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Crystal Clear	By : MystIc19 Category: Final Fantasy VII > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1058 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Disclaimer: I don�t own FF7 or any of the FF7 characters.

The truck accident had pushed back their arrival to Nibelheim but they were still making pretty good time considering. They had gotten off to an early start the morning after and had gotten the tire replaced before heading off once more. Luckily they hadn�t ran into anymore problems while on the road and were able to continue on their journey without any difficulties.

Though there was a bit of a tension hanging in the air. Mainly between Zack and Jin. It wasn�t spoken, it was subtle but still noticeable�at least to the blonde anyways. But he figured if they weren�t going to say anything than he shouldn�t either. It was just a situation he was going to have to accept, the two of them weren�t ever going to get along. He wasn�t even sure if he wanted them to or not, though there was a time when he wouldn�t have minded Zack hating the ex SOLDIER but now�well he wasn�t sure. After all at one time he hated Jin himself and now�well, it was hard to explain. He tried not to analyze it, it was what it was, something that you couldn�t exactly place a label on however.

Stretching his arms above his head the recruit snapped out of his musings while tilting his head from side to side to work out the kinks in his neck. He felt especially crammed now since the General had insisted that they weren�t going to stop again for whatever reason until they reached Nibelheim.

Mako blue eyes shifted towards him while his boyfriend gave him an understanding smile before leaning back in his seat and placing his arms behind his head. �How you holding up?�

�Alright,� Cloud replied with a sigh while flashing the other a small smile before shutting his eyes briefly when Zack reached out to ruffle his hair.

�We should be there any moment, we�ve already gone through Cosmo Canyon,� Zack continued while shifting his gaze towards the General, �right Seph?�

�Yes, any minute now actually,� the man replied while letting jade eyes glance out the small window in the back.

�Thank Leviathan,� Jin mumbled while scuffing a hand through his hair. It was safe to say that everyone was pretty much ready to exit the stuffy box that was the vehicle. But after days on the road it was only normal.

It wasn�t much longer that sure enough the truck began to slow down before coming to a halt altogether. Cloud instantly let his eyes travel over to the small window trying to look out at something familiar but he couldn�t see much from where he was seated.

�Finally!� Zack exclaimed while practically bolting for the door. He slid it open and hopped out of the truck before stretching. �It feels nice out here!�

The General followed after him although he just casually stepped out while looking inside for the two others to follow. Jin and Cloud were out shortly after taking in the greatly needed fresh air. Cloud had almost forgotten how �real� fresh air was supposed to be, not like the tinged, polluted air back in Midgar. He had to admit that he at least missed this if not anything else.

�So this is Nibelheim,� Jin began while looking around the area, �where you grew up and all that?� He asked while looking to the recruit.

�Yeah,� Cloud replied with a short nod as he looked past the entrance gates, �this is it.�

�How does it feel to be back home?� Sephiroth asked while looking off into the town, �I wouldn�t know myself.�

Cloud gave the General a questioning look and didn�t get a chance to respond since Zack broke in.

�What do you mean?� The SOLDIER asked, obviously the same thought was running through his mind as well.

�I�ve been with Shinra far too long to know otherwise. My mother was Jenova, she died right after she gave birth to me. My father�� he paused briefly before a small smirk appeared on his face followed by a laugh that sounded more cold than light hearted which was sort of creepy really. �What does it matter,� he finished while turning back to the truck and grabbing some items from inside, �we should go on ahead and get settled.�

The three remained silent for a moment, probably because that was the only time that they had learned something so private about the General, even Zack seemed unaware of that bit of information.

�Yeah,� Zack replied catching the two boys attention, �we�ll go ahead and check into the hotel first.�

The two nodded while Cloud�s focus was directed back to the front entrance gates again. Only this time he saw a figure sitting on the ground, he wasn�t sure if they were there the whole time and he just hadn�t noticed or if they had just gotten there. Then the person stood up while looking towards the truck and dusting off their clothing.

