Miru : Well, I don't normally make/publish chapters everyday, so I must either be really bored, or just really eager. o.o;;
Tifa : Well that's good. Now you can actually do something productive in your time, right?
Cid : Yeah, do somethin' with your life!
I do not own Final Fantasy VII in any way possible. Final Fantasy VII was published by Square Enix. I only own the story itself and the OCs.
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-~{[Bound by the Past]}~-
Seraphina's Point of View ~ 7th Heaven ~ Night
"So, this is where we'll be staying?" Seraphina posed. Cora was wandering around the bar, poking things and such.
"Hm? Cloud? Is that you?" a girl with black hair and brown eyes questioned. The girl's hair was a tad bit over shoulder-length. She wore a skort with a black ribbon on each side, a closed, sleeveless black vest with a zipper, as well as a white sleeveless shirt underneath. She had teardrop earrings on. "Who're those two?"
"These are people I found in the Sector 5 Church." Cloud replied. "They said they were being chased by Kadaj and his crew. I decided to take them here, since it was safer than the church."
"Don't worry you two, you're safe here." the brown-haired girl reassured. "I'm Tifa. Tifa Lockhart. What are your names?"
"I'm Seraphina and this is my little sister Cora, nice to meet you." I greeted with a smile. "When they said Mother, they were talking about Jenova, right? What do they want with her?"
"Those three are... remnants of Sephiroth." Cloud clarified. Tifa stared at Cloud in shock. I felt slightly uneasy. "They're probably out to restore Sephiroth using Jenova's remains." I started to shake uncontrollably.
"So... my powers, as Aerith said, will help them find her and restore Sephiroth...?" I muttered, concern in my voice. Cloud's eyes widened quite a bit when I said "Aerith." As did Tifa's.
"How do you know Aerith?" Cloud pried.
"I met her around two years ago. I bumped into her accidentally on the street and made friends with her." I reminisced. "Then, today, she warned me that Kadaj was after me because my powers can help him find Jenova. She also mentioned something about the White Materia resting inside of me, but it's just a myth right? The White Materia doesn't really exist, right?!"
"Well, if what you're saying is true..." Tifa began. "If you really saw Aerith in a vision, then what she said is true. You have the White Materia inside of you. And yes, it really does exist." Everything around me started to look dim. I felt like I was going to collapse any moment. After a few moments later, everything became dark.
Cloud's Point of View ~ One Hour Later
Well, I ended up taking her up to her new room. Up until now, she's still sound asleep. She probably fainted because she couldn't take in everything that has happened to her. Aerith... does she really have the White Materia inside of her? Is she telling the truth? After a few minutes of watching over her, I fell asleep on her bedside.
{[Dream Mode]} – {[Cloud]}
I was in... the Sector 5 Church. I was sitting down on the patch of flowers Aerith planted. I could've sworn that Aerith was behind me, but I couldn't look over my shoulder because I was immobilized.
"Cloud, do you doubt what Seraphina is saying?" I could hear Aerith's voice, so it must be her. I didn't answer. "Well, it's all true. I met her a couple years back. She's a very sweet girl."
"So she really does have the White Materia inside of her?" I questioned.
"Yes. I believed that it would've been safe if I gave it to her." Aerith explained. "...You saw what Kadaj and his gang are like; I told you who they were. Just like how she protected the flowers I gave her, I want you to protect her with all that you've got. Who knows? Maybe you'll fall for her too."
"I doubt that." I droned. I heard Aerith giggle lightly. I missed the sound of her laughter...
"Seraphina has several other powers, too. But they aren't exactly awakened yet." Aerith sighed. "I guess she'll find out on her own soon..." Then, Aerith's voice started to fade away.
{[Dream Mode]} ~ {[End]}
I opened my eyes and to see that Seraphina was still sleeping. I sighed as I got up and headed for the door. Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand. I turned around to see Seraphina's eyes wide open.
"So, you're awake." I mumbled.
"Aerith told you that I wasn't lying, right?" Seraphina blurted out.
"How did you-"
"I have the power of Foresight. The ability to see into the future and look into another's dreams."
Nobody's Point of View
Cloud was in awe. Seraphina's face was grim and solemn, but was then replaced by ecstatic and jolly emotions. Seraph giggled lightly and Cloud started to blush slightly. Then, she let go of his hand.
"Your face just looked so... surprised, I just had to laugh." Seraph smiled. Cloud started to get annoyed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Seraphina could sense that Cloud was at ease. Cloud sat back down and Seraph put her hand on Cloud's shoulder, as if she was trying to cheer him up. Suddenly, her eyes widened.
"What?" Cloud asked. Seraphina felt tears coming to her eyes. Cloud became concerned as a tear cascaded down her cheek. He took off one of his gloves and wiped the tear off of her face. "What's wrong?"
Cloud's Point of View
"You've... been through so much..." Seraphina mumbled in between sobs. "I wish I was there to lessen the pain, even by a little bit... I'm so sorry..." I was surprised at first, but then I hugged her to try and comfort her.
