KEY: /text/ : emphasized words, memories & private thoughts.
//text// : free thoughts & mind2mind speech Times where the Cetra speak to Cloud it's supposed to be a dream state and are represented the same as flashbacks with: ~text~
Okay first off yes there are a few OC in this story which I of course own but all other characters (you know who they are) belong to the people at Squaresoft so don't sue me or anything. Inside there will be YAOI and SHOUNEN-AI which mean, male/male sex and boy love. If you have a problem with this then turn around and go back the way you came. This is also one of my first fanfictions so please, be gentle ^_~ And yes this section has been re-posted so I could fix some things so now you can enjoy.
~*~*~*~
Lightning flashed, striking the edge of the rocky cliff, sending smocking rocks flying into the wide, deep chasm.
In the middle of the wind and rain ravaged field stood a lone man.
His clothes were soaked and his hair was plastered to him, his gaze wandered about the world around him, the world he didn't recognise and then settled on the dark sky above him, not bothering to squint against the falling rain. At the back of his mind he felt a tugging, a nagging feeling that he knew where he was but every time he reached for the name it moved so it would stay just out of his reach.
He had woken up here in the middle of the plain with no memory of who he was, where he had come from and even why he was where he was. At first it had frustrated him but he quickly pushed it aside and tried instead to figure out where he was, it did not take him long to give up on that too.
With a sigh of resignation he reached up with both hands and pushed his long silver hair away from his wet face then turned and started to walk toward the horizon.
~*~*~*~
Lightning flashed, striking the long beach and sent sand flying into the air. Thunder roared sending birds in frantic search of a safe haven from the storm. Bellow the seas surface fish and other sea life continued to swim about oblivious to the raging winds and erratic bolts of lightning that occasionally stretched all the way to the ground.
Bellow the waters surface a figure was rapidly sinking into the ever calm shadowy depths, suddenly the figure stirred and the air rushed out of his lungs.
He made a desperate attempt to swim back to the surface but he was too heavy and only continued to sink, his hands flew to the armor that he wore and clawed at the straps until it came free from his body and continued to sink. He tried again but he was still too heavy and he was beginning to run out of what little air he had, he clawed at his shirt and dragged it over his head and flung it away from him then undid his boots and let them slide from his feet.
Slowly he ceased sinking but when he tried to make for the surface he found that he went to slowly and exhausted himself quickly so this time he reached for the belt around his waist and worked on the clasp until it came free and the huge metal and leather belt slid from his body and followed the other pieces of clothing that was currently sinking below the man.
Again he tried for the surface and to his relief he went up faster and more smoothly.
As soon as his head broke the surface he gasped in the air and felt relief wash over him once again, for several long minutes he simply floated there and let the rain hit him as he enjoyed the taste of the crisp fresh air that rain always brought. Slowly he forced himself to push his body upright in the salty water and gazed around at his surroundings. Not to far I the distance he could make out a clear beach. Lightning flared out across the horizon as he began to swim towards it and thunder danced through the clouds making him double his efforts and but the time he collapsed on the sandy surface of the beach he found himself to be out of breath again.
Lightning arched through the sky and hit the water not far from the surface and hastily he pulled his legs out of the water and moved away from the seas edge and crawled further up the beach until his strength gave out and he collapsed unconscious onto his stomach.
~*~*~*~
Rain drizzled down from the sky as the storm slowly came to a close.
Cloud made his way across the open grassy field to single huge tree that sat directly in the middle of it. Beneath the tree stood four tall headstones. Each of them was made out to the point of perfection, it had taken him hours to do just one of them but in the end it was worth it. Each headstone bore the name of someone he had cared for and had lost.
Barret, the huge man with a gun for an arm whom had fought by his side and who had always been ready to fight if he called.
Aeris, who had encouraged him to do his best and what needed to be done, even when he would have preferred not to.
The next headstone belonged to Zack, he smiled as the image of his long gone friend came to mind.
~ .what do you mean another date? ~
~ nothing.but isn't this the fifth one today? ~
~ What's your point? ~
As far back as he could remember, Cloud could recall having that conversation thousands of times over, or whenever Zack told him about a date, which if Cloud could remember correctly was just about everyday.
Cloud laughed wryly as the memories continued to play themselves out in his mind. He swept a hand absently through his golden blond hair, pushing it away from his face. He'd been living on his own after AVALANCHE's final team battle at north crater years, during their travels they had come across the 'round island' that was devoid of any life except for the occasional monster and the birds. He had settled down there, just him and his two gold chocobos Mya and Meros a female and male and his quaint little cottage he had built and took up the task of breeding the two while simply relaxing and enjoying the quiet. He had always understood that the human body required some maintenance to keep it running smoothly. They were: food, water, sleep, shelter, warmth. Grooming had never been a major priority to him and since there was no one to remind him or even do it for him, so naturally his hair never got trimmed when it needed it and as a result it now reached halfway down his thighs. In his defense he did get out a knife and hack at it for a bit until it was no longer in his way.
Even though he had spent years here when he looked in the mirror he appeared to be the same as he had the day before and the day before that, he did not wrinkle, his hair did not whiten and the glow in his eyes did not diminish as time went by.
He sat there in front of Zacks headstone for a moment more then shifted his eyes to the next one and read the perfectly chiseled name there. Sephiroth.
He sighed as he recounted the fight at north crater then pushed it from his mind as he recounted the earlier days while he was still with soldier, before the events at Nibleheim. Sephiroth was the greatest soldier alive, a born warrior and a brilliant tactician, many of the young cadets at the academy joined simply because they hoped they might catch a glance at the famous general. Cloud laughed despite himself, he had been one of those cadets, he had joined so he would be strong, so he would be like Sephiroth. But in time he did that and more.
He brushed away the thoughts and turned his eyes to the last stone.Cloud Strife.
