Wow, over 100 reviews... Thank you all so much! I honestly never thought when I started writing this that it would have such a great reception, so thank you to every one for making this story such a fun and worth while write!
The air base located in the Nibel Mountains was smaller than average with an air tarmac that would only house maybe ten to fifteen air crafts at maximum, and barely enough personnel to keep the place running smoothly. When Cloud, Zack and Angeal disembarked early the morning after commandeering a ride on an airship, the air base seemed next to deserted with only those willing to brave the cold moving about the outer areas of the base preparing for the next day.
A sense of nostalgia ran through Cloud as he looked up at the mountains he had once called home. They looked no different from the few delivery visits he had made in the years previous to the Darkness, but he knew that the quaint little village he had grown up in would still be there, as would his mother, a young Tifa, and all the people who had once looked down upon him because he was different.
With a small breath, Cloud forced all emotion and memories to the back of his mind and made his way across the tarmac towards the start of the foot track that would take them directly to Nibelheim. Zack and Angeal shared a concerned glance before following their blond companion.
"Uh, Cloud?" Zack asked looking around as they moved closer to the edge of the base, "Aren't we gonna get a truck or something?"
"No, the only driving tracks take longer as they need to go around the mountain." Cloud answered.
"Around the mountain? Why?" Zack asked.
"Direct tracks are to dangerous to safely travel, and the vehicles need to be careful to avoid the dragon nests."
"Dragon nests?!" Zack exclaimed, earning a dry chuckle from Cloud.
"Yeah, dragon nests. The mothers tend to get very grumpy when a machine of any sort goes too close to their nests. Humans don't bother them as much."
"Well, how long will it take to get there?" Zack wondered.
"Relax Puppy, it's only a few hours walk." Angeal answered, ruffling Zack's hair as they left the tarmac and the boundary of the base and began their trek up the mountain.
The first few hours were spent in relative silence, the only conversation being when Zack would ask about certain areas or things that caught his attention as they passed and Cloud or Angeal answering. It was obvious that Cloud knew the terrain exceptionally well, and he was able to guide them past any trouble that they were likely to encounter with ease. The blond had even decided to take a small detour at one point to show Zack one of the Dragon nests not to far from the main track that he had once stumbled upon himself.
Around midday the trio stopped for a small break under the shade of a rocky outcrop, they were only about an hour out of Nibelheim now and they all wanted to be rested up for any trouble that they could encounter with the prior knowledge that their enemy would be close by.
"They really need to have transport up this way." Zack commented after sitting down, "We would have been there hours ago."
"They do eventually." Cloud said, remembering the track he took while on Fenrir. "But not until they force the dragons out."
"Thank Shiva." Zack muttered. "I never realised how good public transport was until now."
"Stop complaining Zack," Cloud admonished good naturedly "It's just a single mountain."
"They don't have much transport in Gongaga, Puppy." Angeal reminded with a chuckle.
"But it's not all up hill there!" Zack pouted.
Both Angeal and Cloud chuckled at Zack's antics before they all stood up and continued walking. The closer Cloud got to Nibelheim though, the more he found his mind consumed with doubts about what was to come.
XxXxX
When Nibelheim came into view Cloud found himself slowing down to a complete stop. Everything was exactly the same as he remembered it. It shouldn't have been a shock but it still gave him pause. He could see all the familiar villagers going about their daily business as they always had, not the paid 'replacements' that had been brought in after Sephiroth burned the town. It was surreal; knowing what it would look like, and seeing it were completely different concepts.
"Cloud? You ok Buddy?" Zack's voice broke through Cloud's thoughts, causing the blond to focus on the two men standing slightly in front of him with concerned looks.
"I'm fine." Cloud answered softly, "It's just... been a while."
With one last deep breath Cloud adjusted the familiar weight of First Sword on his back and then walked into the small town with the comforting presence of Zack and Angeal on either side of him. Almost as soon as he was in the town limits, Cloud could feel the surprised stares of the villagers there and soon after that the whisperings started. Cloud ignored them as he made his way through the village, having already decided that the first place he would go would be to his old home. To his Mother.
His Mother's house was on the very edge of town, so that meant that they had to walk through the majority of the village to get there, and the sooner the better in Cloud's opinion. Cloud remembered exactly why he had chosen to wear his infantryman helmet when he had returned with Sephiroth and Zack; it meant that he was a nobody and that he wouldn't need to deal with the needless views of the village people who had clearly voiced that they all believed he would die once he left the village when he had first gone to join SOLDIER.
"Cloud?!" The familiar voice cut through the near silence of the town like First Sword cutting through a simple sheet of paper. Cloud froze for a moment upon hearing his name before turning slowly to view the owner of the unmistakable voice.