He couldn�t see the person�s face seeing as how they wore a large brim hat, but once they started to move closer he saw that it was a girl with long dark hair. She sort of looked familiar actually.

Sucking in a breath the blonde ducked back inside the truck and grabbed his helmet before slipping it on quickly and adjusting it.

�Babe?� Zack asked curiously wondering what the sudden rush was all about.

Cloud shot him a look which he realized the other probably didn�t see since his face was now concealed.

�Um hi,� a small voice spoke up followed by the sound of heels on the pavement. The girl walked up closer before stopping and scanning the area, her eyes darting between the ones in front of her, �We�ve heard that Shinra was coming to our town. I just wanted to welcome you all, it�s a pleasure,� she explained. There was a smile on her face but she didn�t make eye contact with just one of them in particular as she kept her eyes roaming.

�Yeah same here,� Zack replied while raising an eyebrow questioningly as Jin just gave a smile.

�So is this�everyone?� The girl asked while turning ruby eyes towards the SOLDIER.

�Yep, this is it! We didn�t come to storm the town,� he finished with a grin.

�Course not,� the girl replied while shaking her head briefly and putting on another smile. �I just thought maybe�� trailing off she let her gaze wander over to Cloud as she narrowed her eyes a bit, almost as if she were trying to see through the helmet.

The blonde�s eyes widened. Could she see him? He was beginning to grow nervous and he swallowed the sudden lump in his throat before looking away at nothing in particular.

�Thank you for the welcome, but we�ll have to cut this short,� the General spoke up while sliding the truck door closed once he had gotten everything he needed from inside. He hit the side of the truck a few times to signal the driver that it was ok to park elsewhere now that they were situated.

�Right, I understand,� the girl answered while snapping her eyes away from Cloud and nodding towards the General. �I�m the Mayor�s daughter, Tifa Lockheart. I�ve been told to assist you all as a guide so I�ll be seeing you later tomorrow I suppose.�

�Very well then,� the General responded while Tifa gave a smile.

�In the meantime, if you just go straight down this path you�ll run into the hotel. It�s on the left, the only one in town but don�t worry it has vacancies,� she explained while gesturing down the road. �See you later,� she finished with a short wave before turning and heading back into the town.

Cloud didn�t relax until he couldn�t see her anymore and he heard a small chuckle come from beside him. Glancing over he saw Zack with a smirk on his face.

�So that�s Tifa,� was all that that his boyfriend said as they started off into the town.

Cloud let out a sigh still not attempting to take off the helmet just yet.

�Why did you hide from her?� Zack asked while looking at the other curiously.

�Because,� Cloud started. There was so many reasons really. He didn�t want her to know that he was a failure, that he didn�t make it into SOLDIER. How could he show his face back here without being a SOLDIER when he had made such a big fuss about it before he left? No matter what, even though his feelings for Tifa had changed he still felt like he couldn�t disappoint her�that he shouldn�t. Who knew why that was for sure, maybe it was just the fact of being back home. That whole trying to impress her thing seemed to somehow resurface. And aside from that if what his mother had told him was true, well he didn�t much feel like being confronted with that. Tifa had missed him since he had been away, her feelings for him had changed and how was he supposed to react to that now? Now when things were so different, now when he couldn�t love her the way that he thought he once could? Was he supposed to break her heart? He didn�t want to do that�he couldn�t do that. And if he saw her, things would just be way too complicated. So�hiding from her seemed to be the easiest thing to do, even if in the end it was cowardly.

�It�s alright,� Zack continued while patting the recruit on the shoulder. He realized that that simple question was probably a lot more complex than he had realized and he didn�t want Cloud to stress off of it. If he didn�t want his old crush to know that he was back Zack would keep it secret.

They arrived at the hotel a few minutes after and checked into their room. It consisted of three beds but before the General or anyone could say anything about the sleeping arrangements Zack had already said that it was fine because he and Cloud would share a bed anyways.

