Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Second Chances At Life ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Queen_Dark 
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.23.2008 | Updated On: 08.24.2008 | Pages: 1 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 264 | Status: Completed
Non Anime: Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.23.2008 | Updated On: 08.24.2008 | Pages: 1 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 264 | Status: Completed
Kadaj awoke excitedly the next morning and rushed down the stairs to see what Ukiyo was doing, and how soon would she be able to start the process. When he reached the bottom of the stairs though it seemed she had already begun as he body was glowing a bright blue. Immediately she sensed him and turned her attention to Kadaj and smiled motioning him to sit down on the other side of the room behind her. “Don't say anything, 'cause if I loose concentration then I might mess things up.” she said before turning her attention back to the center of the bare room.
Slowly Kadaj watched as small threads of blue light filled the room weaving themselves in out of one another, making an intricate pattern which slowly began to form into deathly pale skin. As the form of a boy smaller than himself began to form, floating in the center of the room lines of long silver hair began trickle in the room and catch themselves onto the skin of his head. Smaller threads of hair filling in other places, like his eyebrows and oddly enough that was it. After a moment as it seemed the final touched of the process were being made, Ukiyo's glow began to fade a little as the small boy lowered gently to the floor.
Moving forward with hesitance, Kadaj lightly poked the boy on the ground, as if to test if her was real or not. “What do you think?” Ukiyo asked watching as Kadaj ran his fingers lightly over silver and pale skin.
“I figured he would be bigger.” the boy commented still staring at his long time idol's form.
“Well I figured I would make him smaller since he was going to have the personality of a child for awhile his thoughts could grow with his body. Plus making an adult extends way to much energy. Do you not find him as amazing like this?” Ukiyo asked getting Kadaj's full attention.
“No it's not that, he's perfect like they said.” Kadaj said softly looking at his feet sadly.
“Why do you do that? Why judge yourself so harshly when you look just like him. The only difference is your hair is shorter.” Ukiyo spoke with a deadly seriously getting a wide eyed look from the boy who lifted his hand to touch his face lightly.
“You really think so?” he asked blushing lightly, getting a nod in reply as Ukiyo moved over a table in the corner of the room and grabbing a thin blanket and handing it to Kadaj.
“Come on let's take him to his room.” Ukiyo said making Kadaj smile brightly as he gently wrapped the blanket around the small boy on the floor and scooping him up bridal style. “He's in the room next to yours so you will be close, ok? Something tells me he will want his older brother's close.”
“He won't be sleeping in the same room as us?”
Ukiyo shook her head as she opened to the room that supplied only two beds unlike the one beside it that held three. “Why not?”
“I didn't want him to feel out of place. There will be others who will be joining us you know. There is only room for three beds and I'm sure Yazoo would be uncomfortable being away from you and Loz.” Ukiyo explained as if it were all so simple, Kadaj gently lay the small boy in his arms onto the bed. She watched as Kadaj slowly and methodically smoothed the blankets around the tiny body.
“Why does he not breath?” Kadaj asked sitting on the edge of the bed his fingers tracing over Sephiroth's smooth skin.
“He is not truly alive yet.” she said softly sighing and shaking her head. “No life energy fills his body yet.” Kadaj sat staring still at the lifeless body of the small child, it was all to ethereal for him. “Be prepared little one, you will have to deal with being one overly hyper child's Nii-san all too soon.” Ukiyo said placing a soft kiss on Kadaj's head before he could even reply.
“Hyper?” he said softly not sure how else to reply to that fact, Sephiroth definitely wasn't supposed to be like that, he was supposed to be calm in control of everything.
“Yes, all children are filled with way more energy than what is needed.” she laughed drawing the information from all the years, she the lifestream had watched the planet grow and communicate.
~~~~~
Ya zoo sat silently in the sanctuary him and his brothers had made for themselves, his knees were drawn closely to his chest, black clad holding them in their place. He didn't know what to do now, Loz and Kadaj were gone, mother was destroyed Sephiroth also. His reasons for being had left him to stare lifelessly at the forest before him.
Now he just wished that woman would simply come back already and put an end to his miserable life like she had done the others. He had no reason for being anymore so why was he even wasting valuable air, he was polluting the planet with the poison that was his life.
So why wouldn't she simply approach him already and end it all for him, why did he have to wait for this and continue to suffer as he did so. He felt utterly weak as he felt his control slip again and tears began to run down his face again at the thought of his poor younger brother's, he was supposed to have looked after them but couldn't.
