::forgiven4ever walks in as the intro of 'Redemption' by Gackt plays::

forgiven4ever: Oh, yeah, I'm back and my next victims are none other than our beloved Sephiroth and Aeris.

Sephiroth&Aeris: Beloved?

forgiven4ever: Aw, come on, guys, you're one of my most favorite couples!

Aeris: We can't be a couple; he killed me!

forgiven4ever: Who cares? Okay, as I've said in the summary, this is AU, duh, otherwise Sephiroth kills Aeris and we don't want that, do we? Now, Sephiroth's a little OOC.

Sephiroth: How little?

forgiven4ever: Just the fact that you're hopelessly in love with Aeris. Don't look at me like that! There's not many of these! Also, since this is an Aeriroth fic, I can get away with lots of fluff. Yay!

Sephiroth: Can I run you through with Masamune?

forgiven4ever: No. I don't own Final Fantasy, if I did, I would have Vincent and Yuffie marry and Yazoo and Kadaj would have lived, and Aeris and Sephiroth would have secretly married and had five kids. This fic is dedicated to Masamune'sSong, Presa4ever, and of course, my sissy, shibara1310 though she loathes this couple, but she likes my story and that's rare.

Two of a Kind

She was a Cetra, he was a Cetra. She was the light to his darkness, pure, and holy. How he loved her innocence, her naïvete, and her beauty. Dark, eathy green eyes was the only thing that was dark about her,...that and her soft chestnut locks of hair. Bright, uneathly, Mako green eyes, and his long silver hair were the only things that contrasted his darkness. She was everything he wanted and could not touch and she was everything opposite of him, something that would never give into the darkness, his darkness. Not that he wanted her to submit to the darkness. She was the angel and he was the demon, but he wanted her to be his angel. Five years her senior, but whenever he was near her, he felt five years her junior. She brought out the light in everything. On many oaths he swore to follow her and love her.

Shaking his head in disbelief, he scoffed. For some reason, he even wanted her to be the mother of his children. He never felt so compelling to have someone in his whole life. But when he first saw her, lying in her cot in the ShinRa building that fateful night, when he claimed Mother and slained President ShinRa, he had thought, for a moment, that she was an angel. He had meant to open his puppet's cell, he accidently opened hers. He had felt the urge to take her with him then, but managed to stop himself as he knelt down by her cot and watched her sleep. After taking in her beauty, he reluctantly pulled himself away from his angel. Wanting to know eveything about her, he searched for information about the beautiful prisoner. Smirking at his findings, he let his gloved finger run over her name that was written in haste upon the form.

Specimen: 370124-Q7-81

Name: Aeris Gainsborough

Age: 22

Occupation: Flower Girl

Race: Cetra

Indeed, the fact that this woman, this angel, was a Cetra first intrigued him. When the alarms sounded, he grabbed her file that was at least two inches thick, and made his exit. Later, the next morning, he was locked in a random hotel room, undisturbed, and lovingly turning the pages of her file. Learning of her residence, her likes, her dislikes; everything about her. She was perfect for him. They were both Cetras, the last ones, should they not bring their race back from extinction? After cleansing this planet, he would teach their children the battle tactics, destruction and death of their enemies, while she would teach them the ways of the Planet, the building of new things, love and life. It was a perfect plan, on his part, but what about her?

Sighing, Sephiroth turned away from the campsite of the AVALANCE group and walked back into the Shadows, which welcomed him with opened arms. How could she love him? Everything that she was against? He wanted her to be his, only his, not his puppet's. If he could make her see, see how flawless and perfect they would be and their future together, all would be well. Of course, he would not hurt her in any way and he did not wish to diminish her purity and her light, and thinking of the short future ahead; he would give her his name, his life, and eternal love. As he lingered in the dark woods, Sephiroth smirked as he withdrew something from his trench coat. He stopped as he held out his enclosed hand in front of him. Opening his hand slowly, his smile broadened when the silver ring glimmered in the moonlight. Closing his hand, Sephiroth sighed as he brought his hand to his lips. Hopefully, one of these days, she would return his love.

"Aeris," he whispered lovingly into his fist. "You may loathe me for what I am about to do, but it is the only way of me ever having you." With that said, Sephiroth pocketed the ring and walked further into the darkness where no one but her could save him from his hellish reality that he was a monster.

§ã

Aeris awoke from her deep slumber. Fluttering her eyelashes to get used to the bright warmess of the sun's rays that filtered into her tnet. A smile graced her pink lips as she sat up in her cot and stretched herself herself like a cat on a lazy afternoon. Today, AVALANCHE was heading towards the Golden Saucer again and Aeris really could not wait to ride the gondolas, ones she heard that something magical between couples, first kisses are shared, proposals are made, and old couples rekindle their fire. Aeris looked at the ground beside her and gasped at her findings. There was a yellow lily beside her cot. There was no note to point out the admirer, but Aeris knew it had to be from Cloud. She blushed; she liked Cloud a lot, he reminded her of him, her first love, Zack Fair, but could never like him more than a friend. Besides, she knew Tifa had feelings for Cloud and she would not jeopardize her friendship. Simpering, Aeris shook her head as she delicately picked up the lily and placed it behind her ear, thinking that she should wear it out of gratitude for Cloud's thoughtfulness.

