Author: Deathangelgw

Author email: deathangelgw@gmail.com

Warnings: AU, spoilers for AC and FFVII, OOC(?), later language, dark, sap, angst, fluff, hinted shounen-ai.

Rating: R at worst.

Pairing: hinted Rude/Reno, Cloud+Tifa, Vincent/Cloud

Timeline: A year after Advent Children

Summary: A child is born from the Life stream, but what is her purpose? And will Cloud and the others succeed in helping her before Jenova uses her?

Beta: Sarit

A/N: After watching the movie the fourth time (out of fifteen so far...teehee), I was inspired for this little bauble. Enjoy and please review!

'thoughts'

Silence seemed to surround the Sleeping Forest as it glowed peacefully, yet an air of waiting colored the silence. A light wind blew through the bare trees, rustling the branches in a gentle sway as it moved through them. The glow that was within the solid trunks began to pulse noiselessly, mimicking the cadence of a heartbeat as a quiet song filled the atmosphere and centered on the pool that was cradled before the great tree in the heart of the forest.

The trees stilled as they focused on the pool, leaning closer expectantly as the liquid within bubbled softly over a form that was coming to being within its crystalline waters. Slowly, the bubbles became thicker and burst to the surface as they pushed the new life to the surface. It broke through with a wail, birthed from the earth as it shone with an otherworldly light. Light pulsed through its veins as it howled, breathing the new air it had been born into as it was floated to the shoreline by the foam that supported it.

Awe and pleasure radiated from the trees as they witnessed this birth, the birth of a baby from the Life stream that was their very essence. The wind swept through the forest in joy, causing a squeal of indignation to come from the child. Unexpectedly, two figures appeared near the pool, their forms translucent yet lit by an ethereal luminosity. Coming towards the baby, the female knelt next to it and brushed her hand over it. "A baby from the Life stream," she said in delight as her gentle face split with her smile. The baby calmed slightly and gurgled as it waved its hands and legs.

"What should we do with it? Or rather, her?" the male asked as he came over and smiled as well at the little miracle. "She can't stay here."

"Iie...but I know someone who can take care of her and make sure she fulfills her destiny," the female replied with a grin up at her companion. They disappeared slowly and the wind wafted around the child as she started crying again. The waters of the pool suddenly flowed up and surrounded her as a bubble of light appeared about her, protecting her from the waters as she was pulled into them. She calmed slightly as she was pulled through the currents that wound through the earth until she surfaced once more in a cathedral just outside of the ruins of Midgar. Once amidst the flowers that grew around the pool there, the bubble popped in a shower of sparkles, startling her as she came to dry ground. She started crying again, hungry, cold, and scared at her surroundings.

*~~**~~*

The sun was warm on his face and back as Cloud stood in a room at his sanctuary, looking out over the ruins that had once been a thriving metropolis. He leaned against the window frame, his blue eyes taking in the devastation that were all that remained of Midgar. After the last battle against Sephiroth and his avatar, Kadaj, he had returned to his safe haven in a calmer state. No longer did he doubt himself, even though he craved his solitude. He would visit Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel at least once a week and his delivery service was still making a profit for him. But he was troubled as to why the land was not healing. He rarely saw signs of nature when traveling, only in areas that had escaped the desolation from the battles. In his heart, he had a feeling that the Life stream had been injured by Jenova as well and wondered once again if it had been a safe thing to take Kadaj, Loz, and Yazoo into the life force of all the earth.

His thoughts were broken as a faint wailing cry floated into his awareness. Glancing over his shoulder, he looked for the source of the cry before turning away from the window and following the keening that was increasing by this time in pitch and distress. He finally realized that the sounds were of a baby as he came to the courtyard where Aerith's garden lay blooming brilliantly next to the sparkling pool of healing water that had emerged in the last battle.

His steps slowed as he came to the garden and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw the pale flailing figure of a newborn amidst the flowers. Carefully, he strode over to the babe and knelt down, taking in the white skin that was flawless, the tiny arms and legs that were waving about in rising agitation, and the perfect face that was currently scrunched up in discontent as big tears rolled down the red cheeks. He touched the babe's face and blinked in surprise as the little one calmed almost immediately, hiccupping from its turmoil and shivering in cold and confusion. He looked around then and stood swiftly, causing the baby to resume its howling in apprehension as he walked over to his bike. He opened one of the compartments and pulled out an old cape that was soft and heavy then returned to the shrieking child.