"Tifa." He greeted silently. Tifa looked as happy and carefree as he recalled from before the fire. She was dressed in the cowgirl-like outfit she had worn when she played the role of a guide for them on that fateful mission as well, causing Cloud's mind to momentarily linger on how he had found her at the reactor after she had tried to confront Sephiroth herself. He quickly pushed the memories down.
"Why didn't you ever write?! Or call?! Or anything!" Tifa demanded, although she was smiling and amusement laced her words. She then surprised Cloud by throwing her arms around him in a hug.
"T-Tifa?" Cloud asked, slightly bewildered as he half returned the embrace.
"You've changed Cloud..." The words were soft spoken next to his ear so that no one else, with the exception of Zack and Angeal with their enhanced hearing, could hear what was being spoken.
Cloud pulled back and he suddenly found it hard to meet her eyes. She was a completely different person from the Tifa he knew, but at the same time she was the same.
"And who would your friends be?" Tifa asked, changing the subject as her deep almond eyes shifted to Zack and Angeal who had been silently watching and listening up until that point.
"I'm Zack Fair, second class SOLDIER." Zack stated proudly, pointing to himself before moving to point at Angeal, "And this is Angeal Hewley, first class SOLDIER."
Tifa raised an eye brow before turning her eyes back to Cloud, who simply returned her look without any visible emotion. The fact that Tifa couldn't see what Cloud was feeling concerned her; she had always been able to tell what the blond was feeling, his eyes had been so open before he left... What happened to you Cloud? She wondered.
"So you in SOLDIER now?" She asked cheerily, her eyes wandering to the sword strapped to Cloud's back for the first time. The thing was as big as him! How the hell was he even carrying that thing?
"Uh... No... Not yet." Cloud answered, slightly apprehensive as he saw Tifa's eyes go to First Sword. Running his hand through his hair, Cloud was only too aware of all the other pairs of eyes on him as well.
"Don't be so modest Spikey!" Zack announced as he threw an arm over Cloud's shoulders, "You're practically one of us already. What's a few tests when we already know the outcome!"
Cloud could only glare half-heartedly at he raven-haired man who had conveniently turned his smile up full throttle and was beaming at him and the people close by. Pushing Zack's arm off him, Cloud turned to Tifa once more.
"We better get going... I'll... Probably see you later." Cloud said, his voice quiet. He was both happy and sad to see Tifa; it was a relief to know that she was fine, but it was also a stark reminder of how much she had been forced to change after Nibelheim burned.
"Oh, yeah sure." Tifa said, her shoulders slumping slightly before she flashed Cloud a quick smile. "No leaving without saying goodbye though, got it?" She stated, before then turning her eyes to Zack and Angeal, "And you two make sure that he doesn't just run off."
Zack and Angeal looked slightly shocked by the firmness in the strange girls voice, but nodded either way. Cloud just allowed a small grin rise on his face as the Tifa he knew best rose to the surface for a moment; the Tifa that didn't care who she was speaking to if it concerned those she cared about.
Sending a small wave of goodbye to his old friend, Cloud turned and once more began making his way through the village with his companions close by. The blond was feeling a mix of emotions running through him at the moment, the combination almost making him feel more numb than anything. How was he suppose to do this? Could he actually face his Mother?
"Cloud?" The deep voice of Angeal brought Cloud out of his thoughts and the blond realised that he had stopped walking. Looking up he saw that they were close to his Mother's house already, the structure looming up only fifty meters away.
Swallowing heavily Cloud found that he couldn't bring himself to move forward. He hadn't felt this afraid of something for a long time. It was no enemy in the house up ahead, but it was the threat of something that could make him happy, the threat of something that could be taken away from him yet again.
"Cloud?" Angeal called again, laying a hand on the blond's shoulder. "Are you ok?"
Cloud's eyes finally focused on the tall SOLDIER standing next to him before flicking to Zack who was hovering with concern on the other side of the blond. Finally taking strength from his friends Cloud nodded before beginning to walk slowly towards the house he had grown up in.
Finally Cloud found himself standing before the familiar door and after one more deep breath he raised a hand and knocked firmly before stepping back and waiting. At first it was silent, with only Cloud's own heart beat filling his ears but then he registered the sound of movement inside and footsteps coming his way.
Finally the door opened to reveal Cloud's mother. She was shorter than Cloud, but not by much and the family resemblance could not be missed. She had the same golder hair, bright blue eyes, and facial features as her son. Ms Strife paused for a moment after opening the door, her eyes locked onto Cloud's, but after a tense moment Ms Strife's face broke out into a wide smile and she pulled her son forward into a tight hug.
