When the God's are gone and humans are left to dictate their own fates, will they flourish in their new found freedom or will the struggle for power corrupt the world.

Cloud's mako eyes opened when he heard the light footsteps of Claire and the delightful smell of bacon on toast wafted through the bedroom door. The blonde sat up in bed to the sight of the rose haired beauty leaning on the door frame with a tray full of mouthwatering breakfast, wearing a vest top and pajama shorts that didn't leave a great deal to the imagination.

"Good morning." Claire smiled warmly as she walked over to Cloud who had now sat up in bed. "I made you breakfast." She added, placing the tray on his lap and giving him a quick but loving kiss before she began to get changed.

"Thank you.. It's not like you to be up before me. You sleep okay?" He asked as he gratefully tucked into his lovingly prepared breakfast. "You have oil on your cheek."

"I was giving the Camaro a service, sounded a little rough yesterday." She said convincingly as she peered into the large mirror on her dresser and rubbed it off quickly.. Nearly got caught making the final adjustments on his surprise already Farron! She mentally scalded herself. "Oh, Reno called. Said he needed to see you. Sazh is coming for you in an hour."

"Really?" Cloud groaned. "What does he want?"

"Didn't say.. Just said it was urgent." She answered. "Besides.. I've gotta take Duke to the vet's for a checkup."

"Can't we swap?" The blonde asked, only half joking.

"Might as well go and see what he wants.. Not like you should be doing anything special today." She added, waiting to see his response.

If it wasn't for Vincent telling him the other day, he himself wouldn't have realized it was his birthday. He thought on about the many nights that he and Claire sat up chatting and realized that he had never told her when his birthday was; not that he wanted a fuss in any way, shape or form. He decided to spare Claire from any misplaced guilty feelings and not explain to her that today was his 25th birthday.

"I guess you're right." He said as he finished the last of the breakfast.

"I'm always right." Claire grinned, as she walked over to the blonde, placing her hands on his face and kissing him passionately. "Hurry back.." She finished as she grabbed her cropped leather jacket from the closet and trotted out of the room. "Duke! Come on!"

Cloud climbed out of bed and walked over to the window to find Claire and Duke get into the car and drive off. He waited by the window for a moment, allowing the sun's rays to wash over his body, slowly warming him. The blonde closed his mako blue eyes and envisioned the woman that had only just left his side. He thought about just how lucky he was that his life had finally turned around and for the first time in forever he was truly happy. His daydreams about the rose haired beauty ended with the sound of his phone ringing on the bedside table.

"Hey! It's Sazh. Just letting you know I'll be touching down at the edge of town in fifteen minutes." The afro haired pilot explained.

"Okay Sazh, see you in fifteen." He replied.

The cerulean eyed man quickly got changed and began to jog down the street to the edge of town. The once quiet town had now doubled in size and almost half of it's occupants where from Edge. Each one went out of their way to say 'good morning' to Cloud as he past them in the street, making him feel very much part of the community.

He got to the edge of town before the helicopter had arrived and spent the time waiting on attempting to guess what Reno wanted him for. Whatever Reno wants... It had better be good.. Cloud thought, as he watched the helicopter he was expecting head towards him.

"Hey Denzel, It's Claire.. Barret's plan worked and Cloud is now on a helicopter to the other side of the country. Do you guy's still need help with the party?.. Okay sure, I'll be 5 minutes... Are you sure Tifa won't mind? I don't wanna step on her toes.. Okay then see you in a sec." Claire told Denzel over the phone.

Claire started the car and pulled out of the alley she had parked in to avoid Cloud and headed towards seventh heaven. Upon her arrival, she opened the door of the bar to chaos. Tifa was instructing barret on what wine and beer he needed to go and collect for tonight, annoying him as she mentioned breaking bottles with his bad driving. Marlene and Denzel argued over what songs should be played tonight whilst Nanaki sat in the corner, attempting to block out the racket. Whilst tempted to sit by Nanaki and see just how long it would take them to notice she was there, Claire decided to make her presence known and offer to help in any way she could.

"Need some help?" She asked, sending the room into silence.