He was alive still, he had not died, but something else had. That day when he had slain Sephiroth in north crater he had lost part of himself that he didn't know was there. He had killed his last shred of innocence, the oh so precious thing that all living beings are born with. The thing that stopped humans from committing evil acts, Sephiroth had been robbed of his by ShinRa and by bringing justice to Sephiroth, by killing him, Cloud had lost the last shred of his own. He stared at the stone for a moment more then turned and made his way back to through the forest to his cottage.
~*~*~*~
He stuffed the last bit of bread into his mouth and absently wondered why his cooking never seemed to have any flavor to it. In the back of his mind he remembered the taste of the rations they were fed while with soldier and grimaced. He was pretty sure no taste was better than what he had to go through everyday. He stood and put his plate in the empty sink and idly wondered how the ever hungry Zack had been able to put up with eating their sad excuse for food so easily. He shook his head and made his way out of the tiny kitchen and into the living area and sat in the old rocking chair he had made years ago and let his eyes wander over the walls and over the things on them.
Secured to the walls were his weapons, from the Buster sword he had received from Zack to the Ultima weapon that hung on its own as if it were a significant decoration.
He watched it as the sun began to set and the light from the sun played across its crystalline form making it almost seem alive. Of course he knew better, he knew that as soon as his hand wrapped around it that he would hear its voice, the voice of Ultima weapon, whisper to him. Just like he could hear the voice of the ancients, the cetra in his sleep. Without knowing it he stood and started to make his way over to the weapon and wrapped his right hand, his sword hand around it and lifted it from its resting place on the wall.
//I watch you.// It whispered.
His eyes slid across the blade and gently did the same with his free hand. //I know//. He replied.
//I can feel it, you pine after the things you have lost.//
//Sometimes, but I'm human. //
//Does such a thing allow you to become lazy, to forget the hunt?//
Cloud tilt his head to one side and considered how to answer its question. //No.//
//Then why do you not hunt? I know you long for it. You want it but you stay here in your den, you won't allow yourself to hunt.//
The blond warrior shook his head wryly. //Then we'll go now and hunt, would that make you happy?// He asked it, already knowing the answer.
//I live to hunt.//
Smiling he checked the materia that was equipped to the sword then sheathed it behind his back and took down his platinum bangle and secured it to his left wrist and gazed down at the materia slots then moved over to the other side of the wall where all of his summon materia rested. He picked the up and set them into the slots saying their names in his mind as he did so and slightly relished in the fact that he could hear their voices calling him and that he felt their presence envelop him. /Ifrit, Shiva, Chocobo/Mog, Rumah, Titan, Odin, Kujata, Bahamut, Alexander, Neo Bahamut, Leviathan, Phoenix, Hades, Bahamut Zero, Typhoon, Knights of the Round./
From the materia he sensed a feeling that he had been missed, that the spirits residing inside the materia's stony gemlike barrier had been waiting for him to take them up again, to hold them. It felt strange, he couldn't remember their voices being as strong the last time he had touched them.
//You have grown stronger.// Even know the Ultima weapon spoke.
//I suppose.but I haven't done any training in years.//
//You have.. this time you have spent in silence, in thought, you have developed your mind thus giving you a stronger will and sharpened senses.//
Cloud considered this as he wound his way through his house towards the door. //What about you? You're voice is the same as always.//
//No, even my voice is stronger to you, in the past your touch was required to hear my voice now you hear me even without it.//
Cloud stepped through the door and closed it behind him and made his way over to the trees.
//You're going there again.//
//Just for a moment, there have been monsters there.//
//So you go to hunt then?//
It knew that wasn't the only reason and Cloud resisted the urge to smile.
//You know me too well.//
//Perhaps, but perhaps not. You and I, we are alike, in many ways. Think not that I know you well but that I know myself best.//
//You sound like a philosopher.a philosopher with no name.//
//I've had eons to contemplate many things.as for my name.I have one.//
//But no real ones.// Cloud though wryly.
//I have the names I was given, that is enough.//
//So I'll continue to call you Ultima Weapon?//
He felt a slight disapproving feeling from the weapon at him back. //If that is what you want, but if not then call me nothing at all.//
Cloud scoffed at that. //I'd rather call you friend.//
//Foolishness, friendship is something for humans and beast kind not animals and weapons.//
//You said I could call you what I want.// Cloud pointed out as they reached the clearing beyond the trees and caught sight of the familiar headstones that he had visited earlier that day.
//Your prey is close.// It told him.
/Changing the subject/, Cloud thought to himself and shook his head. His eyes scanned the clearing until he saw something moving through the trees on the other side of the clearing. //There.//
He kept his pace normal and moved over to the headstones and unsheathed Ultima weapon and laid it out on the ground in front of him as he knelt between Zack and Sephiroth's stones and closed his eyes.
//You will lure it?//
//Yes.// Cloud replied while he let his other senses sharpen.
Already he could hear the sounds it made as it crashed back and forth in the shrubbery trying to decide if it would strike or not. Cloud waited in silence listening to the voices of the materia hum and sing and to the rest of the world. Behind him he could hear the monster clear the bushes and take a few steps toward Cloud's still figure before darting back.
//It is wary, it can smell your strength.//
Cloud ignored the comment and instead he rose to his feet slowly bringing the Ultima weapon with him. In one smooth motion he spun around and brought his blade to the ready. A Grand Horn stood perhaps five feet away from him eyeing him uncertainly.
//Will you hunt?//
The spiky blond shook his head and turned his back on the monster. //There's no point, it knows I'm stronger and won't attack.// Cloud replied as he walked away.
//So there will be no hunt?//
//I'll hunt.//
//You will go to the cave?//
//Yes.//
The materia cave where he had found Knights of the Round was just on the other side of the island, a short distance in comparison to the on from Round island to Kalm or North Crater. There he knew the monsters would be strong and they would fight, years of battling and living so close to a materia spring hand ensured that. Their were fierce and far more wild than other monsters, there he knew would not be a challenge but at least creatures that made him have to stop thinking and rely on his battle instincts. Which was exactly what he was after.