Cloud fell into the embrace with more emotion than he intended to show, wrapping his arms around his Mother and holding her close for a moment; breathing in the familiar scent of herbs and spices that had always been around his Mother. Resting his head on her shoulder Cloud could picture the hundreds of times in his childhood that his mother had been there for him.
It was unreal to see her after so long.
"Cloud." Her soft voice rang out next to Cloud's ear, comforting and welcoming, "Welcome home."
Finally pulling back Cloud looked his mother over, glad to see that she was as healthy and alive as he had always remembered. Just as vibrant as his youngest childhood memories.
"Hey..." Cloud finally answered, his voice quiet and almost unsure. "Mum."
Ms Strife's face held a warm smile as she placed her hands on Cloud's cheeks and pulled him down to place a kiss on his forehead.
"It's good to see you Dear."
Zack and Angeal had watched the display feeling like they may be intruding. The two men had seen Cloud's hesitation and saw even now how he fought to keep his emotions down and under control. It was the first time that the two had even seen Cloud this visibly affected by what was happening and it made Zack almost wish that Cloud was returning on better grounds. After a few moments of silence the two Strifes pulled apart again and for the first time Ms Strife's eyes landed on Cloud's companions, giving them both a bright smile.
"Come on in. Any friend of Cloud's is welcome here any time." And with that she turned and moved back into the house, Cloud following behind her after giving Zack and Angeal a nod to tell them that it was truly fine to enter.
Sharing one last look at each other Zack and Angeal followed into the small house, closing the door behind them.
XxXxX
That evening found Cloud, Zack and Angeal sitting around a small table in the Strife household kitchen. The smells of Ms Strife's cooking wafting around the air making everyone in the area hungry.
The house itself was small and modest, but well kept and welcoming. Zack and Angeal had quickly come to like the small woman that was Cloud's mother and both had been able to pick up many of Cloud's traits that he had obviously inherited from his mother.
"I hope you boys like stew." Ms Strife announced from where she stood over the open fire, large spoon in hand as she mixed a large pot of stew.
"Mmm, it is tastes just half as good as it smells I think I'll be in love!" Zack replied enthusiastically, his stomach rumbling loudly as if on cue, causing Ms Strife to laugh softly.
"It certainly smells delicious." Angeal agreed.
"It's Mum's best dish." Cloud piped up quietly from where he sat at the end of the table. Cloud had spent most of the afternoon simply walking around the house and talking to his Mother as memories swelled behind his eyes.
A few minutes later and everyone found steaming bowls of stew placed before them and there were words of thanks spoken before everyone dug in hungrily. Ms Strife soon found herself watching in appreciation as her entire pot of stew was consumed by the three men at her table in record time. She had been overjoyed when she had answered the door to see Cloud standing there. The few months that he had been gone had seemed like years to her, knowing that her little boy was gone out into the world. She had seen a difference in Cloud almost instantly though, he seemed quite... world weary, but Ms Strife soon put it down to being tired from travelling.
"Aww man, thanks Ms Strife!" Zack exclaimed sitting back in his seat and rubbing his stomach.
"Your welcome dear." Ms Strife replied with a soft smile. She was glad that Cloud had become friends with such a vibrant, kind hearted person; it would do Cloud good after being such a quiet person since a young age.
Cloud watched with a small smile tugging at his lips from his seat. He remembered inviting Zack over for dinner once before when they had been with Sephiroth, but it had never eventuated. Needless to say though, Cloud now knew that if it had happened Zack would have loved her stew.
Standing up, Cloud gathered everyone's bowls and took them to the sink, quickly washing them up for his Mother before turning and watching as Zack and Angeal spoke with his mother, no doubt hearing stories about when he was a child.
With a sigh Cloud looked out the window behind him at the darkened village of Nibelheim. With all the memories that the house and his mother and brought up, he couldn't help but get dragged down into his thoughts slightly as he wondered what life would have been like if things had occurred differently...
Shaking his head Cloud made a decision and made his way towards the back door.
"I'm just going for a walk." He announced, grabbing First Sword and leaving before anyone replied.
Zack, Angeal and Ms Strife looked on in concern, Zack getting up to follow his friend before Ms Strife's soft words stopped him.
"He just needs time to think." She said, her eyes on the now closed back door, "He has always been like this."
"But..." Zack protested weakly.
"He knows this area well, if he wants to be alone I doubt you would find him anyway Dear." Ms Strife continued.
"Ok..." Zack relented, feeling slightly dejected. He hated the idea of Cloud being alone right now, but Ms Strife had a point.
"Good. Now," Ms Strife cut in cheerily as she stood up, "How about I make you two some beds to sleep in for tonight?"
Once outside Cloud took a deep breath before starting to simply walk. He was so happy to see his Mother, yet somehow he knew that even though she was alive that things couldn't go back to how they once were.
