Chapter 2 UPDATED!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Square Enix.
Time tells the difference
Chapter 2: Feelings?
Three days later
Kilika Island:
Yuna and Tidus are engaged in a hearty conversation about Zanarkand while the guardians stood close by, observing their actions.
"I think we should tell him." Lulu muttered, referring to the face that Yuna won't live through the final battle.
"No. We shouldn't." Cloud said, in his usual monotonous voice.
"But…"
"Yuna won't die."
"But when she summons the Final Aeon, she'll have to sacrifice herself."
"If she proves herself worthy, she won't have to summon it."
The others look at Cloud confused.
"You guys know that you need the Final Aeon to defeat SIN, right?"
"Yeah, ya."
"And you know that Final Aeon is a weapon."
"Yeah."
"And that if it's a weapon, it's not necessary to have it to kill SIN."
"Wha? Really?"
"Let's just say that if Yuna proves herself worthy, she won't have to die." Cloud said, "Now that's all the information I'm giving out today, no questions until tomorrow." I think I'm starting to like traveling with these guy, their expressions are worth dying for. But I can't give away that major piece of information without giving away another piece of information since the first piece of information alone can crumble both Yuna and Tidus... And there's someone else that can reveal it for them… But she'll probably try to kill Yuna for her beliefs…
Don't think about the past too much, Cloud.
I know, Zack. You guys will watch over me, right?
Of course.
Yeah.
The short exchange went unnoticed by the other three guardians as he started to walk away, drowning in his thoughts. Jecht… what were you thinking at the time. If only you guys waited for me, this would have been already over, I would have actually had a chance of dying… and Auron is still unsent, huh? That's nice. These guys are going to need all the help they can get and the only other person in the world that's older than me is… Vincent. I gotta go wake him soon. That vampire… A smile crept up to his face as he remembered the red-cloaked man, the only one that knows as much as I do.
"Cloud!" Yuna's voice came from behind him.
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to the temple. As my guardian, you'll have to come as well."
"I know, I will come." Meeting Ifrit again will be fun. Zack, back then you were always bragging about defeating him.
That was a long time ago, Cloud, don't bring it up. I suffered multiple burns from its attacks.
Gee, cool down, will you? Blame Genesis for summoning him.
Too bad he's sealed away.
"Hurry up!"
"Alright, I'm coming!" Cloud shouted back as he ran towards the group, ascending to the Kilika Temple. I need to talk to the Planet after this.
After a few minutes:
At the entrance of the temple:
A dark-skinned woman and her lone guardian stood in front of the group: "Oh, if it isn't Summoner Yuna. All these guardians, things must be pretty different from the view of the daughter of Lord Braska."
Before anyone can rebut her statement, Cloud stepped in front of the crowd:"The more and stronger a summoner's guardians are, the better chance he or she has of defeating SIN. Don't you know that?" It was unusual for Cloud to stand up to people without a good reason, and he didn't know what was making him do something that he hasn't done in centuries.
"Move aside, choboco head. I wasn't talking to you." The woman known as Dona seemed irritated.
"Choboco head? You know, everyone that's ever called me now is dead." Cloud wanted to laugh at his own ironic joke, but seeing the woman's face pale, he decided to keep it to himself. Of course, he also noticed the stares he received from members of his group.
Not wanting to give up the insults, Dona continued:"What, did you kill them all?"
"Why would I kill them? They all had a long life and died peacefully at the end." Putting double emphasis on his words, Cloud answered calmly.
"How old are you?"
"Why would I want to tell you that? Only a few beings on this planet know about that."
The woman seemed to have finally given up, and walked out. "Good luck on your pilgrimage, Summoner Yuna, and keep a leash on your guardians while you're at it." She threw at Yuna as she walked past, only to be stopped by Cloud's sword at her neck, the finely-polished blade shining under the sunlight. Her guardian changed into an attack stance, and charged at the ex-SOLDIER.
"Leave this to me." Cloud told the others, as he withdrew a paralyze materia from his jacket with his left hand and fired it at Dona's guardian, the man stopped in midstride and stayed there. The movement, however, was enough time for Dona to summon Ifrit. Cloud smirked, "I wouldn't have done that if I were you."