As if hearing his thoughts and somewhat prayers the woman appeared before him, looking around slowly her eyes falling on him after a moment, as he stood shakily. “You're not going to put up a fight this time are you?” she asked looking at him for a moment as he didn't seem ready to attack.
“Heh, why should I? You've killed my brothers they're all I had, so really what have you left me with?” Yazoo replied bitterly with his head bowed.
“What are you talking about? I told you before I wasn't going to kill them, just remove the mako from their bodies, are you dense?” Ukiyo asked slightly irritated, the boy looked up and glared at her as if she told lies. His resolve to let her kill him faded quickly as he launched himself toward her, poised to attack.
Moving to the side with ease she allowed the man to fall right past her and onto the ground, his sudden lack of eloquence due to his lack of sleep and nourishment, or any real movement at all. His limbs had become like jelly. Slowly Ukiyo moved over to the long haired man's side placing her hand on his shoulder lightly. “You honestly think I killed them don't you?” she asked true compassion showing for the confused remnant, the only answer she received was the fist that stopped mid air before it could make it's destination with colliding with her face.
Ukiyo sighed as she ran a hand lightly over his face; as he was now frozen in place; making Yazoo tremble with even more uncontrollable anger, that she knew was a side effect of the mako. Along with the irrationality he was facing, with a slight shake from her head she transported Yazoo to the same room she had brought the other two remnants to. And as before he was on his own bed, Loz and Kadaj were out of the room.
Most likely the two were still staring at the motionless body of a kid Sephiroth waiting for his spirit fill it and bring the small boy to life. Ukiyo sighed as Yazoo began to struggle, it was far worse than what Loz attempted, making it momentarily impossible for her to pull out her sleep materia.
Seeing no other option to her problem she stilled his hands with her as he continued to try and wiggle her off of himself. She slowly concentrated her energy through his hands forcing the mako out that way, which wasn't necessarily easier for her. Suddenly she saw his eyes widen as the pain gripped his stomach, Ukiyo released him allowing Yazoo to allow the mako to flow from his body.
Ukiyo watched as the poor silver haired man's body shook horribly under the pressure, she watched helplessly as he stared down at the poisoned red blood on the floor numbly. “I want my brothers.” he said weakly his voice shaking as much as his body.
“Then sleep, I will send them up when you awaken.” she said softly watching as his head turned to look up at her with wide watery eyes.
“You really didn't kill them?” he asked softly his voice strained from the sore throat he was experiencing.
“Of course not, it's not in my nature to kill. Relieving the mako from your bodies won't kill any of you just make you a bit worn out like you are now.” she said brushing the sweat slicking hair from his face gently, receiving a tired smile in return as he lay his head back onto the pillow. Sleep was hitting him hard.
“I want to see them.” Yazoo said again, barely above a whisper this time.
“You will, I promise I will send them to your room when you wake up.” Ukiyo reassured watching as the confirmation made the man quickly fall into dream land. Ukiyo sighed and shook her head at him, he was so stubborn no matter what she had said to him before had calmed him down. It was probably his need for sleep that made him more reasonable, or so that's what Ukiyo reasoned out in her head as she moved down the steps.
Kadaj was heading up the stairs as she was moving down them; that was until Ukiyo placed a firm hand on the boy's chest stopping him in his place and earning an odd look from him. “Don't go up there just yet, Yazoo just went to sleep and I'm sure he'll wake up if you do since he apparently thought I killed you and your brother.” Ukiyo said, watching as the boy's eyes lighted up at the mention Yazoo's name.
“He's here? He's finally here?” Kadaj asked excitedly looking toward the hallway up stair, he had to prevent himself from running up the steps to check if it were true.
“Yes, has Sephiroth awakened yet?” she asked changing the subject before continuing her journey down the steps, the silver haired boy hot on her heals.
“No.” he replied curtly.
“Good.” Ukiyo said in an equally short reply.
“Good?” Kadaj looked at the woman in confusion as to why that would be 'good'.
“Yes, I have yet to be informed of his finished purification. Apparently he's a complicated and special case.” Ukiyo said still getting a confused look from the boy but this time for a different reason; like the fact that he had no clue who would inform her of such things in the first place.