It was a heart wrenching thought but true none-the-less. Cloud wandered aimlessly for a while, simply taking the village in. Most people had retired to bed by now, allowing him to walk the familiar terrain in peace. How many times as a child had be walked these streets and the surrounding mountainside to simply escape the world?...
A while later Cloud looked up from his wandering and found himself facing the Shinra mansion of all places. Its old wood and grand design sent shivers down his spine and echoes of the past made their way into his mind. He was about to turn away when a thought struck him.
Vincent.
The dark haired gunman had suffered a worse fate at Hojo's hand, and it had taken years for him to really allow anyone to be even considered close. Of all of them, perhaps it had been Vincent who had gained the most in the future; he had been able to move past everything that had happened to him and allow himself to join their mixed 'family' of sorts.
Cloud felt a stab of guilt at the fact that Vincent would have lost all that and would most likely once again be so withdrawn as to keep others completely away. Maybe... Maybe Cloud could wake him once more, if not to obtain his help and comradeship once again, then to simply, hopefully, help Vincent begin a new life once more.
Walking over to he mansion door Cloud only hesitated a moment before pushing the door open and moving inside. The interior of the house was dusty and smelt of musk, yet it still held a small visage of the grandness it no doubt held when it was first built. Yet Cloud hated it. He hated this place and the suffering it represented with a burning passion. Not only his own life had been forever altered here, but the lives of countless more.
Moving quickly but silently Cloud made his way up the stairs on the right side of the entry room and upon reaching the landing of the second floor he turned right once more and moved into the familiar room down the hall that connected to the room with the hidden stair case down to the basement.
Once Cloud emerged in the cold, dank and dim area of the basement he was hit with a barrage of memories and phantom pains, all of which he quickly suppressed before moving along. He was here to help a friend, not wallow in the memories of his own weakness.
Cloud made his way over to the door that he knew led to Vincent's coffin, only to be stopped halfway by a few of the local monsters. They were hardly a challenge and drawing First Sword Cloud was able to take them all down within seconds, pocketing the items that they dropped in their defeat.
With a deep breath Cloud opened the door and walked in. The smell of decayed flesh hit his senses first, but he ignored that and moved further into the room. Like the whole mansion the room was dusty and covered in spider webs, and under the rotted flesh smell the ever present musky smell permeated everything.
Cloud's eyes quickly landed on the coffin that he knew would hold his friend. For a moment he faltered, second guessing his decision to come here. This time he couldn't claim a fight against Sephiroth to find an ally within the mysterious man. Would Cloud even be able to get Vincent to completely awaken when he had been so adamant to sleep last time?
Looking at the top of the coffin, Cloud decided that it wouldn't hurt to at least attempt. He owed Vincent that much at least.
Moving cautiously over to the side of the coffin, Cloud placed his hands of the wooden top. With one final moment of indecision Cloud pushed the lid of the coffin to the side. He would have expected to find a sleeping Vincent as they had last time, but what he did not expect was to find Vincent wide awake and a very familiar gauntlet now wrapped brusingly around his throat. Abandoning his hold on the lid of the coffin Cloud brought his hands to the gauntlet in an attempt to lessen the tightness. Vincent had never reacted like this before! What was different this time?
Gasping as the grip tightened momentarily Cloud's eyes finally met with the glowing crimson eyes of his old friend. Cloud figured that his eyes would also he glowing in that moment as adrenaline rushed through his system.
Suddenly the eyes below him widened slightly in surprise and the grip on his throat loosened just as dark spots began to dance across his vision. A second hand moved up and gripped his shoulder as Cloud took in a thankful gulp of air, stagnant as it was. The hand surprisingly steadied him as the gauntlet moved away, leaving small trickles of blood running down the sides of Cloud's neck where the clawed tips had broken the skin.
Cloud leaned down against the side of the coffin and the steadying hand as he got his breath back, despite what had just happened Cloud found it hard to be uncomfortable around the well known presence of the gunman.
Finally Cloud once again looked up to see Vincent now sitting up in the coffin and watching him with, what Cloud was able to detect only from knowing the man for so long, concern. The blond frowned in confusion, nothing so far was happening like he expected.
The last time he had come down and woken Vincent the man had simply warned them to go away and it had only been through mentioning the silver haired general that they had convinced the gunman to join them, and throughout the whole thing Vincent had not reacted violently at all.
Now, this time, he had nearly choked Cloud without recognition, and now he was helping to steady the blond and acting... strange, as if...
"Cloud." The single word shocked Cloud to the bone. How would Vincent know his name already? They technically hadn't even met yet in this time period!
"What's happening?"
Cloud could only look into the crimson eyes next to him in confusion as a million thoughts raced through his mind...
How was this possible?
