Disclaimer - I don't own Final Fantasy VII or its characters. Enjoy another new chapter!
Protect or Protected
Sapphire blue eyes opened themselves when the first rays of the sun shone over the mountains and through the single window of the abandoned wooden house in the cold snowy mountain. The first thing he noticed was the auburn hair man who is sleeping next to him on the bed with his black wing covering both of them like a blanket, keeping them warm from the cold, just like Moon did at the basement of the Shinra Mansion. At first, the weight of the wing on him felt a little weird, but somehow familiar at the same time.
Then Cloud turned his attention to the face of the sleeping man, who wore a peaceful expression that he hasn't seen before. The longer he stared at that face, the more it resembled to Moon's face. Will I ever see this face again? After defeating JENOVA...? The blond couldn't answer that question and an uneasy feeling slowly started to take place in his heart.
'Everything is going to be alright...' Cloud repeated this softly like a mantra, with his eyes closed, trying to convince himself that there is nothing to worry about.
The Ex-SOLDIER only stopped his muttering when a hand grabbed his and gave it a gentle squeeze. He opened his eyes to see bright azure eyes staring back at him. The auburn hair man removed his red gloved hand from the boy's and moved up to the young face, where he brushed his fingertips over the soft cheek in an comforting gesture.
'No matter what's going to happen, I'll protect you...' Genesis whispered softly.
Cloud, feeling a little uncomfortable in this position and this closeness between them, averted the gaze of the Commander, looking down and said: 'I don't want to be protected...'
Genesis stopped brushing his cheek at his words for a few seconds before he resumed his gentle action as he replied: 'I didn't want to protect you because you need to be protected. I want to protect you, because you are precious to me.'
Sky blue eyes looked up, surprised and embarrassed. The crimson coated man pulled the smaller body against his as he continued: 'You are the only reason why I still exist as... A human... That's why I don't want to lose you. You are my only connection to my human self, without you, I would have become a monster and I'll be forgotten.'
Both of them stayed close to each other for a moment, like trying to prolong the time they will stay together till it is time to leave. Then Genesis, almost reluctantly, pulled away from the blond and got up with his wing curled around him.
'We're going to leave in 30 minutes.' was as all that the auburn hair man said before he walked out to the house without glancing back at the boy who had sat up.
Cloud stared at the spot where the man was just a few seconds ago, thinking about those truthful words that was spoken to him. After a few minutes, letting out a heavy sigh, the blond decided to put them in the back of his mind for now as he got off the bed and did a few stretching exercises for his stiff limbs, even though he had probably spent days on the bed without moving a lot, he doesn't feel the least of the heavy weight over his body like a Third Class SOLDIER should feel, he simply felt weightless.
Maybe my body had already absorbed and adapted to all the extra mako I had taken from the Lifestreams. The Ex-SOLDIER thought as he walked towards the large sword and took it in his hand, it looked like it was glowing slightly, but it might be the sunlight instead. He pulled it up and spun it a few turn before he put it back into the harness behind him. The strange weapon was almost as light as a small wooden stick. It's definitely the mako doing its work on my muscles.
He picked up the black gloves he had removed last night, while putting them on, he noticed that his gloves had also the wolf design on them, but in a smaller size. A lone wolf huh? Cloud thought almost bitterly as he remembered how distant he was from the others when he was a kid. He shook his head to clear out the unwanted memories and concentrated on the present. The past is the past, you can't change it. The only changes you could make are what you do from now on.
With that thought in mind, the blond turned to the door and left the place where he had spent for at least three days resting on the not-so-comfortable mattress. Stepping into the silver white snow outside, Cloud, being born in a cold region, couldn't help, but smiled brightly as he inhaled the pure cold air of the mountains. It smelled just like the air at his hometown, but purer, it doesn't have a single smell of mako or monster-like stench. The view is even better! The sunlight had colored the snow with its golden brightness, turning the mountains into sand dunes.
Cloud crouched down, taking a handful of snow and threw them up into the air. The tiny snowflakes, caught by the chilly wind, swirled around the blond hair swordsman like fairy dust. He laughed full heartedly as he continued throwing snow around him like a five-years-old little kid, but he didn't find himself being ashamed at his childishness or feeling stupid. How long I didn't laugh like that? How long I didn't play with the snow? Too long... The young blond thought as he stared up at the wide blue sky.
Somehow, he can't believe that it had been what? Five? Seven years? Gaia! He never even realized that he had missed not only his mother, but the snow too! Seven years... He had spent seven years pursuing his dream to become a powerful SOLDIER like Sephiroth. He had never thought about the time that flew passed him during those seven long years. How much he had missed. His whole childhood had passed away without him really noticing it and he had lost that innocent and naïve nature of a child.
No. He didn't miss something, because Kadaj and Moon have filled the gaps in his childhood. Like hanging out with friends just like every teenager in the world would do, dragging unwilling friends out for party (he still haven't completely forget or forgive Zack for his great party plan and Kadaj, for helping the raven hair teen), etc.