Cloud felt himself go red as he set down his items but he simply nodded. Of course it was fine with him but with Jin and the General in the same room he just didn�t want it to be weird, or to make them uncomfortable. Sephiroth however seemed undisturbed by it and Jin, if he was in fact angry nobody knew because he stayed silent and kept a blank look on his face.

�The days already half gone so you all are free to do as you wish. Tomorrow we�ll get started,� the General explained while walking towards the door.

�Leaving?� Zack asked while flopping back onto one of the beds.

�Mm,� Sephiroth replied while casting a look back at the other, �I�ll be back shortly.� And with that he exited out of the hotel room.

Cloud kept his eyes fixed on the door for a moment longer, he wondered just where the General was going.

�So,� Zack began while reaching out and grabbing the blonde�s wrist and pulling him back to sit on the bed, �what�ll we do we still have the whole night.�

Tugging off his helmet finally Cloud gave a nod while running a hand through his golden spikes. �Yeah well what do you want to do?�

�I don�t know, show me around!� Zack exclaimed while sitting up beside the other with a huge grin on his face.

�There�s really not a lot to see,� Cloud began while letting his eyes drift over to the window where the sun was now setting.

�Come on!� Zack whined while nudging the blonde in the side.

Cloud shook his head while allowing a smile to appear on his face before standing up. �Alright, come on let�s go.�

Zack brightened up while hopping off of the bed and getting ready to make his way towards the door before he caught the questioning look on his boyfriends face. He met his gaze before Cloud looked to Jin who was lying back on another of the beds with his eyes closed.

�Jin?� Cloud asked softly while leaning over and tapping the others arm.

Stormy gray eyes opened looking back into blue as he waited for the other to continue.

�Did you want to come? I don�t really know where were going�just around,� Cloud explained with a shrug.

Jin gave a smile before shifting a little. �Thanks for the invite but I�ll pass, I�m sort of tired. Give me the tour later?�

�Yeah,� Cloud replied with a nod. He wasn�t sure if Jin didn�t want to be a third wheel or if he was in fact really tired. He did look a little out of it and was probably just wanting to relax and stretch out from being crammed in the truck for so long. �See you later,� he finished before crossing the room to the door that Zack had just pulled open.

It was probably a good thing that Jin didn�t want to go along with them, he didn�t want him and Zack arguing over anything. Maybe Jin figured the same which is why he declined. Either way Cloud still felt compelled to invite him, it would�ve been sort of rude otherwise.

Once they had exited the hotel Zack began asking the recruit questions about the place and Cloud answered them to the best of his knowledge. It was sort of funny to him that Zack was so intrigued with the small town, but he just figured it was because it probably reminded him of his home too.

�I like it here,� Zack spoke up as they continued walking about the town, �I do like the city but I miss the quietness of small towns to ya know?�

�You?� Cloud asked with a raised eyebrow while letting a smile appear on his face.

�Yes!� Zack replied while rolling his eyes before laughing, �just what are you trying to imply? That someone loud like me is made for the city?�

�Your words not mine,� the blonde answered while clearing his throat before he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders.

�Ok yeah so maybe the city is more my speed. Even more so since I met you there,� the SOLDIER explained with a grin.

Cloud�s smile didn�t waver as he shook his head a bit feeling a blush come to his cheeks. He had no problem with telling Zack his feelings ever, but still his boyfriend always managed to say stuff like this in such a way where it would still make him blush. He didn�t understand it really, and he knew Zack loved doing that just to get a reaction like that out of him.

Zack gave a small chuckle before placing a kiss on top of the others head before looking back ahead of them and noticing the setting of the sun. �Hey it�s starting to get late. Did you want to go see your mom? I don�t know if you�ll get a chance to later so you might want to take advantage of this.�

The recruit was silent as he took in what the other had said. True he had thought about seeing his mom ever since he learned he was coming to Nibelheim. And he really did want to see her, it had been so long. But he just�

�Um,� Cloud began while dropping his gaze towards the ground as he tried to search for the words he wanted to speak.