There was a brief awkwardness as the two alpha females first made eye contact but Tifa's warm smile eased Claire's nerves. They both liked each other and both have more in common than they would admit to but the pair's interactions have always been tense. The insecurities Claire has about herself were amplified when she looks at Tifa, who she considers to be extremely attractive and being Cloud's oldest friend and rock for years plants thoughts in her mind about Cloud leaving her one day for Tifa. Tifa however became instantly jealous over just how quickly Claire was able to break down the blonde's impenetrable walls and get him to do what she couldn't. Fall in love with her.

"That would be great." Tifa smiled warmly. "Could you help Barret stock up on the beer and wine for tonight? I'd rather you drove." She added, earning her a hurt look from the muscular mountain of a man.

"Sure thing. Let's go big guy." Claire said, strangely eager to be accepted by Clouds group.

Barret did as he was told and followed the pink haired woman outside and watched her walk over to the drivers side of the pickup truck before turning and holding out her hand, gesturing that she wanted the keys. Barret sighed but eventually handed the key over and sulked round the other side and climbed into the passenger seat. The car remained silent for the first couple of blocks but eventually the man mountain spoke.

"Hey, is your sister coming tonight?" He asked.

"yeah, why?" Claire replied.

"I just wanna thank her. Marlene said she's the best teacher she's ever had and has been helping her fit in with the other kids." Barret said with a warm smile.

"I'll make sure she comes." She said. "Right.. So whats first on the list?"

Cloud watched as the skyscraper that Hope used as a headquarters to run everything came into view. The tallest structure in the city looked just as grand as the first time he laid eyes on it. As Sazh Slowly maneuvered the chopper over the helipad to land, the blonde caught sight of Reno who was stood next to the lift that scaled the building.

"Thanks Sazh." Cloud said, patting the man on the shoulder as he jumped from the helicopter and headed towards Reno.

"Hey, Cloud." Reno said with a grin.

"What do you want?..." The mako eyed man replied coldly.

"Why are you always so grumpy? Come on, I'll show you." The red haired turk said as he opened the lift.

The lift doors slid open onto the floor that contained the VR training room that Cloud had previously been on. He looked around the floor for an inkling of why he was here but saw nothing but young men and women, all wearing suits.

"Those guys are potential turks- I mean CIA... Damn that's gonna take a while to get used to.. Anyway.. That's why you're here-"

"I told you.. I'm not interested in joining you guys, or wearing those ridiculous suits.." Cloud said, becoming increasingly annoyed that he wasn't with Claire.

"Heeey! I like my suit! You wouldn't make the cut anyway! We just need you to have a go in the battle simulator to calibrate it for us so we can start training the new recruits."

"Why can't you do it?" The blonde asked, not wishing to participate.

"If it was up to me I would.. But Rufus said you need to do it. He want's the machines artificial intelligence to be a challenge for anyone. He said there could be a recruit out there who is tougher than me and Rude but the chances of anyone being able to beat you are miniscule- His words not mine... I'd kick your ass." Reno joked.

"Not interested.." The mako eyed man said as he returned to the lift and waited for Reno to activate it with his key card.

Reno pulled out his phone and quickly dialed his best friend and work partner Rude, who was on standby in the towers power control station. "He's not took the bait! Plan B! 10 Seconds! Tifa owes me for this!"

The Red haired former turk jammed the phone into his pocket and ran inside the lift and swiped his keycard on the lift's control panel before selecting the roof. The lift set off and began its slow ascent to the roof and the helipad where Sazh waited patiently for the blonde's return. Cloud watched as the numbers on the lift rose one by one until the small metal box came to a sudden stop and the lights went out, activating the red glow of the emergency lighting system.

"Oh no... Would you look at that.. The lift's broke." Reno said in the least convincing voice anyone had ever heard. "I hope it doesn't take long..."

"Great.." Cloud sighed, as he sat down on the floor and tried his best to block out Reno's constant chatting. I'm gonna kill him...

In no time at all, Barret's pickup truck pulled up outside Tifa's bar and the two shopping buddies climbed out of the truck. Claire held the bar's door open while the gun armed Goliath carried in two heavy kegs of beer before returning to the truck for the wine.

"That was quick. You guy's get it all?" Tifa asked.

"Yep, all of it." Claire said proudly. "Oh do you mind if I hide Cloud's present around the back here?"

"Sure. What is it?" She asked with great curiosity.