~*~*~*~
Cloud wiped the few beads of sweat from his forehead then sank to the sandy ground.
He had spent close to three hours fighting the various monsters inside the cave then strangely in the middle of a fight the monster he had been fighting stopped where it was and turned its eyes to the sky, even if it could not see it inside the cave, and then withdrew further into the cave having totally forgotten that Cloud was even there.
Seeing no chance or point of continuing Cloud had made his way out of the cave and down to the beach where he sat now. With a sigh he lay back on the sand and starred up at the sky. The moon was high in the sky and the stars were out shining brightly, the air smelled as if it had rained recently and the crickets sang happily oblivious to the blond warrior or his weapon.
/Beautiful./ Cloud thought as he stretched then brought one arm up underneath his head.
He felt a surge from Ultima weapon.
//Are you happy now?// He asked it.
//I am content.//
Cloud smiled softly and let his eyes slide close.
~*~*~*~
~ "It is time." ~
~ Cloud started and gazed around himself, black, in all directions. ~
~ "I'm dreaming?" ~
~ "Yes, we needed to speak with you." ~
~ He opened himself to their presence. ~
~ "Cetra." ~
~ "Yes, we had to speak to you, Cloud Strife." ~
~ "Why?" ~
~ "They have returned." ~
~ "Who has?" ~
~ "Those from your past, they have been returned to the living realm. They have been given a second chance, but you must guide them, teach them so they do not repeat their mistakes." ~
~ "Who? Who's returned?!" ~
~ "Those from your past." ~
~ ".Zack.Sephiroth." ~
~*~*~*~
He woke with a start, his breath coming out in ragged gasps.
//The ancient ones spoke with you?//
"Yes." Cloud replied, speaking out loud. "They're back.but that's impossible."
//The ancient ones are never wrong, anything they have told you is truth.//
That thought hit Cloud and settled into the back of his mind. "Then."
//Think of it later, someone approaches the island.//
"Who?"
//The man who is beast//
Cloud grimaced at the title Ultima weapon had given Vincent while the team was still together. He rose stiffly then looked up at the sky, he had been asleep for hours, the sun was starting to rise in the east. Shaking his head he turned his eyes to the ocean and sure enough he could make out the outline of someone riding in fast on a chocobo.
The last time he had seen Vincent was when the ex-turk had come to find him a few years ago, bringing news, memories and some supplies. The news had been both good and bad, Barret had been killed in battle the year before while it seemed Tifa had settled down with a man from Mideel and had had two children, twins sons, she called Cloud and Tide.
That news had brought relief for him since he had been wondering if Tifa would ever stop chasing after him and find happiness on her own. Cloud sighed as he watched Vincent draw closer and found himself wondering what news the older man had brought him this time.
//You fear ill news?//
//Always//
Vincent reined in his gold chocobo as soon as he reached the beach then quickly dismounted and closed the distance between Cloud and himself. "Cloud." He said by way of greeting.
Cloud smiled at his old friend. "It's good to see you again Vincent, it's been a long time."
"You're damn right it has."
The blond blinked, taken aback by the outburst of uncharacteristic display of emotion.
Vincent stared at him for a while then sighed and shook his head. "It's been far too long Cloud."
"It's only been." He said before being cut of by Vincent.
"It's been nearly /twenty years/ since North Crater Cloud."
The ex-soldier stared at him in disbelief then blinked. "Impossible, I only saw you."
"Nine years ago, before that it took me eight years to find you and before that we all agreed that it would be best to leave you alone for a while." Vincent informed him pointedly.
Cloud stared at him a moment longer before bowing his head. "I'm sorry.I didn't realize."
Vincent sighed in resignation and shook his head then he clapped a hand on one of the blondes shoulders. "Don't worry about it, I didn't really expect you to count the days.we should get inside."
Cloud nodded then took hold of the reins of Vincents chocobo then reached down for the Ultima weapon.
"Is that." Vincent whispered.
"Ultima weapon?" Cloud finished for him then nodded and lifted the crystalline blade so Vincent had a better view.
//His power has grown also.//
//Probably.// Cloud replied.
Vincent was staring at his face intently. "It talks to you?"
Cloud nodded as he sheathed the weapon.
"What did it say just now?" The ex-Turk inquired softly.
The blond smiled at his friend. "It said you're stronger."
The older man nodded and followed Cloud as the younger man led him to his cottage.
"How is everyone?" Cloud asked as he sank into a chair.
Vincent leaned back into his chair, the only other one in the room and sighed. "Tifa's well but the years are starting to catch up to her.she's a widow now, how husband was killed by bandits a little while back. Her sons, Tide and Cloud have grown up well and they help her with her bar."
"Tifa has a bar?" Cloud interrupted.
Vincent nodded. "She said it 'felt more like home' running a bar."
The other man nodded but remained silent.
"RedXIII is the leader of Cosmo Canyon, it seems he cloned himself so now he has children of his own, two, one boy and one girl. Marleen, Barrets daughter, is working on building a branch of AVALANCHE that, she hopes, will clean up the mess ShinRa and Midgar made. Reeve is still working up rebuilding ShinRa, except this time they're going to be protecting the planet and everyone on it. From what I saw it's going fairly well, instead of using mako to power everything they're using chocobo power, chocobo breeders are making money selling their chocobos to them."
Cloud nodded letting all of the information sink in.
Vincent closed his eyes thoughtfully. "Cid's working with Reeve to rebuild the ShinRa space exploration program. Yuffie apparently got married but otherwise hasn't changed."
The blond chuckled at the image of Yuffie darting around trying to steal materia, husband in tow. "What about you Vincent?" He asked suddenly.