Kneeling down again, he crooned softly to the crying baby as he picked it up, discovering that the little one was indeed a girl as he put her down onto the folded cape. She quieted down, hiccupping still as he wrapped her up tightly, albeit somewhat awkwardly when she decided to wriggle and thrash her limbs in slight protest, before he gently held her in his arms, rocking her. Looking up at him unfocusedly, she revealed a set of vividly deep blue eyes that held sparks of lavender and green within them. Captivated, Cloud could only stare at her as he rocked her, smiling as her little fist came out to grab at his shirt. "There now...what are you doing here?" he whispered to her and chuckled as she yawned widely. "You are so tired...I bet you are hungry too..." he murmured as he stood up smoothly and walked slowly towards the inner halls of what remained of the cathedral.

He walked down the stairs he found on his right and strode through the hall slowly, looking in each of the rooms for the kitchen. He stopped suddenly as he came to what looked to be a nursery. He went inside carefully, ducking a bit here and there as he dodged fallen beams until he came to the kitchen section. Smiling in surprise, he went to the cupboards and searched them, hoping that there was maybe some baby food. At the fourth cupboard opening, luck smiled upon him as he found a canister and a half of formula mix and a couple of bottles with nipples that were still intact.

Taking them out, he set the little one down in swing that he had dragged out, and then looked around for the sink. Finding it, he started running the hot water and set about sterilizing the bottles and nipples while reading the directions for the formula. After ten minutes had passed, the little baby started fussing again, obviously now in hunger and Cloud set about fixing up his first bottle of formula.

Finishing, he gathered the little weeping bundle into his arms and, after testing it, he offered the food to the little one, who instantly latched on and suckled eagerly. Smiling, Cloud began walking around, swaying naturally to soothe the baby as she ate, humming softly to her as he went outside again. He went to his bedroll and sat down with her, watching her avidly and wondering just how she had come to be at his haven. As he thought on it, a light frown came to his lips as he wondered just how he had known what to do to take care of this infant. He had never cared for a baby in his life and yet he had easily known to wrap her up and feed her.

Shaking it off as he saw her hungry eating slowing down, he gently removed the bottle and brought her to his shoulder. He patted her back lightly, then rubbed it, though he wasn't sure why. When she burped, he chuckled and brought her back down to look at her sleepy face. "Now then, all better," he murmured before offering her the rest of the bottle. When she pulled away after sucking a bit, he knew she was done and placed the bottle to the side. He stood up again as he cradled her to his chest as another thought came to mind: 'Diapers.' With that, he headed back to the nursery, hoping there might still be something.

He managed to find some cloth diapers and some clean wipes, but knew that wouldn't be enough. He also located some pins and managed, after pricking his fingers several times, to put a diaper on her that looked like it would leak too much. But he knew he would need some other supplies. 'Plus, you don't *really* think you can care for her alone, do you?' he asked himself as he supported her sleeping self on his chest while he headed back to his bedroll. Much as he wanted to just keep her to himself, he knew that it wasn't wise.

As he came to his bedroll, he stopped and looked around, sensing another presence. "Dare?" he called out softly as he shifted into a defensive stance. His blades were farther away and it would be a tough fight if it was an enemy. He heard the shifting of clothe and looked over, blinking in surprise and relaxing as he saw Vincent walking toward him. "Vincent...what are you doing here?" he asked in relief as he sat down carefully with his bundle.

Eyebrow cocking in bemusement, Vincent strode over and sat down next to his friend. "I always come to visit, remember? What do you have there?" he asked as he leaned in to get a better look. He blinked in surprise as the baby shifted in her sleep and let out a little mumble before snuggling into Cloud's shoulder again. "A baby?"

"Hai...I found her in the garden. I don't know where she came from..." Cloud murmured tenderly as he rubbed the tiny back soothingly before glancing up at the dark haired man. "Have you heard anything?"

