Cloud paced back and forth. He couldn't stay still. It was his fault... If only he hadn't ran away.... Marlene would be here and Tifa.... Tifa would smiled at him and tell him it's ok....
Cloud hit the floor in sobs. He had to know what the fuck was going on! My God it was driving him insane!!!
[I'm such a fucking pansy.... running from the truth... letting the others get hurt... Trying to hide from the pain....] He stood up and wiped his tears off. He had to do something now.
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"Think anyone is here?"
"They should be..." Reno tugged on a loose strand of hair. He looked around and found a drawing of Cloud a child did on the floor. Smirking lightly he picked it up and put it back on it's place on the wall.
"What the fuck?" He turned around to find Cloud staring at him.
"Shut up man I drew it." Reno snapped jokingly.
"He's a good artist isn't he? He captured your glare perfect." Rude chimed in.
"No. Not that. Why are you here?" Cloud looked around. "Where's Rufus?"
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"A little closer....." Rufus wheeled himself forward as far as he could. If he reached far enough he could each the keypad to open the door before the trio got back.
[ "Where is mother?! Tell me or I'll have Loz kill Tifa and the little girl." Kadaj grabbed the arms of the chair. Rufus looked at him.
"Jenova.... is buried.... under all the rubble here.... Where she is exactly... I can't say. Meteor messed things up... Kadaj let Marlene go...."
"Let her go?" Loz walked up behind Kadaj holding an unconcious Marlene. "Are you crazy? We need her."
"She is the light of the advent...."]
"Damn, damn, damn!!! Curse these burn scars!"
"Oooooh Rufus!! Yazuu's head popped into sight with a giant grin on his face. "You're not trying to get loose are you?! Shame, shame!! Kadaj has a present for you! A front row ticket to the biggest show ever!"
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"So you're telling me that Kadaj wants Jenova to revive Sephiros?" Cloud asked looking Reno straight in the eye. He just nodded.
"Boss Ruf is the only one who knows where Jenova is located." Reno continued.
"Which is why Kadaj took him." Rude sipped his drink Cloud got them. They all sat at the kitchen table now, talking of the Trio's plans... Or at least of what the know.
"But he'd need a host for Sephiros's body."
"That's where you fit in blondy. Kadaj is breaking your spirit. And it's seems to be working." Reno smirked at Cloud.
"You're the only one who carries pure Sephiros blood that's alive. Plus you absorbed his soul. What a better canidate." Rude set down his cup, empty. Cloud got up to refil it and processed what Rude had said.
"I don't understand that sentence....." He said as he poured more coffee for the ex-Turk.
"In other words, you're Sephiros's true little brother and the other three are just.... hmm..... how would you put this...." Rude looked at the table and thought.
"Test tube babies using Luciercia's and Hojo's DNA. You're home grown rape baby." Reno stood up and patted Cloud's bare shoulder. "Hey you ok?"
Cloud was not ok... He was far from it. Blood was trickling down from his nose. He turned to Reno to say something but the turn was too fast and he fell into Reno's arms in a slump.
"He die?" Rude asked poking him in the back.
"No he's breathing.... probably got dizzy from a nosebleed. Fucking pansy."
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[You came......] Cloud turned his head slightly to see a pink bow that he reconized quickly, He looked around to see and endless field of flowers.
[Even though you're about to fall apart....] Cloud stared behind him but never turned fully. He was afraid.... of what she would say if she looked into his cold dead eyes....
[Right?] He felt a hand on his sleeve.
"I can't..." He whispered.
[You must Cloud.... please... Save the planet.] She placed her face between his shoulders.
"But I let you down....... I let everyone down...."
[You're wrong..... You made me happy. Happier then anyone. Happier then Zax even.... You made me smiled in the darkest of times.... Look around.... I have found my promise land.]
"Aerith..... I'm afraid." Aerith smiled softly into his back.
[I know..... You'll be fine.] She turned him to face her. Cloud closed his eyes as he felt his feet move.
[You're so cute.] She giggled softly causing him to crack an eye open. Her face was lit with a small smile, happiness played in her eyes.... And for the first time..... Cloud was smiling. Full heartedly.
"Thank you..." He kissed her forehead. "I understand now."
[I was never angry or hurt by you Cloud. I was proud. Nothing can ever change that.]
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Cloud woke up in a start making his world white.
"Whoa! Take it easy! You passed out man!" Reno patted his back.
"How's Tifa?" Cloud asked blinking a few times.
"She's alright. A few wounds can't be healed and she has a whole lot of bruises. She's sleeping now." Rude answered all as-a-matter-o-factly. Cloud nodded and got up off the couch.
"I'll go ahead and find Rufus and Jenova. You two call everyone."
"Whoa! Whoa! What got you so head strong?" Reno looked at him funny and scratched his head.
"Nothing that you should know about." Cloud glared at Reno.
"What should we tell them?" Rude asked trying to get rid of the tension of death.
"That Cloud says get their lazy and sorry asses over here before he comes and drags them here." Cloud gave a small wink and huge grin.
"HOLY FUCK DID YOU JUST SMILE?!"