Zack seemed to notice the sudden change in the blonde�s mood and he easily picked up why that was. �Yeah you should go see her,� he began while removing his arm from around the others shoulders, �I�m sure she misses you and if she finds out you were here and didn�t see her she�ll be upset.� He gave a bit of a laugh while looking off in another direction. But it wasn�t the same laugh that Cloud was accustomed to, it was easy to tell it was forced. �I�ll just head back to the hotel and when you get back we can go grab something to eat.�

Cloud�s heart sunk when he saw the expression on Zack�s face. He looked�hurt, and maybe disappointed. He tried to mask it with a smile but it was definitely fake and his eyes told it all.

�Well you,� Cloud started softly while taking a step closer to Zack. He didn�t like the way that he had removed his arm from around him a minute ago, as if the blonde somehow didn�t want to be touched suddenly. �You didn�t want to come?�

Zack was silent for a moment as he gave the recruit a confused look. �Uh,� he began while looking away once more, �well she hasn�t seen you in a while. I don�t want to intrude or anything, it would be best if it was just the two of you.�

What was he doing? Cloud could tell that Zack was still trying to make excuses, actually the both of them were going around in circles avoiding the one real issue that was at hand but neither of them seemed to wanted to say.

�You�re not intruding,� the blonde spoke up while reaching a timid hand upwards to the side of Zack�s face so he could turn his head so that he was able to look into his eyes. �Zack,� he continued quietly, �did you think that I��

�Babe,� the SOLDIER broke in while letting out a sigh, �It�s just I don�t want to put you in an awkward situation. I completely understand, it�s not a big deal.�

�Zack,� Cloud pressed on, still keeping his gaze locked with the others, �I want her to meet you. I want her to�to get to know the person that I fell in love with,� he finished while letting his gaze drop downwards for a moment. �I don�t want to keep you a secret.�

He lifted his gaze back up once he felt strong arms wrap around his waist tightly and warm breath on the side of his neck. It looked like that was all that he needed to say. To assure Zack that he was welcomed, and that he was in no way ashamed of him. How could he ever be? The blonde let a small smile appear on his face as he wrapped his arms around his boyfriend in return.

�So you�ll come?� He asked while tightening his hold on Zack.

�Gladly,� Zack replied while pulling back and pressing a kiss against the recruits lips. It wasn�t a long kiss, but it was long enough to capture the emotion and meaning behind it. Zack took hold of the blonde�s hand and entwined their fingers together as Cloud led the way towards his house. In all honesty he was a bit nervous at his mother�s reaction to his �love interest� but in the end it didn�t matter what she thought. And her views and opinions wouldn�t change the way he felt about Zack. They were in love and as long as there was that nothing else mattered.

It didn�t take them long to arrive at Cloud�s house seeing as how they weren�t too far away from the small home anyways. They walked up the brick path and Zack let go of Cloud�s hand once they made it to the door. It was understandable though, they didn�t want to throw it in her face right away like that. Cloud was about to knock but then remembered his mother�s tendency to leave the door unlocked. It was something that she always did and Cloud always found himself going to check the door at night before he went to bed. With a small twist of the handle the door popped open and Cloud inwardly cursed, his mother was going to have to stop doing that, the reality was that even though it was a small town things just weren�t that safe to not take precaution.

Stepping inside the small place Cloud glanced around for any sign of his mother while looking back and holding the door open for Zack who walked in after. When he closed the door the sound of it shutting must�ve caught his mother�s attention cause he heard rapid footsteps come from down the hall.

�If it�s another of you Shinra Officials I swear! You can�t just�� the woman ranted on before ceasing altogether when she made it to the end of the hall. She let out a small gasp as she lifted a hand to her mouth in what seemed like shock.

The blonde gave his biggest smile before speaking up. �Hi mom.�

�Cloud!� The woman shrieked before bolting over and throwing her arms around the boy. �Oh it really is you!� She continued while practically squeezing the life out of him. �Look at you, you�ve grown!� She exclaimed while pulling back and looking her son over.

�Not really,� Cloud replied with a small laugh.

