A/N: Ok, so this is the first story I have ever posted (not written of course, just posted) So anyway I'd love your comments/reviews/whatever so that I can get an idea if what I'm writing is worth continuing. I do have many other ideas in mind but this one just kept nagging at me so I decided to give this story the test drive. If anybody likes this one then I'll try to write my other ones as well (yeah, they are still up in my head). Well enough with my banter, on with the story.
Peace out
Kawaii Hitsuji
Disclamier - I obvouisly do not own Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and anything SquareEnix. Though, when I do embark on my world takeover, things could change -
WARNINGS - This story does contain YAOI parings (boyxboy) and also MALE pregnancy (but not in the way you think) If these two themes DO NOT float your boat then PLEASE make good use of the back button, for that is why it exists.
Path to Remembrance
--- What Once was Lost ---
Spring was coming to a close with the beginning of summer just mere days away. Through, with how incredibly hot and dry it was, one would have thought it was the middle of summer. At least that was how a spiky haired blond felt.
"Spike you doing ok there?"
Spike cringed internally after hearing his friends concerned voice as he continued to empty the contents of today's breakfast, which he was practically forced to eat mind you, in a ditch along the side of a dusty dirt road.
As he began to spit the remaining vomit from his mouth he felt a hand gently rest on his back. "Spike?" his friend continued, extreme worry lacing through just that one word.
A couple more spits and he slowly stood, shaky, but able to stand and most importantly walk. "I'm fine," he said pushing his friends hand away. "It's just some flu virus nothing more. I'll get better after we get out of this god forsaken country!" He didn't mean for that to come out so harsh, but he was tired, irritated, weak, and so very hot. God wouldn't he give to jump into a pool of ice.
A silence which shouldn't have occurred after such a harsh statement was met. Spike could feel the others concerned gaze on him for this wasn't the first time he's snapped at his best…ok only friend, and instead of turning to look up at his friend to apologize he spat out an angry and annoyed "What?"
His friend, a tall, well built, black spiky haired man who was always giddy looked, well, heart broken. All that giddy light from his eyes was gone, replaced with such a concerned, sadden look it made Spike feel extremely ill. "Zack…." he started apologetically.
"I'm just worried about you," Zack cut him off gaze falling to the dusty road. "You've been like this for about two weeks already. Sick, moody, and well maybe it isn't just some flu virus." He looked back up to meet Spikes apologetic stare. "Maybe something is seriously wrong, or…."
Spike hardened his eyes and quickly retaliated back before Zack could say anything more on that matter. "It's not that"
"But all the signs point…"
"It's not that" he stated a more harshly.
Zack sighed bringing his hand up to scratch the back of his head giving Spike a worried look. After a short stare down Zack let out an aggravated breath flinging his arms into the air, "Fine. If it's just some flu virus then it's just some flu virus."
Spike couldn't help but smirk at that, for he had come out victorious once again. "Good. Because that's all it is. Just some flu virus."
Zack gave him the look that said that he didn't believe him but would for now. Besides it wasn't like they wouldn't pick this fight up again later, as frustrating as that may seem.
As Spike turned to continue their ever endless journey, a wave of dizziness washed over him. Damn heat he thought. He shook his head a bit to shake it off, but it only made it worse.
He faintly heard a 'Spike' before his knees buckled and everything went black.
Zack just managed to catch his friend before he hit the ground. "Spike?" he questioned the unconscious blond in his arms "Spike?"
This wasn't good. Spike had never passed out like this before. Something was seriously wrong and Spike was just too stubborn to admit it despite Zack's insistent pestering.
He bit his lip, worry lacing across his face, wondering what to do. Sure, the most logical thing to do would be to rush his friend to the nearest medical facility, but considering that the whole freakn' army was after them due to Spike's 'most wanted' status, that wasn't an option.
He continued to stand there pondering about his sick friend when he heard the voices of some very eager soldiers not too far away. Shit. Of all the times to catch up with us it just had to be during our crisis time.
Zack quickly looked around trying to figure out what his options were.
The road did have dense forests on either side, maybe he could take Spike in a little ways, hide him in some leafs, and lead the soldiers away from him. And once he took care of the soldiers he would come back for him.
Zack smiled. The plan was flawless and the only thing that could go wrong would be if he forgot where he put Spike, which could never happen since he had the most amazing memory there was. At least he thought so, but Spike on the other hand…well he said that he knew fish with better memories than his. Humph a fish. He sooooo did not have the memory of a fish. Now if Spike had just compared his brain to a chicken instead, then there would be cause for some debate.
"Oi! There they are!"
Zack snapped his head up towards the soldiers rushing down the road, all thoughts about memory quickly put aside till a later time. He smirked down at his friend. "Looks like its leave you to the trees until I can deal with these Shinra pups;" he told Spike as he hefted him into his arms and jumped into the forest.