Suddenly a man with spiky black hair appeared in the middle of the room, which shocked Kadaj because he appeared slightly see through. The man bowed slightly toward Ukiyo, a huge smile across his face as he did so. “Ukiyo, I'm here to tell you that Sephiroth is ready to return now.” he said, and needed to say no more for Kadaj's eyes to go wide before he dashed out of the room. “Did I scare him?” he asked laughing at the boy who had left in a mad dash for the door.
Ukiyo shook her head and smiled at the happy man, “No, he's excited to meet Sephiroth in person is all.”
“Ah I see. Well actually that's what I came to talk to you about really, I want to... no that's not right. I want you to bring me back to life also.” he asked looking away and scratching the back of his head in a type of nervous action.
“Why Zack?” she asked tilting her head to the side slightly.
“I... I get to watch Cloud... a lot. I think it would good to help him heal, I mean your going to go after him next I know it. I could be your bargaining chip, it'll be his chance to protect me this time. Plus I really don't think Sephiroth should be alone again this time around y'know?” he said In a rush of words almost loosing the woman standing in front of him.
“Alone?” Ukiyo asked watching him shift nervously in his misty form.
“Well yeah, he was surrounded by all adults when he was younger before. It'll be the same now too, no one here is a kid like you're making him.” Zack sighed unsure if he was convincing her to actually bring him back since her expression was never the same as what she was thinking.
“I see. Go away Zack.” she said waving the man off watching as he gave her a saddened look before disappearing from the room. “KADAJ!” she yelled waiting as the boy rushed into the room looking at her questioningly. “I need your help for a moment before we awaken Sephiroth just yet.” she said getting a slight nod in reply.
~~~~~
Cloud sat silently in his room, horrid images of Zack lying bleeding on the ground in front of him as he could do absolutely nothing haunting his mind every time he closed his eyes. Even now when everything was supposed to feel 'better', after all Sephiroth was gone and that odd woman had wiped out the remnants. What did he really have to worry about except living.
Which seemed unnecessarily hard for him, for some odd reason. The sound of Tifa yelling broke him from his musings, as he rushed down the steps; his buster sword in hand. The woman who had took Loz away was standing at the front door of the bar, and her attention turned immediately to Cloud as he entered.
“Ah there you are I felt you but I can never quite place a person exactly.” Ukiyo said placing a hand over her heart as she spoke a small smile gracing her features as she did so.
“What are you here for?” Cloud asked stiffly, his sword poised for a fight.
“You of course, I said I would rid the world of mako and damn it I will do so.” she said, dropping her smile as she did so. “I actually have a trade for you Blondie, that is... if you decide to come willingly.” she said watching as his expression changed from angry to curious in mere moments.
“What?” he asked not moving from his fighting position, slowly a tiny boy with bright blue eyes and spiky black hair that fell just below his ears stepped from behind Ukiyo looking at the blonde with hesitance. “I don't get it.” Cloud said eying the boy, there was a resemblance he couldn't quite place.
“I would like to introduce you to a five year old Zackary Fair.” she said placing her hand on the soft spiky head.
“He had a kid?” Cloud asked still staring at the child, the resemblance was so much alike between the two he was surprised he hadn't realized before.
“No, it's him. A request to be remade, reborn and this is the result.” Ukiyo replied kneeling to hug the small child from behind as the little boy giggled.
“He looks like he has a chocobo on his head.” he said softly, a small silly smile on his face as he watched Cloud drop his sword in shock.
“Zack...” Cloud mumbled tears forming in his eyes for the first time in years, he hadn't even really been able to cry even when the older man; now a boy; had died. “How?” Cloud asked bowing his head as the tears dropped to the floor.
“i told those other boys, I am the conscience of the life force, I think, and most of the time it happens. I was created to do what the humes could not do themselves quickly enough. And that is to rid the planet of mako that poisons the people and creatures, even the planet itself. What I do outside of that is my own choice for the rest of my 'life' is my own.” Ukiyo explained all had forgotten the woman who stood to the side staring at Cloud intently.
Cloud stared at the small boy that stood comfortably in the woman's arms, he looked so happy, so much like Zack that it frightened the blonde. Reaching out slowly toward the child he felt himself tremble ever so slightly the world around him no longer mattered, just Zack. “May I?” he asked not finishing his question but Ukiyo knew none the less what he meant and nodded.
