Adult-FanFiction.org : Final Fantasy

Like The Blind Leading The Deaf	By : Quinninism Category: Final Fantasy VII > Het - Male/Female Views: 2361 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or its characters. I do not make any money from this Fanfiction

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Chapter 3
The door of the church opened slowly, and a girl, soaked to the bone, clumsily limped her way down to the pool of water at the altar. She looked around desperately, breaths coming out in short, laboured pants, and called out in a weak, raspy voice.
“Cloud?” When there was no reply, she slumped to the ground painfully, holding her side feebly. Rain fell through one of the many holes in the ceiling and washed blood from her face, her body shaking violently. She was in a much worse state than last time, and she yelped helplessly as she tried to stand back up again.
Of course he’s not here! What were you thinking! Why would he wait for you…? Maybe I should have gone to the inn he talked about…
A knife was sticking out of her left leg, just above the knee, and a wooden arrow lodged into her left shoulder, blood oozing from both wounds in dangerous amounts. Her vision began to blur as she continued to scan her surroundings, the hope that Cloud was just hiding pushing its way into her thoughts. That was when she finally noticed objects sitting on the bench that she had slept on last time. She awkwardly crawled over, trying her best to hold in her tears. On approaching the bench, she found a soft black blanket, neatly folded and a pillow lying on top. Next to it there were lots of bandages, and a first aid kit. Next to that, she smiled as she noticed a couple of packets of snacks and some bottled water. She silently thanked Cloud for his thought, and set to work, cleaning up and dressing her wounds sloppily. She had never really done this herself before, and her constantly shaking hands and fatigued body proved to be rather slow and uncooperative. She cringed as she shakily removed the knife, choking back sobs as blood poured out of her leg like a small water fall. Surely she was due to run out of blood, she thought dryly as she clamped her hands down on the wound. She unrolled the nearest bandage to her, and growled in frustration as it dropped into a pool of her blood, turning it red almost immediately. She quickly wound the material round her leg tightly, the blood flow slowing down to a bearable trickle. Next, she worked on the arrow in her shoulder, snapping the flight end off and pulling it out of the back of her shoulder slowly. Blood spurted out, and it took a good couple of yanks to remove it completely. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she tensed her throat up, quietly screaming into herself.
Once she had done what she could, she ate the snacks and drank the water. The most food and drink she had received in a long time, she couldn’t help but think coldly. She slept with the blanket over her on the bench that night, silently wishing for Cloud to appear, to hold her while she slept again. But she remained alone for another night, wrapped up in the soft blanket, her eyes threatening to spill over all through the night.
.....
Kotetsu woke the next morning with a thumping headache, though blood loss would do that to you... She looked guiltily upon all the blood stains she had left on the floor and bench, her fingers tracing the now crusting crimson liquid lightly. She hadn’t meant to make a mess of the place, and hoped that whoever owned it would forgive her. Hr light tracings became frustrated scratches as she felt her eyes burn with unshed tears. She pulled back sharply as she felt herself become too distant and decided to distract herself by trying to get up. Pain racked through her body violently as a yelp to left her lips. Kotetsu was a quick healer, but this incident had been quite bad, apparently, and she wouldn’t be surprised if she was here for another night. She felt a strong dread inside her that told her she really should leave though, because they would track her hear eventually, if her minder could be bothered… but if she stayed, maybe she would see Cloud...
And that concluded the argument. She would stay for another day. Her apparent obsession for the boy was going to get her killed. And she didn’t care.
She slipped off into another uneasy sleep as she waited for Cloud to turn up, her dreams of loneliness and death terrifying her. When night fell, she had grown rather annoyed with herself, her exhausted body and emotions begging to be left alone. She should have just left. Cloud wasn’t going to turn up. He had a life, a job, a home… and a Tifa. Kotetsu felt a pain in her chest when she thought about this Tifa, one that was far worse than any physical agony she had felt. Tifa was probably prettier, and smarter, and didn’t have any life threatening diseases or scars marring her body. She sighed as she pulled up her pathetic excuse for a t-shirt and rubbed the black substance that was clinging to her skin. She had no idea what it was, or how to get rid of it, but it made her very ill. She had coughed up more blood than she could remember, and some of her colleagues had died from it. It didn’t scare her though, her death to her being nothing more than a probable relief. She then began to pay close attention to her arms and legs, needing to take her mind off of the pain that was now throbbing to life. She had lost count of the scars a while ago, and decided to pass the time that night by counting.