"You'll see." The pink haired beauty said as she trotted out of the door, leaving Duke to continue his playtime with Marlene.

Half an hour later a familiar rumble sent everyone but Denzel rushing over to the windows of the bar. Sure enough, the sight of Cloud's famous bike, Fenrir came into view with Claire riding it carefully down the street and pulling it up behind the building. Everyone rushed outside; including Nanaki to take a look at something they never thought they'd see again.

"Where the hell you get that!?" Barret asked, dumbfounded.

"I built it all on my own.. Every night for a month in my garage. It's taken every ounce of skill I have just to keep it hidden from him for so long." she chuckled.

"He'll love it." Tifa said before returning into the bar.

The small group all watched her leave abruptly before returning their gaze to the bike, admiring it's sleek black body that contrasted with the golden engine casings and exhaust. One by one they all returned back inside to help Tifa until only Claire and Denzel remained outside.

"Hey.. Thanks for helping me.. I couldn't have done it without you." Claire smiled. "Sorry I said that I built it on my own. I didn't wanna get you in trouble with Tifa."

"Don't worry about it, I enjoyed it. Besides.. You're the only one who was willing to teach me how to fight. I owed you one." Denzel said as he helped Claire pull a thick white sheet over the bike to conceal it.

Two hours later and Seventh Heaven had been transformed into a private party room for Cloud and his friends to let their hair down and drink the night away in celebration of the blonde's 25th birthday. Birthday banners lined the walls and glasses had already been laid out on the formation of small tables that formed one huge one, big enough to seat everyone. Tifa's cell phone vibrated in her pocket and the message it displayed caused her to crack a smile for the first time since she saw Claire's present.

"Rude just text. Said Cloud didn't fall for it so they had to lock him in a lift with Reno to stop him leaving. He said they had to let him go though because he threatened to use Reno as a battering ram to break the lift doors down.. I guess I owe Reno a drink." Tifa laughed.

"Well wadd'ya know.. There actually useful for something." Barret said, chuckling to himself.

"Cloud should be landing in an hour or so. I better get home and wait for him to get back." Claire said. "Come on Duke!"

As soon as Claire got home, she ran upstairs and took of her clothes, throwing them into a corner. She walked over to her dresser and looked into the large mirror that sat on top of it and began to survey her body from head to toe before letting out a sigh.. Not quite Tifa.. Am I?..She thought to herself, worrying about the brunette bombshell taking Cloud away from her. She had never been bothered by her appearance but with the arrival of Tifa, Claire couldn't help but compare herself, destroying a piece of her self worth every time she did.

Shaking the feeling of insecurity away, the rose haired beauty sat on the edge of her bed and began to mess with her hair as she kept her eyes fixated on the mirror. Claire picked up her cell phone several times, wanting to call her sister but the thought of asking her for 'bedroom' advice made her cringe and the fact that anything her little sister told her would have guaranteed that she would never be able to look Snow in the eye again. This is ridiculous.. I'm being ridiculous...You can do this..

Cloud walked up the driveway, still angry at the days events and opened the front door to be met by Duke, who jumped up at him in excitement. After the bear like dog had been played with enough, he left the blonde to shut the door behind him and walk across the open plan floor towards the stairs.

"How was your day?" Claire shouted down the stairs, glad that Cloud could not see her smiling face.

"Put it this way.. I don't ever want to see Reno again.." He said in an annoyed tone as he began to climb the stairs.

"That bad hm?"

"I was trapped in a lift for what felt like all eternity with someone that doesn't understand silen-" Cloud stopped dead at the top of the stairs at the sight of Claire leaning on the door frame of their bedroom wearing nothing but a silk robe.

She threw a seductive glance at the blonde before disappearing into the bedroom without saying a word. Cloud walked slowly across the hallway as if in a trance, hypnotized by her beauty. He made it to the room and walked inside, stopping at the foot of the bed with a confused look on his face. Where did she go?

Claire, who had been stood behind the open door pushed it closed, attracting the blonde's attention and causing him to turn as she let the black silk robe fall from her shoulders, revealing her toned, porcelain skinned body. She paced towards him slowly, watching him examining her body without blinking until his face was inches from her own.