“Go ahead Zack, that's the boy I told you about.” she said soothingly releasing the small child and standing up to watch him hesitate before moving shyly over to the blonde. With trembling hands Cloud reached out to touch soft delicate skin ever so lightly, he was afraid that if he made the wrong move that this tiny version of his old friend would disappear.
At this close distance he could tell the boy almost smelled the same also, the small difference was still there though. “Please let him stay.” Cloud whispered his fingers running through inky black locks.
“I can't do that, you can return with us though.” she replied smoothly and Tifa jumped up darting across the room quickly and scooping up the small child, crouching with her arms around his neck threateningly.
“What do you think you're pulling lady? You make up some cheap imitation that will play with Cloud's emotions and you hope it will help you lure him back with you so you can kill him?!” she yelled paying no mind as the small boy struggled to get from her hold.
“Are you kidding me? You think I couldn't have taken him by force, now I swear to you that if you do not put Zackary down I will kill you!” Ukiyo snarled as tears fell from the deep blues of a confused child.
“I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” Zack wailed unsure of what he did wrong but positive that he must of done something since the woman wanted to hurt him.
“Shut up already!” Tifa growled tightening her grip on his, his voice was causing pain to her ears.
Zack squeaked and coughed slightly at the feel of having his airways constricted, Cloud's eyes widened the very real death of Zack the first time replaying through his mind oh so clearly at that instant. He couldn't keep him safe last time, but this time he was here and so frail a child, and Cloud definitely take out Tifa if needed. “Let him go!” Cloud snarled picking up his swords as he stood from his spot on the floor.
“But Cloud, don't you see what she's trying to do?!” Tifa asked her eyes going wide, “Don't let her fog your judgment with this replica! It's not Zack!” she yelled determinedly going stiff with shock as the man poised his sword to attack her.
“I do not care! I said put him down Tifa, even if that boy bears his face and nothing else I can not bear to watch him die again!” Cloud replied his body going rigid preparing to strike if she did not do as he said. Slowly and hesitantly Tifa dropped the boy with a defeated look, paying no mind as he took off running toward the blonde man, tears still running down his face.
Zack clutched tightly at the man's pants hiding his face in Cloud's hip, Cloud placed down his sword again slowly, before kneeling slightly to wrap his arms around the tiny frame picking up Zack as he stood again moving to where Ukiyo stood. Zack looked up at the blonde with watery blue eyes and a small smile playing across his lips. “You really are my hero.” the little boy said, making Cloud's breath hitch at the small thought that crossed his mind. A hero... a real hero. Zack's hero.
A/N
Alright so this is pretty much my second chappie!! Hope you like it, review and tell me what you think ok? I mean I like reviews they keep me interested.
Slowly Kadaj watched as small threads of blue light filled the room weaving themselves in out of one another, making an intricate pattern which slowly began to form into deathly pale skin. As the form of a boy smaller than himself began to form, floating in the center of the room lines of long silver hair began trickle in the room and catch themselves onto the skin of his head. Smaller threads of hair filling in other places, like his eyebrows and oddly enough that was it. After a moment as it seemed the final touched of the process were being made, Ukiyo's glow began to fade a little as the small boy lowered gently to the floor.
Moving forward with hesitance, Kadaj lightly poked the boy on the ground, as if to test if her was real or not. “What do you think?” Ukiyo asked watching as Kadaj ran his fingers lightly over silver and pale skin.
“I figured he would be bigger.” the boy commented still staring at his long time idol's form.
“Well I figured I would make him smaller since he was going to have the personality of a child for awhile his thoughts could grow with his body. Plus making an adult extends way to much energy. Do you not find him as amazing like this?” Ukiyo asked getting Kadaj's full attention.
“No it's not that, he's perfect like they said.” Kadaj said softly looking at his feet sadly.
“Why do you do that? Why judge yourself so harshly when you look just like him. The only difference is your hair is shorter.” Ukiyo spoke with a deadly seriously getting a wide eyed look from the boy who lifted his hand to touch his face lightly.
“You really think so?” he asked blushing lightly, getting a nod in reply as Ukiyo moved over a table in the corner of the room and grabbing a thin blanket and handing it to Kadaj.
“Come on let's take him to his room.” Ukiyo said making Kadaj smile brightly as he gently wrapped the blanket around the small boy on the floor and scooping him up bridal style. “He's in the room next to yours so you will be close, ok? Something tells me he will want his older brother's close.”
“He won't be sleeping in the same room as us?”