�You have!� She corrected before giving a bit of a frown, �but you look thin! Have you been eating right?�

Zack couldn�t help but to grin. Cloud�s mom was so excited to see him and had already gone into full parental mode and was bombarding him with questions.

She had blonde hair just like Cloud�s and blue eyes, except hers were a bit darker than his. But it was easy to see the resemblance in the two of them.

�Mom,� Cloud started once he had a chance to get in a word. He glanced towards the door and his mother followed his gaze, a little surprised to see someone else there. �This is Zack, we�re on assignment here together.�

�Oh, sorry for the late introduction,� his mother replied with a smile while extending her hand towards the SOLDIER.

�Oh no it�s fine. It�s nice to meet you,� Zack responded, his grin in tact while taking the woman�s slim hand into his.

�Likewise,� she continued while looking from Zack and then to Cloud, �so are you keeping a good eye out on my son Mr�??� She trailed off in question while raising a brow.

�Fair,� Zack offered but shook his head quickly, �but please just call me Zack.�

�Oh, well alright then,� the woman continued, �then I guess it�s only right if you call me Natsumi.�

It didn�t take her long to get the two seated at the kitchen table saying how they needed to eat a real meal and not whatever garbage they were eating back in Midgar. She didn�t let up on the questions that she was throwing at Cloud, Zack wondered if it was only because she hadn�t seen him in so long or if she was just always naturally so talkative. But from the way Cloud was answering her questions he sort of figured that Cloud was used to this whole routine. But he guessed he understood since Cloud was an only child and had sort of a rough childhood, it only made sense that his mother was very protective of him.

�I understand you get busy but you can still write a letter every once in a while,� Natsumi continued on as she bustled around the kitchen with preparations for the meal.

�Sorry mom,� Cloud replied with a slightly guilty look on his face.

She waved her hand as she turned her back to them while fiddling with some items on the stove. �I know you may not have written to me but tell me you wrote to Tifa like I told you to at least.�

�Um,� Cloud began while looking at the table.

�Cloud!� Natsumi began while placing a hand on her hip and turning back around, �I told you she asks about you all the time. She just wants to know how you are, why couldn�t you just have taken out five minutes to write to her?�

�I�well I guess I wouldn�t really know what to say,� Cloud explained a bit nervously.

Zack noticed and looked from Natsumi back to Cloud giving him a sympathetic look.

�What do you mean you wouldn�t know what to say? She�s your friend,� his mother continued while moving towards a cabinet and pulling out some dishes.

�Really? We weren�t that close, I�m surprised she even asks about me. She only really talked to me before I left,� he explained while resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

�Oh Cloud that�s because you were always so shy. Am I right Zack? Surely Cloud is still quiet even there in Midgar,� Natsumi asked questioningly while looking towards the SOLDIER.

�Well I would have to say no. If he was then it would�ve been impossible for us to have become friends. So I guess he�s not,� Zack explained while looking towards the recruit and giving a wide smile.

Cloud seemed to have been grateful for that and he returned the smile seeming to say thank you with his eyes.

Natsumi was silent for a moment as she went back to her dinner preparations. �Well even better, so you�ll have no problem now with speaking to her.�

That�s what you think. Cloud let out a sigh while focusing his attention on Zack who was studying some of the paintings that were hanging on the walls. He watched as his blue eyes flicked over from one picture to the other before glancing back to Natsumi and then back to Cloud.

The recruit gave another smile as he saw the curious look that Zack was giving him. He just found himself staring at his boyfriend since his mother�s ramblings were starting to annoy him and he could easily loose himself just from staring into Zack�s eyes, it was strange how calming they could be to him.

�Cloud? Did you hear me?� Natsumi asked while setting a plate of food down in front of him.

�What? Oh yeah�sure,� Cloud lied while sitting back in his seat but not before catching the amused look on Zack�s face.

His mother gave him an odd look before placing down the other plate before the SOLDIER. �Don�t be shy, there�s plenty,� she said to Zack before giving a smile and moving to make a plate of her own.

