By: Jenosavel
That evening saw Cloud in a foul mood. Not only did he have to explain everything to those still here at Capsule Corp. Also, he had no idea what they could do about Jenova, but they needed to do it soon. The girl Jenosavel had gone missing some time ago, and it was safe to assume Jenova wouldn't be weak for much longer. Then, to top it all off, his kitten had gone missing shortly after they'd gotten back. The damned thing survived through an attack by Jenova without leaving his side, but as soon as it had a house to wander through, it was gone. Cloud wished he could hate felines.
The dank air around Jenova stirred slightly, and she looked up expecting to see Sephiroth approaching. She did see silver hair, but it was not Sephiroth who was walking towards her.
You dare to show your face before me?
"You can't control me like that anymore," Jenosavel's voice, small and insignificant in the hollows of this cave, called out. Laughter greeted her as she stepped out of the shadows.
It is your destiny to be controlled by me. That is what you are, what you were made for.
"You lie." Again that haunting laughter echoed through the cave in response. "Everything you've told me has been a lie. I know the truth now."
And what truth would that be?
"You're afraid of me." The charge was accompanied by cold green eyes filled with determination. "It is my destiny to be here again, but not because you called me. My destiny is to destroy you."
Poor child. Have you figured out by now that I can't be destroyed?
"You can't be killed," Jenosavel walked towards her mother slowly, stilling her fear to silence, "but you can be destroyed. I will become you, if that's what it takes to be rid of you."
Foolish child. Jenova's tentacles writhed in anger. Do you know what you're saying? When our consciousness combines, I will destroy everything that is you. Then, I will destroy everything and everyone who you cared about because you dared to defy me. I will use your power to destroy them all. Are you really so eager to throw your life away?
"I won't throw my life away, but this is my destiny. I am going to merge with you."
Throughout all of our history only a very few children have succeeded in overpowering their mother's will. What makes you think you, who is incomplete and contaminated by human blood, could be one of them? You are weak, and you will be destroyed.
"Then I guess we shall see if humanity is a weakness."
A bright light engulfed the cavern and silence followed.
Cloud sat bolt upright, ripped from his sleep in a cold sweat. He could feel the Jenova in him shift, singing with a new strength.
They were too late.
He stared at the window and the bleak night beyond; his mind raced over all the things that would be lost if Jenova could not be defeated. Tifa. It resounded in his head, beat in his blood. Tifa.
Without recognition of time he sat there, as close to despair as he had ever come. He could not lose Tifa.
Suddenly, a wet nose startled him, making his racing heart nearly leap from his chest. The golden-eyed kitty looked up at him and mewled softly.
Slowly, Cloud's body relaxed again. It didn't matter how much power Jenova gained; she would not succeed. Tifa would not be forgotten. As long as Jenova lived, Cloud would be there. As much power as she gained, he would also gain. Jenova was his strength and his weakness; he could never forget the strength of the curse. He could never forget Tifa.
Picking up the little kitten, Cloud rubbed under its chin. In the morning, they would go after Sephiroth. If need be, Cloud would hunt him by his very blood, by the Jenova they shared, but Sephiroth would fall. As many times as the man stood back up, Cloud would cut him down.
Setting the kitten on the bed by his feet, Cloud lie back down. Tomorrow things would be different, the struggle would be different, but Cloud would never change. For Tifa's sake, he would never stop fighting.
As Cloud's breathing steadied and he drifted off to sleep, the kitten sat watching him with cool, calculating eyes.