At seventy six Kotetsu grew bored, and tried to walk. At first she was a bit wobbly and limped on her left leg, but as she wondered up and down the aisle, her steps became more confident. She felt herself tier quickly though, and wound up curled up on the bench again, her frustrated scowl in place.
After re-bandaging some cuts she had reopened, Kotetsu pulled up her t-shirt again, her fingers stroking over the black markings that covered her stomach absent mindedly. She then studied it more as she realised the substance had started working its way up past her chest and down past her hips. It had also spread right the way round her back, and was almost touching itself. Pain racked her body as the disease made itself known again, sending blood up and into her throat, forcing her to choke and cough hard.
Sighing slightly to herself, she pulled the blanket over the top of her, ridding her mind of such thoughts as her eternal suffering... She didn’t really want to die unhappy and sick anyway; she wanted to die helping someone, saving them from something awful. Scenarios of well thought out heroic deaths played through her mind, making a small smile appear on her lips. They continued on into her dreams, before finishing into nightmares.
.....
Cloud returned to the Seventh Heaven earlier than he had hoped. He got himself something to eat before he headed round to the church again.
The first thing he noticed was the bloody hand prints on the door, signalling she had returned, and had been hurt. He burst through the entrance as he ran into the church, hoping she was still around. Unfortunately, she had already left. He looked at the stuff he had left, smiling as he saw the empty snack packets tied in knots, and the empty bottle. His smile disappeared however when he noticed the pools of dried blood, and the blood stained knife lying on the ground. All the bandages were gone, and most of the first aid kit had been used. Everything was lined up in order, and the blanket and pillow were folded up, the way he had left it, though with a few more blood stains than before. Was that an arrow head? In a rage, he picked up the knife and threw it at the far wall. It landed with a ‘dunk’ as it struck the wood, and stayed there as he turned to leave, taking one last look at the blood stained floor.
“Better bring more supplies.” He mumbled to himself, and with that, he left to stock up.
Cloud returned religiously every night for the next week, and she still hadn’t turned up. He was beginning to think that she had decided to stay away since he wasn’t around last time, which stung a little. What if she was hurt so bad that she couldn’t make it out here, she did live quite far away. Cloud began to ponder whether to go and find her instead, his intense worry proving to be a bit too much. Maybe he would be able to catch her attacker in the act and kick his, or her, ass.
Cloud had been so busy plotting his revenge on Kotetsu’s attacker that he didn’t hear someone enter the small church. Nor did he notice the person sit down next to him. It wasn’t until he heard a small, quiet voice that he realised he wasn’t alone.
“Um... Cloud?” Cloud almost fell over from shock. He turned to see an unharmed Kotetsu sitting next to him… well, she wasn’t visibly bleeding, just had a couple of old, blood stained bandages on. She was hugging her knees, and her chin was resting on her arms as she stared at the water, her rags slightly more tattered than before.
“Kotetsu! A-a-are you hurt?” He had turned so that he was facing the girl, inspecting her thoroughly. She smiled sadly again as she continued to stare at the water, a little embarrassed at the blondes concern.
“You do too much. I fine. Thanks for help.” She felt heat rush to her cheeks as Cloud gave her a small smile. He suited smiling.
“Don’t worry about it. It looked like you needed it.” His smile had disappeared all too soon. Instead, worry was in its place. Kotetsu felt guilt well up in her once again. She had never wanted to cause trouble, and certainly didn’t want to bother the poor blonde. Now he was worrying again...
“Please! Don’t be worry. I fine, honest.” She smiled broadly. “It’s just…How I pay?” She gestured to the mess she had made, and then to the supplies Cloud had left for her. He was taken quite by surprise by Kotetsu’s statement. He hadn’t done any of this for something in return, he only wanted to help.
“You’ve got it all wrong! I didn’t do it so you could pay me back; I did it because you needed the help. I don’t want anything in return… just for you to be safe.” Cloud blushed hard as he spoke, turning away from the girl, hoping she hadn’t noticed.
That couldn’t have been any cheesier! Cloud inwardly cursed, placing his hand over his face.
Kotetsu, fortunately, seemed to be in deep thought. She was going to return the favour no matter what it would seem.
The two continued to exchange pleasantries. Cloud tried to keep the conversation going, hoping to keep the girl there for as long as possible. It was proving a lot more difficult than he thought. Conversation wasn’t his best point, and with Kotetsu seeming to not understand half of what he was saying....