"Iie, there haven't been any recent births around here. I wonder where she came from," Vincent answered quietly as he watched the blond as Cloud rocked the infant silently. He had never seen such serenity on his friend's face before and wondered on it. Was Cloud craving something like this? What was this child’s purpose and origins?

Vincent reached a hand up and touched the bit of cloak that was hooding over the baby’s small head and gently tugged it out of the way. His eyes flicked up to Cloud’s warm gaze as the baby was gently shifted so he could see her face more clearly as she rested in the crook of Cloud’s elbow. He felt his breath hitch for some reason unknown to him as he gazed at her perfect features. She made a little sound and wrinkled her face in a move to wake up, but remained asleep as her fist came up and was placed into her mouth. She began suckling on it as they watched her, both smiling in wonder.

Looking up at Cloud after a few minutes, Vincent smiled slightly, feeling calm as he sat there with the blond and the little one. “What are you going to do?” he asked in a faint whisper, not wanting to wake her or break the mood that had fallen over them. It was a wonderful feeling of tranquility that Vincent for certes had never thought he’d feel ever again.

Eyes soft, Cloud smiled sheepishly before looking down at the infant again. “I...I don’t know. I know I should get more supplies for her and...I don’t know.” He sighed softly, his gaze becoming sad as he focused on the sleeping babe in his arms.  “I should probably find her another place to live, ne?” he whispered faintly, his voice soft with disappointment.  He looked up, smiling dejectedly as he met Vincent’s sympathetic gaze. “Living here is no life for such a precious child.”

“Most likely not, but what does your heart tell you?” Vincent retorted calmly as he brushed his gloved hand along the pale forehead.

Mulling over what was asked, Cloud returned his stare to the infant’s visage, watching as a small smile came to her lips at Vincent’s gentle touch. What did his heart tell him that he should do? He considered the words silently as they sat together, a strange family within a desolate ruin. The minutes passed as he thought on his feelings before standing slowly, careful not to jostle her awake. Vincent watched him stand knowingly, a half smile on his lips as he saw the resignation.

Not looking at his friend, Cloud headed over to his bike. He looked around, and then started as a hand landed on his shoulder. He glanced up, smiling softly as Vincent grinned at him before holding out his arms for the babe. Carefully, he shifted her into his friend’s arms and, after making sure that the other man had the baby secure in his hold, he looked through the compartments on his bike. He finally found a smaller blanket and fashioned it into a sling before placing it around his torso. Turning back to Vincent, he smiled as he saw his friend slowly swaying and rocking the infant, looking as entranced as he knew that he himself had been while holding the little newborn.

Coming over to the older man, Cloud smiled as he picked at the sling, chuckling as Vincent grinned at him. He offered his arms and Vincent helped him place the tot within the sling, crooning softly when the little one whimpered and shifted within their hold before settling down again. Making sure she was secure, Cloud sighed quietly as he traced his fingers over her plump cheek. “I wish I had other options, but I can’t, little one,” he whispered sorrowfully. He looked up as a gentle hand was laid on his shoulder into Vincent’s tender gaze.

“You should name her at least,” Vincent murmured as he smiled at Cloud.

Looking back down at the babe that was resting against his chest, Cloud observed her, searching his heart. He smiled softly and whispered, “Mitsuko. You are my child of light...”

“A good name,” Vincent murmured affectionately as he gazed down at her as well. “Where will you go?” he asked as Cloud moved to his bike and mounted it.

“Tifa. I’m sure that she would have some things and she...could take care of her better,” Cloud murmured, his voice thickening with sadness as he stared down the little one he held so close. “I wish I didn’t have to.”

“If it’s what your heart is telling you, then follow it for now. Besides, you can then find out why she was born,” Vincent offered helpfully.

“You’re right. Will you join us?” Cloud asked as he started up his bike and glanced over at his friend.

“Iie, I’m going to do my own search. I will visit later though, ok?” Vincent replied as he smiled at his friend.

“Mm, hai...wakatta. I’m sure we’ll meet up again,” Cloud answered with a smile as he leaned forward. He throttled up slowly and headed out of his sanctuary towards the city. He had to take care of this child now.

TBC

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