"Happy birthday." She whispered seductively as she pushed him onto the bed and climbed on top of him.

Cloud could hear his ever increasing heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears as the warmth of Claire's breath on his skin sent a shiver down his spine. She kissed him softly at first, before increasing in intensity and trailing kisses down his neck and onto his collarbone as she began to unzip his shirt. The pink haired beauty's hands began to wander across his torso as she felt him run his fingers though her hair and pull her closer.

Soon enough, Claire had removed all of her mako eyed lover's clothes without her lips ever leaving him. She rolled to the side and pulled him on top of her in one swift motion as she wrapped her legs around the blonde and pulled him towards her. Claire exhaled and let out a muffled moan as Cloud slowly pushed himself inside of her. The blonde gripped the back of her slender leg, pulling her closer to him as she arched her back in pleasure. Her finger nails clawed into his back when he thrust faster and deeper, building up momentum as her moans grew in volume until she climaxed. Claire bit her lip as the wave of pleasure took over her body, causing it to tremble until he to had finished. Cloud stayed inside of her as he looked down on the woman he loved more than anything in the world.

"I love you, Cloud.." She whispered, running her slender fingers through his blonde locks as she caught her breath.

"I love you too." Cloud replied as he gazed into her pale blue eyes.

"I think I'm gonna need another shower before we go out." She laughed, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.

"Out?" The blonde asked in curiosity.

"Yeah, out." Claire smiled, not willing to reveal anything.

Cloud tried to read her eyes but the secret was not leaving here. He moved from on top of Claire and lay by her side in the king sized bed, pulling her close to him, enjoying the warmth of her body on his. Their eyes began to shut as they fought their tiredness, knowing a dream could no longer beat reality. Claire was the first to wake, half an hour later and climbed off the bed and took a shower.

The hot shower massaged her naked body as she thought about the man who slept in her bed. She couldn't help but smile proudly at how seemingly well her attempt at being 'sexy' went and even laughed at despite everything she had overcome in her life, this was the scariest thing she had ever done. Claire climbed out of the shower and dried herself before returning to the bedroom and searching her closet for her ripped skinny jeans. Her pale blue eyes fell onto the blonde, who slept with a warm smile, as she wished they could spend the day in bed together. I guess I'll have to share you for today..

"Time to get up.." Claire whispered softly in Cloud's ear, waking him.

"Sorry.. I fell asleep.." He yawned.

"Get ready, we're going out." She smiled. "I'll be downstairs."

Cloud jogged down the stairs ten minutes later, still none the wiser on where Claire was taking him. He found her sat on the sofa, trying to fend off Duke who was in the mood to play. As soon as the blonde's boots touched the floor, Claire pinned Duke to the sofa, winning their wrestling match and ushered him out of the door and into the car.

"You gonna tell me where we're going yet?" He asked.

"We're going to see Reno." She Joked, smiling as his face dropped.

Cloud stayed silent, not wishing to protest to her and watched as she drove down the street towards the newly built end of town until they stopped outside a closed 7th heaven. He gave her a puzzled look but followed her out of the car and over to the door.

"After you.." Claire said menacingly, causing him to hesitate slightly, genuinely worried about what was on the other side of the door.

"SURPRISE!"

The lights turned on to reveal Cloud's friends lining the bar, laying in wait for him.

"Happy birthday, Cloud!" They shouted in unison as they pulled him inside the building.

"Here." Tifa said as she offered him a glass of whiskey. "Beer Light?"

"Yes please." She said, following the brunette to the bar, leaving Cloud to be ambushed by his friends.

Hours past and the party progressed deep into the night until Marlene could not keep her eyes open any longer.

"Goodnight Cloud. Happy birthday old man!" Marlene joked, hugging him tightly.

"Sweet dreams, Marlene. I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled as he watched her disappear upstairs.

"I wanna wait until I see the presents!" Denzel pleaded, earning him another 5 minutes away from his bed.

"Yeah! Open ours first!" Yuffie shouted, handing over a badly wrapped present.

Cloud ripped of the wrapping to reveal a glass box that contained a fist sized emerald rock.

"They said it would take years for materia to form naturally on this planet. But Tifa and I found a cave near where omega was and we found some! Can't get it to work though.." The young ninja said proudly.

