“So,” Yuffie said as the airmen left the room, “do you think they’ll let us help?”
Cloud shrugged as he leaned the Buster against the wall and started unbuckling the sword harness. “Difficult to say. They need help, and they know it, but they’re strangely unaware of the Planet. Blessed Shiva, they don’t even know about mako! There’s only so much we can expect them to understand if they don’t have any SOLDIERs of their own.” He wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or lonelier than ever about that. It was good that these humans hadn’t disrupted the Lifestream, but it also meant that someone as enhanced as Cloud would have to be careful around them. He really didn’t want to hurt anyone by accident.
“Does it matter if they understand or not?” Yuffie asked. “It’s not like they can say ‘Impossible’ and make the Lifestream go away.”
“They might try.” Cloud gave her a small smile, but he could see she didn’t buy it. “Either way, I think they’ll decide within the week. This half-official status must get rid of most of the red tape Shinra was tied up in. Zack used to –” He cut himself off, hands lingering on the harness he’d just hung over the back of a chair, turning the memory over a few times before deciding it was his own and continuing. “He used to curse himself blue in the face when he got back from meetings. Or when he came staggering back from post-board meeting spars with the General.”
“Post-board meeting spars?” Yuffie’s brows rose.
Cloud nodded. “He wasn’t insane back then, Yuffie. And you’d have to be to leave a Shinra board meeting and not suffer from a mix of frustration, anger, and boredom. Believe me, those spars probably kept him from cracking years before Nibelheim.”
Yuffie flopped down on one of the beds with a sigh. You’re pulling out the big guns for the daily guilt trip, aren’t you? Or is it just the Lifestream playing havoc in your mind, making you remember what life was like before your world fell apart?
“Do you think they’re listening as well as watching?” she asked casually, staring at the ceiling.
Cloud glanced up at the camera, vaguely pleased that their hosts hadn’t attempted to hide it. While it was a definite advantage in a fight, he didn’t like being underestimated. “Most likely. Shinra occasionally bugged SOLDIER officers’ quarters, even after most got into the habit of sweeping their rooms every time they came home. Shinra didn’t comment on the destroyed bugs and the SOLDIERs didn’t comment on their replacements. It was one of those things that you never brought up in conversation unless you wanted to cut your career short.”
“So how did you know?”
“I saw Zack clean the bugs out often enough.” Cloud settled Buster Sword in a corner and chose a chair for himself. “Not like anyone cared what a grunt like me knew as long as I kept my mouth shut about it.”
They were silent for a while, neither sure what to say. The possibility of surveillance limited their topics of conversation, and Cloud wasn’t one for idle chatter. He could be downright talkative at times, both with jokes and serious discussions, but he needed motivation for it. Either as a way of connecting to others or because the subject matter amused or interested him. Yuffie had gotten better at judging when he needed words rather than silence, and when she was uncertain what mood he was in she felt that having him reject her coaxing was better than not offering at all.
“You’re doing this for him,” she said eventually, hoping they wouldn’t be giving too much away to their not-yet-allies.
Cloud moved over to sit next to her on the bed. “What else could she have promised? I didn’t need gil, and I had family again.”
You’re going to love Aeris, you know. She’ll call you adorable, treat you like a little brother and take your side whenever we argue. Warmth. Laughter. If I ever manage to argue with you…
Zack-memory came first, as it usually did, but this time one of Cloud’s own followed.
Don’t call me ma’am! A faint giggle, smile hidden behind a slender hand as green eyes sparkled. I’m just Aeris. It’s wonderful to meet you, Cloud.
Cloud blinked. “… I knew Aeris,” he said as less defined memories trailed through his mind, fuzzy impressions rather than snapshots. “Zack took me to see her sometimes, when we both had leave. Her garden was the most like home I’d seen since I came to Midgar. After I fell into the church, she tried so hard to make me remember, to separate what I did remember.” He ran one hand through his hair. “I think she could have done it, if she’d had more time.”