"They went into the forest! Hurry before we lose them!"
Zack quickly trudged deep into the forest looking for the best spot to hide his friend. In what seemed like an eternity he came across a dense patch of fern plants. "Guess this will just have to do, what do you think?" He said looking down at his very unconscious friend. Spike of course didn't answer. "I'll take that as a yes then."
He carefully placed Spike down under the plants, making sure that he wasn't too visible among the ferns. Once satisfied he stood and looked around for those annoying soldiers.
He spotted a couple not too far away making their way towards them, but even from this distance Zack could tell that they had no idea that he was here. Hee. Stupid soldiers. Didn't anyone tell them that I, the most awesomeness 1st class SOLDIER around, was the one protecting their intended target?
One soldier stumbled over a log, cursing quite loudly. "Guess not" shrugged Zack.
He looked down to his well hidden friend. "I'll be back Spike, just sit tight and try not to come find me. I'll find you, I promise."
With that he darted back out of the forest making as much noise a possible so that the soldiers would follow him and not continue on their path towards Spike.
"Hey!! There he is!!" Score!! Now lets' see, 1 point to the amazing Zack, -1 to dumb-dumb Shinra pups!
After making sure all the soldiers noticed his 'grand' escape attempt he burst out of the forest a couple 100 meters down the otherwise deserted road. Ok, part 1: get Spike to safety, part 2: acquire a weapon and a good can of whoop ass!
Just as he was figuring out how to get a weapon, one sneaky soldier managed to creep up to him unnoticed and press his gun into Zack's head. Damn. Zack scowled. I have got to pay more attention to my surroundings.
"Where's your f-friend!" the soldier stuttered but still managing to at least sound like he was the one in charge. Zack smiled. So the soldier knew who he was dealing with eh? Well he couldn't go ahead and disappoint the little guy now could he, since he so obviously heard all the remarkable stories.
"My…friend?" Zack questioned, fake confusion spreading across his face.
The soldier took a very auditable gulp. "Nymph th-three four f-five. He was w-with you."
"Nymph three four five?" Zack replied turning around to face the soldier who was supposedly holding him hostage. "I don't know of a Nymph three four five."
The soldier took another long awaited gulp. His gun was shaking in his hands but still pointed directly at Zack's head. "Y-your friend. Blond sp-spiky hair…"
"Oh you mean Spike!" Zack exclaimed cutting the poor confused soldier off. "Yeah he was with me, but I guess now he's not. Must have lost him somewhere…"
"Get down on your knees with your hands behind your head, NOW!! And Matt just shut the fuck up!" Shit. The little soldier's little commander just had to show up. Just when I was about to get to the good part too.
Zack begrudgingly obeyed the little commander's orders when he noticed that the little commander had a bunch of little soldiers with him. Of course Zack could have taken out the commander and the single soldier easily, but a commander with a dozen or more soldiers would take a little planning, especially since he couldn't guarantee Spike's safety.
The commander circled him making sure that he wasn't hiding anything that could potentially harm him and his men. The commander was smarter than Zack thought. Problem was that Zack himself was a weapon, to a certain degree of course, and this commander seemed to have neglected that little fact.
"Where's the Nymph?" the commander questioned once he was satisfied that Zack was no longer a threat.
Zack glared up at the man. He hated how they constantly referred to Spike as a Nymph. It disgusted him really, for Spike was a human being, with a name, not just some Nymph. "His name is Spike," he growled out.
The commander threw back his head and laughed! He actually had the audacity to laugh! "Spike? Is that what you call it?" he said while continuing to chuckle, the rest of the soldiers joining in with their giggles. Crouching down to Zack's eye level he continued, face full of mirth. "It does not have a name, nor is it a he. You of all people should know that."
Zack gritted his teeth. That cocky bastard! If it wasn't for Spike, Zack would have gladly ripped the man's head off before all of his soldiers had a chance to fire their guns at him. But unfortunately he had to stay alive…for Spike's sake.
The commander stood and gestured to some of his men, "Detain him!" he ordered. He gestured to the rest, "Get back in the woods and find the Nymph!! General Sephiroth would very much like to have it returned to him, unharmed"
Right when Zack was about to throw away all thoughts of strategic planning out the window to prevent the soldiers from going back into those woods to find Spike, a loud rumbling noise was heard. And it was getting louder. He looked around searching for its source but the road was completely deserted.
All the soldiers that surrounded him had their weapons raised, ready to defend against whatever was causing that noise. Meaning that whatever was causing it was not Shinra issued. Zack smiled. This was the perfect time to launch his grand take down plan, without the loss of his life in the process.
When Zack prepared himself to target the little commander a flash appeared out of the corner of his eye. When he turned to find its source, three of the soldiers surrounding him fell to ground.
