An Angel's Freedom (Final Fantasy VII Fanfiction)

Chapter Three: Resentment

When Cloud pulled up outside Rocket Town, it was as empty as ever. Only the old man who had provided them with all of the information about the rocket launch stood outside his house, as if he had never left that spot. Cloud was actually surprised he wasn't ten feet under at this stage.

The old man smiled at him, recognition in his eyes and Cloud couldn't help but allow a small ounce of respect grow within him for the man. Even in his old age, his mind was as sharp as ever.

"Hello there, son, I didn't think I'd ever see you again," he greeted Cloud cheerfully as the SOLDIER approached him. "What brings you to this neck of the woods, eh?"

"I came to look for my..." He hesitated slightly, wondering what label he would - or rather could - actually place upon Tifa. His girlfriend? His possible future wife? The woman who took care of their adopted children and ran their business but went missing recently after he left?

"My friend," he finished lamely.

"Well, if you mean Cid, he actually just left a few hours ago," the old man answered. "He said that he and the young lad were picking up supplies when I was talking to him but he didn't say where they were headed."

"Was the boy named Denzel?" Cloud asked immediately.

The man's wrinkles suddenly increased in number as confusion entered his features. "I don't rightly know, son, Cid never really introduced him to me although, a couple of times before I did see him with his mother. She doesn't look old enough to be a parent though." He missed Cloud's shocked face and clicked his fingers smiling. "It was the same girl who came here with you years ago! She calls into Shera quite a bit, they seem to be very close."

"How were they?" Cloud asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice.

"Last time I saw them, they seemed fine, they were in a bit of a hurry but that nice girl took the time to stop and chat to me," he answered with a smile. "She was beautiful as always but she seemed a bit tired and she'd gained much more muscle since the last time I'd seen her. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her in over a month now."

"Why were they picking up supplies? Where were they going?" Cloud asked more to himself rather than the old man.

"Shera orders in a tonne of supplies each month from Midgar and once they arrive Cid brings his airship over and picks them up with a couple of others," the old man answered him anyway. "I don't understand why they don't just go to Midgar themselves to collect it but if you ask me it has something to do with the troubles in the city."

"What troubles?" Cloud asked in confusion.

"Have you been living under a rock for the past few months son?" The old man exclaimed with a hearty laugh. "Loads of abandoned Shinra facilities have been raided and burned to the ground, no one's been injured but it's setting the locals on edge. Most of the facilities were in Midgar but there have been others too, like the ones in smaller towns." He shook his head slowly. "Everyone thinks it's that rebel group AVALANCHE again, while some say it's the wrath of the planet, but I'm not really sure if it's either. You should go talk to Shera, she'll know more than me."

"Thank you," Cloud said with a nod before making his way over to Shera's house and knocking on the door twice.

*****

"So you're leaving now?" Aerith looked across the flowery fields she had created within the lifestream towards Zack. He stood there, a replica of his buster sword on his back and a sad look on his face.

"I have to go, Aerith, you know I can't refuse the call," he replied with a shrug. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"But, Zack, Tifa needs us! She needs us now more than ever," Aerith argued, her voice pleading and eyes big and wide.