The older mans eyes slid open and the blood red eyes regarded him intently. "Me?"
Cloud simply nodded.
"I've.been traveling, now that the fighting has died down there really isn't much for me to do except travel or go back to my little room in Nibleheim." His voice trailed off and they both sat there in silence until finally Vincent spoke again. "How have you been?"
Cloud blinked and stared at the other man for a moment, recalling what the Cetra had told him earlier. "Health wise I'm fine."
Vincent raised one dark eyebrow. "Health wise?" He repeated calmly.
"The Cetra spoke to me today, just before you got here."
"What did they say?"
The blond watched the ex-Turk for a moment before standing and turning to face the window, giving him a view of the beach. "They've come back."
"Who has Cloud?" Cloud didn't need to turn around to know that Vincent was frowning.
"Zack.and Sephiroth."
There was a short silence then, "Zack.from your past?" Came the soft inquiry.
Cloud nodded and for a moment his vision blurred as old and painful memories resurfaced, they cut as deep as they day they occurred. Zack bleeding from multiple wounds but determined to protect him to the end then Sephiroth, the one winged angel. The fight for the planet, the pain, relief and thanks that shone in Sephiroth's eyes as Cloud slaughtered the only person he really admired.
"And Sephiroth?"
He nodded again and sighed. "Yes."
"Where are they?" The dark haired man asked quietly.
Cloud turned back towards the other man and sank into his chair with a frustrated sigh. "They didn't tell me, I got the feeling that I was supposed to look for them."
Vincent mumbled something under his breath. "Did they at least tell you why they're back?"
"They're supposed to be getting a second chance." Cloud informed him almost inaudibly.
"At what?"
"Life.I guess." Cloud answered with a shrug.
"And they want you to baby sit them?" There was no trace of anything in Vincents voice so the blond had no idea if he was joking or not.
Cloud shrugged again. "I'm supposed to make sure they don't make the same mistakes they did last time.
//Meteor//
Vincents red eyes turned from Cloud's face to Ultima Weapon which Cloud had leant against the wall next to him. "I wonder if it's because of Chaos that I can hear it.it's too bad I can't understand it."
"Meteor." Cloud repeated.
They sat in silence for the rest of the night, recounting fond memories and trying to bury painful ones.
~*~*~*~
They were awake early the next morning and as usual Cloud did the workout he did every morning but this time Vincent was their moving along side him and if anyone were to look upon them they would think that the two men had been working through those motions for years on end. They moved in perfect synchronization their breathing calm and equal and their minds both equally blank.
Nothing existed except for them and the movements they made.
After nigh two hours of mindless actions they had made their way back into the small cottage and had begun packing the things they would need for a journey before heading to the chocobo pen where Cloud kept his chocobos and he had put Vincents.
"Where to first?" Cloud asked as he put on his chocobos reins.
Vincent turned his eyes to the clear sky and frowned thoughtfully. "Mideel, it's closest and we should let Tifa know what's happening."
Cloud nodded and mounted his chocobo. "Let's go see Tifa then"
~*~*~*~
Silver strands were pushed away from bright green eyes.
The pale man turned his attention away from the book he was reading and gazed over towards the group of noisily playing children only ten feet from where he sat under an old giant tree. They looked for all the world as if there was nothing more fun than kicking around the bright yellow ball they were playing with.
It took him only a moment to realize that someone was moving towards him and he turned his gaze around until he spotted Mrs. Wrinehart making her way over to him.
She was a middle aged and robust woman who had three children all with white-blond hair and brown eyes to match her own. She had been widowed years before so it had been up to her to make a living to support her children and care for their needs as a mother.
She had been kind enough to give him a roof over his head and clean clothes as well as food to eat in exchange that he watch over her children while she worked.
She had also given him a name when he couldn't remember his own.
"Micah!" She smiled as she approached where he sat.
He stood to greet her and inclined his head politely. "Welcome home, Mrs. Wrinehart."
She pulled a face when she heard her name. "I thought I told you not to call me that, ah well. Supper's almost done, do me a favor and herd up the kids and get them to wash up will you?"
"Of course." He watched her smile her thanks then turn and make her way back towards the houses before turning to the group of children. "Sam! Thom! Millie!" He called then waited for them to turn toward him before making a 'come here' gesture.
There were a few mumbled protests but all three bade their friends farewell and hurried over to where he stood.
"Supper is almost done, your mother wants you to come in and wash up." He said quietly before picking up the book he had been reading and turned toward the houses.
Some hours later the children were in bed and he was sitting with Mrs. Wrinehart in front of her fireplace, once again reading his book.
"Thank you for watching the kids again today." She said quietly.
He looked up from the page and turned his bright green gaze to her. "It's no problem." He muttered.
She nodded then stared into the flames as they danced around.
"Is something wrong?" He inquired softly, automatically searching out her eyes as if he would find the answer there.
She quickly turned her head to avoid eye contact and laughed. It sounded strained to him, tense.
"I was just thinking."
They sat there for several more minutes in silence and he watched her intently. Finally she threw her hands into the air.
"Alright, if I tell you will you stop staring at me like that?" She demanded with a huff.
He inclined his head.
She turned to him suddenly and he could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't sure she like what she was about to say.
"I think you should leave soon." She said then held up one hand to silence him. "Hear me out, I think you should leave and see the world and maybe then you'll remember who you are and.where you came from. What if you have family out there worrying about you?"
He stared at her for a moment then sighed and closed his book. "I doubt it.but I think you might be right."
"You do?"
He nodded, not bothering to brush the silver strands back as they fell in front of his eyes. "I've been thinking and I want to know who I am."
She watched him for a moment then smiled. "Well when you're ready I'll do what I can to help." She said before standing and making her way out of the room leaving the beautiful silver haired man alone with his thoughts.