And it explained why he was only reliving memories now, not speaking with Zack. Aeris must have been pushing to separate them, or maybe she’d strengthened Zack’s presence so he could interact with Cloud. With her gone, there was only Cloud’s clearer sense of self to help him feel what was him and what was Zack.
Sighing, he ruffled his hair again.
“I miss Kenya.”
Yuffie turned her head to stare at him. “You miss Kenya,” she repeated.
He nodded. “She’s a good bird, and good company.”
“She’s the stupidest gold I’ve ever seen!”
“She is not!” Cloud defended.
Yuffie raised her brows. “Oh really? What would you call a hen who nearly lets a Midgar Zolom bite her because she’s too addle-minded to notice it coming?”
“Kenya’s the sweetest, most loyal chocobo I’ve ever met. She just has a short attention span sometimes. And given how quick you were to beg the Seal she found off of me, I don’t think you’re in a position to complain.” He gave her a playful glare. “Cirrus is the one who’s stupid.”
“How fitting, since I named him after you.”
A beat of silence, and Cloud snagged the pillow to hit her with.
Back in the meeting room, Sam and Daniel were silently analyzing what they’d been told – from drastically different angles – and neither felt inclined to start the discussion. As usual, Jack picked up the verbal slack.
“Are we really going to believe their crazy story?” he asked.
“True or not, they seem to believe it,” Hammond said. “While I have reservations about their story, I don’t see what they could hope to gain from it.”
“I think they really want to help us,” Daniel cut in. “If they were friends with an Ancient, they can’t be allies of the Goa’uld, and we’ve never heard of the Goa’uld having spread to other galaxies. It’s more than possible that they’ve never heard of them before.”
“Yuffie Kisaragi was most disturbed to hear of my prim’ta,” Teal’c said. “I do not believe she had heard of Jaffa or Goa’uld before.”
Hammond nodded. “Have you heard anything that hints at the Goa’uld believing the planets are sentient the way Strife claims?”
“No,” Teal’c replied.
“Does it matter?” Daniel squirmed in his chair as all eyes turned to him. “I mean, if there is a way for the planet to protect us, that’s great, but even if there isn’t I don’t see how having more allies against the Goa’uld are a bad thing. And someone has to take them in if they can’t go home.” He frowned slightly. “Even if their knowledge of the Ancients is as limited as Strife claims, I’d like to discuss it with them no matter if you decide to trust them or not.”
Jack snorted. “The guy claims he can talk to planets, Daniel. Forget trusting him; I say we put him in a straightjacket.”
“It could be something else pretending to be Gaia,” Sam interrupted. “Sir, if you remember the aliens posing as ‘spirits’ on PXY-887, they could assume the forms of animals or humans while communicating with the humans of the planet. A species of another galaxy could have the same ability.”
“And how do we know that they won’t turn on us?” Jack countered. “They sounded sincere enough and they looked a little green when we described the Goa’uld, I’ll give you that, but Strife admitted he’s just guessing why he’s here. He could have a sudden epiphany that he’s supposed to kill us after all.”
Daniel frowned. “Destroying the Goa’uld seemed like a clear goal to me.”
“And Cloud Strife would not lie about his purpose,” Teal’c affirmed.
“It might be his main one,” Jack admitted, “but there’s no telling that we don’t have a bit of whatever technology the Goa’uld used to piss this Gaia off lying around in our labs. What happens when Carter starts tinkering with it?”
Sam stiffened, determinedly not looking at him so she wouldn’t be caught glaring. She was a scientist – she did not tinker.
“You think they’d attack us for that?” Daniel looked distressed. “Without warning us that we were doing something wrong?”
Jack hesitated, then met Hammond’s eyes. “I don’t think there’s much that either of them would flinch from anymore.”
“With all due respect, sir; we should find out more about them before we write them off as hostile.” Sam leaned forward in her chair, eyes bright with curiosity. “I’d like to examine the colored spheres they were so careful to keep with them. They remind me of the Goa’uld’s ribbon devices, and I think we’d all like to know if they are destructive.”