I should really enjoy every second I have. I might not be able to enjoy them after I battle JENOVA. Shaking his head, trying to get rid of the negative thoughts about what might happen to him and his friends if he fails. Everything is going to be fine... Just like Moon and... Genesis... Had promised...
'You love the snow, don't you?' Speak of the devil and he will appear. Turning around, Cloud looked at the auburn hair man who stood a few feet away from him, with his large black wing outstretched.
He answered with a small shy smile as he ran his hand over his blond spiky hair nervously: 'A little bit. It has been a while since I had played with the snow. I guess I got a little carry away...'
Genesis chuckled softly before he walked towards Cloud and said: 'I never really saw the snow. Because it never snows at Banora and I was rarely sent on mission to the northern region.'
'When I saw you falling into the Lifestreams... In my visions... I can feel you more closely... And this feeling had somehow leaded me here...' The red coated man gestured to his surrounding. 'I had found you deep inside an abandoned mako Reactor not far from here. I was worry... You were covered in mako, but you seemed to absorb them as fast as I do and your wounds were healed, so I decided to move you to this wooden house, where you could rest without absorbing more mako. While you were still unconscious, I was able to see and feel for the first time the snow...'
Seeing the genuine smile on Genesis face made Cloud smiled too as he asked: 'It's pretty beautiful, isn't it?'
Genesis simply nodded his head before he offered the blond his hand and asked: 'Are you ready for the next step of our journey?'
The Ex-SOLDIER didn't bother to answer and accepted the offered hand. The auburn hair man pulled him close to him and wrapped an arm around his waist, while Cloud rested a hand over the man's shoulder, gripping the coat tightly.
The crimson Commander smirked at the young warrior's uneasiness before he leaned over his ear and whispered: 'You don't need to be afraid. Flying is a very enjoyable feeling.'
The words spoken by Genesis were almost like the incantation of a spell, it immediately made Cloud's muscles relax and put his mind at ease. Then they soared into the bright welcoming sky above them.
***
The two heroes flew for two hours and were already above the wide ocean that separated the Northern Continent and the Eastern Continent, where Midgar is located. Cloud glanced at his winged friend worriedly, because ever since they had reached the ocean, he got the feeling that something's wrong with Genesis, like he was in a deep pain of some kind, even though the man's face was void of emotion of any sort, he could still feel something emanating from the man that worried him, but he knew that the Commander knew his own limits and won't endanger him, so he pushed the strange feeling aside and enjoyed the feeling of the wind blowing through his yellow bangs.
A sudden sound caught Cloud's attention, the sound of a dozen of motors. Looking at their right side, he could see a large black airship approaching in their direction. Cloud recognized it as the Highwind, the airship in a poster in the Showcase Room in Shinra Headquarter.
Does that means they had found us? But something's not right... The blond thought as he sensed some familiar auras aboard the ship and the transportation itself.
'That's our lift.' Genesis said as they turned towards the flying transportation. The young swordsman didn't protest, even though they might be going aboard an enemy's ship, trusting his Commander's decision.
Both of them landed gracefully on the wooden floor of the main deck, facing the only door that leads into the ship's complexity. Cloud let go of the coat of his friend and stepped back. Seeing a slight frown on the face of his winged friend, the worries that was shoved into the deepest and the darkest part of his mind was slowly resurfacing. He was about to ask Genesis if he is feeling alright, but before he could do that, the metallic door burst opened and a panting silver hair teen leaning on the doorframe.
When the cat-like eyes fell on the young blond hair swordsman, a large smile graced the silver hair teen as he dashed towards Cloud and yelled 'NII-SAN!' throwing himself on the spiky hair teen and pulled him into a bear-like hug, with his face buried on the other's shoulder.
'Nice to see again too Kadaj... But you are kind of chocking me here.' Cloud said after a moment.
'You worried me to Hell Nii-san...' The blond heard Kadaj's sobbing response and he could feel the dampness on his sweater.
He gently placed his hands over the back of his "brother", where his fingertips smoothed the tensed muscles underneath the black leather, while he whispered comforting words to the young boy like a mother did to a frighten child: 'It's ok Kadaj, I'm here now. I'm not going to disappear or anything, I'll just be here.'
'Promise?' Kadaj asked as he pulled back a little and looked into the blue sky eyes of the blond with his slightly red green orbs.
Cloud rolled his eyes in exasperation before he ruffled the hair of the silver hair teen playfully as he answered: 'Promise. Now can you let go of me? You little devil incarnated!'
Kadaj laughed as he pulled back from the blond and caught the hand that was ruffling his hair, and then he pulled the swordsman towards the entrance saying: 'Come on, Nii-san! You gotta see what's inside looks like.'
'Su-sure...' Cloud replied hesitantly as images flashed in his mind. He was standing on the deck of the ship, looking around him; a blond hair man in his early thirties stood next to the pilot controls smoking a cigarette, a muscular black man with a right gun-arm, a red lion-like creature with a flaming tail stood next to Vincent at the back, a short petite brunette wearing a white headband and a large white protective gauntlet over her left arm, next to her was Tifa who wore a white shirt that bares her stomach with a black miniskirt, beside her was a robotic toy-cat of some kind sitting on top of a giant mechanic stuffed toy Moogle.