Ukiyo shook her head as she opened to the room that supplied only two beds unlike the one beside it that held three. “Why not?”
“I didn't want him to feel out of place. There will be others who will be joining us you know. There is only room for three beds and I'm sure Yazoo would be uncomfortable being away from you and Loz.” Ukiyo explained as if it were all so simple, Kadaj gently lay the small boy in his arms onto the bed. She watched as Kadaj slowly and methodically smoothed the blankets around the tiny body.
“Why does he not breath?” Kadaj asked sitting on the edge of the bed his fingers tracing over Sephiroth's smooth skin.
“He is not truly alive yet.” she said softly sighing and shaking her head. “No life energy fills his body yet.” Kadaj sat staring still at the lifeless body of the small child, it was all to ethereal for him. “Be prepared little one, you will have to deal with being one overly hyper child's Nii-san all too soon.” Ukiyo said placing a soft kiss on Kadaj's head before he could even reply.
“Hyper?” he said softly not sure how else to reply to that fact, Sephiroth definitely wasn't supposed to be like that, he was supposed to be calm in control of everything.
“Yes, all children are filled with way more energy than what is needed.” she laughed drawing the information from all the years, she the lifestream had watched the planet grow and communicate.
Ya zoo sat silently in the sanctuary him and his brothers had made for themselves, his knees were drawn closely to his chest, black clad holding them in their place. He didn't know what to do now, Loz and Kadaj were gone, mother was destroyed Sephiroth also. His reasons for being had left him to stare lifelessly at the forest before him.
Now he just wished that woman would simply come back already and put an end to his miserable life like she had done the others. He had no reason for being anymore so why was he even wasting valuable air, he was polluting the planet with the poison that was his life.
So why wouldn't she simply approach him already and end it all for him, why did he have to wait for this and continue to suffer as he did so. He felt utterly weak as he felt his control slip again and tears began to run down his face again at the thought of his poor younger brother's, he was supposed to have looked after them but couldn't.
As if hearing his thoughts and somewhat prayers the woman appeared before him, looking around slowly her eyes falling on him after a moment, as he stood shakily. “You're not going to put up a fight this time are you?” she asked looking at him for a moment as he didn't seem ready to attack.
“Heh, why should I? You've killed my brothers they're all I had, so really what have you left me with?” Yazoo replied bitterly with his head bowed.
“What are you talking about? I told you before I wasn't going to kill them, just remove the mako from their bodies, are you dense?” Ukiyo asked slightly irritated, the boy looked up and glared at her as if she told lies. His resolve to let her kill him faded quickly as he launched himself toward her, poised to attack.
Moving to the side with ease she allowed the man to fall right past her and onto the ground, his sudden lack of eloquence due to his lack of sleep and nourishment, or any real movement at all. His limbs had become like jelly. Slowly Ukiyo moved over to the long haired man's side placing her hand on his shoulder lightly. “You honestly think I killed them don't you?” she asked true compassion showing for the confused remnant, the only answer she received was the fist that stopped mid air before it could make it's destination with colliding with her face.
Ukiyo sighed as she ran a hand lightly over his face; as he was now frozen in place; making Yazoo tremble with even more uncontrollable anger, that she knew was a side effect of the mako. Along with the irrationality he was facing, with a slight shake from her head she transported Yazoo to the same room she had brought the other two remnants to. And as before he was on his own bed, Loz and Kadaj were out of the room.
Most likely the two were still staring at the motionless body of a kid Sephiroth waiting for his spirit fill it and bring the small boy to life. Ukiyo sighed as Yazoo began to struggle, it was far worse than what Loz attempted, making it momentarily impossible for her to pull out her sleep materia.
Seeing no other option to her problem she stilled his hands with her as he continued to try and wiggle her off of himself. She slowly concentrated her energy through his hands forcing the mako out that way, which wasn't necessarily easier for her. Suddenly she saw his eyes widen as the pain gripped his stomach, Ukiyo released him allowing Yazoo to allow the mako to flow from his body.
Ukiyo watched as the poor silver haired man's body shook horribly under the pressure, she watched helplessly as he stared down at the poisoned red blood on the floor numbly. “I want my brothers.” he said weakly his voice shaking as much as his body.
“Then sleep, I will send them up when you awaken.” she said softly watching as his head turned to look up at her with wide watery eyes.
“You really didn't kill them?” he asked softly his voice strained from the sore throat he was experiencing.
