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Warning: Spoilers, AU, language and C/S.
The Complete Opposite
By Kaz
Chapter VII
Bugenhagen settled down on his couch, Nanaki at his feet, rubbing against his leg. The elderly man patted the lion's head absently, a frown set on his face.
Red frowned inwardly as he noticed this, nipping at his Grandfather's hand to call his attention.
"What is it?"
Bugenhagen looked down at the lion and sighed, shaking his head. "I will admit, Nanaki, this Cloud Strife we see now is far different than know him by. I do not ever doubt your instincts, but fear what they mean. You would agree with me if you saw what I did. It is a great mystery, Nanaki."
Red rested his head in the elderly's palm. "What was it, Grandfather? What did you see?"
"Instead of familiar insanity, I saw the emotions of a normal person, confusion and hopelessness evident in his bright eyes. The glow we see now is not that of insanity or childish madness, but more like our Ex-General."
Red tilted his head to the side, noting how the man did not look at him as he spoke, but rather in front of him at something only he could see, brows furrowed, eyes slightly narrowed, and his hand stroking absently as the lion's muzzle. "Mako?"
Bugenhagen nodded slightly. "Yes. Exactly. It is strange, Nanaki, but he proves to be no threat. The Planet calls for something, and I like to say it was him, but if anyone ever heard me say that they would call it insanity or blissful hope." Finally looking back down to face the lion, he asked, "Is it?"
Red shook his head. "No, Grandfather. I would like to think so too. Perhaps Gaea is saying that she wants him here?"
Bugenhagen shook his head uncertainly. "I am not sure. Perhaps, Nanaki."
Red shook his head, nuzzling the man's hand before getting up, excusing himself to see his comrades while the man thought some more.
As it turned out, Cloud Strife indeed proved to be of no threat, staying confined in his room. Barret, when he first heard, boiled with anger, demanding to see blood spilt. But Sephiroth denied the large man his wish and left Cloud alone, Vincent, Zack, Red or himself guarding the door every few hours out of caution. Still, Cloud Strife made no move, food presented to him left untouched except for the bread and water.
On the third day, Vincent, Zack, Red and Sephiroth gathered around the dining hall of the inn, eating and talking that early morning before Zack took the first shift in guarding the blonde's door.
"Man..." Zack yawned, half covering his mouth with his hand. "Why the hell are we up this early in the morning again?"
Sephiroth merely glanced at the obsidian-haired man next to him before returning to his thoughts, sipping at his morning drink.
"Did you not get enough sleep last night, Zack?" Red asked from his spot on the bench next to Vincent, curled into a semi-ball, tail dangling over the side.
Zack grinned mischievously. "Yeah, I was a busy man."
Vincent hid his smile while Sephiroth, pulling out of his thoughts just to hear this, suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at the comment.
"No one needs to know of your sexual life."
Zack mocked a half hurt, half surprised look. "Sephiroth! Why I never! I wouldn't think you'd even know such a thing! My, you have a dirty mind!"
The silver-haired man threw the other an annoyed look, growling slightly. He lifted his mug to his lips, refusing to comment. And even if he did, he would've been interrupted when he heard opening and closing of a door followed by a muffled shriek. Turning his head sharply in the direction of the noise, he caught sight of blonde hair just in time before a door blocked his view.
"Hey, wasn't that-?"
Sephiroth put down his cup and quickly stood up, cutting Zack off. "Let's go."
The three followed the Ex-General out of the inn, following the blonde man they spotted earlier. They didn't bother in calling the others, the blonde their first priority. They weren't willing to lose sight of him as he looked from left to right, seeming to be searching for something.
Apparently, that "something" led him out of Cosmo Canyon, following the rocky path till he came upon the forest that lay on a cliff many kilometers above the already raised terrain.
Cloud frowned. He had heard it again. It was faint, really, but as he continued to walk, it began to become louder. Was it music? Talking? Humming? He didn't know how to describe it. Actually, there was no way to describe it at all. As he let his feet carry him, he found himself standing outside the Ancient Forest where he and AVALANCHE picked up useful items after Ultimate WEAPON died just by it, causing part of the cliff to crumble and create a rough and rather dangerous slope to climb up to the Forest. And why he was here now, he didn't know. Cloud looked around as he entered the majestic place, exotic plants surrounding him. Following the noise in his head, letting his feet take him to his destination, he hopped across a several crags and ducked under a stone structure until his path was smooth and fairly straight, several reddish plants hanging overhead. As he looked up at them, an insect flew over his head. Cloud ducked as it circled back, disappearing after so.
He made a small noise in response to the insect's action before continuing on, stopping short as he saw a flicker of pale green light. Curiosity could not have served him at a worse time as he approached the light, stopping dead when he saw what - or who - it was.
A woman that was far older than she looked, with pale hair that barely brushed against the floor of the Forest and striking pale blue eyes stood still, wearing a simple auburn dress that passed over her bare feet that hovered just inches off the ground. Though she appeared differently than he last remembered her, Cloud knew who she was just by looking her, knowing in his heart who she was.
"JENOVA..." was his low growl as he faced the woman, fists clenched. He cursed himself inwardly for not swiping back his sword, especially now when he faced her. Alone.
The woman smiled lightly, stepping forward until she was but a few meters away, tilting her head to the side slightly. And without opening her mouth, her voice rang in the air.
Ah, my son...
Cloud frowned deeply, partially confused and angry that she called him such. "I'm not your son."