Claire snatched the Emerald from the blonde's hand and examined it closely in disbelief.

"Yuffie.. This isn't materia.. It's an emerald... The biggest one I've ever seen.." The pink haired woman explained, handing it back.

"Aww.. whats an emerald?" Tifa said with disappointment.

"That little rock is worth about three million gill." Claire said, sending the room into silence.

"We found a cave full of it.." Tifa mumbled, still in shock.

"I'm rich!.. I mean.. We're rich!" Yuffie shouted, correcting herself as she danced around the room.

Barret was next to pull out a small ceramic pot that contained an instantly recognizable bunch of delicate yellow and white flowers that his fallen friend Aeris was famous for.

"Not quite a million gill rock but I know you like them. I found them on my travels over the grassy planes where the battle was fought. They've always been a good luck charm for us on our world.. Maybe they will bring us good fortune in here.. Seems to be working already." Barret said in his deep voice as he pointed to the young ninja.

"They're perfect, thank you, Barret.." He nodded.

A knock on the door briefly ended the present giving as Cloud opened the door to Find Serah and Snow in the doorway. He invited them in, receiving a bear hug and pat on the back by Snow who wished him a happy birthday as he entered.

"Okay.. We have to go outside to see my present." Claire said.

"I thought 'that' was my present." The blonde said, insinuating their love making only an hour ago.

"If you think you have to wait till your next birthday then you're gonna be in for a shock tomorrow.." She whispered in his ear, purposely loud enough for Tifa, who was behind him to hear.

Cloud's cheeks burned red at her words and his mind raced to another passionate encounter with the rose haired beauty. She lead him out of the back door of the bar and got everyone, including Denzel to gather around the veiled object.

"Denzel, you wanna do the honors?" Claire asked.

Denzel grabbed the edge of the white sheet and built up the tension before pulling it swiftly to reveal the gloss black motorcycle that was Cloud's prized possession. They all turned to Cloud who stood in stunned silence, never blinking. He slowly walked over to the machine rubbing his fingertips over the body work as he circled it. Claire caught Denzel's eye and gave him an appreciative wink as the blonde threw his leg over the motorcycle and started it up.

"Woah! Thats cool!" Snow shouted with enthusiasm.

"I never thought I'd see this again.. How did you?-"

"I built it. Why do you think you've been banned from the garage for a month." Claire laughed.

"Do you mind if I-"

"Have fun." She interrupted with a warm smile.

Without a seconds hesitation, Cloud set off out of the alleyway and onto the road, thoroughly looking forward to the experience of riding his motorcycle again. He pinned the throttle back and launched himself down the street as he weaved across the empty roads, testing the bike's maneuverability. The blonde didn't know how she had done it but Claire had masterfully remade his prized possession to the finest of details. You never fail to impress me Claire Farron..

After a quick blast down the country roads that poured out from the town he headed back to the bar with an uncharacteristic grin on his face. A birthday party and presents where the last things he wanted this morning but up to now he had the girl of his dreams, his prized possession, a memento of his fallen friend and a gemstone from Tifa and Yuffie that was worth more Gill than he could ever imagine.

His daydreams stopped as he approached the town's boarder to find a dark figure laying in the road, motionless. Anchoring on the brakes, Cloud stopped in front of the body and leaped of his bike to assist. The body seemed female by the subtle heels on her feet but her body was covered in a large hooded coat. The blonde knelt by her side to assess the situation but felt something sharp pierce his leg. Thinking nothing of the tiny prick, he pulled the hood back to reveal a woman with long, red hair.

"I know you..." Cloud mumbled to himself as he looked at her sleeping features.

"I'm heart broken.." The woman said in a toneless voice as she opened her eyes, causing the blonde to jump.

"April!? What do you want!?" He shouted, dropping her and climbing to his feet, instantly realizing something wasn't right.

"You're gonna be my new play thing.. Whatever is inside of you that makes you so tough is now abundant in the planet.. We found scientists from your world that explained everything.." April smiled menacingly as she watched Cloud's legs give way from under him.

"What.. have you.. done to me?..." He strained.

"I've perfected the formula with my new found knowledge.. Your body will slide into a coma until I administer a vaccine." She explained as she knelt over the blonde. "Don't fight it my darling.. Only pain comes from resisting." The red haired scientist said as she stroked his face.

