Chapter 6
Cloud was down on the beach trying to catch his breath. Sephiroth raised his sword high above the blondes head and brought down his wicked blade not letting Cloud rest. The blonde managed to avoid the sharp blade of Masamune by rolling to the side and reclaiming his sword that was out of his reach earlier. Without any thought the Blonde raised the heavy weapon in time to deflect another blow from Sephiroth. Ignoring the pain in his arms, his muscles have grown severely tired with this duel against Sephiroth.
'Why is he so difficult to beat now I killed him three times before?" Cloud was interrupted from his thoughts when The Silver haired Elite disarmed Cloud again and placed his blade at the blonde's throat.
"Dead." The man said before sheathing his sword. Cloud fell to his butt as he tried to recover. Looking up Cloud watched how the most powerful soldier wiped off the sweat from his forehead. Cloud noticed the man trying to regain his breath, but it was well hidden.
Zack whistled at the fight he just witnessed while Peringo was impatiently gripping the handle to his axe. They watched as Cloud just lied down to enjoy the gentle breeze, while Sephiroth massaged his wrist while stretching out his arms.
"I don't think I have ever seen anyone push Sephiroth that hard in swordsman ship. Except for the few times Genesis and Ageal face him at the same time." Zack said impressed recalling the few times Sephiroth was on the defensive earlier on when Cloud defused his sword to engage in a faster paced battle before reengaging the blades to deliver a mighty blow that cause the Sand around them to rise.
"I haven't gotten this pumped over a fight since the time I was cornered by assassins." Peringo said. Zack looked over at the only warrior from the future…. Well cloud's future.
"Assassins why would you be a target?"
"In my time I lead a rebellion against the man in charge, he sent his best assassins after me, luckily I inherited my mother's sixth sense and knew they were there right before the ambush."
"Sixth sense."
"My mom was a warrior from Gran pulse, they are a little more tribalistic but it came with an amazing sense of the environment. You can't really sneak up on us."
"Your mother sounds like a great warrior."
"She was more of a huntress."
Zack laughed a little as he took in the other mans appeal. The fact that the younger warrior wore tribalistic accessories, over his buttoned shirt. Peringo' change out of his casual attire and was currently wearing his normal battle gear which consists of a Purple muscle shirt and Dark fur gauntlets with padded leather pants. The man sported some tattoos on his arms that sort of resembled a wild dog of some sort. The two Warriors out of their time period quickly looked to back to Cloud only to notice that the blonde was already walking away.
"He said something about having to go talk to someone." Sephiroth said Taking his place near them. On closer inspection Zack could tell the man was tired and in some pain. While Peringo thought that Sephiroth wasn't affected by Cloud at all.
"Hey how about you face me in battle I would like to test myself on the great Sephiroth." Peringo said to the Great General.
"Maybe another time kid, first I need to return the feeling in my arms."
"Did he make you work that hard?" Zack asked his friend.
"He hit's just as hard as you do, except he has the freedom to counter his Blades awkwardness with the ability to disengage a smaller blade. It was extremely difficult and I was forced to absorb the shock of his blows. He struck too fast for me to parry or avoid."
"Wow I wished the great Sephiroth would complement me like that." Zack said earning a small laugh from the General.
"Then learn how to counter use a sword and not a wall." Sephiroth said causing the younger soldier to laugh. Peringo smiled at the comparison of Zack's choice of weapon.
Cloud quickly made his way to his room in the local inn, washing away the sweat and putting on a red shirt with some dark jeans. And made his way out. 'I have to speak with Claire; we can't just keep avoiding each other.' With that thought in mind Cloud decided to take a taxi to Claire's home leaving his bike behind.
On the ride to Claire's house cloud thought about what happened with Tifa just three days ago. "You're not going to leave us, are you…Dad?" Cloud froze and looked over his shoulder to look into his son's eyes, and soon regretted it. Denzel had a tear in his eye after realizing that he might lose the man he learned to call Father.
Cloud turned around and got on one knee to give his son a hug, "Give me some time, Denzel. I Promise I won't abandon you, I just need to clear things out a bit." Cloud felt the young boy nod his head and return the hug. Cloud broke the hug sending Tifa a final look as the woman who lived with him for many years avoided eye contact drying her tears.
"What am I going to tell Claire?" Cloud said in the back of the taxi.
"Having women problems." The driver asked.
"You have no idea, I messed up so hard."
"How bad."
"I have to choose between my son or the love of my life."
The driver gave a whistle, "I don't know how you can get into a situation like that."
"Trust me I have no idea how I got into this situation either." Cloud gave a dry chuckle.