“Of course not, it's not in my nature to kill. Relieving the mako from your bodies won't kill any of you just make you a bit worn out like you are now.” she said brushing the sweat slicking hair from his face gently, receiving a tired smile in return as he lay his head back onto the pillow. Sleep was hitting him hard.
“I want to see them.” Yazoo said again, barely above a whisper this time.
“You will, I promise I will send them to your room when you wake up.” Ukiyo reassured watching as the confirmation made the man quickly fall into dream land. Ukiyo sighed and shook her head at him, he was so stubborn no matter what she had said to him before had calmed him down. It was probably his need for sleep that made him more reasonable, or so that's what Ukiyo reasoned out in her head as she moved down the steps.
Kadaj was heading up the stairs as she was moving down them; that was until Ukiyo placed a firm hand on the boy's chest stopping him in his place and earning an odd look from him. “Don't go up there just yet, Yazoo just went to sleep and I'm sure he'll wake up if you do since he apparently thought I killed you and your brother.” Ukiyo said, watching as the boy's eyes lighted up at the mention Yazoo's name.
“He's here? He's finally here?” Kadaj asked excitedly looking toward the hallway up stair, he had to prevent himself from running up the steps to check if it were true.
“Yes, has Sephiroth awakened yet?” she asked changing the subject before continuing her journey down the steps, the silver haired boy hot on her heals.
“No.” he replied curtly.
“Good.” Ukiyo said in an equally short reply.
“Good?” Kadaj looked at the woman in confusion as to why that would be 'good'.
“Yes, I have yet to be informed of his finished purification. Apparently he's a complicated and special case.” Ukiyo said still getting a confused look from the boy but this time for a different reason; like the fact that he had no clue who would inform her of such things in the first place.
Suddenly a man with spiky black hair appeared in the middle of the room, which shocked Kadaj because he appeared slightly see through. The man bowed slightly toward Ukiyo, a huge smile across his face as he did so. “Ukiyo, I'm here to tell you that Sephiroth is ready to return now.” he said, and needed to say no more for Kadaj's eyes to go wide before he dashed out of the room. “Did I scare him?” he asked laughing at the boy who had left in a mad dash for the door.
Ukiyo shook her head and smiled at the happy man, “No, he's excited to meet Sephiroth in person is all.”
“Ah I see. Well actually that's what I came to talk to you about really, I want to... no that's not right. I want you to bring me back to life also.” he asked looking away and scratching the back of his head in a type of nervous action.
“Why Zack?” she asked tilting her head to the side slightly.
“I... I get to watch Cloud... a lot. I think it would good to help him heal, I mean your going to go after him next I know it. I could be your bargaining chip, it'll be his chance to protect me this time. Plus I really don't think Sephiroth should be alone again this time around y'know?” he said In a rush of words almost loosing the woman standing in front of him.
“Alone?” Ukiyo asked watching him shift nervously in his misty form.
“Well yeah, he was surrounded by all adults when he was younger before. It'll be the same now too, no one here is a kid like you're making him.” Zack sighed unsure if he was convincing her to actually bring him back since her expression was never the same as what she was thinking.
“I see. Go away Zack.” she said waving the man off watching as he gave her a saddened look before disappearing from the room. “KADAJ!” she yelled waiting as the boy rushed into the room looking at her questioningly. “I need your help for a moment before we awaken Sephiroth just yet.” she said getting a slight nod in reply.
Cloud sat silently in his room, horrid images of Zack lying bleeding on the ground in front of him as he could do absolutely nothing haunting his mind every time he closed his eyes. Even now when everything was supposed to feel 'better', after all Sephiroth was gone and that odd woman had wiped out the remnants. What did he really have to worry about except living.
Which seemed unnecessarily hard for him, for some odd reason. The sound of Tifa yelling broke him from his musings, as he rushed down the steps; his buster sword in hand. The woman who had took Loz away was standing at the front door of the bar, and her attention turned immediately to Cloud as he entered.
“Ah there you are I felt you but I can never quite place a person exactly.” Ukiyo said placing a hand over her heart as she spoke a small smile gracing her features as she did so.
“What are you here for?” Cloud asked stiffly, his sword poised for a fight.
“You of course, I said I would rid the world of mako and damn it I will do so.” she said, dropping her smile as she did so. “I actually have a trade for you Blondie, that is... if you decide to come willingly.” she said watching as his expression changed from angry to curious in mere moments.
