."
Yuffie sat on a small patch of dry land. "I want you to tell me about her."
His Mako eyes flickered. It was a strange request, totally random, even for Yuffie. And it wasn't even like Yuffie never met Aerith. She was part of the mission too before Aerith… "I met her here," Cloud began calmly. A part of him didn't want to question her motives, not yet at least. "After first joining AVALANCHE, I fell from the reactor and landed here." He gestured to the pool, where the flower patch was under water. "She helped me get back on my feet, and I acted as her body guard in exchange.
"She even helped me rescue Tifa once." It was no mistake leaving out the uh, details of that specific memory. Never ever again. "And then when she was kidnapped, AVALANCHE saved her and started the search for Sephiroth…you should know the rest."
Yuffie frowned, "I practically knew all of that too!" She placed her head in her hands. "What I meant was tell me what made her special."
Cloud blinked at her words. Special? What made Aerith special? "She saved the world…"
"No! No! I mean to you, just to you."
Her meaning finally was clear to him. What made her special to me? To be honest, he was still confused about that. Did I love her? He wasn't sure. There were fleeting moments when he felt the need to be with her, and initially after her death, he couldn't deny that he felt broken. But was that love? His light blue eyes flared with a sudden confusion.
Was that even me?
"The same thing that made her special to you, Yuffie." Cloud said it with a sigh, trying to figure out if that was the truth or not.
She gave a faint laugh in disbelief, "Come on Cloud…"
"No, it's the truth." He was becoming surer. "That time when Aerith was around…I was too messed up. My brain had been fried and mixed. I didn't know which memories were mine and which were his."
Cloud paused, waiting to see if she needed further explanation for the 'his'. Yuffie only nodded in comprehension. "I still can't distinguish my feelings, I'm being honest. I have no idea. But what I do know is that he loved her, more than I ever did."
His face relaxed. A part of his uncertainty was slowly diminishing from his brain. "Does that answer the question?"
He was so satisfied with himself that it was a shock to him that Yuffie didn't seem to agree. "Eh, not really." She got up and gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "But it is a relief to hear that you're over Aerith…or never been under her or whatever." Yuffie sighed and fixed her head band again, "It's something."
Something? "Something for what?"
Her face became pink. Crap, don't make me more confused. He didn't need that.
"Nothing! Was just trying to get to know you, chocobo head!" Her smile widened. "That's all! You're a hard guy to figure out!"
Why are you trying to get to know me? He and Yuffie had never been exactly the best of friends. They mostly bonded over the same affliction to motion sickness. "…Okay."
She smirked, "Don't sound so pleased."
He rubbed his arm again nervously. Cloud never meant to isolate himself from Yuffie (at least no more than anyone else), but he did find her sudden interest in his life to be a little…weird. "Let's head back."
Yuffie scuffed, "Oh, what a terrific outing! Must it end so soon?" But she relented, allowing them to head back to the car and to Edge.
A/N: all done!
I'll post chapter 7 wednesday (unless there's some crazy amount of requests for tomorrow or something). That gives me time to finish up 8 and post that friday,so pleeasseee don't think I'm just being harsh and hording all the chapters. Just making sure I actually have stuff to post later on in the week.
Reviews please! (sorry to beg, but I'm a sucker for comments).I'm realy curious to see if I got Cloud sortofkindof right. He's one tough (but adorable) cookie.