Rebirth

Chapter 10 - Cloud's Error

Aeris's last words reverberated around Cloud's head as he felt the full force of the wind
back in his face and Fenrir under him. He was back on the dark road leading to the
Forgotten Capital.

His heart was full of fear for Tifa and their unborn child. He didn't want her to have to
endure any more pain. She had had enough of that. He had really felt for a while back in
the bedroom that they were past all that. He wished with all of his soul that he could be
back in Tifa's arms again, holding her close and watching her sleep.

But no, he was hurtling towards an enemy who wanted to take his child and do God
knows what with it.

"Tifa needs you now."

He heard Aeris's words again in his mind and knew what he had to do. He had made
Tifa a promise that he intended to keep this time.

He refocused on the road ahead, leaned over Fenrir and pushed it faster towards his
destination. He saw Kadj and Yazoo standing at the end of the road. He flicked a switch
on the bike's faring that opened the sword compartments. He withdrew a sword in each
hand and pushed on.

Kadj was waiting for him. He heard him before he saw him. There he was speeding
towards his doom. Kadj chuckled softly to himself and motioned to children to stand
between the approaching Cloud and himself.

"Remember, this is your birth right," he growled at the children around him. "We are all
brothers and sisters here."

Cloud saw the children at the last moment and put the bike down in a skid to avoid hitting
them. He hit the ground as the bike flew out from under him and rolled several feet
before he landed in front of Kadj. Cloud's swords flew from his hand and lay just out of
his reach.

The fall from the bike knocked the wind out of him and he was stunned for a moment.
He gasped and tried to stand up.

Kadj laughed at the sight of his nemesis lying breathless at his feet. He pulled his sword
out of its scabbard and circled the man.

"Cloud, you were expected. I am glad you're here," he snarled.

Kadj circled around Cloud and spoke in a booming voice that filled the children's minds.

"This man is our brother, but he comes here not to help us. He is a traitor and he must
die!" With this, Kadj pulled back his sword arm ready to strike.

"Cloud!!" Marlene's voice shook Cloud from his stupor. She ran to the sword lying just
out of Cloud's reach and threw it closer to him with all her might. By some miracle she
was able to throw it far enough to reach him.

Cloud shook the pain of his fall away, reached for his sword, jumped to his feet, and
swept his sword at Kadj's legs. Kadj jumped out of reach, landing a few feet away.

Bullets rained down on Cloud as he deflected them with his sword. He swung away
under the barrage of bullets and retrieved his other weapon, a partner to his main sword.

Yazoo growled a guttural cry and launched himself at Cloud, bullets flying before him.
Cloud leapt from their path. He had to get away from the children. He had to draw Kadj
and Yazoo away from this place.

Yazoo launched himself at Cloud, bringing his weapon down towards his head. Cloud
side stepped easily and parried with his sword. The blow should have connected with
Yazoo's head but it seemed to slice through thin air and all he was left with was laughter
as Yazoo moved with the speed of light.

The battle raged for what seemed like an eternity. Kadj and Yazoo taking turns
sometimes, other times pairing up to harass Cloud. Cloud jumped high up into the sky to
escape the rain of bullets and flailing swords only to be followed by the two brothers.

"They are playing with me," he thought. "Keeping me at arms length."

As if Kadj and Yazoo could read his mind, they both converged on him, shooting and
slashing until he fell from the sky in exhaustion.

Kadj landed softly on the ground near Cloud. A look of triumph spread over his face. He
ran at Cloud, ready to deliver the final blow, when out of the corner of his eye he saw a
blood red cape streak through the sky and cover Cloud.

Yazoo saw it too. He had seen it before. He snarled and fired his weapon at the swirling
form covering the man lying on the ground. None of his bullets could penetrate. He felt
bullets whizzing past his head and realized that the form under the cape was shooting
back! Kadj swore as he deflected each shot.

The red swirl picked Cloud up and disappeared into the trees above them.

"Dammit!" snarled Yazoo. "That fucking asshole."

"Let him go. Loz has what we need by now," Kadj smiled at his brother. Their plan
worked.