The woman, just an inch or two shorter than the blonde, smirked slightly before falling back into her small smile. She vanished and reappeared in front of the Cloud, hands extending upwards to cup the sides of his face.
Cloud flinched, shrinking away from the woman's yet-to-be touch. "Don't touch me."
You refuse a mother's touch? She frowned slightly before continuing, again smiling. But then again, you aren't really him, are you?
"Him?" Cloud repeated.
No, not Sephiroth, though the idea is tempting, considering he was stronger than you. Or... rather, he was stronger than Cloud Strife. You are not him.
Cloud stepped back, putting a few more feet between them. "What are you talking about, JENOVA?" he demanded, eyes narrowing.
JENOVA laughed, covering her closed mouth with a hand, stepping back herself. Oh, don't worry, you ARE Cloud Strife, but not HIM. Ah, you are far more powerful, and you... She paused to look him over. Yes, you have grown nicely, not as he was. But your battles must've helped you with that, I'm sure. Tell me, what was it like, on her Planet, struggling to live? Isn't life here more enjoyable?
"...Enjoyable? What?"
The woman twirled around, seeming to dance as she continued. Ah, you don't know the entire truth, do you? Hmm... Shame, really. If you knew, then you would understand and finally realize why it would be best to come with me. She stopped to face him, a small smirk on her lips. I could show you, you know. I could tell you the truth. Though he would be greatly furious with my action, he would be grateful if you knew. Though... I suspect he would want to tell you himself.
"Who!" Cloud shouted for the first time in two years. JENOVA wasn't giving him a straight answer, always mentioning a 'him' and 'truth' that he didn't know.
Don't be so impatient, my child. All will be told when you are ready. When time is ready... She paused to tilt her head to the side, pursing her lips together in thought. After a long silence, she said, ... Though, I could just tell you. I could bring you to the place where all truths are held and you will know everything that you want to know. Do you?
Cloud stepped forward, about to agree when he caught himself. Agree? To go with JENOVA to some unholy and unnamed land with who-knew-what lying around? No. Cloud wouldn't fall for the trick. Growling, he turned to JENOVA and clenched his fists at his sides. Though he wanted to know badly what it was that he was being held from, it was like she said: All will be told when you are ready. When time is ready...
Come, my child...
"No."
JENOVA frowned. What?
"No," he repeated firmly. "I will not follow you to some land where you will fill me with lies. You have toyed with me once and nearly killed me, JENOVA. I will not listen to you again."
JENOVA's frown deepened, anger flickering in her eyes for just a moment. Are you defying me, child?
Cloud stepped forward boldly. "Yes."
How dare you.
"I don't give a damn, JENOVA."
And without another word, he rushed forward, intending to show this feminine monstrosity that faked her innocence on him once before how much he didn't want her around.
He swept his leg in the air, bringing a fast uppercut before slamming his elbow back.
JENOVA hissed. You will regret this!
Cloud paid the woman no attention as he punched her several times, making sure to make his assaults quick and damaging, pouring his hatred for the woman into each hit. His body and mind screamed for her to die, for her to disappear, for her to eternally stay out of his life and leave him alone. It was because of her that he experienced so much pain and sorrow, gaining amnesia for the longest period of his life, all because of her and how she turned the Planet upside down with her sickening and insane plans.
With a cry of defiance and anger, he threw a hard right at the woman's face. JENOVA flew back several feet, hitting a nearby tree, sliding down to the ground slowly. It was a moment until she looked up, growling.
You are different than I thought, my son. Perhaps even stronger than I thought as well... But nonetheless YOU WILL BE PUNISHED!
Cloud rushed forward, yelling, "I WILL NOT LET YOU CONTROL MY LIFE, JENOVA!"
He dropped to the ground at the last moment, swinging his leg around. But as the woman flew, he punched his fist out in the air, casting a fire spell at the same time, sending it after her. The flame engulfed her body, seeming to incinerate it. But as the flame died down, there seemed to be nothing left. She had disappeared.
Cloud's mouth twisted into a snarl, turning around immediately to face the feminine monstrosity as she floated in the air just feet above him, glowering down at him. His hands formed into tight fists, shifting his body back into an offensive stance.
JENOVA snarled. You have won this battle, my child, but this is only the beginning. You will soon realize that you have made a grave mistake in choosing to defy me.
Around Cloud's fists were flames created by the materia hidden in his gloves. His eyes seemed to be on fire as well, adding to its unnatural glow. But JENOVA did not strike. Instead, with a shriek, she vanished, thick green liquid raining from where she was. Cloud jumped back, barely missing the flow of liquid that acted like acid, burning the front of his uniform and the ground where he was. Leather straps fell, his shoulder guard sliding a bit. Cloud stared at the ground where the green acidic liquid ate the grass and dirt, bubbling. His ears were ringing.
"I am not your child..." he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
He glared momentarily at ground before lifting his head, anger melting as footsteps neared him. He looked up to see a tall silver-haired man approach him, hand warily at his side. Behind him were three others, all warily approaching him, though behind the silver-haired man, hands positioned over their weapons.
Cloud locked gazes with Sephiroth, setting his jaw.
"Cloud Strife."
"Sephiroth..." he responded.
AN: I was eating Hapi Party Mix when I was typing this, and I have to say that it kinda got me hungry. I was also listening to Wicked Games from some cd my bro got. Though it has nothing to do with the story, that's okay. I just wanted to share. So, what did you think of the chapter? Like? No like? Want more? Then please review and leave me a message! I'll bring more up soon!