�Thank you!� Zack beamed while looking down at the plate before him. Natsumi seemed pleased that Zack was so enthusiastic about the dinner she had made. She joined them back at the table again and started to chat about random things. Cloud was glad that the conversation had changed from Tifa and now he seemed a lot more relaxed. And the three of them seemed to mesh pretty well. Natsumi seemed down right charmed by Zack and was constantly laughing at whatever jokes he made. That in itself made the blonde feel hopeful, if his mom liked Zack already maybe telling her about the two of them wouldn�t be so difficult after all. But he guessed he wasn�t really surprised by it, Zack had this aura about him that made everyone love him it seemed�well minus Jin.

�So Zack I�m sure you have a lot of admirers,� Natsumi began while clasping her hands together. �Surely you have someone special.�

Cloud had just cleared the table once they finished their meals, insisting that his mom had done enough and was putting the dishes in the sink when he heard what she had just said and jumped a little causing a plate to slip out of his hand and onto the floor. The crash caught Zack and his mom�s attention and he quickly looked around for something to sweep up the broken pieces with.

�Cloud honey are you okay?� Natsumi asked while getting ready to get out of her seat.

�Yeah sorry, I got it mom it�s alright,� he spoke hurriedly while grabbing the broom and sweeping up the shards of porcelain. His heart was racing and he glanced up to meet Zack�s concerned gaze before he felt his face heat up.

Natsumi gave a chuckle before clearing her throat, �so?� she asked while gaining Zack�s attention again.

�Oh well admirers�I don�t know about that,� Zack replied while scratching the back of his head and giving a sheepish smile. �But,� he continued while glancing down to the table, �I am with someone, who I�m so much in love with.�

It felt like the room was suddenly one hundred degrees to the recruit as he threw the broken pieces of the dish in the trash. He let his eyes hesitantly roam back towards the table where he saw his mother with a wide grin on her face, obviously so intrigued at what Zack had just said. The SOLDIER lifted his eyes and turned them towards the recruit, he had a bit of an uneasy expression on his face but Cloud could clearly see the question that was lingering behind those blue eyes. Are you sure about this? I don�t want you to be uncomfortable, I�ll tell her if that�s ok with you. Are you scared?

�Oh,� Natsumi began with a practically dreamy sigh, �that�s what I so much want for Cloud.�

�Mom�don�t, you don�t have to worry so much about that stuff,� Cloud replied quietly.

�Of course I have to worry! I�m your mother!� Natsumi exclaimed, sounding down right offended that Cloud could even say such a thing. �Perhaps an older girl, you know? Someone who can take of you. I think that would be the best type for you.�

�I can take care of myself,� the recruit answered with a frown. Honestly, what the hell did that mean? Did his mom want him to be a pushover or something? The last thing he needed was two moms. But that was beside the point, he was getting off track. With a shake of his head he moved back towards the table. �And anyways�I do have that.�

�What?� His mother asked as her eyes widened. �What are you talking about? When I talked to you on your birthday you said you didn�t have a girlfriend.�

�I know,� Cloud replied with a nod while stopping beside Zack�s seat, �what I meant is�I am in love.�

Natsumi gave her son a strange look before shaking her head a bit. To her it might as well have been as if he were speaking in riddles.

Cloud let out a sigh before running a hand through his hair. The expression on his moms face made him feel a bit guilty and since she wasn�t grasping it he didn�t want to confuse her anymore. �Mom,� he tried again while looking beside him to see Zack looking up at him as if he were ready to jump in and speak for him at any moment if he needed to. Cloud extended his hand toward the other and Zack quickly took hold of it while giving it a squeeze.

He didn�t say anything more after that, he figured the action would speak way more loudly than words. For a moment it was almost as if his mother was frozen and then suddenly her expression changed as realization hit her.

�Oh,� she said quietly while lifting a hand to her chest, her blue eyes widening as she looked from her son to Zack and then back again.

