A fever took hold of Sephiroth. All the while Cloud never left his side. Eventually Kadaj visited and stayed with them.
"They don't like me. Or Sephiroth. All they see is mother in us." Kadaj angrily hissed.
And suddenly their guards made a lot more sense. Cloud wondered if Rufus had known or if he suspected as such and decided to not give chances. He supposed it was good of him to do so.
"Perhaps we shouldn't stay here when he heals." Cloud suggested.
"If he heals." Kadaj wasn't so hopeful.
"He will." Cloud was determined. Kadaj stared and didn't argue.
A few days later the fever passed. However Sephiroth wouldn't wake up. Aerith explained he slipped into a coma.
"How do I help him?" Cloud asked.
"Use the bond to guide him back. But understand that I think this will make your hearts into one. If one of you ever dies, so will the other. And it is known sometimes that there will also be physical changes."
This was news. Then again it wasn't something that she deemed necessary to bring up until it was close enough. If Cloud had learned this detail in the beginning then he wouldn't be so calm about it compared to now.
"Like what?" He tilted his head.
"It's random. Sometimes it's the hair color. But the rarest would be the eyes changing colors." Aerith wasn't sure which will be the case for these two.
"How do I guide him back through the bond?" Cloud asked.
"Meditating usually helps. This isn't meant to have help from herbs." Meaning Aerith wasn't going to make anything that would help the matter.
So Cloud meditated as he laid next to Sephiroth. He must have done something right when a vision brought him to a dark and ominous forest. There were no leaves on the trees.
"Sephiroth?" Cloud called out.
"Don't come closer." The baritone voice insisted.
"I'm here to guide you back." Cloud wasn't going to leave him.
"And tie our lives together?" He seemed surprised.
"Forever. Yes, I'm ready." The blond wandered into what he hoped was the direction he needed to go.
"Even when I'm like this?" Suddenly he appeared and Cloud gasped.
He was naked, but from the waist down were endless wings. All of them were white and various lengths. Cloud knew he should be afraid, but he didn't sense any terror in his chest.
"Yes." Cloud replied.
Sephiroth blinked. Honestly, he shouldn't be this surprised. The strange form moved closer. Their hands that bound them together intertwined. Fingers squeezing as if afraid of letting go.
"You wish me of your own accord?" Sephiroth asked. "Despite all that I have done, whether it be to you or others that suffered from my actions?"
"I'm here, aren't I?" Cloud didn't think this place would make Sephiroth so morose.
"I can sense her. She's not fully gone. She aims to influence me even from beyond this realm. She wants me to destroy and burn everything. I have stayed here in the hopes she doesn't try on Kadaj."
How can she have power even in death? It was a wonder. But the solution was clear.
"Can we find her here? I can help you defeat her again. Wipe her completely out of existence."
"I do not know if it will work. But we can try." Sephiroth seemed relieved that Cloud was willing to help.
So they traversed together through the forest. It was the same no matter which way. But Sephiroth has a sense of where to find her. After all if she can influence him then the connection can double as a means for them to locate her.
They found her. Her form was hideous. She was now a giant form with several arms like an octopus. Cloud had seen them among the fishnets.
Cloud took a stance. His sword appeared in his hands. Sephiroth swung his weapon at her to strike first. Together they worked in unison to attack her as she shrieks at them.
It was a long and gruesome battle. She would send those tentacle arms in waves from the ground. Cloud turned to cut them all down while Sephiroth focuses on her head on.
Around them the trees changed. They became fleshy and blood dripping down. Even the floor they stood on changed. Cloud had to remain careful he doesn't slip.
Until finally it was nearing the end of the fight. She let out a terrible shriek. It was ear splitting and both Cloud and Sephiroth flinched. They turned to face each other with one last confirmation to attack.
Together they lunged with their swords in hand. Their attacks hit and the action cut the shriek short. There was a gurgle and then the body slumps down. It changed from the hideous form into the headless body that she was.
Sephiroth changed back to normal. The wings gave way to his legs. He stared in amazement. Cloud dropped his sword to pull the other into a hug.
The hug became a kiss. Cloud pulled away to stare into other worldly eyes. Sephiroth stared a little confused.
"Your eyes. They're mine." Sephiroth stated calmly. It was a strange but welcoming sight.
"Aerith mentioned when our hearts become one there might be some physical changes. Yours is the same, though. Perhaps it's just me who will change?" Cloud didn't mind.
"Perhaps that vision of yours finally came true. I took flight where you couldn't reach me. I offer my hand so you can follow." Sephiroth made the connection. Cloud nodded, and suddenly it made sense. Why did the first vision have to be so cryptic, though?
"Let us leave this place." Sephiroth was eager to put this behind them.
Cloud lead the way. Together they awoke at the same time. Aerith gasped at the twin pairs of otherworldly eyes staring at her. Even Kadaj checked and smirked.
"Guess you're one of us now."
"Do you mind giving us a bit of space?" Sephiroth wrapped his arm around the blond.
"Oh, no mister! I have to check your stab wound first!" Aerith placed her hands on her hips.