After freshing herself up, Aeris joined the others for breakfast. Cid was swearing profusely at Yuffie, Vincent moaned silently and continued to eat his breakfast. Tifa was stealing glances at Cloud who was staring off in space. Barret was rummaging around the campsite for the salt, and Nanaki and Cait Sith were having a scientic conversation that seemed to be about astrological signs. Aeris smied, settling down next to Tifa with a full plate. She loved traveling with her friends for they reminded her of a great big family with a lot of its quirks and arguments. Tifa noticed the lily in Aeris' hair.

"You miss your flowers?" Tifa inguired softly, like a friend concern for another's happiness.

Aeris turned her head to Tifa, her fingers flew to the flower pinned in her hair. "Yes, I do," she replied. "Very much. They are the only ones in Midgar, and I'm worried that someone would trash them in their holy place."

"Is that why they grow in your church?" Tifa questioned. "Because it's holy?"

Aeris blushed. "Well, they do need tending to from time to time."

"Where did you find that?" Tifa asked, pointing at the lily. "I don't recall seeing any flowers on the road."

"That's why I was so surprised to find one in my tent this morning," Aeris mumbled, fiddling with her utensil.

Slowly, Tifa's cheerful expression sadded and looked away. "Ah," was all she could say.

"Let's mosey!" Cloud's sudden outburst abruptly ended their conversation. Aeris sighed as she picked herself up, holding her nearly full plate. Helping her friends clear the camp, Aeris could not help but wonder if Tifa would ever see that Aeris had no interest in Cloud, that she was not competition.

When they arrived at the Golden Saucer, the gang went their separate ways in groups of two or three to cover more ground in search for Sephiroth and to hang loose. While dragging Cloud to the Chocobo races, Tifa gave them all a cheery goodbye. Cid and Barret cleared their throats and tried to slip past their group unnoticed, but Aeris shook her head when she spotted them going into a bar. Poor Vincent, however, was picked to be Yuffie's companion without his knowledge. It was after being dragged by a sixteen year old was when he realized was stuck with her for the rest of the night.

That left Nanaki and Cait Sith and Aeris, so they headed out near some arcade where Cait tried his luch to earn some gil by telling fortunes. Nanaki was wandering around the perimeter, keeping a wary eye on various people, determing that they were not Sephiroth in disguise. Aeris just stood amongst the crowd, looking up at the running track of the gondolas. Wishing she was up there, Aeris began to hum in tune with the song playing throughout the amusement park, and swayed back and forth on the balls of her feet like an innocent child. How she wished things were simple in life. How she wished she was back in Midgar, tending to her precious flowers. How she wished that she and Zack were on the gondola. Shaking her head at her silliness, Aeris turned to Nanaki who was eyeing a young man nearby, holding bundles of toys for his girlfriend.

"Red?" she called to him, using his nickname, over the bustle of the crowd and music. "Red!" The dog-like creature acknowledged her and flicked his fiery tail. "I'm going to an inn! Have Tifa call me later!" Nanaki nodded solemnly and focused his glare on another man, hobbling down the road with a wooden leg.

Aeris slowly made her way to a decent inn nearby. After making sure her PHS was on, Aeris climbed into the soft bed and was in a deep sleep before her head hit the pillow. Little did she know that someone was at her window. A shadow with gleaming silver hair and glowing Mako eyes.

§ã

Sephiroth was overjoyed, well, his cold heart lifted some, when he saw his Aeris wearing the lily he picked for her in her golden brown, silky mane of wavy hair. He had sat down by her cot and wistfully stroke her hair. Before he left, he placed a soft, lingering kiss on her fine brow. Afterwards, whilst in the shadows where the sun, even at its brightest could not touch, he discreetly followed the AVALANCHE group into the Golden Saucer and continued to shadow Aeris' steps when she went with the robot and the red creature with a fiery tail. When she started to hum and sway with the beat of the music, Sephrioth had noticed she was looking up at the gondola. He smirked, for he knew, just knew that his Aeris would ride the gondolas, most likely tomorrow night, considering it was too late now. Knowing her for only a short time, Sephiroth could already read her like a book.

Silently opening the window, Sephiroth slipped into the bedroom. He crossed the room and stood by her bedside. The PHS was blinking on the small nightstand, so Sephiroth weiftly, but gingerly picked it up and turned it off for now. Turning to her, he ran his fingers through her braided hair. He then pulled his gloved hand away and placed two of his fingers against his lips, biting the leather. Ripping off the glove and taking it from his mouth with his other hand, Sephiroth let his bare fingers gingerly run along her silken hair, smiling. Sephiroth tilted his head a little and wondered as he traced her bottom lip. Never taking his Mako eyes off his Aeris, he eased down on the bed. He stopped moving when Aeris let out a soft moan, turning over to face him. Propping himself with one elbow, Sephiroth continued to caress her face with his ungloved hand, loving the softness of her pale skin.

