Cherished

Sephiroth smirked in triumph as the Musamune pierced through Cloud's shoulder. He relished in the look of pain that crossed the blonde's face as he attempted to pull the blade out. Sephiroth pushed the blade deeper in response, his smirk growing.

"What do you cherish most?" he drawled. "Allow me the pleasure of taking it from you." Sephiroth already knew that taking that silly Cetra had devestated his enemy and he was going to put him through it all over again by taking away whoever had taken the flower girl's place.

Cloud's head jerked up as he glared and the ex-General took the opportunity to dive into his mind. Despite his attempted defiance, Cloud's mind was answering the question in brilliant flashes. Sephiroth watched each closely as Cloud searched his memories:

Aerith

Zack

Aerith

Tifa

Marlene

Denzel

Aerith

His Family

As Cloud opened his eyes again, he concluded one thing:

Aerith

The blonde caught the look of shock on Sephiroth's face. He clearly was not expectng a dead girl to be so cherished, cherished enough to be shown three times! He took the moment as Sephiroth was caught up in the shock to pull out the blade.

"I pity you," he snarled. "You just don't get it at all! There's nothing I don't cherish!"

Not even death could stop me lovng her, Cloud thought as he unleashed omnislash, hittng his foe over and over again, each stroke a payment for the grief and pain he had caused. As he dealt the final blow, Cloud caught the blade in his hand and looked up at Sephiroth's defeated form.

"Stay where you belong...in my memories!" Sephiroth smirked once more.

"I will never be a memory!" he replied, folding his wing over himself and morphing back into Kadaj. But the ramnent didn't stay for long, his energy weak from Sephiroth's use, Cloud watched the young man drift into the lifestream. It took a moment for it to sink in, the fact that it truly was over. He stood, jerkng as somethng cold and wet hit his forehead. Glancing up, he caught the rain as it suddenly pounded down.

And he smiled.

"I love you too," he repled in his mind as he closed his eyes and let the rain drop down his skin as if caressing him with her gentle touch.