Cloud still wasn�t sure of her reaction, she was shocked of course but he couldn�t read anymore than that. �I wanted to tell you the last time we talked but I didn�t think it was something I should say over the phone, I wanted to tell you myself. Because I know you worry about me so much and I wanted you to meet Zack so that you would know that it�s okay. I hate having you worrying about me so much but you don�t have to okay? I�I love Zack and so, the whole thing with Tifa it�s just not going to happen. I�m happy and that should be what matters right?�

The recruit felt Zack�s grip tighten even more, probably in efforts to try to calm him from his rambling and to give his mom a chance to adjust and take it all in.

It felt like the silence lasted forever after that when it fact it was probably just about fifteen seconds before tears began to well up in Natsumi�s eyes.

�Mom,� Cloud started as he felt his stomach drop. He didn�t want her to cry, was she honestly so upset about this?

�Cloud sweetie,� she began while wiping the tears away from her eyes, �of course that�s all I want. I just want you to be happy�and you are.�

The recruit felt a wave of relief wash over him as he quickly moved forward and embraced his mother. �I didn�t mean to make you cry.�

�Oh,� his mother began with a shake of her head as she wrapped her arms around her son. �It�s alright. I just feel like just because you moved away that there are things I don�t know�and just because you aren�t home anymore doesn�t mean you have to keep things from me, ok? You�re still my son.�

Cloud nodded before placing a kiss on her cheek. It all made sense to him now. His mother and he had always been really close, and she wasn�t ever thrilled about him going to Midgar to join Shinra. And she probably felt like she was loosing her only child, and the more things she didn�t know that were going on in his life the more distant she felt from him. He felt a little silly for being so concerned on how she would react. True she was over protective at times, but most of all she always was just focused on his happiness. And she would never try to destroy that.

After they had jumped that hurdle the rest of the evening was a lot better without any tension or awkwardness hanging around in the air. But it was getting late and the two had to head back to the hotel much to Natsumi�s dismay.

�Try to come back and say goodbye to me before you go,� the woman spoke while hugging her son tightly.

�I�ll try I promise,� Cloud replied while pulling away from his mom.

With a smile Natsumi turned her focus towards Zack before wrapping her arms around him.

�I hope I see you again soon Natsumi,� Zack spoke while returning the hug.

�Likewise,� she replied while patting him on the back. �Take good care of him for me won�t you?� She spoke quietly into his ear before pulling away.

�Of course, you have my word,� Zack replied while pulling away and flashing a grin.

Cloud could see that they had spoken something to each other but he didn�t catch it because they said it so softly. He rose a questioning brow but decided to forget it when Zack turned to him and took his hand in his. They said their goodnights and parted ways, but as the two made their way back to the hotel Cloud couldn�t help but to cast a glance back over his shoulder. They had gotten a ways away from the house but he could still see his mom standing at the end of the path watching them walk away. The blonde gave a smile while waving to his mom one last time which she returned enthusiastically. But then she became smaller and smaller the further away they got, and though he knew he should just turn around and focus ahead since he could barely see her anymore�he just couldn�t seem to stop looking back.

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Authors Note: And here is chap 25. Though it seems again that my count was a bit off. I realized that if I kept this down to 2 final chaps that the chapters would be very very long and I didn�t know if I should do that or not. So if I�m correct this time it should be two more chapters although I�m still undecided on the epilogue. I just don't want to rush the ending and I want to make sure I get it exactly how I want. Sorry! However they are in Nibelheim so honestly, it�s the very end. And yea I took some stuff from the game as far as lines of dialogue go, so if you see some similarities you are correct, though I tweaked them a little bit here and there. I was going to cut out the whole �Cloud�s mother� scene, but I feel like it�s sort of substantial and I never see it incorporated in fics and well�I guess I can�t say more here for the sake of giving stuff away, though I�m sure many of you know where I�m driving at. But the next chap should be up shortly cause I already started writing it seeing as how I was going to put it together with this one but I decided to change my mind, hehe. Thanks to all of my reviewers, you guys keep me so motivated and I love reading your feedback! It�s much appreciated! Anyways, until next update!
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