~*~*~*~
//text// : free thoughts & mind2mind speech Times where the Cetra speak to Cloud it's supposed to be a dream state and are represented the same as flashbacks with: ~text~
Okay first off yes there are a few OC in this story which I of course own but all other characters (you know who they are) belong to the people at Squaresoft so don't sue me or anything. Inside there will be YAOI and SHOUNEN-AI which mean, male/male sex and boy love. If you have a problem with this then turn around and go back the way you came. This is also one of my first fanfictions so please, be gentle ^_~ And yes this section has been re-posted so I could fix some things so now you can enjoy.
~*~*~*~
Lightning flashed, striking the edge of the rocky cliff, sending smocking rocks flying into the wide, deep chasm.
In the middle of the wind and rain ravaged field stood a lone man.
His clothes were soaked and his hair was plastered to him, his gaze wandered about the world around him, the world he didn't recognise and then settled on the dark sky above him, not bothering to squint against the falling rain. At the back of his mind he felt a tugging, a nagging feeling that he knew where he was but every time he reached for the name it moved so it would stay just out of his reach.
He had woken up here in the middle of the plain with no memory of who he was, where he had come from and even why he was where he was. At first it had frustrated him but he quickly pushed it aside and tried instead to figure out where he was, it did not take him long to give up on that too.
With a sigh of resignation he reached up with both hands and pushed his long silver hair away from his wet face then turned and started to walk toward the horizon.
~*~*~*~
Lightning flashed, striking the long beach and sent sand flying into the air. Thunder roared sending birds in frantic search of a safe haven from the storm. Bellow the seas surface fish and other sea life continued to swim about oblivious to the raging winds and erratic bolts of lightning that occasionally stretched all the way to the ground.
Bellow the waters surface a figure was rapidly sinking into the ever calm shadowy depths, suddenly the figure stirred and the air rushed out of his lungs.
He made a desperate attempt to swim back to the surface but he was too heavy and only continued to sink, his hands flew to the armor that he wore and clawed at the straps until it came free from his body and continued to sink. He tried again but he was still too heavy and he was beginning to run out of what little air he had, he clawed at his shirt and dragged it over his head and flung it away from him then undid his boots and let them slide from his feet.
Slowly he ceased sinking but when he tried to make for the surface he found that he went to slowly and exhausted himself quickly so this time he reached for the belt around his waist and worked on the clasp until it came free and the huge metal and leather belt slid from his body and followed the other pieces of clothing that was currently sinking below the man.
Again he tried for the surface and to his relief he went up faster and more smoothly.
As soon as his head broke the surface he gasped in the air and felt relief wash over him once again, for several long minutes he simply floated there and let the rain hit him as he enjoyed the taste of the crisp fresh air that rain always brought. Slowly he forced himself to push his body upright in the salty water and gazed around at his surroundings. Not to far I the distance he could make out a clear beach. Lightning flared out across the horizon as he began to swim towards it and thunder danced through the clouds making him double his efforts and but the time he collapsed on the sandy surface of the beach he found himself to be out of breath again.
Lightning arched through the sky and hit the water not far from the surface and hastily he pulled his legs out of the water and moved away from the seas edge and crawled further up the beach until his strength gave out and he collapsed unconscious onto his stomach.
~*~*~*~
Rain drizzled down from the sky as the storm slowly came to a close.
Cloud made his way across the open grassy field to single huge tree that sat directly in the middle of it. Beneath the tree stood four tall headstones. Each of them was made out to the point of perfection, it had taken him hours to do just one of them but in the end it was worth it. Each headstone bore the name of someone he had cared for and had lost.
Barret, the huge man with a gun for an arm whom had fought by his side and who had always been ready to fight if he called.
Aeris, who had encouraged him to do his best and what needed to be done, even when he would have preferred not to.
The next headstone belonged to Zack, he smiled as the image of his long gone friend came to mind.
~ .what do you mean another date? ~
~ nothing.but isn't this the fifth one today? ~
~ What's your point? ~
As far back as he could remember, Cloud could recall having that conversation thousands of times over, or whenever Zack told him about a date, which if Cloud could remember correctly was just about everyday.
Cloud laughed wryly as the memories continued to play themselves out in his mind. He swept a hand absently through his golden blond hair, pushing it away from his face. He'd been living on his own after AVALANCHE's final team battle at north crater years, during their travels they had come across the 'round island' that was devoid of any life except for the occasional monster and the birds. He had settled down there, just him and his two gold chocobos Mya and Meros a female and male and his quaint little cottage he had built and took up the task of breeding the two while simply relaxing and enjoying the quiet. He had always understood that the human body required some maintenance to keep it running smoothly. They were: food, water, sleep, shelter, warmth. Grooming had never been a major priority to him and since there was no one to remind him or even do it for him, so naturally his hair never got trimmed when it needed it and as a result it now reached halfway down his thighs. In his defense he did get out a knife and hack at it for a bit until it was no longer in his way.
Even though he had spent years here when he looked in the mirror he appeared to be the same as he had the day before and the day before that, he did not wrinkle, his hair did not whiten and the glow in his eyes did not diminish as time went by.
He sat there in front of Zacks headstone for a moment more then shifted his eyes to the next one and read the perfectly chiseled name there. Sephiroth.
He sighed as he recounted the fight at north crater then pushed it from his mind as he recounted the earlier days while he was still with soldier, before the events at Nibleheim. Sephiroth was the greatest soldier alive, a born warrior and a brilliant tactician, many of the young cadets at the academy joined simply because they hoped they might catch a glance at the famous general. Cloud laughed despite himself, he had been one of those cadets, he had joined so he would be strong, so he would be like Sephiroth. But in time he did that and more.
He brushed away the thoughts and turned his eyes to the last stone.Cloud Strife.
