I do not own anything nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.

Set after FFVII Advent Children and before FFVII Dirge of Cerberus.

Run from the Past

Reno stood outside the bar gazing at the sky.

"Here again," said Rude.

"Yeah," agreed Reno. "I'm going to have a chat, meet you at the car."

Rude nodded and headed over to where he had parked while Reno sauntered down the street. It didn't take him long to corner the spy. The man was dressed in dark jeans and a black jacket with a grey T-shirt underneath. He stopped half way down the alley as he realised he had turned into a dead end. Quickly he turned and made for the exit but Reno stepped out in front of him.

"Too slow," he grinned as he casually pulled free his electromag. "I almost what to say you're pretty good but those little SOLDIERs had other things on their mind otherwise they would have had you sooner. But you weren't good enough to trick me."

"Not good enough?" said the man. "Not good enough!? Do you know what I have done? I have brought the dead to life, even the oh so mighty Hojo couldn't do that."

"Yeah," said Reno slowly coming forward. "He did think himself pretty mighty."

"His focus was too narrow, but I have perfected his research. You have seen what I have done."

"Well, if you're looking for fame-"

"Fame?" interrupted the man. "Have you never done something just because you can, to show yourself how good you are?"

Reno calmly continued forward.

"I know all about you Turks," he continued. "You're going to try and catch me."

"Try?" questioned Reno as he flicked his electromag on.

Suddenly Reno hoped he could jump back quickly enough.

XXX

"Should have guessed this had something to do with Sephiroth," said Tifa. "The man just can't stay dead."

"Hey," said Zack in an attempt at humour.

"Sorry," said Tifa. "You're right about Sephiroth's return though."

Zack looked confused for a moment.

"Oh," he said. "The Geostimga."

Tifa nodded but Cloud shook his head.

"Unless you know of his return another way," he said looking at Zack.

"I don't," said Zack, "I just-"

"Know," finished Cloud.

"Yeah," said Zack. "I feel like I know where he is. Or more that I feel like I want to go in an easterly direction."

Tifa opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by an explosion. It shook the bar briefly but didn't break any of the windows, upstairs Marlene gave a shout of fright causing Tifa to run for the stairs while Zack and Cloud headed toward the door. Once outside, they saw a small column of smoke was dissipating in the air two blokes down. Zack set off at a trot sure that Cloud would follow. Few people lingered, most hurried on their way, eager to be gone from potential trouble. Zack quickly scanned the area of destruction as they rounded the corner, it was small and Zack doubted any structural damaged had occurred. He frowned when he spotted Rude crouched next to an unconscious Reno further down the alley.

"Hey, is he okay?" asked Zack going over.

"He's alive," said Rude as he checked the red head.

"What did he do?" asked Zack looking further down the alley. It didn't look good and Zack had a pretty good idea of what was splatter on the ground.

"He was talking to the man following you," said Rude satisfied that Reno was alive. "You'll find he is the source of the explosion."

"He blew himself up?" asked Zack surprised. He looked back at the mess on the ground not quite sure how to take the new information. The man following had been his link to what was going on, why he was here. He started down the alley but stopped when he heard sounds of retching. Turning he saw Cloud leaning against the building, Rude was watching him as well but his attention was on the black ooze that fell from Cloud's throat. Zack recognised the look on Rude's face – an expression worn while watching someone dying.

"That's enough to make anyone lose their lunch," commented Zack with forced neutrality.

He returned to the alley entrance and steered Cloud back to the bar before the other Turks arrived, the last thing he wanted was more question and scrutiny. He glanced down at Reno as he passed making sure the Turk was actually okay. He looked battered but alive.

"This way," muttered Zack pulling at Cloud's arm.

Cloud let Zack pull him round and steer him in the right direction. But as soon as Zack let go, Cloud started stumbling off track.

"Hey," said Zack pulling him back, "where are you going?"

Cloud looked up, frowned and shrugged.

"I don't know," he said. "I just went that way."

Zack said nothing as they made their way back to the bar. The direction Cloud had been going in was the same direction he felt he would find Sephiroth. Twice more he had to pull Cloud back in the right direction. They had to stop once more as Cloud was sick again, falling to his knees this time. Zack couldn't help but notice the looks thrown their way – fear, sadness, pity. And the wide berth people gave them.

"Come on, Cloud," said Zack as he gently helped Cloud to his feet.

Cloud drew a trembling breath but made no move to continue. Zack took Cloud's arm and slung it across his shoulders, letting Cloud lean on him as they made their way back to the bar.

Tifa was still upstairs when Zack and Cloud returned. Zack let go of Cloud so he could lock the door behind them. Cloud stood where he left him, staring at nothing.

"Cloud?"

"I'm a little tired," murmured Cloud and headed for the stairs.