“They will not attack us,” Teal’c said. “It would be disrespectful to demand they give us these spheres.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Jack said, surprising everyone. He shrugged at their expressions, giving a halfhearted smile. “If they were planning on doing any damage, they could have done it down in the gateroom. And if the orbs Carter’s worrying about are weapons, there was an excellent opportunity for them to kill all of us during the meeting. They didn’t, and I suppose they deserve a little credit for that.” He chuckled. “Hell, we time traveled – this isn’t the strangest thing we’ve ever seen.”
“But you –”
“I’m not saying we should take their word as gospel, Carter. Just that they haven’t tried to hurt us yet.” Jack sighed. “We can’t treat them as enemies just for getting through the iris, or we’re as bad as the Goa’uld.”
Sam had to agree with that. “Still, if I could just have one of the orbs to look at –”
“I’m sorry, Major,” Hammond interrupted. “Until Dr. Frasier’s tests are done, we will show our guests courtesy.” He looked at Daniel. “You may speak with them, but keep in mind that they are not allies. I’m only withholding judgement.”
“Thank you,” Daniel said sincerely.
Cloud and Yuffie lay on the floor, stretched out in opposite directions, heads next to each other. The pillow fight had eased some of the built up tension, but the uncertainty of their position kept them from relaxing.
“Are you feeling better now?” Yuffie asked. “What did she do to you, anyway?”
Cloud sighed. “Better, but not recovered. I think I need to connect to her again soon, regardless of the poisoning risk. She slammed too much energy into me for it to settle easily. Her Lifestream and Gaia’s flow differently, and it tore some memories up before they began to adapt to each other. We don’t have the kind of time it will take me to fully assimilate them on my own.” He gave a half-hearted smile even though she couldn’t see it. “At least there’s just knowledge, not really mako as I’ve ever felt it, so I won’t have to adjust to any physical changes.” If we have to fight our way out, I won’t be a liability.
Yuffie hummed in acknowledgement. “Is she very different from Gaia?” she asked curiously. “Personality wise, I mean. Or maybe she’s not awake enough to be anything right now?”
“She’s… I guess she’s not conscious enough to lie yet. It’s nice, for a change.” Cloud didn’t try to keep the bitterness out of his voice. There was no need to pretend with Yuffie. “Gaia always looks like Aeris, or maybe just like the Cetra in general, I don’t know. She tried to pretend she was Aeris, the first time we spoke. I thought it was some trick of Jenova’s, and she let the real Aeris out to convince me otherwise.” He sighed. “Gaia’s been calling me Protector ever since Tifa and I crawled out of the Lifestream at Mideel, but I didn’t know she had this in mind.”
“Did Aeris manage to talk to you alone?” Yuffie slipped into her native tongue, unwilling to share that bit of the past with their hosts – if they were listening – even if Cloud didn’t mind.
“Yes,” he replied in the same language, speaking slowly and searching for words. “Rarely, just small bits at a time. She apologized for herself and Zack, and… scolded me for being depressed.”
Yuffie snorted. “We all wish you’d stop that.”
“True.” Cloud’s smile was apparent in his voice. He changed language again, Nibelheim accent a little more apparent than normal. It usually was after he’d spoken Wutaian. “She said it wasn’t our fault she couldn’t be revived. The Cetra become part of the Lifestream in a way humans don’t. I asked if she’d want to be brought back, but she says she’s happy where she is. She’s got Ifalna back, and I guess that’s the Promised Land to her.” He sighed. “Aeris never asked for much.”
“But she asked you to be happy, didn’t she?”
“I’m working on it.”
Yuffie frowned at the ceiling, resisting the urge to turn her head and look at Cloud. She’d only see those spikes anyway. “Are you sure that’s what he wants?”
“I know it’s not what he would want, but I don’t care. He gave so much for me, Yuffie. More than I would have let him if I’d been strong enough to stop him, and Ramuh damn you if you think I’ll walk away from this!” Cloud sat up, scooted over to lean against the wall and breathed deeply, struggling to calm down as his agitation renewed the struggles of the opposing currents within him. Minutes passed before he spoke again, voice low and even. “He wouldn’t want me to sign my life away to the planets’ service, but he gave me the right to choose my own future. I will do this for him whether he wants it or not. It’s selfish, but I couldn’t live with myself for having turned down the only chance I’ll ever have to pay him back for saving my life.”