“What?” he asked not moving from his fighting position, slowly a tiny boy with bright blue eyes and spiky black hair that fell just below his ears stepped from behind Ukiyo looking at the blonde with hesitance. “I don't get it.” Cloud said eying the boy, there was a resemblance he couldn't quite place.
“I would like to introduce you to a five year old Zackary Fair.” she said placing her hand on the soft spiky head.
“He had a kid?” Cloud asked still staring at the child, the resemblance was so much alike between the two he was surprised he hadn't realized before.
“No, it's him. A request to be remade, reborn and this is the result.” Ukiyo replied kneeling to hug the small child from behind as the little boy giggled.
“He looks like he has a chocobo on his head.” he said softly, a small silly smile on his face as he watched Cloud drop his sword in shock.
“Zack...” Cloud mumbled tears forming in his eyes for the first time in years, he hadn't even really been able to cry even when the older man; now a boy; had died. “How?” Cloud asked bowing his head as the tears dropped to the floor.
“i told those other boys, I am the conscience of the life force, I think, and most of the time it happens. I was created to do what the humes could not do themselves quickly enough. And that is to rid the planet of mako that poisons the people and creatures, even the planet itself. What I do outside of that is my own choice for the rest of my 'life' is my own.” Ukiyo explained all had forgotten the woman who stood to the side staring at Cloud intently.
Cloud stared at the small boy that stood comfortably in the woman's arms, he looked so happy, so much like Zack that it frightened the blonde. Reaching out slowly toward the child he felt himself tremble ever so slightly the world around him no longer mattered, just Zack. “May I?” he asked not finishing his question but Ukiyo knew none the less what he meant and nodded.
“Go ahead Zack, that's the boy I told you about.” she said soothingly releasing the small child and standing up to watch him hesitate before moving shyly over to the blonde. With trembling hands Cloud reached out to touch soft delicate skin ever so lightly, he was afraid that if he made the wrong move that this tiny version of his old friend would disappear.
At this close distance he could tell the boy almost smelled the same also, the small difference was still there though. “Please let him stay.” Cloud whispered his fingers running through inky black locks.
“I can't do that, you can return with us though.” she replied smoothly and Tifa jumped up darting across the room quickly and scooping up the small child, crouching with her arms around his neck threateningly.
“What do you think you're pulling lady? You make up some cheap imitation that will play with Cloud's emotions and you hope it will help you lure him back with you so you can kill him?!” she yelled paying no mind as the small boy struggled to get from her hold.
“Are you kidding me? You think I couldn't have taken him by force, now I swear to you that if you do not put Zackary down I will kill you!” Ukiyo snarled as tears fell from the deep blues of a confused child.
“I'm sorry! I'm sorry!” Zack wailed unsure of what he did wrong but positive that he must of done something since the woman wanted to hurt him.
“Shut up already!” Tifa growled tightening her grip on his, his voice was causing pain to her ears.
Zack squeaked and coughed slightly at the feel of having his airways constricted, Cloud's eyes widened the very real death of Zack the first time replaying through his mind oh so clearly at that instant. He couldn't keep him safe last time, but this time he was here and so frail a child, and Cloud definitely take out Tifa if needed. “Let him go!” Cloud snarled picking up his swords as he stood from his spot on the floor.
“But Cloud, don't you see what she's trying to do?!” Tifa asked her eyes going wide, “Don't let her fog your judgment with this replica! It's not Zack!” she yelled determinedly going stiff with shock as the man poised his sword to attack her.
“I do not care! I said put him down Tifa, even if that boy bears his face and nothing else I can not bear to watch him die again!” Cloud replied his body going rigid preparing to strike if she did not do as he said. Slowly and hesitantly Tifa dropped the boy with a defeated look, paying no mind as he took off running toward the blonde man, tears still running down his face.
Zack clutched tightly at the man's pants hiding his face in Cloud's hip, Cloud placed down his sword again slowly, before kneeling slightly to wrap his arms around the tiny frame picking up Zack as he stood again moving to where Ukiyo stood. Zack looked up at the blonde with watery blue eyes and a small smile playing across his lips. “You really are my hero.” the little boy said, making Cloud's breath hitch at the small thought that crossed his mind. A hero... a real hero. Zack's hero.
A/N
Alright so this is pretty much my second chappie!! Hope you like it, review and tell me what you think ok? I mean I like reviews they keep me interested.