He was alive still, he had not died, but something else had. That day when he had slain Sephiroth in north crater he had lost part of himself that he didn't know was there. He had killed his last shred of innocence, the oh so precious thing that all living beings are born with. The thing that stopped humans from committing evil acts, Sephiroth had been robbed of his by ShinRa and by bringing justice to Sephiroth, by killing him, Cloud had lost the last shred of his own. He stared at the stone for a moment more then turned and made his way back to through the forest to his cottage.
~*~*~*~
He stuffed the last bit of bread into his mouth and absently wondered why his cooking never seemed to have any flavor to it. In the back of his mind he remembered the taste of the rations they were fed while with soldier and grimaced. He was pretty sure no taste was better than what he had to go through everyday. He stood and put his plate in the empty sink and idly wondered how the ever hungry Zack had been able to put up with eating their sad excuse for food so easily. He shook his head and made his way out of the tiny kitchen and into the living area and sat in the old rocking chair he had made years ago and let his eyes wander over the walls and over the things on them.
Secured to the walls were his weapons, from the Buster sword he had received from Zack to the Ultima weapon that hung on its own as if it were a significant decoration.
He watched it as the sun began to set and the light from the sun played across its crystalline form making it almost seem alive. Of course he knew better, he knew that as soon as his hand wrapped around it that he would hear its voice, the voice of Ultima weapon, whisper to him. Just like he could hear the voice of the ancients, the cetra in his sleep. Without knowing it he stood and started to make his way over to the weapon and wrapped his right hand, his sword hand around it and lifted it from its resting place on the wall.
//I watch you.// It whispered.
His eyes slid across the blade and gently did the same with his free hand. //I know//. He replied.
//I can feel it, you pine after the things you have lost.//
//Sometimes, but I'm human. //
//Does such a thing allow you to become lazy, to forget the hunt?//
Cloud tilt his head to one side and considered how to answer its question. //No.//
//Then why do you not hunt? I know you long for it. You want it but you stay here in your den, you won't allow yourself to hunt.//
The blond warrior shook his head wryly. //Then we'll go now and hunt, would that make you happy?// He asked it, already knowing the answer.
//I live to hunt.//
Smiling he checked the materia that was equipped to the sword then sheathed it behind his back and took down his platinum bangle and secured it to his left wrist and gazed down at the materia slots then moved over to the other side of the wall where all of his summon materia rested. He picked the up and set them into the slots saying their names in his mind as he did so and slightly relished in the fact that he could hear their voices calling him and that he felt their presence envelop him. /Ifrit, Shiva, Chocobo/Mog, Rumah, Titan, Odin, Kujata, Bahamut, Alexander, Neo Bahamut, Leviathan, Phoenix, Hades, Bahamut Zero, Typhoon, Knights of the Round./
From the materia he sensed a feeling that he had been missed, that the spirits residing inside the materia's stony gemlike barrier had been waiting for him to take them up again, to hold them. It felt strange, he couldn't remember their voices being as strong the last time he had touched them.
//You have grown stronger.// Even know the Ultima weapon spoke.
//I suppose.but I haven't done any training in years.//
//You have.. this time you have spent in silence, in thought, you have developed your mind thus giving you a stronger will and sharpened senses.//
Cloud considered this as he wound his way through his house towards the door. //What about you? You're voice is the same as always.//
//No, even my voice is stronger to you, in the past your touch was required to hear my voice now you hear me even without it.//
Cloud stepped through the door and closed it behind him and made his way over to the trees.
//You're going there again.//
//Just for a moment, there have been monsters there.//
//So you go to hunt then?//
It knew that wasn't the only reason and Cloud resisted the urge to smile.
//You know me too well.//
//Perhaps, but perhaps not. You and I, we are alike, in many ways. Think not that I know you well but that I know myself best.//
//You sound like a philosopher.a philosopher with no name.//
//I've had eons to contemplate many things.as for my name.I have one.//
//But no real ones.// Cloud though wryly.
//I have the names I was given, that is enough.//
//So I'll continue to call you Ultima Weapon?//
He felt a slight disapproving feeling from the weapon at him back. //If that is what you want, but if not then call me nothing at all.//
Cloud scoffed at that. //I'd rather call you friend.//
//Foolishness, friendship is something for humans and beast kind not animals and weapons.//
//You said I could call you what I want.// Cloud pointed out as they reached the clearing beyond the trees and caught sight of the familiar headstones that he had visited earlier that day.
//Your prey is close.// It told him.
/Changing the subject/, Cloud thought to himself and shook his head. His eyes scanned the clearing until he saw something moving through the trees on the other side of the clearing. //There.//
He kept his pace normal and moved over to the headstones and unsheathed Ultima weapon and laid it out on the ground in front of him as he knelt between Zack and Sephiroth's stones and closed his eyes.
//You will lure it?//
//Yes.// Cloud replied while he let his other senses sharpen.
Already he could hear the sounds it made as it crashed back and forth in the shrubbery trying to decide if it would strike or not. Cloud waited in silence listening to the voices of the materia hum and sing and to the rest of the world. Behind him he could hear the monster clear the bushes and take a few steps toward Cloud's still figure before darting back.
//It is wary, it can smell your strength.//
Cloud ignored the comment and instead he rose to his feet slowly bringing the Ultima weapon with him. In one smooth motion he spun around and brought his blade to the ready. A Grand Horn stood perhaps five feet away from him eyeing him uncertainly.
//Will you hunt?//
The spiky blond shook his head and turned his back on the monster. //There's no point, it knows I'm stronger and won't attack.// Cloud replied as he walked away.
//So there will be no hunt?//
//I'll hunt.//
//You will go to the cave?//
//Yes.//
The materia cave where he had found Knights of the Round was just on the other side of the island, a short distance in comparison to the on from Round island to Kalm or North Crater. There he knew the monsters would be strong and they would fight, years of battling and living so close to a materia spring hand ensured that. Their were fierce and far more wild than other monsters, there he knew would not be a challenge but at least creatures that made him have to stop thinking and rely on his battle instincts. Which was exactly what he was after.
