Through Life

"You stay here with the girl."



Cloud nodded. Tifa, however, wanted to go in. Sephiroth shook his head firmly before heading into the reactor. Zack briefly brushed a hand across Cloud's shoulder on his way in.



How could Sephiroth act like that? Simmons was gone- presumably dead. And he didn't care? At the very least, didn't it look bad when men under you are dying? Did he just not care at for... for anyone?



"You don't talk much, do you?"



He looked up, startled out of his stupor. He shook his head and shrugged. All he had wanted to do in this town was avoid her. He didn't want her to see what a failure he was. If that happened, it would be all over the town.



She paced back and forth, back and forth. She sat temporarily before continuing her pacing. Cloud turned away from the sight, looking out from the mountain. He waited patiently for Zack and Sephiroth to return.



-*-*-*-*-



Zack peered forward. "Oh, yuck."



Experiments... all of them. Sephiroth stared in disbelief.



He whirled on Zack. The SOLDIER saw a strange glint in the man's eye- and not a good one. He slowly stepped back as he would from an animal.



"Sephiroth?"



The man lunged for him.



"What the fuck?!"



A slap across the face then. Ouch.



Zack looked up at the General. "What's wrong with you?"



"Is thtis how I was created?" Sephiroth whispered.



Zack had enough sense to lay still as he spoke. "Sephiroth, calm down."



He was having none of it. "I will find out."



"Of course you will."



Silence then. Sephiroth stood from Zack.



"Yes..."



-*-*-*-*-



Cloud turned as he heard footsteps. Zack walked out, alone.



"Sephiroth.. wanted to look a little more. He'll be back."



Cloud nodded, his smile hidden by his helmet. Tifa shrugged, antsy to leave.



Zack draped one arm lazily around the blond's shoulders. "Let's go then."



Sephiroth watched them leave the reactor. He watched as Zack held Cloud to his side. As he thought.



-*-*-*-*-



"Mum?"



"Who's there, now? I don't-" she stopped. "Cloud!"



Red covered the blond's cheeks. He had begged Zack to go with him as he visited his mother, and so here they were. She walked forward as if in disbelief.



"Cloud.. you're home." A soft smile covered her face.



Zack liked her immediately. She was soft-hearted and more than eager to have them stay for a decent meal. She was quite happy to meet him, it seemed. She told him, in a whisper, that Cloud had often written home about him. Cloud seemed to know what she was whispering about by the grin on Zack's face and he looked away in embarrassment.



"Mum.. can you keep a secret?"



"Of course, Cloud. Wait just a moment."



Mrs. Strife lifted a dish from the oven. She, with a sort of triumphant air, set it on the table. Zack chuckled as she gestured for them to sit.



"What's up, sweetheart?"



Cloud blushed before he said softly. "Mum, I want you to meet... my boyfriend."



Zack explained. "SOLDIER... doesn't like things like this, you see." Eh, it wasn't a complete lie.



Mrs. Strife observed Zack in a new manner. He sat still as her eyes roved over him.



"You have my blessings, dears."



Cloud grinned. In Nibelhiem, it was always good if your parents approved. This was no exception.



Zack motioned as if he were tipping his hat. "Thank you kindly, ma'am."



She smiled. "I always told him he needed someone older- someone to take care of him."



Zack's look was unusually serious. "Don't worry, Mrs. Strife. Your son is safe with me."



She nodded serenely. "I can tell."



Cloud was still red. "Guys..."



Zack chuckled. "Ah, we should head back soon, Spikey."



He nodded in agreement. "Yeah. You never know when Sephiroth will come back down."



Mrs. Strife stood and said. "You two have to come back before you leave again, okay?"



Cloud kissed her cheek on his way to the door, giving her a tight but brief hug. "Promise."



Zack also kissed her cheek. "See ya, Mrs.Strife."



"You take care of my Cloud, now."



"Now and always." He smiled.



Cloud shook his head, although he was smiling. Mrs. Strife laughed and waved as the two boys walked away.



She did not see them again with the living.



-T.B.C.-



That's probably my favorite scene so far, Cloud, Zack, and Mrs. Strife. I kinda hate to kill her so soon.