“So… the weather has been pretty awful recently.” He really was scraping the bottom of the conversation bucket now, and was trying desperately not to do that thing people did when they thought someone didn’t understand them: raise their voice and slow down the words like they were miraculously going to read their minds....
“Yeah” Kotetsu looked up through the hole in the roof, and as if planned, a rain drop landed on her face. “Wow, good time!” Rain began to fall from the heavens rapidly. “You didn’t say you magics!” her smile broadened, almost to a definite smile, as she turned to the blonde, but her eyes quickly flickered to the floor, as usual, and her smile left her lips.
“Come on.” Cloud stood up and offered Kotetsu his gloved hand, smiling at her first joke. She took it hesitantly, and he pulled her to her feet. He led her over to a bench where he sat down and motioned for her to sit next to him. He then leaned over the bench in front and retrieved the blanket and pillow. “It’s getting late, and I don’t imagine you’ll want to go home in that.” He jerked his head in the direction of the hole in the roof. Kotetsu sat down just as Cloud threw the blanket over both of them and pulled her close.
“You lie down? Wooden benches bad for sleep while sitting…” A blush found its way onto her face as she realised the possible implication of her words. Hopefully he hadn’t seen it as a way to get him to lie down and…
“I’ll be fine.” He replied, leaning back and sliding down on the seat a little to get comfortable. Well, as comfortable as he could. Kotetsu couldn’t help but feel guilty, again. She seemed to do that a lot when she was around him. Cloud was treating her so nicely, and she had done nothing to deserve it. She could have killed Cloud in his sleep by now. He did have a huge, big-ass sward, but he’d left it over by the pool. He seemed pretty strong too, and no stranger to a fight, but still. How did he manage to trust so easily? And more importantly, when had she started to trust him so completely?
“Why?” Kotetsu had spoken so quietly that Cloud wasn’t sure if she had said anything at all. He looked into her distant eyes as she stared at the zip on his top, seeing only confusion and pain. Kotetsu glanced at the questioning look on his face and elaborated. “Why so nice? How you trust? You know nothing about me, still don’t, but you sleep, like I no threat.” Cloud was a little taken aback by the sudden outburst, but smiled as he pulled Kotetsu so she was leaning on him again. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he spoke.
“You needed my help. I can’t say I know anything about you specifically, but you didn’t look like you had it in you to kill me. You just looked so scared and vulnerable that I… I couldn’t just leave you. Would you rather I did?” Kotetsu shook her head, feeling a little annoyed that the blonde hadn’t felt wary of her at all, but was somewhat grateful he hadn’t left her to die.
“Oh… But how you know I not kill people, could have killed in seconds?” she pointed to Cloud as he tried to keep his face straight, his eyes trying to lock with hers. A small scowl was placed on her face.
“The thought never even crossed my mind to be honest, but I see your point. I’ll need to watch myself around you from now on, especially if you’re wielding your weapon of imminent doom again.” A smirk played on his lips as he closed his eyes. Kotetsu huffed, annoyed at his assumptions. But then again, she didn’t really look like the monster she really was... That was the point of her after all.
“Sorry” Cloud pulled Kotetsu closer to him still, signalling that it was alright. She had nothing to be sorry for. He watched as she closed her eyes and snuggled into him, sighing deeply as she drifted off. He couldn’t get over how thin she was, and refrained from comparing his arms and legs to hers. Maybe he should buy her a big breakfast tomorrow, yeah, that’s what he’d do. And with that in mind, he too drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Kotetsu woke to Cloud gently lying her down on the bench. He pulled the blanket up so she was completely covered, and made to get away when he felt a hand touch his wrist.
“You leave?” Kotetsu’s voice sounded raspy with a hint of worry. Cloud smiled back at her, but her monotonous voice made it hard to really tell.
“I’m off to get some breakfast. What would you like?” Kotetsu’s eyes shot open.
“Don’t! I not hungry. It fine.” Cloud sighed and laughed softly.
“Then I’ll just bring back whatever I can find for you to eat.” And with that he disappeared out of the church, and off to Midgar on his bike.
He returned not long later bearing food. Kotetsu had refused to eat, but when Cloud had said that it would just go to waste otherwise, she got stuck in.
“This is one off! I only eat ‘cause I hate food waste.” Cloud smiled as Kotetsu tried to plead her innocence for something she shouldn’t be feeling guilty about. “Oh! And… Thanks.” She was so cute that it sort of stung a lot more to think of someone hurting her.
