Ever since I was a child, you were my hero. My idol. Thinking back on it even now I feel especially bitter towards that thing called 'destiny' for making me do what I did to you. Did you know that I met you before I tried for SOLDIER? You came to Nibelheim when I was very young, I don't even know what you were doing there, but I still remember when I first saw you. You were sitting on the edge of the mountain trail, watching the sun set behind rain-filled clouds. I always imagine you like you were on that day...Silver hair framing your thin face, mako green eyes narrowed slightly in a thoughtful stare as you watched the sun sink into darkness, only to be replaced by sparkling stars. You looked so proud, so beautifully deadly. Even back then I thought you were untouchable...perfect. When I joined SOLDIER that impression was only reinforced. You never even looked at me...but I was always watching you...
I never was the 'hero' type. I told Tifa as much when she first tried to convince me to join up with AVALANCHE, Barret never even needed to be told. I was never like the rest of them...I never cared about whether or not my cause was just, after all if it benefited me in the end what did it matter? It was only once I heard that you were involved that I became interested. I fought so hard to become strong...I refused to give up in the hope that I would see you again. I think Vincent knew, and Aerith..I think they knew that I didn't care about the planet as long as I could make you see me like I saw you, or at the very least acknowledge my existence. I still remember how you looked back then...when I killed you in the crater. You looked so surprised, so shocked, as your blood trailed from what seemed like countless wounds. The look in those beautiful green eyes was one of betrayal, but then changed into what seemed like understanding as I whispered words meant for you and you alone...
Ring! Ring! The sound of the cellphone at his waist distracted Cloud from his thoughts and he ignored it, sensing that it was Tifa calling to remind him to come home before night fell. Honestly, you'd think she doesn't believe I can take care of a few fiends by myself... Cloud thought, vaguely annoyed as he returned to staring at the buster sword that was planted firmly on the ridge where his best friend died so long ago. "I can handle myself now, right Zack?", the spiky haired blonde murmured with an odd half-smile, sitting down carefully beside the silent sentinal. Wow...what a beautiful sunset... Cloud thought,  unconciously mimicking the same pose Sephiroth had adopted when the spiky haired hero had first seen him in Nibelheim. A bitter smile tugged at the blonde's lips as he whispered the same words he spoke to the silver-haired angel in that canyon so long ago, "So Sephiroth...can you see me now?" The blazing orb slowly sank below the horizon, leaving only darkness in its wake.