~*~*~*~
Cloud wiped the few beads of sweat from his forehead then sank to the sandy ground.
He had spent close to three hours fighting the various monsters inside the cave then strangely in the middle of a fight the monster he had been fighting stopped where it was and turned its eyes to the sky, even if it could not see it inside the cave, and then withdrew further into the cave having totally forgotten that Cloud was even there.
Seeing no chance or point of continuing Cloud had made his way out of the cave and down to the beach where he sat now. With a sigh he lay back on the sand and starred up at the sky. The moon was high in the sky and the stars were out shining brightly, the air smelled as if it had rained recently and the crickets sang happily oblivious to the blond warrior or his weapon.
/Beautiful./ Cloud thought as he stretched then brought one arm up underneath his head.
He felt a surge from Ultima weapon.
//Are you happy now?// He asked it.
//I am content.//
Cloud smiled softly and let his eyes slide close.
~*~*~*~
~ "It is time." ~
~ Cloud started and gazed around himself, black, in all directions. ~
~ "I'm dreaming?" ~
~ "Yes, we needed to speak with you." ~
~ He opened himself to their presence. ~
~ "Cetra." ~
~ "Yes, we had to speak to you, Cloud Strife." ~
~ "Why?" ~
~ "They have returned." ~
~ "Who has?" ~
~ "Those from your past, they have been returned to the living realm. They have been given a second chance, but you must guide them, teach them so they do not repeat their mistakes." ~
~ "Who? Who's returned?!" ~
~ "Those from your past." ~
~ ".Zack.Sephiroth." ~
~*~*~*~
He woke with a start, his breath coming out in ragged gasps.
//The ancient ones spoke with you?//
"Yes." Cloud replied, speaking out loud. "They're back.but that's impossible."
//The ancient ones are never wrong, anything they have told you is truth.//
That thought hit Cloud and settled into the back of his mind. "Then."
//Think of it later, someone approaches the island.//
"Who?"
//The man who is beast//
Cloud grimaced at the title Ultima weapon had given Vincent while the team was still together. He rose stiffly then looked up at the sky, he had been asleep for hours, the sun was starting to rise in the east. Shaking his head he turned his eyes to the ocean and sure enough he could make out the outline of someone riding in fast on a chocobo.
The last time he had seen Vincent was when the ex-turk had come to find him a few years ago, bringing news, memories and some supplies. The news had been both good and bad, Barret had been killed in battle the year before while it seemed Tifa had settled down with a man from Mideel and had had two children, twins sons, she called Cloud and Tide.
That news had brought relief for him since he had been wondering if Tifa would ever stop chasing after him and find happiness on her own. Cloud sighed as he watched Vincent draw closer and found himself wondering what news the older man had brought him this time.
//You fear ill news?//
//Always//
Vincent reined in his gold chocobo as soon as he reached the beach then quickly dismounted and closed the distance between Cloud and himself. "Cloud." He said by way of greeting.
Cloud smiled at his old friend. "It's good to see you again Vincent, it's been a long time."
"You're damn right it has."
The blond blinked, taken aback by the outburst of uncharacteristic display of emotion.
Vincent stared at him for a while then sighed and shook his head. "It's been far too long Cloud."
"It's only been." He said before being cut of by Vincent.
"It's been nearly /twenty years/ since North Crater Cloud."
The ex-soldier stared at him in disbelief then blinked. "Impossible, I only saw you."
"Nine years ago, before that it took me eight years to find you and before that we all agreed that it would be best to leave you alone for a while." Vincent informed him pointedly.
Cloud stared at him a moment longer before bowing his head. "I'm sorry.I didn't realize."
Vincent sighed in resignation and shook his head then he clapped a hand on one of the blondes shoulders. "Don't worry about it, I didn't really expect you to count the days.we should get inside."
Cloud nodded then took hold of the reins of Vincents chocobo then reached down for the Ultima weapon.
"Is that." Vincent whispered.
"Ultima weapon?" Cloud finished for him then nodded and lifted the crystalline blade so Vincent had a better view.
//His power has grown also.//
//Probably.// Cloud replied.
Vincent was staring at his face intently. "It talks to you?"
Cloud nodded as he sheathed the weapon.
"What did it say just now?" The ex-Turk inquired softly.
The blond smiled at his friend. "It said you're stronger."
The older man nodded and followed Cloud as the younger man led him to his cottage.
"How is everyone?" Cloud asked as he sank into a chair.
Vincent leaned back into his chair, the only other one in the room and sighed. "Tifa's well but the years are starting to catch up to her.she's a widow now, how husband was killed by bandits a little while back. Her sons, Tide and Cloud have grown up well and they help her with her bar."
"Tifa has a bar?" Cloud interrupted.
Vincent nodded. "She said it 'felt more like home' running a bar."
The other man nodded but remained silent.
"RedXIII is the leader of Cosmo Canyon, it seems he cloned himself so now he has children of his own, two, one boy and one girl. Marleen, Barrets daughter, is working on building a branch of AVALANCHE that, she hopes, will clean up the mess ShinRa and Midgar made. Reeve is still working up rebuilding ShinRa, except this time they're going to be protecting the planet and everyone on it. From what I saw it's going fairly well, instead of using mako to power everything they're using chocobo power, chocobo breeders are making money selling their chocobos to them."
Cloud nodded letting all of the information sink in.
Vincent closed his eyes thoughtfully. "Cid's working with Reeve to rebuild the ShinRa space exploration program. Yuffie apparently got married but otherwise hasn't changed."
The blond chuckled at the image of Yuffie darting around trying to steal materia, husband in tow. "What about you Vincent?" He asked suddenly.