Seconds later a loud thumb accompanied with an 'Ugh!!' resonated from behind him.
He quickly turned around to find a teen aged girl who, strangely enough, looked like some sort of modern ninja, though she looked a little green. She had short black hair and was wearing a black bandana, knee high white boots, short back t-shirt with white flower prints, very short shorts, and had one arm partly covered in some kind of armor. But her looks didn't exactly scream ninja. Oh no! It was what she held in her hand. She was holding the object that had caused the flash, a giant spiked...cross…thingy that resembled something that a ninja would use. Zack wasn't exactly sure what the weapon was, but boy would he like to have a go at it.
The girl looked down at him and smiled. "Seems like you need some help here. Well the Great Ninja Yuffie is here to save the day." She posed for that last bit and if Zack wasn't Zack he would found that a little odd. But as it was, he was Zack, who just so happened to be guilty of doing the exact same thing any chance he got.
Before Zack could even blink the soldiers around him charged at the girl only to be shocked again when a spear appeared knocking a soldier's gun out of his hands and pinning it to the ground. Apparently the girl, Yuffie she said, wasn't as naive as she looked, for she wasn't alone.
In fact there were about five others with her, and what a strange looking bunch it was! You had your ninja, of course, a middle aged man with a cigarette hanging from his mouth, ummm…yeah, a young women who was a very skilled martial artist, that is to say she was wiping the floor with any soldier that approached her effortlessly, another young women all dressed up in pink who looked like she should be in a flower shop, a teenage boy that looked like a mini Sephiroth, creepy as that was, and lastly a young man wielding a gun/blade thingy that, of course, Zack wanted to try out as well.
Yep, a very interesting mix of people. Zack wondered where he and Spike could sign up.
In a matter of minutes all the soldiers that he was going to mop the dusty dirt road with, were down for the count. Surprisingly none were dead, just unconscious, and judging from their injuries, in a lot of pain. Zack gladly concluded that they weren't going anywhere for a long time.
As he stood and began dusting himself off, the young man with the cool looking weapon approached him and pointed that weapon straight at him!! "Who are you, and what is your business with Shinra?" the man all but demanded in a very cold and controlled voice.
After that question, Yuffie instantly stepped up and scolded the man. "Squall!! We just saved his life. Obviously he is not on Shri….."
"Who are you?" Squall asked again cutting her off in that annoying controlled voice of his, but not before Zack noticed a slight roll of the eyes at the mention of his name.
Zack glanced between Yuffie and Squall wondering what the hell was up with these people. Yep. Odd bunch of people I have to say. Perfect group for me and Spike to hook up with.
When Zack's quick glance between the two was returned back to Squall he began to answer the man's question, "Well Squa…"
"Leon" the man stated vehemently.
Zack blinked. O…K... "Umm…Leon then." Zack continued. "My name is Zack, and just so know, I did not require your services. I had everything perfectly under control." Zack said rather confidently with a tiny hint of childish mockery. Take that stone faced man.
'Leon's' face didn't change in the slightest. "And your business with Shinra?"
Gee does this guy say anything else?
Before Zack could retaliate with some smart ass remark, the lady in pink interfered. "Don't mind Leon." She said calmly and gently. Almost like a mother explaining a simple fact about life to her kid. "He just gets a little on edge whenever we cross the broader into Shinra territory."
Leon rolled his eyes in a much more noticeable fashion than before, while lowering his weapon.
"So…" the lady in pink continued "…why was Shinra after you?"
Zack liked this lady. She made him fell all warm and fuzzy inside. And if he did something wrong he had the feeling she wouldn't tear him apart but forgive him completely. Not that he had done anything wrong; it was just the aura she gave off. Not like this 'Leon' character. "My friend and I are…fugitives." he lied to the lady in pink.
"Fugitives?" Leon stated with a questionable eye brow raised.
Zack glared back at Leon "Yeah. We were held prisoner for treachery. I guess you could say we don't like Shinra anymore than you do."
Leon just continued to stare right back at him, with the same stony face as before. Did anything faze this guy?
"Where's your friend?" Yuffie piped up before Leon could say anything more, not like he was going too anytime soon that is.
"I hid him in the woods," Zack answered pointing into the woods. "You see he's really sick and so…is unable to defend himself. There's a patch of ferns not to far off. I hid him there."
Now before the group before him could mutter, that is to say Yuffie and the pink lady for Leon was currently sporting that 'I am going to kill you' look again, a response on whether they would offer their assistance for himself and Spike someone came running up and warned them that five Shinra air ships where on their way here.
Surprisingly, Leon was the first to react to the news. Something that Zack would never have thought the man capable of, what with his 'I have no emotions therefore I don't care what happens so screw off before I kill you' attitude.