Zack followed, he was concerned at how disoriented Cloud appeared. Not to mention throwing up black ooze earlier - twice. Climbing the stairs completely worn out Cloud and he slid to the ground once he reached the top. Zack calmly helped him to his feet and to his room, even though Cloud was walking he was leaning heavily on Zack by the time they got to his room. As Zack passed Marlene and Denzel's room, he saw Tifa was holding Denzel as he slept. She looked up as he passed, concern on her face. Zack gave a quick smile to reassure her but suddenly realised that she had a better idea of what was happening than he did. She knew about Geostigma, knew how it ended. Zack suddenly felt heavy with dread, he didn't know what was coming but he knew it wouldn't be good.

Cloud's breathing was ragged by the time Zack got him to his room, he was barely aware of Zack taking off his shoes and making him comfortable. As Zack leaned over to check Cloud's arm, he noticed something neither Cloud nor Tifa had mentioned before. Pulling aside the collar of Cloud's zip up top, Zack saw the stigma had spread up his arm and into his neck. Zack glanced at Cloud's face but the blond had his eyes closed, his brows creased in pain, lips parted as he drew harsh breaths.

Zack heard Tifa's footfalls in the passage and quickly went to intercept her.

"How is he," she asked quietly.

"Resting," lied Zack.

Tifa glanced at the door.

"Tifa," whispered Zack urgently, "I'm going to kill Sephiroth."

"Zack!" Her shock evident in her harsh whisper.

"I know where he is, this time I will kill him," said Zack adamantly.

"Zack," Tifa's voice was quiet, "Sephiroth is than stronger than you remember, last time… Take Cloud with you, between the two of you-"

"Cloud is dying, Tifa. The stigma is spreading," hissed Zack.

He took hold of her arm and gently but firmly pulled her toward Cloud's room. Tifa followed with a frown on her face, this was something new. But she saw for herself when Zack pulled aside Cloud's collar.

"How…?"

"I think I know," said Zack. "We've been using Aerith's water to ease the pain but it isn't strong enough to cure it so the stigma trying to find a way out – it's spreading so it can keep infecting."

He paused to let Tifa digest what he had said.

"I have to stop Sephiroth, Tifa" said Zack.

"If you go alone, Sephiroth will kill you," said Tifa her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"If I take Cloud with me, Sephiroth will kill him," said Zack looking her straight in the eye.

Tifa knew Zack was right.

"I don't know what to do," she whispered, her defence suddenly crashing down.

Zack put his hand on her shoulder.

"I need you to look after Cloud for me," he said. "And Denzel and Marlene."

Tifa was quiet for a moment while she regained control over her emotions.

"Okay," she said whispered, nodding.

Zack gave her shoulder a squeeze and left before he had any second thoughts. He glanced back as he headed for the stairs. Tifa stood watching, he could see she didn't think he would be coming back, that he was going to his death. That he was leaving her alone in the room, with his dying friend.

XXX

Zack took Fenrir, knowing Cloud wouldn't mind and needing a fast mode of transportation. Once he left Edge he followed a path that left the road but continued in an easterly direction – following his instinct not his mind. He had considered taking Cloud's sword as well, it was a spectacular weapon but he didn't know how to use it so had stopped by the church to collect his Buster Sword and to tell Aerith where he was going. He didn't know if she could hear him but it made him feel better. He also told her to hold on a little longer, soon Sephiroth would be defeated and she could help the people of Edge, and the planet, once more. He had to believe she heard that one. Had to believe that she was there waiting for him to free her, waiting for her hero.

He had been driving for almost three hours when he saw a small collection of building on the horizon. As he drew closer, he saw that the town was abandoned but he knew it was where Sephiroth was. He also had the distinct impression that Sephiroth knew he was coming. Was waiting for him. This was confirmed when as he pulled up in the town square and Sephiroth came out what had once been the major's residence. He paused when he saw Zack, clearly he had been expecting someone else. Expecting Cloud.

"Well, Angeal's little puppy," he said, there was a cruel twist in his tone when he spoke Angeal's name. "Fighting for honour once more?"

Zack ignored the slight on his late mentor, he knew Sephiroth was trying to unnerve him, unsettle him, force him to make a mistake. So instead he said nothing but drew his Buster Sword from Fenrir's sword compartment and stood ready. Quiet and patient, quite unlike his usual self.

Sephiroth sneered at him.

"You couldn't defeat me last time, what makes you think you can defeat me now?"

Zack smiled confidently,

"This time," he said, "I'm ready to fight you."

"Oh," said Sephiroth clearly amused.

Zack took a deep breath, thought of the people waiting for him and charged.

Sephiroth wasn't only strong, he was fast. He also had a sword with incredible reach, meaning every time Zack was close enough to land a blow he was within Masamune's attack range. Zack knew a few of Sephiroth's attacks from his conversations with Cloud. However, knowing about an attacking and trying to defend against one were two very different things. And Zack only ever seemed able to see the attack after it had been executed and he felt the burn of steel slicing though his flesh. Thus far he had been able to avoid any serious injury threw quite reflex but eventually he would tire and they would take their toll and he would lose. He would die. Zack was also very aware that he hadn't yet landed a successful blow on Sephiroth.