A black van reversed out of the alleyway and two masked men jumped out and slid the large side door open. April signaled them over and the two brutes lifted Cloud off the ground and unceremoniously threw him into the back of the van before jumping in with him. The Disciple scientist walked casually towards the van, checking the area for witnesses and then set off into the night.

Four hours passed and Claire was now becoming increasingly worried about the man she loved. Thoughts of him involved in an accident passed through her mind and the fear of him injured because she built the bike wrong had her sitting in silence in the corner until a bottle was placed in front of her. Claire looked up to find the last person she expected to see in front of her. Tifa.

"You worried too?" Claire asked.

"A little.. I didn't think he'd go out for so long.. Then again.. He did this to me too.." Tifa sighed.

"Did what?" Claire asked.

"Just get up and leave one day.." The crimson eyed woman said.

"He wouldn't do that to me.." She said angrily, unsure if Tifa was just trying to provoke her. "I'm going to go look for him.."

"We'll all help.." Vincent said, seemingly appearing from nowhere.

Second's later everyone had piled out of the bar but Barret who waited with Denzel and Marlene. Nanaki sprinted off into the distance like a bolt of lightning as everyone else climbed into their cars. After half an hour of searching, Tifa's phone rang in her pocket. Pulling it out in great haste, she answered the phone to hear Vincent's ever calm voice.

"I have found Fenrir, Claire needs to see this.. East border of town near the exit road."

Claire yanked the handbrake and spun Barret's truck in the road. She floored the throttle, leaving two, fifty foot tire marks on the road. Tifa held her seat belt as the rose haired beauty flew down the road, passing red lights without hesitation. A few minutes later she laid her eyes on Vincent's flowing tattered cape stood next to Cloud's motorcycle. The pickup truck had barely stopped when Claire leaped out of the car and ran over to Vincent who began to give his verdict on the scene.

"The motorcycle is intact and still runs.. He stopped of his own free will.. There seems to be fresh tire tracks leaving the town.." The perceptive former turk told her.

Claire examined her environment looking for clues as Tifa got out of the car. She examined the houses that lined the street and a small grocery shop on the corner, dismissing them for evidence until a small security camera caught her eye on the corner of the store.. bingo.. The Clouds worried lover marched over to the store's glass door and punched it through, causing glass to rain down on the floor.

"Claire! What are you doing?!" Tifa shouted.

"I know the owner.. He'll forgive me.." She said as she made her way inside.

Claire marched through the store and into the back office where the computer that stored the security videos was. She had already began rewinding the tapes when Tifa begrudgingly followed her in just in time to see Cloud being thrown into a van and a red haired woman look directly into the camera before jumping into the van and speeding off into the night.

"April.." She said, recognizing the crimson haired scientist. "I'll be the last thing you ever see.."

Claire pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed Fang with a trembling hand.

"Fang, I need your help.. It's Cloud.. He's been taken.." He voice cracking as she spoke.

"I'll get everyone together. See you in a few hours.. Don't leave the town." Fang replied calmly before hanging up the phone.

"Everyone to my house.." Claire mumbled in a daze as she walked from the shop to find everyone had regrouped on Clouds motorcycle.

Two hours passed until Cid recognized the sound of one of his joint creation with Sazh. The newly created Highwind2 hovered over Claire's home. As ropes fell from it's hull, Claire's loyal friends descended and ran through the open front door.

"Okay Light. What's the plan." Fang said, taking no notice of the strangers in her living room.

"We're going to split up and find him.. Nobody touches April but me.." She said coldly.

A/N: Okay.. this is the last chapter of this story but im gonna repost it as the first chapter of my next story too if you want to just so that people know they are linked. As promised there is a a sex scene (Or at least my take on it) it's safe to say Im not the author of fifty shades of gray. Let me know if it was decent or dire and I'll decide if I should leave them out in future. Now for the fun bit.. Cloud has been taken and they are now going to split up to find him. That decision is up to you. Providing there is a majority vote. Wanna be cruel and put Vanille with Vincent? A bit of female rivalry between Claire and tifa? You decide. Just wanna thank you all for sticking with this story and I hope you're all here to read the sequel. Thanks

Wolf