"Yuffie, Tifa, Cid! Get everyone back on the ship and prepare for a possible confrontation." Leon ordered the three, who immediately obeyed without a single thought.
"You," He pointed to Zack, "are going to take Aerith and myself to your friend."
Zack nodded his agreement. Anything was better than facing more Shinra soldiers. Not like he couldn't take them all on or anything by himself, but he had Spike to worry about, so help was required.
As Zack began leading Aerith and Leon into the dense forest, a strong sense overwhelmed him. Shinra had arrived, or more particularly, someone from Shinra.
Zack cautiously turned around to come face to face with a tall, very well built man. He had inhuman cat like green eyes and long following sliver hair. If it wasn't for his demeanor he could have easily lived a wealthy life as a male model, but unfortunately, for Zack, he was a deadly killer. Sephiroth was his name and he was the strongest and greatest SOLDIER ever to grace the Shinra military. This man was the reason why everyone in Shinra made it their top priority to find Spike.
Sephiroth raised his incredibly long sword, called Masamune, and spoke with an eerily calm, demanding voice. "You took what is mine. I want it back."
Zack hadn't noticed that Leon had moved up next to him until he heard a faint "Sephiroth" emanate from under his breath. So Leon knew about Sephiroth, and by the look that Leon was giving the man he knew him on a more personal level.
This was not good. Zack knew Leon was a very skilled soldier, but he was human, which meant he didn't stand a chance against Sephiroth, hell even the almighty Zack was no match against the guy. The only thing that Zack had going for him was that he wasn't…completely…human, just like Sephiroth.
So Zack did the only thing that he could do at this point, he stepped forward putting himself between Sephiroth and Leon. Without taking his eyes off Sephiroth he quietly spoke to a confused Leon, "Take your friend and go find Spike. I'll distract Sephiroth long enough so that all of you can escape."
Silence was heard behind him. Odd, he expected some sort of argument or refusal or…something from the man. Then he heard the movement of boots as they crunched upon the road with a faint "good luck" before the sound of rustling bushes was heard shortly thereafter.
Zack silently thanked the heavens that Leon wasn't just some emotionless bastard who only cared about his pride and reputation as a leader. No, Leon was smart and knew when to back down when the odds were so obviously not in his favor. Spike would be safe with him and his odd bunch of followers, and that's all Zack needed to know.
Sephiroth's eyes followed Zack's every movement with frightening mirth as Zack slowly crouched down to pick up a sword that one of the soldiers lost during Leon's surprise attack. He stood back up sword at the ready while Sephiroth readied himself for the attack, a glint of excitement shinning in his eyes.
Zack knew he wouldn't come out of this confrontation alive. His only thoughts before Sephiroth took the first move in attack was that he never got the chance to say 'I love you'.
Leon rushed through the woods, with Aerith close behind, searching for the fern patch that Zack had mentioned. The faint noises of clashing metal could be heard in the distance. Apparently Zack had acquired a weapon, not like it was going to do him any good.
Despite the fact that Leon didn't care for the childish man he couldn't help but feel a little guilty for leaving him behind. The only thing that prevented him from turning around and going back was that Zack knew exactly what he was getting himself into. He also knew I wouldn't last seconds against the man.
As he rounded a massive tree he spotted the patch the ferns he was in search for. The patch was rather big and extremely dense. Hopefully they could find Zack's friend quickly before Sephiroth was finished with him.
He turned to Aerith, who had stepped up beside him, her green eyes scanning the area before her. She briefly looked to Leon and nodded in silent agreement to fan out and search through the ferns.
Leon placed his gunblade in its holster on his hip, and began to sweep his hands through the ferns. He didn't know anything about the man he was searching for besides that a) he was a man, b) he was very sick and likely unconscious, and c) his name was Spike. Why anyone would call their child 'Spike' was a mystery to him, but whatever, the man's name wasn't what was important anyway.
As he pushed some more ferns out of his way, he heard a faint 'Oh!' and then a loud thump. He stood up and looked over to where Aerith had tripped. "Are you alright?" he questioned, remaining were he stood.
"Argh. I'm fine," she answered sitting up with a disgruntled look on her face. She smiled briefly up at Leon before turning her head around to see what she had tripped on.
When Leon was satisfied that Aerith was alright he returned to his search but as he did so heard a very auditable gasp followed by a faint "Oh my god" coming from Aerith.
Curious, Leon wadded through the ferns towards Aerith so that he could get a look at what shocked Aerith so. There half hidden under the ferns was a short, skinny, blond, spiky haired man who Leon thought he lost forever 13 years ago. But it couldn't be. It just couldn't
He turned to Aerith, slight shock apparent on his face, to find an equally shocked Aerith looking up at him.
It's…
"Leon, its Prince Cloud."
…Cloud?
TBC...