"My pale flower," he murmured softly, leaning in closer to Aeris' face. He placed ever so light kisses on her cheek, on her brow, and along her jaw, as if afraid she would break or even worst, wake up. Breathing in her sweet scent of flowers and honey, Sephiroth let his own lips brush ever so lightly against hers. One kiss was all he wanted before his plans took place. "Aeris," he uttered breathlessly. Her name was heaven itself. She was so pure and so innocent. Even if he was a monster, shouldn't he have an angel too?

Sephiroth was about to press his lips against hers when something flashed before his eyes, something throbbed in his head. Mother was scolding him once again. Biting back a wincing sound, Sephiroth rolled out of the bed and clutched at the sides of his head.

You dare deny me, son? Jenova hissed in Sephiroth's mind. You take me from the ShinRa dogs, only to place me in my old tank back in those damn mountains? And for what? For this child?

Mother, Sephiroth retorted with some bitterness. If only she had not invaded his mind at that moment. She is a Cetra as well as I! Surely you, of all others, would approve of this match.

She is one of them! Jenova hissed.

We can teach her our ways, Sephiroth argued. She also hears the Planet. The Gaia talks to her. It would be very useful to us. Our kind could rise up once more...

So your plan is to wed her, breed her, and what is this feeling I detect? Love? Jenova sneered. You don't even know if she loves you! And what about me? Are you just going to leave me here in this tank while you and this child—

No, Mother, Sephiroth snapped. He was a bit vexed that Mother did not approve of this and also mocking his Aeris and his feelings. It will take a lot of time, but Aeris will soon love me and our children will help restore our race.

I shall deal with you later when you're not so love-stricken! Jenova screeched, and with that oath stated, Jenova left his mind for now. Sephiroth sighed, knowing he was going to get an earful from her later that night. He whipped back around, relieved to see his Aeris still asleep. He withdrew from his trench coat a white lily and set it on the nightstand. Flinching when he caught sight of his tattoo which was of the japanese kanji for 'best', Sephiroth slipped his glove back on. Still gazing at his beautiful Aeris, he bent down to her and kissed the corner of her mouth.

"Soon," he promised fondly against her lips. "Soon, my flower." He pulled away reluctantly, turned back on the PHS and slipped out the window, giving Aeris a fleeting glance before he hurried away.

§ã

Aeris was awaken abruptly by the ringing of her PHS. Fumbling for it in the dark, her slender fingers felt the cold soft petals of a lily. Grasping its stem with one hand and searching the PHS with the oather hand blindly, Aeris groaned at the annoying ringing. She picked up the device and pressed the receive button. "Hello?" she croaked.

"Aeris! Where in God's name have you been!?!?!?" Tifa's voice screamed, Aeris held the PHS away from her ear. "We've been searching for you for hourse and we called you fifteen times already!"

Aeris rubbed one of her emerald eyes with the back of her hand. "I guess I was so engrossed in sleeping, I didn't hear it." Aeris then looked at the hand that had rubbed her eye and blinked. A white lily shone eerily in the darkness. "Hey Tifa? Is everyone there with you?" she inquired.

"Yeah, everyone," Tifa answered. "Why?"

"No reason," Aeris lied, setting the flower on the nightstand again. "I'm in the hotel by the name of Murphy's Inn, room 2B."

"Okay, I guess we'll lecture you more tomorrow, Aeris," Tifa declared lightheartedly. "We'll see you at breakfast. Night Aeris."

"Good night, Tifa," Aeris bade and ended the call. As she settled back down to sleep again, Aeris couldn't help but wonder who gave her that lily and why.

Nota Bene: This is the REAL Sephiroth. I made him have a tattoo, because I think Hojo's a sick bastard who would mark his own son as an experiment. Being the 'best' out of the projects in Crisis Core, Sephiroth would probably have a mark. Just my opinion.

(A/N) Mwahahaha. Leaving flowers, Phantom of the Opera style. Okay, this was just something I came up with out of complete boredom and before being restricted from the laptop, I had to make sure no one had the same notion as I had. I even had to go on some M rated fics! -shudder- I am not doing that again, unless I'm writing a Dracimone fic for Harry Potter fans which might happen...someone's converting me to that pairing. 681 pages of romance. Ugh. But that's another thing. Okay, reviews and flames are welcome with open arms, but flames will be used to burn my neighbor's inflatable Santa and Frosty. God, I hate those things. Well, guys?

Aeris: You had him come into my room and lie in my bed?????

forgiven4ever: Jesus, you're making it sound like I put in a sex scene, which I'm not putting in, and Sephiroth still kept your honor.

Sephiroth, grumbling: I hate flowers.

::Aeris whips out a flowers and hands it out to him. Sephiroth grabs it and tears the flower apart::

forgiven4ever: Now that's mean.