The older mans eyes slid open and the blood red eyes regarded him intently. "Me?"
Cloud simply nodded.
"I've.been traveling, now that the fighting has died down there really isn't much for me to do except travel or go back to my little room in Nibleheim." His voice trailed off and they both sat there in silence until finally Vincent spoke again. "How have you been?"
Cloud blinked and stared at the other man for a moment, recalling what the Cetra had told him earlier. "Health wise I'm fine."
Vincent raised one dark eyebrow. "Health wise?" He repeated calmly.
"The Cetra spoke to me today, just before you got here."
"What did they say?"
The blond watched the ex-Turk for a moment before standing and turning to face the window, giving him a view of the beach. "They've come back."
"Who has Cloud?" Cloud didn't need to turn around to know that Vincent was frowning.
"Zack.and Sephiroth."
There was a short silence then, "Zack.from your past?" Came the soft inquiry.
Cloud nodded and for a moment his vision blurred as old and painful memories resurfaced, they cut as deep as they day they occurred. Zack bleeding from multiple wounds but determined to protect him to the end then Sephiroth, the one winged angel. The fight for the planet, the pain, relief and thanks that shone in Sephiroth's eyes as Cloud slaughtered the only person he really admired.
"And Sephiroth?"
He nodded again and sighed. "Yes."
"Where are they?" The dark haired man asked quietly.
Cloud turned back towards the other man and sank into his chair with a frustrated sigh. "They didn't tell me, I got the feeling that I was supposed to look for them."
Vincent mumbled something under his breath. "Did they at least tell you why they're back?"
"They're supposed to be getting a second chance." Cloud informed him almost inaudibly.
"At what?"
"Life.I guess." Cloud answered with a shrug.
"And they want you to baby sit them?" There was no trace of anything in Vincents voice so the blond had no idea if he was joking or not.
Cloud shrugged again. "I'm supposed to make sure they don't make the same mistakes they did last time.
//Meteor//
Vincents red eyes turned from Cloud's face to Ultima Weapon which Cloud had leant against the wall next to him. "I wonder if it's because of Chaos that I can hear it.it's too bad I can't understand it."
"Meteor." Cloud repeated.
They sat in silence for the rest of the night, recounting fond memories and trying to bury painful ones.
~*~*~*~
They were awake early the next morning and as usual Cloud did the workout he did every morning but this time Vincent was their moving along side him and if anyone were to look upon them they would think that the two men had been working through those motions for years on end. They moved in perfect synchronization their breathing calm and equal and their minds both equally blank.
Nothing existed except for them and the movements they made.
After nigh two hours of mindless actions they had made their way back into the small cottage and had begun packing the things they would need for a journey before heading to the chocobo pen where Cloud kept his chocobos and he had put Vincents.
"Where to first?" Cloud asked as he put on his chocobos reins.
Vincent turned his eyes to the clear sky and frowned thoughtfully. "Mideel, it's closest and we should let Tifa know what's happening."
Cloud nodded and mounted his chocobo. "Let's go see Tifa then"
~*~*~*~
Silver strands were pushed away from bright green eyes.
The pale man turned his attention away from the book he was reading and gazed over towards the group of noisily playing children only ten feet from where he sat under an old giant tree. They looked for all the world as if there was nothing more fun than kicking around the bright yellow ball they were playing with.
It took him only a moment to realize that someone was moving towards him and he turned his gaze around until he spotted Mrs. Wrinehart making her way over to him.
She was a middle aged and robust woman who had three children all with white-blond hair and brown eyes to match her own. She had been widowed years before so it had been up to her to make a living to support her children and care for their needs as a mother.
She had been kind enough to give him a roof over his head and clean clothes as well as food to eat in exchange that he watch over her children while she worked.
She had also given him a name when he couldn't remember his own.
"Micah!" She smiled as she approached where he sat.
He stood to greet her and inclined his head politely. "Welcome home, Mrs. Wrinehart."
She pulled a face when she heard her name. "I thought I told you not to call me that, ah well. Supper's almost done, do me a favor and herd up the kids and get them to wash up will you?"
"Of course." He watched her smile her thanks then turn and make her way back towards the houses before turning to the group of children. "Sam! Thom! Millie!" He called then waited for them to turn toward him before making a 'come here' gesture.
There were a few mumbled protests but all three bade their friends farewell and hurried over to where he stood.
"Supper is almost done, your mother wants you to come in and wash up." He said quietly before picking up the book he had been reading and turned toward the houses.
Some hours later the children were in bed and he was sitting with Mrs. Wrinehart in front of her fireplace, once again reading his book.
"Thank you for watching the kids again today." She said quietly.
He looked up from the page and turned his bright green gaze to her. "It's no problem." He muttered.
She nodded then stared into the flames as they danced around.
"Is something wrong?" He inquired softly, automatically searching out her eyes as if he would find the answer there.
She quickly turned her head to avoid eye contact and laughed. It sounded strained to him, tense.
"I was just thinking."
They sat there for several more minutes in silence and he watched her intently. Finally she threw her hands into the air.
"Alright, if I tell you will you stop staring at me like that?" She demanded with a huff.
He inclined his head.
She turned to him suddenly and he could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't sure she like what she was about to say.
"I think you should leave soon." She said then held up one hand to silence him. "Hear me out, I think you should leave and see the world and maybe then you'll remember who you are and.where you came from. What if you have family out there worrying about you?"
He stared at her for a moment then sighed and closed his book. "I doubt it.but I think you might be right."
"You do?"
He nodded, not bothering to brush the silver strands back as they fell in front of his eyes. "I've been thinking and I want to know who I am."
She watched him for a moment then smiled. "Well when you're ready I'll do what I can to help." She said before standing and making her way out of the room leaving the beautiful silver haired man alone with his thoughts.
~*~*~*~