#kurabatsu

[celery8705]

Cloud x Bartz Chapter 22

Preview:

The rhythmic melody of ocean waves and the long calls of seagulls reached his ears, stirring him to wake from the realm of dreams. Bartz always found comfort with these sounds whenever he was on his travels. He breathed in the crisp ocean air as his other senses began to come back to him. That's when he realized his whole body ached, his muscles feeling lethargic to move even a little bit. His body felt soaked, with the wet and grainy sand beneath him and the freezing waters lapped at his legs. His eyes fluttered open, tourmaline irises coming into focus and adjusted to the environment. He was met with a beach, rock walls, and tropical jungles. The sun hung high in the sky and cast its rays on him.

What happened? How did he end up here? A chilly sea breeze snatched him away from his thoughts and caused him to shiver. Yet, despite the biting winds from the sea, Bartz felt something warm pressed against his back. At that moment, he noticed an arm snaked protectively around his waist. His eyes trailed up the arm and followed it to the familiar swordsman lying next to him. A gasp escaped his lips, cheeks flushed, and his heart pounded against his chest at Cloud's visage. Memories from their last battle came flooding back to him, and he began to put the pieces together that led to this moment.

Read the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/88473925

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 17

Hello hello! It’s been some time since I’ve posted on here, but I'll be picking those up again as I update my story. Here’s a preview of the latest chapter and a link to the full chapter will be found below. Thanks, and have a good one! Enjoy!  Preview:  Nothing. There was nothing around Cloud, just an empty space. He searched around for anything remotely familiar, listened to anything to lead the way, something to keep him grounded. The swordsman turned in place and spotted something in the distance. He made his way to the huddled figure sitting on the floor, its back turned to Cloud. As he approached, Cloud recognized the being as himself, blanketed with something dark. “Hey,” Cloud greeted, his voice coming out like an echo. 

The Cloud clone glanced up at him with those familiar serpent-like eyes. However, he noticed a slight purple hue in combination with his usual mako pools. The darkness engulfing his doppelganger uncovered him, and a black, singular, demon-like wing opened and stretched. Cloud backed up, surprised and confused as his replica ascended from the floor and floated up in the air, staring down at him with emotionless eyes as a powerful purple and gold aura surrounded him. A fusion sword materialized in the being’s right hand, emitting a similar atmosphere as the double. With a roar, it charged at him. Read the full chapter here:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/66757750

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 12

Preview:  The smirk on Cloud’s expression lingered for a few seconds, then changed to his usual stoic look. “It looks like your wounds have healed completely.” “Yep, thanks to you guys, I’m good as new!” Bartz said with his trademark grin. He felt great, energized, and excited. The wind warrior couldn’t contain his excitement, so much so Bartz pounced on Cloud and wrapped his arms around the other’s neck and shoulders. He didn’t know why he tackled Cloud; he just had this sudden desire to do it. Bartz had done it with his friends back home and also with Zidane and Squall, with the latter threatening to blast him off with his gunblade. But with Cloud, that urge felt more robust, and Bartz couldn’t pinpoint why. Bartz’s antics caught the swordsman off guard, who shot him a confused look. “What was that for?” The wind warrior chuckled nervously, pulling himself away from Cloud and scratched the back of his head. “Heh, sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Guess I’m just excited and got a little carried away.” Cloud cocked an eyebrow. “Excited about what?” “It’s a new day for an adventure, obviously! Who knows where the winds will take us now? And we also have new friends to travel with too!” Read the full chapter:  https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/60019354 Chapter 12 be like...

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 11

Chapter Preview:  Cloud caught Bartz’s gaze. Tourmaline grays flashed with surprise and relief. The wanderer grinned wider – if that was possible – his expression beaming. Cloud’s heart skipped a beat as he stopped in his tracks, his sight fixed on his friend as relief and content washed over him. Seeing his smiling face put his fears at ease and instead replaced with comfort in knowing Bartz was safe and sound. 

“Cloud! You’re back! And Kain too!” Bartz said with a wave, animated as always. “I’m glad you both made it back safe.”  

The vanguard soldier felt a sense of delight upon hearing this from Bartz and smirked coolly at the wind chaser with exuberant confidence. “Of course, without a doubt. I’m glad to see you’re doing better.”  

Bartz laughed. “Yeah, I’m feelin’ great, thanks! Come join us, you two.” He waved both Cloud and Kain over and patted an open spot beside him on the couch. Read the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/59039437

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 10

Preview:            Bartz teetered between wakefulness and the dream world. He heard voices that sounded muffled like there was something stuffed in his ears. Bartz recognized one of them; it was Cloud, and he sounded tense. The wanderer focused on Cloud’s voice, following him back to the conscious world. The other tones increasingly got louder and crisp, along with Cloud’s.           Labradorite grays revealed themselves as his eyes fluttered open. Bartz scanned his surroundings and realized he was somewhere different. Where was he? The adventurer thought back to the last thing he remembered, which was in the pandemonium. They encountered Emperor Mateus and a new fighter, Zenos. His mind ran through the battle and remembered what led him to this point. Bartz recalled jumping in front of Cloud and used his shield to protect him from Zenos, who nearly took Cloud out. Then there was pain, followed by darkness. Read the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/58717801

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 9

Rage. That was all Cloud felt. Any form of logic and strategy was thrown out the window, and Cloud’s senses were cranked beyond his limit, reaching new heights. He no longer felt any pain Zenos inflicted on him. None of that mattered. The soldier felt a new rush of energy spark in him, something ballistic. There was this hidden hunger he craved for, yearning for blood, and all he wanted was to have blood on his blades. Whoever got in his way was going to suffer dearly.  

Read the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/58361872

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 8

Preview: 

Bartz charged at Emperor Mateus with a yell, the blade of his sword crossing with his opponent’s scepter. The Emperor pushed himself away to put distance between them. “Meet your fate.” He shot a fireball in Bartz’s direction in which the wind chaser easily avoided, and dashed once more to his enemy. In the corner of his eye to the right, he spotted Cloud sprinting to their foe, ready to strike. They both pressed on the offensive, swiftly avoiding the many traps and projectiles shooting at them as they both closed in on Mateus. Bartz swung his sword, Cloud doing the same, and crossed them with their opponent’s. 

“You fools. Do you think you can rival my power? Your efforts will be for naught,” said Mateus in his snooty tone.  

“That’s what you think! We can both take you on!” Bartz exclaimed, pressing down on the scepter with his weapon.

Read the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/58011262

[celery8705]

Clartz Chapter 7

The Wolf Howls for the Wind: Preview 

          Cloud’s expression softened, and at that moment, all thoughts of Sephiroth seemed to have melted away as he studied his companion, blissfully lost in the dream world. Even in his sleep, Bartz looked peaceful and happy. There was nothing that seemed to bring him down. At least one of us is having sweet dreams, Cloud thought, a small grin tugging the corner of his lips. Carefully, Cloud took the arm around him and placed it down by the sleeping wanderer as he scooched away, mindful to not disturb the younger man. He stood up, his sight still set on Bartz’s resting figure. Cloud reached down, grabbed hold of the thin sheet covering him, and brought it up to the other’s shoulders, tucking him in.           With quiet footsteps, Cloud made his way to his equipment, where he put his boots on and grabbed his fusion sword. He strode over to the tent’s entrance to exit, but not before shooting another glance at Bartz’s slumbering form. The other was still asleep, in the same fashion Cloud left him, the steady rise and fall of his figure evident. Content with the result, the swordsman exited the tent.    

*Find the full chapter here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23276377/chapters/57664816…  

Enjoy! :D