"Gotta listen to the healer." Cloud laughed.
"Fine. Then afterwards can we have a moment to ourselves?" Sephiroth gave in.
"I guess. Only because you spent a good amount of days in a coma." Aerith sighed.
Kadaj promptly left to stretch his legs. Aerith deemed the wound is healing nicely. She still changed the bandages before taking her leave.
"Don't strain yourself too much." Aerith sent them a knowing smile.
The following days were spent helping Rufus settle in the transfer of power. Sephiroth was still a respected voice in the matters. He even turned down being named heir since Rufus wasn't fully interested taking a queen.
"What if I ask Cloud?" Rufus turned to the younger blond.
"Sorry. Cid has a better chance of claiming me." Cloud scoffed.
"Where will you go, then? If you won't stay here." The king wondered.
"Wherever the stars will take us." Sephiroth didn't have a destination in mind.
"Can we stop by my old village?" Cloud hadn't seen home in so long.
"Of course." It was where everything began between them.
"When the cusp of winter is coming?" Rufus had a point.
"We will leave in spring. Whether my brother joins us is up to him." Sephiroth was giving him the option.
"I'm not staying here." Kadaj crossed his arms. "Besides, it's not like I got to see the world."
"That means you listen to us. Even Cloud." Sephiroth urged, and his brother sighed.
"Fine. I'll listen." Kadaj gave in.
"Wish I can go with you guys. But, well, Aerith is set on staying. And being the only Seer here we can't really leave." Zack spoke up, having heard some of the conversation.
"We'll come visit." Cloud promised.
"You better! Else you'll miss out on your uncle privileges." Aerith smiled at the shocked reactions.
"Wait, are you..." Zack was in shock.
"A month has gone by without a bleed. I wanted to talk in private, but I had to say something." She smiled as he hugged her in pure joy.
"Then we will definitely come visit." Cloud was happy for them.
All around he was happy for all of his friends. Biggs and Wedge earned themselves respect for helping Barret fight back and organize the survivors. Even Rufus takes into consideration of whatever Barret has to say about something.
Tifa was the last to come around one winter evening.
"So I heard you're going home." She spoke up.
"Not really. Visiting, yes. You interested in coming?" Cloud wondered.
"I don't think I can. Everything has changed. You most of all." Tifa pointed at his eyes.
"I'm still myself, Tifa." He stared.
"You don't see it? You've become like Sephiroth. In mannerisms, even the way you talk. I don't think I can go back home knowing how we both changed. It would be like burying who we used to be. And I don't think I'm ready for it yet." Tifa sighed.
"Well, if you ever change your mind let me know." Cloud figured he might as well leave the offer on the table.
"Just be sure to come back and visit."
"We will." It was a lie, but he knew better than to tell the truth.
He and Sephiroth knew in their hearts they won't come back. As they watched everyone go about their days, recovering, moving on with their lives, it felt like they were stuck in time. Sephiroth was the first to bring it up one night.
"I don't see us coming back."
"Then we don't." Cloud agreed.
"Even if they resent us in going against our word?" Sephiroth wondered.
"Let them. You're the only person who is important to me. But will we really bring Kadaj into that life of an exile?" The blond had a point.
That was unfair on him. Still young and a whole lot of years ahead of him. So Sephiroth brought up a proposition.
"Name Kadaj my heir?" Rufus stared.
"He's still got a lot to learn. And at this age you won't have to worry about raising him. More like, guiding him to the right path." Sephiroth suggested.
"It could put you in better light. That you accept the blood of the old family to join yours." Tseng was keen on the idea.
"And the boy?" Rufus wondered.
"He will be angry. But he will listen to me. Only if you agree to accept him." Sephiroth remained honest.
"Very well then. In the end we still join our family trees." The king agreed.
It was as Sephiroth predicted. Kadaj was angry at first. But after many talks he calmed down. And slowly he grew to like the idea. A princely life was all he knew. Now he was the sole heir.
When the long winter melted away into spring, Sephiroth chose when they would leave. As they made the preparations everyone wanted to say a farewell. It was hard for Cloud to keep up the appearances that they will surely visit.
"You won't come back, will you." Aerith picked up on this and pulled him aside.
"I...I'm sorry." Cloud hated that she could pick up on his distress signals.
"I hope you find what you're looking for." She accepted his apology.
She never told the others. It was a secret Aerith was willing to keep. And she understood why they were doing this. It made the goodbyes easier.
The day finally came. Sephiroth charted their course. And Cloud was eager to get going. He accepted everyone's hugs even though he wasn't known for it.
"You take care. Be sure to come back and visit!" Zack squeezed tight.
"We will. Can't miss out on being an uncle." Cloud laughed.
It got easier when they set sail and Midgar slowly being left behind. When it was a spec on the horizon Cloud breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to Sephiroth.
"Let's go back to where it all started. Then wherever we end up afterwards, is where we'll be."
"Home is with you. Even if we settle alone somewhere. It is for the best." Sephiroth agreed.
Cloud reached for their hands to intertwine. He felt the warmth as Sephiroth squeezed back.