CHAPTER 7 – THE CAT IN THE GOLD SAUCER
Cloud's lonesome journey, was now about to change. As the cold bitter winds blew against his path of reaching Corel, a mysterious name was growing throughout the southwest…
Cloud finally made it to Corel. The lonely, poor little town was just the same…but in its worst state yet!
Cloud entered the shabby town. Its old and wrecked appearance grew depressing as soon as Cloud began to walk through the village. He received judgmental glances from the village people, who looked tired and bitter. Cloud however tried to ignore this and carried on, pulling up his collar, hiding his face only slightly…
He was almost at the ropeway leading to the Gold Saucer, when a large proportioned man, who looked like a miner stood in front of him.
"Cloud Strife," He said, folding his arms with a smirk on his face. Cloud sighed, and lifted his head.
"Haven't seen you around since you came here with Barrett those many years ago." He sneered.
Cloud looked at him, his aluminous blue eyes scowled.
"Out of my way." Cloud said, the man stepped in front of him once more.
"What do you want this time, huh? Come to drain the village down more and more? You asshole!" He shouted in Cloud's face. Cloud merely gave him a glance, and carried on by.
"Where you going? I ain't finished with ya yet!" He called after Cloud, who turned around quickly.
"For your information, it was us that saved this Village! Us that saved it from ShinRA too!" Cloud barked back. The miner looked at Cloud, thought for a moment or two, and then turned his back on him.
"Just get outta my sight, boy." He snarled, and left. Cloud stared after him…he held himself back from retaliating, and carried on to the ropeway.
He cursed under his breath, and hoped on a lift. He was there in seconds…the exploding of balloons was heard, the vast echoes of cheerful screams and laughs…the bright colours of gold, rich red, bright green and yellow burst out everywhere. He was at the Gold Saucer again…
Cloud paid for a ticket, and entered.
The place seemed just as happy…never mind the horrors that had happened, never mind the wars that had been fought, this place seemed to be the only place that didn't suffer, the place that always remained cheerful and bright. The warmth rushed over Cloud's face as the energized heat flowed over his cold body.
Sweaty and over excited kids sprinted past him, Married couples cooed at one another heading to dinner, laughing bunches of friends bundled over to the watch the plays, new couples kissed and hugged…
But what Cloud noticed most of all was the young people a little younger than himself, going on first dates with one another. Cloud sighed, as a young couple walked past him together. Nervous and a little shy, but laughing and joking along the way, with secret smiles to one another…how they reminded him of Him and Aeris, on their date at the Gold Saucer…he thought back quietly…
"Cloud…I want to meet you."
"But…but im right here."
"No…I want to meet…you."
Cloud remembered how Aeris spoke of meeting him, the real him. She saw past the personality of Zack…she saw him. She saw Cloud.
He sighed, and traced his mind to where Cait Sith would be, he soon came to the conclusion of the arcades, surely the comical Cat would be found terrorising the customers with some stupid fortune telling. He smirked, and headed to the arcades.
Sure enough, through the buzz of excitement and loud nosies, and bright lights from glowing machines was Cait Sith, selling fortunes. Cloud smiled, and walked up the mechanical figure.
"Cait Sith!" He called over the noise.
The Mechanical mog turned, and there Cloud saw sat upon it Cait Sith. A sudden smile spread across his face.
"Cloud!" He cheered. Cloud laughed, as Cait Sith came stumbling over to him, he was soon out of breath…
"What…what are you, you doing here?" He asked. Cloud smiled, and watched him amused.
"Why do you think? Just to catch up…I guess I haven't been a very good friend since the Geostigma past…plus," He paused. "Can we talk somewhere quieter, Cait Sith?" Cloud asked. Cait Sith nodded in response.
"Of course, follow me!" He said brightly. Cloud followed him to what appeared to be the Chocobo racing area. "Let's go into the Jockey room, its empty I think." Cloud nodded, and followed him in…
Inside was brightly coloured with a large table and chairs, with posters of racers and Chocobos, and awards of 1st 2nd and 3rd record times from the races.
Cloud took a seat. Cait Sith still stood.