Zack swung the Buster sword in a wide arc in the hopes of using sheer strength to land a hit. He was rewarded when Sephiroth had to stepped back or fall over from the pressure exerted on his blade. Sephiroth quickly levered his blade over the Buster sword in a downward arc trying to pierce Zack's chest. Zack was forced to drop one hand from his sword and side step or lose the arm. Even so, Masamune sliced thinly across his shoulder. Gripping with only one hand lessened the force and Sephiroth easily knocked Zack's blade aside.

Was Tifa right? Was he going to die here? Was he going to fail?

"Still trying to be a hero?"

Sephiroth's voice sliced through his thoughts, its mocking tone twisting all his hopes and dreams. Had he ever been a hero? Who had he saved? He had a brief image in his head of Cloud smiling at something he had said so many years ago. He had saved someone, it had cost him his life but he had done it. He had been a hero once. He could do it again.

"I am a hero," said Zack fixing Sephiroth with a determined stare.

Zack pulled himself up straight, images of his past filtering though his mind: Angeal with his white wing, Cloud staring at nothing, Aerith worried, Cissnei looking the other way, Kunsel hidden by his helmet and Tifa with her unshed tears. He may have lost some of his friends along the way but he would be a hero again.

And there was one way to defeat Sephiroth when he was strong and you were weak - it took resolve, it took guts. No dilly dally shilly shally. Zack took a lesson from the past and ran forward, he felt sharp steel piece his flesh but continued to run along the blade of Masamune driving the Buster Sword into Sephiroth's chest.

Sephiroth met Zack's grin with hatred.

"Why do you sacrifice yourself to defeat me?" he asked angrily.

"Sacrifice?" questioned Zack. "Don't you know - we're both already dead."

XXX

Zack knew this feeling. The feeling of being rested and healed. He opened his eyes to find himself on a bed, he recognised the room. And from the lack of Cloud's personal effects and the Buster Sword resting against the wall, he had a feeling he would be waking in this room often. Sitting he caught sight of a piece of paper on the bedside table. It was a card that had fallen flat, it had a huge pink flower on the front, inside it read 'get well soon'. Zack smiled and returned the card to its place. The light outside showed it to be fairly early in the afternoon. There were fresh clothes folded on the chair, they looked new. He got dressed and headed downstairs. He followed the sound of talking to find Cloud, Tifa, Reno, looking a little worse for wear, and Rude all in the kitchen. They stopped talking when he entered the room.

Tifa had a smile on her face, Cloud's arm was free of bandages, Reno was relaxed in his chair and Rude gave him a nod.

No one appeared to know what to say.

"Lunch?" asked Tifa in the quiet.

"Oh, yes please," said Zack sinking into a spare chair at the table.

"I won't pass up a lunch," added Reno with a grin.

Tifa looked at Rude, who nodded a thank you, and then at Cloud who did the same.

"You'll be pleased to know that I burned Sephiroth's body," said Reno. "No way he's coming back from ash."

"Hey, don't speak so casually," warned Zack.

"Though," added Zack, "if he does, it's your turn, Cloud."

"No way, I've killed him three times. You're still two down on me," said Cloud giving Zack a look.

"I say Reno does it next time," said Zack comfortable with Cloud's remark – it was the Cloud he knew from so long ago.

"Why?" asked the red head sitting up straighter.

"Because it will be your fault if he comes back – you disposed of his body," reasoned Zack.

"Deal," said Reno leaning back again. "But unlike you two, I'll shot him. No playing around with big kitchen knives."

Tifa heard Zack laugh, there was also a soft chuckle from Cloud. She stood listening to the men round the table wondering if she was hearing what she thought she was hearing. Was she dreaming? Loud laughter caused her to turn her attention to the table. Zack and Cloud were looking at Reno laughing at something he said, even Rude had a smile on his face. Tifa smiled to herself as she went back to preparing lunch, was this the start of her new life? She hoped so.

Epilogue

Zack stood on the ridge that looked over the ruins of Midgar. The ridge where he had died.

"So close," he said quietly.

"Yeah," agreed Cloud.

"You once asked me…" Cloud paused seeming unsure. "You once asked me what I was going to do. Once we got to Midgar?"

Zack nodded.

"I did," he said. "In the back of a truck."

Cloud's eyes looked distant for a moment.

"Yeah," he said slotting the memory into the ever shifting stream.

"What are you going to do?" asked Cloud. "I can't really say when we reach Midgar."

Zack smiled.

"I think I said open a shop that does everything," he said.

Cloud looked away briefly before turning away. Zack knew the look now, it was a memory that Cloud knew but couldn't remember.

"It's a good idea," Cloud said.

"Though," said Zack scratching his head, "you do all the deliveries, okay?"

"Me?" Cloud seemed confused.

"Of course," said Zack. "I'm not leaving you behind. We're friends, right?"

Cloud smiled the smile of remembered memories and nodded,

"Friends."

END