Lost again

We were walking down the street, it was the first time in weeks he was here, and even longer since the first time we talked one on one. I remember when everyday he would give lessons in fighting. We weren't talking right now but at least having him around friends was a step.

"It's different here." Cloud said as if he was talking to his shadow.

"yeah I guess, but squall trying to make it the same." I said.

"no I mean the feeling, it feels sad" his eyes were out of focus, I was losing him.

"well how happy can we be, with heartless are everywhere," I smiled hoping to get one back.

"but" Cloud turned to me, "you haven't changed, your still the happy little ninja" he smiled and small almost unnoticeable smile. He also called me little ninja, he hasn't called me that in over two years. I smiled, he was more like himself today.

"Yuffie?" his eyes were unfocused again. "I cant . I cant do it anymore." His arm tried to grasp the air. I reached out to let me grab my arm "do what? Cloud just tell me. Let me help." His eyes focused back on to mine. He was squeezing hard on my arm. "Promise me you wont change."

"Cloud tell me how I can help."

"promise me. Promise me you wont change" his grip tightened.

"ok, I promise, I wont change, I swear." I was now grasping his hand trying to help anyway I could. A flash of light came and went quickly. Cloud glanced behind him and just as quickly he pulled me to behind a trash can with his hand at my mouth, still shacking from earlier. Looking out to the street I saw Tifa walk by. His grip tightened, I could fell him slipping away again pulling his hand from my mouth I said sternly "No Cloud! Stay here, look at me." His eyes were empty, it was no use. "Cloud let me help you. God damn it Cloud. At least let Tifa help you." At the sound of her name he looked up. "she's not far let me get her.."

his eyes harden and his grip on my hand, move to my arm. "you wont tell her I was here" he didn't even sound the same, he was lost again.

"let me go get her" I ignored him, I was going to help him fight though this

"no!" with his grip on my arm he forcefully through me into the wall, I wasn't ready for the impact, and crashed my head hard into the brick. The feeling of worm blood trickled down the top of my head and onto my face.

I glared at him feeling the gash on my head, but his eyes were different.

"yuff, shit, I did that…I have to go"

"no" I yelled, forgetting about the pain in my head.

" I have to. Look at what I just did. He's right, if I stay here, I'll hurt you guys worse than that."

"who's right? Cloud! Who is 'He'" I yelled at the disappearing figure walking away.

"damn it Cloud."