The two spent a while talking after breakfast. Cloud had tried to get her to talk about what was going on, but she refused to tell him anything. She desperately wanted to, but a part of her told her that once he knew, Cloud would try and fix it. And she was pretty sure his big-ass sward would be involved. She couldn’t have another person hurt in attempt to save her already condemned life.
“Do have to talk this?” Kotetsu desperately tried to change the subject. Cloud reluctantly dropped it since he didn’t want to push her so much that she didn’t return, but God, if she could just give him a clue or a point in the right direction. This was killing him...
“Fine.” The two sat quietly as Cloud thought about something for them both to do. “Why don’t I take you into town, show you where the inn is so you know where to go if I’m not here, which is quite often despite me efforts.” Kotetsu seemed to be in thought as she looked at the ground. If she was caught, Cloud would be in deep trouble.
“I not know. I not burden.” Hopefully with enough persuasion, he would drop this as well.
“You’re not a burden. We don’t need to stay long. And if you’re worried about being seen…” He had a knowing look on his face that made Kotetsu uncomfortable. How had he known that was what she was mainly worried about? Was he really psychic?! At this point her mind decided to think of all the things she wouldn’t want the blonde to know, like her life, her purpose and most importantly, how she felt about the blonde… shaking her head to try and empty her thoughts, she thought of the issue at hand.
“What? I never said-” she was cut off as Cloud pulled the blanket from the bench up and over her head, covering every part of her except her face.
“Now all we have to do it tie this bit here…” He set to work as he explained his plan. “then this bit here, and it should stay in place when we’re on the bike. Keep your eyes open and let me know if you see whatever you’re hiding from.” There was no arguing with the matter as Cloud lifted her to her feet easily from the bench and lead her out to the bike, his iron grip on her wrist quite inescapable.
“No wait! Please!” Kotetsu wasn’t trying as hard as she should have because a part of her really wanted to go with the blonde, and both of them knew it.
“It will be fine. Plus, you get to meet Tifa and the kids!” Kotetsu’s heart seemed to fail for a second. Kids? He had never mentioned he and Tifa had children. So they really were together, and you couldn’t get more together than having kids with one another... Kotetsu felt herself being helped onto the bike. Her mind seemed to go too fast for her to follow. “Kotetsu? Are you alright with this?” his hand touched the top of her head as he spoke in a caring gesture, annoyingly, one that you would do to a small child that had just had a nightmare or a terrible fright...
“Yeah! Fine!” She inwardly scolded herself. Of course he had a family. He was so kind and nice, always seemed to think of others, and not to mention pretty! She had been silly to think otherwise. She hoped Tifa didn’t hate her since she had been taking up Cloud’s time at night, especially since he had stayed over. Maybe going around there wasn’t such a good idea anymore. “Uh… Cloud? Do have to?” Cloud turned to look at the panicked looking girl and sighed.
“Yes we do. How are going to know where to go if I’m not here?” He gave a small smile as he started the bike and sped off before she could make any more protests. Besides, the quicker he did this and showed her that there were more people to help, maybe she could open up a little more, and maybe he could get her out of the mess she was in. He couldn’t bear letting her go again and again, just to patch her back up for the next incident. That wasn’t a life, it was torture, and it definitely wasn’t helping her.
Kotetsu hadn’t been in town all that much. She was never allowed to leave her ‘home’ but would sneak out at night regularly, though avoided the town in case she was caught… but if they caught her today, Cloud would be in trouble, and she couldn’t risk that… she had been far too selfish recently. She longed for human contact so much that she couldn’t help but indulge herself in Cloud’s safety net that he had provided, the warmth of his body as he allowed her to snuggle into him, the comfiest bed she had be in for a long time...
Her heart sank as she thought of his family. She silently beat herself up for thinking she would ever have been lucky enough to have someone like Cloud. All she had thought about was companionship, ever since Arashi had explained it to her... Arashi... Tears stung the back of her eyes as she felt the all too familiar pain of loss fill her, but her tears had already been spent, and her cheeks remained dry. She couldn’t bring Cloud and his family into her horrible situation, especially when there were children…
Cloud seemed to notice her uneasiness and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s alright. We’ll be quick.” He then took the lead and headed into a bar. Kotetsu looked up to the sign, realising that this was the Seventh Heaven, and grew confused as she wondered when they had stopped. Cloud stuck his head round the door and called out to Kotetsu. “Well? Are you coming in or… Kotetsu?”
She was nowhere in sight.
I so sorry Cloud…
- 2
- 3
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Like The Blind Leading The Deaf