"So, what is it, Cloud? You seem a little troubled, eh?" Cait Sith said in his usual optimistic tone. Cloud smirked.
"I just…I came to see you. Im on a journey Cait Sith, and your going to help me." Cloud said straight. Cith Sith was a little surprised.
"Me? H, help you?" He turned delighted. "Really? I mean…if your sure, I will, I will help…before I tagged along, I never knew you would actually need my help, this, this is…great, wonderful!" Cait Sith began to fumble. Cloud laughed at the comical cat, he sighed and gave Cait Sith a small nod.
"So, your help then?" Cait Sith nodded frantically, it almost appeared that his head would fall off. "Im there!" He beamed. Cloud sighed, and then decided to tell Cait Sith what his purpose was of asking Cait Sith to help.
"You see…im, im going to find…her." He said quietly. Cait Sith understood right away, his happy smile faded, and he remained silent. "Even after Sephiroth and the Geostigma, I've…I've never really found my happiness, and I now know, that it's in the Promised Land – Aeris." Cloud explained. Cait Sith gave him a sympathetic look, and then bounced joyfully.
"I'll be glad to assist you Cloud. But, I must ask…why me? Why do you need my help? Im just, an old…no good fortune teller, right?" He sighed with a sudden saddened look cross his face. Cloud frowned and shook his head.
"Don't say that! Cait Sith…I need your help because, what you predicted me, the very first time I met you. It was right." A sudden flash back drew through their minds…
"Wait! Let me try again!"
"You will find what you seek, but you will lose something dear."
Cait Sith thought back, and nodded.
"I see…you related that to Aeris?" Cloud nodded. "…Yeah, but, not because I just did, because I knew it was right. Im impressed Cait Sith, your predictions came true, and you might have a real talent." He complimented. Cait Sith gave a little whoop, and gave a bright smile.
"Oh, im so happy! But…do you think my prediction in the Temple of the Ancients was true?" Cloud thought back…
Cait: Sorry to keep you waiting!! It's me!! I'll handle the rest! Well, everyone…Take care of yourselves!
Aeris: Cait Sith... Come on, Cloud... Say something.
Cloud: I'm not good at this.
Cait: Mmm, I understand. I feel the same too, I…
Aeris: I…why don't you read our fortunes?
Cait: Say, that's right... I haven't done it in a while, huh? I'm so excited. Right or wrong, I'm still the same 'ol me. Now, what should I predict?
Aeris: Hmm, let's see how compatible Cloud and I are!
Cait: That'll cost ya. Exactly one date! Here I go!
Cait: This isn't good. I can't say it. Poor Tifa.
Aeris: No tell me! I promise I won't get mad!
Cait: Is that so? Then I'll tell you. Looks good. You are perfect for each other! Aeris' star and Cloud's star! They show a great future! Cloud, I'll be your matchmaker, preacher... I'll do whatever you want me to! You tell me when it all happens!
Cloud smiled to himself.
"You know…that was Cait Sith no 1. Then you came along…" He nodded. Cait Sith joggled slightly.
"Wow…No 1 must have been brave then, saying goodbye and letting his life go for the planet. I can't imagine knowing that I was going to be crushed under a temple…the temple of the Ancients." He sighed.
Cloud smiled and nodded.
"You're just the same…your brave really. I need your help, though. So…will you join me?" Cait Sith jumped and smiled in glee…
"Sure! I'll tell you any fortunes you need to know." Cloud rolled his eyes and smirked. "Let's get going then…im heading to Midgar for a final goodbye…" He stopped…
"…Cloud?"
"For a…final goodbye to Tifa. Barrett…and Marlene," He smiled. "Marlene loved Aeris. She called her The Flower Girl." Cait Sith gave him a weak smile.
"Don't forget Cid and Vincent, and then there's Yuffie!" Cloud smiled. "I've seen Cid and Vincent…Yuffie, hmm." He thought…
"Alright. Yuffie too…" He nodded.
So…thus it was the Cat and the Soldier headed off to Midgar together. But Cloud never knew that the mysterious Rydia in whom he met a while ago he would meet once more…and her part in this tale was about to take its peak…