"It's alright." I whispered in her ear. "You couldn't do anything about it."
"Who knows? Maybe you'll fall for her too."
Maybe, Aerith. Just maybe. Seraphina stopped crying, so I pulled her away from the hug and caressed her cheek gently to try and make her smile. It was faint, but I saw her blush.
"You're blushing." I smiled. Seraphina looked down and tried to hide it, but it was still pretty obvious. Then, she gawked at me and stood up on the bed, pointing to me.
"Y-you're smiling!!" she hollered, blushing a thousand shades of red. "You should do it more often, you know? It suits your face better!" She sat back down and yawned. Now I knew that she has those "bursts of energy" at times.
"You're tired, go get some rest." I mumbled, smirking slightly. "I'll be in my room if you need me."
Two Days Later ~ 7th Heaven ~ Seraphina's Point of View
I was eating breakfast along with Cora, Marlene, Denzel, and Tifa. I met the two yesterday after Cora introduced me to them. I also found out that Denzel was infected with Geostigma. Anthony is also infected with Geostigma, it's on his right cheek. Geostigma is a disease is caused by Jenova cells and currently doesn't have a cure.
"Where did you get the flower from?" Marlene asked as she handed Denzel a slice of her bacon.
"I... got it from Aerith." I smiled, slightly stroking the white tulip in my hair. Marlene grinned delightfully. Tifa smiled lightly. "To be more exact, it's a white double early tulip; Schoonord."
"Aerith's nice, isn't she?" Marlene sighed. "She always looks out for others. She's probably looking out for us now, too!" I nodded and smiled at her comment.
Later ~ 7th Heaven
I was frustrated. I couldn't find any of the kids anywhere. I remembered Tifa saying that they were heading to the Sector 5 Church, but they should've been back by now! I decided to call Cloud to see if he has any idea where they where... He wouldn't pick up. I tried calling again.
"Cloud... please! Answer the phone!" I pleaded.
Thirty Minutes Later ~ 7th Heaven ~ Nobody's Point of View
Cloud woke up in 7th Heaven after the Geostigma took effect. He opened his eyes to see Reno and Rude. Seraphina was sitting on a chair in the middle of the two beds. Tifa was resting on the other bed.
"You're awake... Thank God..." Seraphina sighed. "Cloud, the kids are gone. I tried calling you earlier, but... you wouldn't pick up the phone." Cloud remained silent, his head down; he was probably feeling guilty.
"You don't care?" Rude asked.
"I just..." Cloud trailed off. Reno sighed as he signaled Rude to leave.
"You're a handful!" Reno said as he was walking out in the hallway.
"Cloud..." Seraphina thought as she stared at him. "Stop being so harsh on yourself..."
A Few Hours Later
Tifa slowly opened her eyes. Once they were open, she tried to familiarize herself with the room before sitting down on the bed.
"Reno and Rude are out searching." Cloud informed.
"You have Geostigma, don't you?" Tifa recalled. Cloud remained silent. "So, you're going to give up and die, is that it?"
"...There's... no cure." Cloud muttered. Seraphina stood up from her seat.
"Look at Denzel and the other kids! They haven't given up yet!" Seraphina scolded. "Stop running away and face the present!"
"We can help each other! We can fight it together, Cloud!" Tifa hollered.
"I... can't help anyone. I'm worthless." Cloud murmured. "I'm not fit to help anyone. Not my friends, my family, nobody."
"Dilly, dally, shilly, shally." Tifa said. Seraphina gave her a questioning look, as did Cloud. Seraph caught on to what she was trying to say. Tifa looked at Seraphina and they both nodded their heads; they knew he had to stop running away.
"Dilly, dally, shilly, shally!" Tifa and Seraphina chorused.
"I think they want you to move on, man." Reno said, smirking.
"Did you find them?!" Tifa questioned.
"No, only a witness." Reno sighed. "Kadaj and his gang took them."
"Where are they now?" Cloud asked.
"They're at their base. The Forgotten City." Rude informed.
"I'm going!" Seraphina announced, heading for the door. Reno and Rude blocked the way.
"Cloud, you're going." Tifa demanded before saying her speech to Cloud. (It's long, and you guys have probably heard it before.) Cloud remained silent.
"Cloud..." Seraphina sighed. "You know, everybody forgives you. You never did anything wrong. It's about time that you forgave yourself, because that seems to be the only thing weighing you down." Cloud stood up from the bed and went out the door. Seraphina followed him.
"Stay here." Cloud ordered. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"No. I'm coming with you." Seraphina droned. "My little sister's there, and I can fend for myself." The tulip in her hair emitted a soothing aura. Then, the fan and knife appeared in her hands. Cloud sighed and got on Fenrir. Seraphina got on the back and hugged his waist.
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Miru : Oh God, another chapter that took long to make. Well, I hope you enjoyed it, nevertheless! RxR~! ^-^