I'll Be There (KH/FF fanfic)

Chapter 12: Silver swords and silver hair

Chapter 12:

You thought that after yesterday's little "adventure", you would be able to have a normal day, but your brother decided to make an announcement as he met up with you for breakfast. He had called you at 7:00 AM, waking you from your peaceful dreams, to invite you to meet him at your favorite restaurant, which would have been nice if he had given you more than fifteen minutes to get ready. You quickly brushed your teeth, washed your face, and put on a nice, short floral skirt as well as a white top with a light blue cardigan. After slipping on a pair of wedges and throwing your hair into a ponytail, you shouted to Cloud...and Leon, of course, that you would be leaving. Even though you two weren't an official couple, you thought that after all the trouble Leon had been through yesterday, he deserved to know where you would be going.

You entered the restaurant and found him sitting at a table with a huge grin on his face. He greeted you with a wave before getting up and wrapping you in a hug.

"Order anything you like! My treat," he said.

"Sweet!" You cheered, before giving him a suspicious look. "Hey, since when have you payed for anything for me?"

"Since today. Can't a brother buy breakfast for his baby sister?" he responded.

"Psh! Noctis you're only three years older! Besides, I know you. Whenever you do something nice for me, there's a reason. Spill!" You demanded.

"Okay, okay!" he said. "I wanted to meet up with you because I'm getting married to Stella tomorrow and I figure that you're the only family I have left so you should know first."

Your jaw dropped. "Oh my gosh, Noct! Congratulations!!" you squealed.

"Stella and I agreed that you should be a bridesmaid, if that's okay. And don't worry, Stella picked out some really nice dresses for the bridesmaids. You'll be one along with her best friend Lightning and her sister, Vanille. Don't worry, they're really nice...well, at least Vanille is." Noctis continued.

"Of course I'll be a bridesmaid! Stella's gonna be an awesome sister-in-law!" You agreed. "So who's the best man?"

"My best friend Snow. I don't think you've met him. Oh, and Zack and Cloud are gonna be the bridesmen." he answered.

"You nervous?" you asked.

"Yeah," he nodded. "But I really love Stella and I can't see being married to anyone but her."

"D'awwwww!" you cooed as the waiter came by to asked for your orders.

"Stop being such a sap and order already," Noctis said with a laugh.

"Apple pecan pancakes and a side of bacon, please," you told the waiter.

When the two of you had finished your food, Noctis paid the bill and drove you back to RANGER headquarters. You strutted in, still giddy from the good news but were interrupted by Cloud who thrust your sword toward you.

"You're late for practice. Hop to it!" he said with a serious, non-Cloudlike tone.

You gave him a quizical look before shuffling into a changing room. Why was Cloud being so stern with you? He usually didn't care if you were a little late to practice. Heck, he was late for practice all the time.

You replaced your outfit with one more suitable for fighting and met Cloud in the arena. You lunged at him first, initiating the attack and he blocked it in return. After a few minutes of attacks and sword fighting maneuvers Cloud suddenly swung his sword in a manner that you had never been taught. The blade swung close to your face and you felt as if time had stopped as the silver tip scratched across your left ear. You dropped your sword in shock and touched your ear only to find your hand drizzled with droplets of blood as you took it away from the appendage.

"...Cloud.." you whispered, your eyes wide with horror and surprise.

"You have to try harder! You should have blocked that! If I don't train you to defend yourself, someone could kill you!!" Cloud yelled. He dropped down to his knees. "I didn't train you enough. That's why you got kidnapped. You could have died...he could have killed you!"

"Who?" you breathed.

Cloud paid no attention to your question. Instead, he stood up and wrapped you into a caring hug. "_____, I'm sorry. I'm so concerned for your safety. Nothing would be the same around here without you. You've changed all of us so much, especially Leon. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if something happened to you."

"Cloud, who is "he"? Who could've killed me?" You asked carefully.

"______, I don't know why, but a very powerful man has targeted you. You're under his radar and now he's found you. You're gonna have to watch every step that you make, understand?" Cloud said with urgency, gripping your shoulders and looking you straight in the eyes.

You laughed. "Cloud, my father is a wanted man. Of course, I'm being targeted. That's why I was sent to RANGER headquarters."

Cloud shook his head. "This is no ordinary enemy. This man has extraordinary power and could kill you easily. I've battled him before. He left me with this." Cloud pulled up his shirt, showing you a huge gash on his abdomen. He turned around and you noticed that the scar was there too.

"Who is this man?" you inquired, your voice strong but on the verge of waivering after seeing Cloud's injuries.

"He was part of an experiment that used mutant cells from a life form known as Jenova. Zack and I were part of that experiment but he was the only rogue to survive." Cloud explained.

"But who is he? What is his name?" you pushed the question.

Cloud frowned before uttering one name:"Sephiroth".