"Well I'm not sure what you did but all I know is no matter what choice you make, things will never be the same."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"Then how about this, sometime your choices don't change what will happen but can change how people react to it."
"What do you mean?"
"People think you can't change fate. In a way their right, you can't control what happens in the future, but what you do now can prepare you for it. And by how prepared you are Fate can be changed even in the slightest ways." The taxi driver saw the confused face of Cloud and sighed, "Look I'm just a taxi driver so sorry if I didn't explain it better."
"No I think I get what you're saying." Cloud said trying to make the man not feel foolish but still feeling somewhat confused.
"Well I'm just saying you can't change the fact something will happen, but you can change how it happens." The driver finnaly arrived at the house and stopped the vehicle. Cloud paid the man and left the car making his way to the house. Knocking on the front door, he saw the surprised look of Serah open the door before the younger Farron became cautious around the Blonde.
"How can I help you?" she said.
"Is Light here, I need to speak to her." Cloud asked nervously scratching the back of his head.
"It's been almost a month and you tried to talk to her now." Serah said a little heated.
"I know I was afraid of hurting her."
"A little late for that don't you think. She is currently on patrol and will be back in an hour."
"I…your right. Just tell her I came by." Cloud turned to leave but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Tell her yourself when she gets here." Snow said turning the shorter man around. Snow stood in front of his wife, giving Cloud a look full of pity. Serah was about to say something until Snow spoke again, "It is unhealthy to just keep ignoring each other, plus Claire has been on a depressing mood lately, I believe a small chat can help."
"You think he can fix everything by just talking?" Serah said annoyed.
"No but it's a start." With that said Serah backed down before turning to Cloud apologizing about her rude behavior. Before letting the man into the house. Cloud looked at Snow about to speak before the taller man raised a hand stopping him.
"I suggest you don't speak to me, I suggest you use then time you have left to prepare for Lightning. " Cloud nodded before making his way to the couch leaning forward with his hands clasped together as he waited.
Serah pulled her husband to the kitchen, "Do you truly believe this is the right thing, we don't know if She will just leave just at the sight of him."
"We have to try something Serah I don't like hearing Lightning's sobs at night. It reminds me how fragile she can be, and that is a terrifying thing. We have to make sure they talk even if it means we have to shove the two into a room and Lock the door."
Serah sighed knowing that her husband was right, "I can't believe your right for once." Snow pulled her in for a kiss.
"Oh give me some credit, I'm mostly right." Serah raised a brow and the man grinned nervously, "Ok sometimes right."
Cloud spent most of his time wondering how to react to Lightning, if she chose to leave the house once seeing him, if she will through a yelling fit, or even if she flat out fought him. But nothing prepared the man for what had just happened. Just a few minutes ago Lightning came home and Ignored Cloud one hundred percent, to words, no actions, not even a facial expression at him being in her home. She just walked by him, throwing the coat of her uniform on the rack and into her room. While ignoring Cloud's greeting leaving the Blonde in the middle of the house completely frozen.
Snapping out of his shock Cloud made his way to the door, lightly tapping it before calling out her name. "Claire, can we talk….." Cloud was barely able to finish his sentence when the door opened to reveal Claire 'Lightning' Farron's tear stained face, and redden eyes.
"How could you?" Was the only thing she said breaking Cloud's heart. Speechless Cloud looked away from Her before She forced him to look into her eyes, "Don't you dare look away from me Cloud. Answer me!" She raised her hand to smack him only to stop half way in shock.
There before her very eyes, Cloud strife was crying silent tears refusing to break eye contact. "I'm sorry…. I'm…." Cloud quickly covered his mouth with his hand as he tried to control his tears, before his body started to shake. Sharp deep breaths were taken as the man tried to stop himself from crying out right.
Cloud tried to speak again only to cover his mouth again trying to control himself. Lightning's tears stopped as she now looked at the man with pain. "Sit down we have a lot to talk about." Claire said as the blonde walked into her room. And they both sat on the bed waiting for cloud to cry out the tears he held back for the past month.
"Wow I never thought I would see Cloud cry." Serah said walking back to the living room with her husband; both were watching nearby to make sure Cloud and Lightning spoke to each other. They surely didn't expect for the Blonde to break into tears.
"They are too much alike; they bottle up their emotions and force themselves to look strong in front of others. But when they are alone. They are more fragile than Glass. I thought that Cloud talking to Clair could help her, but it seems she is going to help him more." Snow said. "They truly loved each other. They are meant to be together. We have to support them."
Serah just smiled livingly to her husband, "Once again it seems your right."
"I told you I'm mostly right."
"Sometimes" Serah corrected.
"Sometimes right." Snow said before kissing his wife again.