A/N: This is another attempt at me letting go of my hate for Aerith in the only way I know possible; by reiterating that she never belonged to Cloud because her heart was taken by someone else a great deal before then.

Standard disclaimers apply. Background music: "Don't Make Me Wait" by Our World Fair.

"Heavenly Assurance"

By MakoRain

In that moment, it all came together with sharp clarity; almost as sharp as the sword piercing through her. She was already on her knees in prayer, doing all that she could to save the Planet from the Calamity that threatened them all. For that she was thankful she didn't have far to fall as her last moments of recollection began to fade.

Aerith knew she would die some day, but not like this. She knew it would be coming soon, that her afternoons in the church garden had been blessed by a heavenly presence whenever she looked into the pool's water and saw eyes looking back so blue she could swim in them, their gaze always finding her whenever she felt lost. It was in the way she would light the alters' candles and hear them whisper with a flicker of flame when no breeze was present and then finally by the solitary feather here and there, floating down as if sent by a private messenger from beyond. No, Aerith was not ignorant; she knew these were signs of her time to come.

Now she could barely hear Sephiroth's soft chuckle as he pulled his sword out of her with ease, letting her fall to her hands, gasping for breath as her lifeblood flowed from her body to pool around in red waves. Almost like water, she thought with a hint of irony. Water had always been her favorite element. However, this water was warm and she felt herself floating away even as voices around her called out for her to hold on, to not leave them.

It was too late, her eyes were already closed to this world and moving onto the next. It was as if her being already knew what to do with no thought necessary, just floating bliss taking over. It took Aerith a moment to realize that she wasn't moving, paused between what lied below and what waited above. She looked up to that hazy white, calmed by the white feather that floated down to greet her, gracing her cheek with a light caress before resting with ease in her hand.

That was the sign she had been waiting for. Holding the feather from her angel's wings, she was drawn to the light, to where she knew he would be waiting for her. And there he stood; arms opened wide, waiting to hold her now and forever. He could never disappoint his flower girl.

Now on some form of solid ground, Aerith was able to take the last few steps towards her fallen SOLDIER, melding into his form as he held her close, brushing his hands softly through her free flowing hair. She had to look up so as to be heard and not muffled into his chest.

"How did you know?"

Zack looked down at her with a soft smile, a hint of amusement in his eyes that this was the first thing she said upon first seeing him after so many years. In reply, he simply pointed up, hinting that a power on high held more influence.

"I know everything here," he added with a wink that made her giggle. Gods, he had missed that laugh, soft as bells and sweet as the flowers she grew. But no matter how much he missed her, he never liked the idea of her life being cut short as it was.

"I'm sorry this had to happen," he whispered into her hair, holding her close once more. He felt her arms squeeze his waist in reassurance, never blaming him for this. It was what had to be done.

"Thank you, for letting me know in your own little ways."

"Anything to help my angel."

They would eventually release the other to gaze down and view what was happening on the Planet, in turn helping in their own little ways the ones left behind. For right now, though, they were at the most serene place ever known, once again together for eternity…as it was meant to be.

The End.