What happened next made everyone there stare. Ifrit bowed before Cloud, his arm extended and gave him a fire materia. "It has been a long time, Ifrit. You've grown weaker by staying in that temple."
"It offers peace. And indeed it has been a long time. I sense you have a favor to ask of me?" the Aeon replied with a deep voice, still on his knee.
Cloud nodded:" Since the young woman summoned you just when we needed, would it be alright for you if Yuna didn't have to kneel in the temple and pray for 20 minutes?"
"The summoner that you are guardian of?"
"Yes."
"Of course, I assume you are here because of the Planet again."
"Obviously, now just do the rituals and we'll be off."
"Certainly." The Aeon turned to Yuna, now that the rest of the group sees him, he wore shades of red and orange, with black hair and emerald eyes that stare with burning intensity. How can Cloud not flinch when looking him in the eyes? Yuna wondered.
"Summoner, are you willing to brave the fires of my soul if I was to lend you my power."
"Yes." Yuna answered in a determined voice.
"Cloud speaks highly of you, you should cherish him. He is a kind and generous person…"
"For Planet's sake, what's wrong with you Ifrit, has living in that temple made you want to give away free information about me?" Cloud quickly stopped the Aeon from further recounting his life. The others chuckled, and then realized that they were making fun of an Aeon… not a good idea…
"Sorry, I was distracted. I cannot help it, you bring back memories of when I was still human." The Aeon himself smiled a little, before turning back to Yuna. "Why have you chosen to become a summoner, young one? Knowing what would happen if you continue down this path."
"To protect life, even at the cost of my own." She stated, the Aeon did not miss a slight hesitation in her words, and quirked an eyebrow questioningly. "I admit that I am afraid, that I'm not strong. But I believe in myself and my guardians, that we together can beat SIN, at all cost."
"Those are brave words, Summoner, as you have faith in those around you, I will as well. You and your guardians have a long journey ahead of you Yuna, daughter of Braska. Accept what is offered to you is the only advice I can give you."
Nodding her head in acceptance, the fayth bows to her and flies into her body, its fire burning her, she shuddered from the small amount of pain as the fire eventually cooled down in her body, the process took about a few minutes as she forces herself not to scream.
"Now I have something that you need to hear… in private."
The others looked at the Aeon with confusion, even Cloud. But Yuna nodded and followed Ifrit away, stopping again about fifty meters from the others.
Then the Ifrit spoke again:"I sense you harbor feelings for Cloud and the son of Jecht."
Yuna gulped, how does he know, even I myself am not sure about Cloud… "Yes."
The Aeon nodded, "Well, I have some information for you."
When Yuna didn't respond, he immediately assured her. "No, there's nothing wrong with me, just that seeing Cloud again brought my human self back."
Yuna meekly replied:"Okay…"
The Aeon let out a sigh. "Okay lady, know that I'm doing you a big favor here, and don't tell Cloud about this, he rarely get angry, but I don't want to be on his bad side. Anyways, as I was saying, I assume you know Cloud is very old. Don't be fooled by his appearances, long time of no friends can do that to someone. He is very kind and generous. He always considers and puts others before himself. He rarely makes mistakes and knows many things. Considering his personality, if you even get a simple smile from him, it means he like you. Half the time he's able to freeze the whole room up just by sitting there. He's sent to be your guardian by the Planet, otherwise known as Gaia. If you don't know what that means you can ask him later, again, if he replies it means he likes you. Now, do you have any questions?"
"Um… Why does he smile to himself sometimes?"
"I see, so you do take a big amount of interest in him…" The Aeon nodded his head slowly as a blush began to form on the summoner's cheeks. "When he feels too lonely or confused, he speaks to the ones dear to him that has passed away. They do not exist in the farplane, but resides within the life stream. So he has not let go of those two yet, huh, all the more reason for someone to get close to him and help him let go of his past."
"Who do you mean by 'those two'?"
