Okay, a small mistake on my part, I've written twenty chapters and I keep on forgetting to put in the disclaimer so- Disclaimer: As much as I would like to say I own them, all characters except for Flint Furrows, Fifer and Fenrir are property of Square Enix.

Well, enjoy chapter Twenty-

Cloud woke to Zack's hand on his shoulder, gently shaking it. "Morning Spike." He said, and Cloud heard a soft rustle as he opened the curtains, and felt a gentle shaft of sunlight settle across his

bed and face, warm to the touch. It was one of the things he missed most about his former self. The ability to see things with opened eyes, instead of through a small blurred space through his

eyelashes. He wanted to see the sun and the skies, the clouds after which he was named. He wanted to see Zack's face as clearly as he once had, the smoke as it rose from a chimney, the first

signs of spring that were surely beginning to show on the plains of Gaia.

These thoughts spurred him into action. No matter what, he had to get his eyes open. He willed them to open, frowning in concentration. He could feel them twitch, but no more than that. He let

out a frustrated moan. "You want to open your eyes?" Zack asked, and he felt a gentle pressure on his eyelids.

He was temporarily blinded as his world was plunged into light.

The world suddenly became much brighter, his vision much clearer. "There. Now you can see buddy." Zack said, as he lifted Cloud's eyelids. He watched as Zack turned away, busying himself with

a pot of soup. From across the room, Cloud could see Flint Furrows, watching him intently from his perch on the chair, sipping at a drink that filled the room with a familiar and delicious aroma.

Coffee.

Cloud had never wanted a hot cup of coffee more in his life than he did now. The warm, rich taste. The ever so familiar smell. The feeling it gave when consumed. Just thinking about made him

pine. He was tired of soup, though he knew that was probably the only thing he could eat at this stage, he wanted something new. Something he couldn't have made him want it more.

Zack came over, tipping Cloud's head back, and as usual and carefully pouring small amounts of soup at a time into his waiting mouth. Though he was sick of the stuff, it had never tasted so good.

He hadn't been fed for several days, and felt like his stomach was slowly eating itself from the inside. "Muh." He mumbled, in thanks. He was still working on forming words, but he had a feeling

Zack understood his moans and grunts to an extent. He felt the bowl being taken away from his lips, and sighed, wishing there was more. Zack smiled at the blonde, ruffling his hair "You'll be sick

if you eat too much. Your stomach couldn't handle having so much after having virtually nothing at all."

Cloud watched enviously as Zack sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Zack smiled at him once more, and Cloud felt his own lips twitch into a grin. Even in a near paralysed state, Zack's smile was contagious- even the stoic Flint seemed to let a ghost of a smile

sweep across his face.

'I wonder why he's here?' Cloud thought, watching as Flint pulled out a weathered map and began discussing directions.

He'd often heard another voice speaking to Zack as they travelled, but hadn't recognised it. 'I think- he saved me.' He thought.

He still wasn't entirely sure how he'd gotten out of the lab, but knew Zack must've found him.

He thought, drifting once more into the realm of memories, and vaguely recalling fragments of what Hojo had told him-

" Flint Furrows. I knew he resented you, and offered him a great deal of money if he quit SOLDIER and aided me. And so, he did." The memory broke then, but Cloud fought to keep it alive-- "He

worked with my assassins, the Crimson Band to aid me in your capture- But hate can only go so far- He brought me the Black Mako, but refused it to me once he saw what I'd done to you... But

no matter- I suspect he will be returning shortly- and one way or another, he will come with something I want." ' So maybe he did come back... He must've warned Zack that I was in the

lab.'

"Remorse and friendship are sickening." came another flash, and then, the memory was gone, leaving him to wonder, what exactly had happened that night.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The night was cold and brisk, the stars distant and sharp in the ink black skies, the fat moon hanging above them like a giant silver disk. Silver wisps of stardust could be seen snaking

through the heavens, and all was quiet. Flint sat down beside Cloud, who was leaning, his eyes closed, against a tree stump, his breathing regular and calm. Zack was asleep nearby, his

lips parted, his head lolling to the side, and gentle puffs of steam coming from his mouth as his warm breath met the cold night air. Fenrir was snoring quietly, his head resting on Zack's

lap, and his feet tucked under him as he lay beside Fifer on the ground, who also slept, his feathers intertwined with Fenrir's, a soft hum coming from his chest.

"Cloud." Flint began- "I-don't know if you can hear me, but-" Flint paused, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I want to say sorry- for everything. And I want to ask you a favour-" he paused

once more, half-hoping Cloud couldn't hear him, and was as unconscious as he looked. "I want you to take care of Zack for me." He said, "I want you to- make sure he's safe." Cloud

waited soundlessly. "I was a good friend of Angeal's- Like a brother to him." He paused once more- "And he asked me to do the same thing. He made me promise." He said quietly. "So- if

something happens to me, I want you to take my place okay? You need to protect him, like he protects you. " Flint bit his lip. "I promised him Cloud, that I wouldn't let any harm come

Zack's way. And as much as you both thought I hated you all those years- I think it was partly jealousy." He paused, feeling as if he was letting go of a huge weight he'd been carrying for

years, afraid if he let go, he would float away into oblivion. "Before, Zack was like a son to me. We were able to lean on one another to find strength in times of darkness. When you came,

it felt as if he was leaving- leaving me behind so he could help you." He but a hand on Cloud's shoulder.

"We must all walk the path of darkness at one point of our lives, and you Cloud, are one of the lucky ones, who do not have to walk it alone."

I hope you all enjoyed chapter Twenty! I had a lot of fun writing it. Okay, okay, I know it was cheesy, but what's a story without a cheesy chapter? Anyways, thanks to everyone for the reviews, another chapter should be up within the week!

Lucifer