“I just…” Yuffie hesitated, studying his expression. “Are you certain he isn’t happy? Like Aeris?”
Cloud’s smile was a painful mix of gratitude and bitterness. “Aeris said he was certain he made the right choice, and content with that. She never called him happy.” He bit his lip and said in Wutaian, “There’s too much of him still in me for him to fade into the Lifestream. He’ll only be whole if he’s brought back, or if I die.”
Yuffie’s eyes widened. She briefly wondered if she should have known that, should have anticipated that there were consequences beyond Cloud’s inability to let go of the past… But it didn’t matter. She hadn’t known, and that was that.
She moved to sit next to him, pleased that he raised his arm to let her nestle against his side, her head pillowed on his shoulder. It wasn’t a truly conscious movement, more of a reflexive response to her closeness. That easy nearness they had was part of being family, and she knew it wasn’t something Cloud had with anyone but her. Or at least not with anyone else alive.
“Cloud is my brother, not Zack,” she told him firmly in Wutaian. “When the planets give him back, you’ll still be Cloud. You know that.”
His arm tightened around her, and he pressed a kiss to her hair. “Thank you.”
Yuffie smiled. “Anytime,” she assured him before switching back to the common tongue again. “And just so we’re clear, you’re not sending me home until we’ve taken that planet-killing bastard down.”
She felt more than heard Cloud chuckle.
“I doubt I could convince Gaia and her sister to expend the power before that. We’ll have to hurry, though. I need you to tell Reno what happened.”
“Reno?” Yuffie looked up in surprise. “I didn’t think you were that chummy with each other.”
“We’re not, but if he starts thinking we’ve been killed or trapped, he’ll tell Rufus. What do you think will happen then?” Cloud didn’t wait for a response before finishing, “The company can’t search for us, so they’ll call Avalanche.”
“Tifa will be breathing down my neck the moment I get back, trying to find out how to get to you.” Yuffie winced, not only in sympathy. “I respect her and all, but she just doesn’t take a hint.”
“By the time we went to Wutai, I’d stopped hinting.” Cloud sighed. “She kept bringing Aeris up whenever I told her I wasn’t interested. As if it was her fault.”
Yuffie poked him in a spot she knew was ticklish, partly because he was being stupid again and partly because it was fun to watch him squirm. “She doesn’t understand because she’s not willing to face the fact that she doesn’t know you. Tifa prefers not to deal with reality when she can have her prettied up illusions instead. She wanted you to be strong when you met in Midgar, so she didn’t correct anything you said. She wants you to love her, so she will keep making excuses for why you don’t until she runs out of them. It’s no one’s fault, Cloud. It’s just how she is.”
He smiled slightly. “Well, this is one way to be free of her.”
“It certainly is! And who knows, maybe finding out that you fled the galaxy to get rid of her might finally drive the point home.” Yuffie laughed, but it died when Cloud frowned. “What?”
“Speaking of making points…” He removed the single yellow materia from his armlet, studying it for a moment before slipping it into the pouch. Nodding at the remaining pairs of green and blue, he explained, “We’re negotiating an alliance, Yuffie. Would your father have brought anything but healing materia to such a meeting?”
“Of course not – that kind of dishonor is for Shinra.” She sighed exaggeratedly. “This means I can’t prank them either, doesn’t it?”
“I’m afraid so,” Cloud chuckled. He stood and offered her a hand up.
Yuffie pouted at him, but accepted the help. “Alright, but the moment we get this enemy-of-my-enemy issue sorted out, they’re mine!” She waved her right hand for emphasis, and Cloud’s eyes slid involuntarily to the Transform materia in her armlet. He suppressed both the shudder and the urge to check his Ribbon was securely in place.
“Behave,” he said simply as he turned to face the door.
Yuffie bit back whatever reply she would have made as the door opened to let Jackson and one of their guards in.