That's your team, or rather your future self's team... The young blond looked over his shoulder to see Genesis following them a few steps behind.
I know, but still... It's a little weird to know certain things about the future... Cloud told Genesis telepathically as the three of them walked passed a little girl, looking slightly green, crouching over the railing of a metal bridge opposite of the one they were on. And seeing a younger version of one of the team's members.
When they reached the Command Deck of the ship, they were greeted by an irritated-looking blond hair man who, when they stepped in, stomped towards the auburn hair man and shouted: 'There you are you goddamn Lunatic! I was about to wonder if you have died in the Chocobo Stable or something!'
'The "Lunatic" you are referring to, Cid Highwind, is behind the one who you are shouting at.' A smooth voice said, causing everyone's attention to turn at the deck's entrance.
'HOLY SHIT!' Cid shouted out loud as he jumped back, pointing at the two auburn hair men. 'YOU TWO ARE TWINS!'
I wouldn't be so sure, if I were you. Cloud thought as he smirked in amusement at the scene before him, holding the hand of Kadaj tightly in his. For once, after everything he had been through, he was finally feeling safe, seeing that the three most important friends he cared for were now standing with him.
***
After their little amusing misunderstanding, Cid announced to them that they will reach Midgar around midnight and told them to get some good rest or he'll impale them with his spear. Kadaj had dragged him all over the ship to show things, which he had already seen in the memories of his future self, but it's still interesting to see the ship in a cleaner state. His little tour took like hours, an hour for each room they visited, before his silver hair guide decided that he should rest and left him alone in a small room with a single bed and chair, but since he had already slept for almost a week, Cloud decided to go the Main Deck for some fresh air.
The night's darkness had already took over the bright clear sky, only the stars hung over the black cloth of the night shone brightly in this endless darkness. Cloud walked towards the railing and resting his arms over it, his gaze lost in the sea of shiny gems on the sky.
He stared at them for a very long time before he felt a presence behind him, but he doesn't need to turn around to see who's behind him as he asked: 'Do you mind if I ask you to join me?'
Looks like your instincts had sharpened since we got separated... Moon replied in his mind as he walked to his side. The young swordsman shook his head.
'No, I don't think it's my instincts.' The blond told the auburn hair man as he looked into the azure bright eyes. 'I think it's my heart that had told me it was you.'
Moon simply shrugged and turned to stare at the stars just like the blond a few seconds ago and the blond returned his gaze to them too, but his blue sky eyes couldn't focus on them like he did before the man came, the uneasiness seemed to haunt him every time he is close to either Moon or Genesis.
'Moon...' Cloud said the name barely above a whisper. 'Are we all going to be alright?'
'Why do you ask?'
'I don't know, I'm just... Worry, I guess...' It's as simple as he could put it in words for this uneasiness he felt. Something kept telling him that something's wrong, it's like he is walking weaponless in a pitch black forest where beasts and demons were waiting for him to come closer to them and eat him raw, but at the same time, it was like he was walking in an too quiet and too empty corridor with only one door in front of him. The mere thought of it made Cloud shivered and wrapped his arms around himself.
Then he felt Moon's arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer to his chest, this action caused the young blond to blush slightly, and rested his forehead against his with his eyes closed as he said: 'Don't worry. I'll protect you.'
Why is everyone thinking that I need to be protected? Cloud wondered before he voiced it out loud.
'I didn't want to protect you because you need to be protected. It is because you are important to me...' Moon replied as he reopened his eyes and pulled back a little, his arms fell to the boy's waist. 'I don't want to lose you...'
The young swordsman was staring deep into the azure blue eyes as the man said those words, all he saw in those eyes were truthfulness and genuine feelings. He slowly, almost hesitantly, placed his hands on the face of his friend, feeling and tracing every curve and every detail of his features. When his hands had remembered everything, he placed them on the winged man's shoulders and pressed his lips against his, closing his eyes, wanting the warmth he had felt before, which had made him forget the burdens he had.
Cloud felt Moon became still for moment, surprised by his action probably, but he didn't care, he just want this moment to last as long as it could, so he could keep it deep inside his sea of memories, where it will stay forever. A memory made after infusing himself with his future self's memories, a memory which hadn't been modified by himself or someone else, a memory that truly belongs to him.
The blond only pulled back when he felt his lungs were burning for the need of air and rested his head on Moon's chest, listening to his heartbeats, which calmed his spirit. The crimson coated man lifted one hand up and ran his fingers through the unruly blond spikes of the young swordsman in his arms.
Remember Cloud, I'll always be there when you needed me, when you call out my name. I promise I'll be there... Moon whispered gently in his mind.
Protect others or being protected, no longer bothered Cloud anymore. Because he had a promise, a promise that someone will always be there for him. No one, not even JENOVA or Gaia, will be able to break that promise. He knew that Moon will make sure of that.
I know you will... Cloud replied mentally as a smile graced his lips.
I don't know why I am having so much trouble to continue writing things that my mind started to imagine scene as stupid as this one. Please review and tell what you guys think about it! I'm really going to try and speed things up for next chapter! So stay tune!