"One is his best friend and the other is the one he loved. What made them so special is that he owes both of them his life. Now I cannot give you any more details about his past. You will have to find out by yourself. Wait, let me put it this way, if he trusts you enough to tell about his past, he's in love." The Aeon laughed, "the only reason I know of this is because my predecessor was a friend to his best friend, no one in the past centuries have ever gotten close to him."
"And what makes you think that I will?"
"Oh, that's easy. Why did you think he bothered to step out and confront Dona? Or why he asked me to spare you the praying process? He already cares for you, he just doesn't know it yet. Now, process that information and choose between the two."
"Alright." Taking the Aeon's advice to heart, Yuna followed him back to the group.
"Now, if that's all you require of my service, I shall go now."
Cloud nodded and Ifrit left with a last sentence to Yuna: "Remember what I told you, and don't ever give up."
Yuna nodded and the Aeon left.
"So anyone want to explain what the hell just happened?" Lulu asked, breaking the silence.
"I knew Ifrit from the past." Cloud remarked, his face still expressionless, he then turned to Yuna and smiled a tiny tiny bit. "So, did Ifrit want to play matchmaker?"
Yuna caught the tiny tiny smile and nodded.
Surprisingly, Cloud burst into laughter, clutching his stomach in pain, noticing the odd looks he received, he explained. "Last time he tried to play matchmaker, he wanted me to marry Yunalesca." After that, he continued laughing while the others' jaws dropped, including Dona's. Wiping his tears from his eyes, he looked around him and stated his facial expressions turned back to normal. "Yuna, you have what you came here to get, now let's get going to Luca. I still have someone important to meet." His expression turned sour from some certain memories and beckoned to Yuna.
"Yeah, let's go." The said summoner replied, and led the way back down the hill, her cheeks still red from Ifrit's earlier comment. She couldn't help notice Cloud's overall build and the shining sapphire eyes. On the other hand, Tidus' eyes weren't shining. She found it odd and wondered why Cloud's eyes seemed to shine even in the dark.
On her side, Wakka nudged her with his elbow, "so why are you blushing like mad, ya?"
Oh, crap. Why did he become so witty today? "What? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on. Your face is tomato red, ya."
"It's probably something Ifrit said, and asked her to keep secret. No need to keep questioning her." Cloud offered.
When Yuna looked at him and was about to thank him, she noticed that his eyes were unfocused. How is he walking? "Cloud, are you alright?" She couldn't help but ask.
The ex-SOLDIER's eyes focused themselves again, and turned his face around, noticing her genuine concern, he couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Wow, he smiled. Does that mean he like me already? Brushing the thought away, she smiled back and turned her eyes back to the road. Her thoughts still jumbled up, she let out a small sigh and shook her head, focusing on getting to the docks.
Cloud, I think she likes you. Zack grinned.
Yeah, I think so too. Aerith added.
Don't be absurd. She only just met me, and I'm 2,000 years older than her. Cloud scolded them.
Why deny it, Spiky? We know your head inside-out, so we know that you are beginning to like her too. Zack countered. Who cares about age? You still look about 20.
Yeah, Cloud. It's been like a decade already since you at least made some friends. Aerith backed him up. There's nothing embarrassing about liking someone.
Okay, now you two are just ganging up on me. Cloud complained, trying to change the topic.
Don't try and change the topic, choboco-head, didn't I tell you that we know your head inside-out? Zack said, look, we're just saying that you should give this a try, at least get to know her better.
I agree. Aerith backed him up once again.
Cloud groaned, fine, I will, now I just need lots of time to think.
Alright, we'll leave you alone for now. Aerith smirked playfully.
And their presences faded from his mind. What's gotten into me today? I even smiled at her… twice for Yeven's sake. Am I falling for her? Sure she looks nice and has a good personality with mismatched eyes… Oh who am I kidding, she looks absolutely gorgeous. Fuck, I did NOT just think that. Grr… am I really starting to like her already? He didn't bother finding an answer and just kept on walking. Damn.
I need to find someone that I can talk to that does not know my head inside-out. Vincent, he should be in Hojo's lab, and that would be in… Luca! Nice, I don't need to do any detours, even though I could just tell Gaia to get me there. But I still have to protect Yuna… Oh, never mind. I'll figure this out later.
Chapter 2 END
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