The Potion

The old stone walls still stood proudly, a slight eerie feeling arose as they lay quietly under the moonlight. Cloud's eyes darted around slowly, savouring every second that he had. The courtyard looked much the same as it always had, not even bloodstains or skeletons from those who fell in battle.

He took a sharp breath as he eyes travelled upwards to the highest turret. The image that happened so long ago flooded his mind and he saw himself at eight years old, watching helplessly as the courtyard became crowded with hundreds of men. He sighed softly at the memories not sure if it was such a good thing to remember it all.

Suddenly, a loud squawk caught his attention and he looked up in time to see Aerith's raven fly around in a circle before gliding towards him. He lifted his arm instantly and let the bird perch. He noticed its grey eye become narrower until when he looked deep inside he could see a vision of Aerith, her bowed head lifting slowly as she opened her eyes. He smiled, still in awe of her beauty.

"Aerith, I have found out who I really am. A King. Hopefully worthy of a Queen." Aerith smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling in pride.

"Come to the Northern Continent my love and find out." She replied.

"Soon, for there is a mighty treasure I want to give you." He answered. She closed her eyes with a soft sigh before she looked at him again.

"Cloud, you are the only treasure I wish for." She whispered before her image disappeared and the raven flew off. Cloud kept his smile on his face as he walked out of his old castle courtyard.

Cloud made his way back to his father's smithy having learned he had moved back while they were fighting the Silver Haired Men. He stopped by the river, a small frown appearing on his face. Something wasn't right. Thinking that Cid was in danger, the newfound King burst into the house and raced up the stairs.

"What the hell is all the racket about?" Cid cried as Cloud entered the room to see his father lying on the bed. Cid gave a small smile followed by a cough. Cloud sat down next to him.

"What's the matter father?" He asked. Cid chuckled a little and closed his eyes.

"You still call me that?" he responded jokingly. "Your real father was a King." Cloud frowned at the words. He hadn't told his father about his identity.

"You knew?" he asked.

"I had my suspicions." Cid replied as he opened his eyes.

"I saw the royal emblem on your clothes and for months after I had found you I heard the rumour that the three silver haired men were looking for the lost prince of Nibelheim."

"But you gave a new name to protect me." Cloud answered slowly. Cid smiled.

"Perhaps that wasn't the only reason." He said honestly. "I never had a wife or children but with you I got a son." Cloud smiled back at him.

"You are still my father." He replied. "You took me in and looked after me. I'll bring my love to Nibelheim with me but you're coming too."

"Ha, I hardly have strength to stand anymore."

"Father?"

"Listen Cloud. You and your Queen from the Northern Continent, you are children of the old age. Together, you must make sure that the old gods live and that this Christian nonsense doesn't spread."

"I promise."

"Could you fetch me a glass of water?" Cid croaked, his eyes closing again. Cloud nodded and went down stairs. When he returned, his father was dead, a small smile on his face.

The forest was dark as the silver-haired man wandered through looking for Hojo. As if on queue, the greasy-haired man leapt from the branches of a tree and grinned at his son, his crooked teeth yellow with plague.

"What brings you here?" He asked with a hint of sarcasm. Sephiroth searched the area suspiciously before his gleaming eyes fell upon Hojo again.

"Cloud knows who he is." He explained. "He will go to his love now."

"What does that matter to me?" Hojo replied with annoyance. Sephiroth gave a snort at the man's ignorance.

"He will take the materia with him." He spat. Hojo's eyes widened in horror. He was so close to having his material back he could not lose it now. He pushed his hair back, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips.

"Rufus wants him to marry Tifa." The silver-haired man continued, his eyes watching as Hojo gained a small smirk, his red eyes glistening with a plan.

"What if there was a potion were he would suddenly forget his love and find the Princess attractive instead?"

Sephiroth gave a surprised look, even though that was exactly what he wanted to hear. He sighed and raised an eyebrow at the question that had such an obvious answer.

"Then the materia stays where it is." He said simply. Hojo nodded and signalled for his son to wait a moment.

He appeared again a second later, his hand carrying a long brown flask. Just as Sephiroth reached to take it, Hojo snapped it back.

"The boy took something from me." He said, causing Sephiroth to raise an eyebrow.

"My magic mask. With it, he can take any shape or form he wishes." The raised brow on the silver-haired man's face edged higher at the words.

"Give it back to me and you shall have the potion."

"No," Sephiroth replied coldly. "I want to know that the potion works before you get your mask. I can find somebody else to make a potion without a bargain." Hojo snarled and thought for a moment.

"Fine." He snapped. "When the potion works, you will give me what is mine, deal?" He questioned. Sephiroth nodded slightly as he took the potion.

"Deal."

Aerith sighed as she stared out at the ocean as snow fell delicately from the grey skies. Her body was illuminated by a pale torch as she leaned on the window frame. Slowly, her eyes closed.

"Oh my love, so near to my heart and my mind, yet so far from my arms and my body." She whispered longingly.

"How much longer? How much further?" Elmyra looked up from the fireplace and gave the Queen a comfortingly smile.

It would not be long until the King of Nibelheim came to the Northern Continent.

Tifa enhaled deeply in longing while she sat brushing her hair. Cloud was leaving tomorrow and she knew that it was only the materia keeping him in Midgar. A sudden noise alerted her that she was not alone and she turned to see Sephiroth standing in her doorway.

"Something troubles you Princess." He said gently. Tifa stared for a moment before brushing her hair from her eyes and looking away.

"What do you want?" She asked with a hint of anger. Sephiroth ignored it and stepped into the room.

"You want him to stay don't you?" He continued. The Princess' cheeks turned red and she immediately turned away to avoid further embarrassment.

"That is none of your concern." She hissed, her face still turned.

"You have loved the dragon slayer since you first saw him." She slammed her brush down and glared at him. That was when she noticed that Sephiroth had a flask. She glanced at it curiously before she spoke.

"What does it matter?" She sighed. "As soon as he takes the gold, Cloud will have no reason to stay here." She got to her feet and made to leave the room when Sephiroth gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"This is a potion." He stated simply, watching the Princess' eyes widen.

"That is no Christian thing." She snapped. "It is the old ways of magic and potions." Sephiroth nodded and smiled, gently placing it in Tifa's hand.

"It will erase Cloud's heart of love for any other woman." Tifa took a step back, her eyes fixed on the flask. Sephiroth mentally smirked. He knew he could manipulate her.

"If it is you who gives him the cup then only you will burn in his heart from that moment on." He saw Tifa stare at the flask a little longer and walked away to leave her to her decision.

Rufus smiled as his sister entered the room with a tray of three cups and a bottle of wine. She set them down on the mantle piece before pouring wine for Sephiroth and Rufus. As she turned from her brother, the doors opened and Cloud entered.

"Ah, look who it is." Rufus smiled, getting up and shaking Cloud's hand. Cloud grinned and returned the friendly gesture.

"Rufus I am sorry for all the bloodshed that my materia has caused." He said sorrowfully. Rufus shook his head.

"No no no Cloud. If it wasn't for you, much more would have been lost."

"It's over now though. I'm leaving for Nibelheim." Cloud stated. Tifa and Sephiroth glanced at each other nervously before Sephiroth cleared his throat.

"Will you join us in a toast before you leave?" He asked the new found King. Cloud was silent for a moment before he shrugged and nodded.

Tifa walked over to the tray but instead of pouring from the wine bottle, she poured from the flask. She handed the cup to Cloud, staring into his eyes as she fought a blush.

"This is a special wine of Midgar mixed with herbs and spices." She said softly. Cloud smiled gratefully as he took the cup and Rufus raised his glass while the other two men followed suit.

"To Cloud, who came here a blacksmith and leaves a King."

"To Cloud." Everyone said with a smile. Cloud caught the Princess' eyes as he took a sip. Tifa stepped back and tried to control her breathing. Cloud licked his lips at the taste. It was unusual but good.

"Would you make it for me again sometime, only with less cinnamon?" He asked. Tifa took a deep breath and nodded, her voice failing her. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Sephiroth and Rufus were leaving.

Cloud took another swallow before he frowned at the liquid in the cup. It had become grey and a pair of emerald green eyes could be seen. As he looked closer, he saw her thin face appear, framed by long chestnut hair. The image remained for a moment before the hazy liquid covered it and it returned to its proper colour.

He slowly looked up at Tifa, astounded at how beautiful she looked and how he had never noticed before. She stood silently, hands behind her back in a nervous gesture.

"Where have Rufus and Sephiroth gone?" he asked, noticing their sudden disappearance. Tifa smiled a little, tears appearing in her eyes. She didn't know if the potion had worked or not.

"They left." She whispered. Cloud nodded slightly to show he had heard before he put his cup down.

"Cloud I must tell you something." She said suddenly, knowing this was her only chance to see if it had worked. Cloud turned to her with full attention.

"At the dragon feast, you told a masked woman that you were in love with someone."

"That was you?" He asked with slight amusement. Tifa closed her eyes as a lone tear travelled down her cheek.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to be prying and…"

"Please that doesn't matter now." He replied, taking her hand. She opened her eyes and shivered as his hand cupped her cheek, wiping away the tear.

"Because I love you."