Done for Alan Bate's 102 Clourith theme challenge over at the CxA forums. Theme taken, FUTURE.
*sigh*
I wish more people would do his challenge other than myself. But I enjoyed writing this so I hope you all enjoy reading it. Please review and tell me what you think!
I remember she was still smiling innocently as she spoke to Cait sith, "Why don't you read our fortunes?" The stuffed moogle leapt into the air, chuckling.
"I'll do it," he said, "but, what should I predict?"
I remember the warmth of Aerith's hand grab my arm, her touch making my knees weak almost instantly. I can still hear the soft tune of her voice as she innocently played her flirtatious game; "Let's see how compatible Cloud and I are." She said.
At first I remember being shocked… I was shocked that she would even consider such a thing with me of all people. But at the same time, I felt like my heart was on the verge of stopping dead from the anticipation of our future's prediction. He was just a mere robot with no magical powers, in yet, I was finding myself hoping…wishing, that what he would say was good. I didn't really know whether or not he could predict the future at the time, but now… I'm rethinking that he could.
I was so nervous about that prediction that I had to look away from Aerith in order to hide the blush on my face. It felt like it dragged on forever as he did his dance, after just a few moments, Cait sith turned his back to us, as if he knew something bad. "This isn't good"
Right then, I felt my stomach tie up into a dozen knots. 'Isn't good?'…'isn't good?'… at the time, I didn't care what it said now, I just didn't want to hear it… I didn't want to hear bad news about her and me. I couldn't take it. "I can't say it." His words made it seem as if it was a prediction of death itself. "Poor Tifa…"
If it was bad news about Aerith and me… it was the last thing I wanted to hear, so I was thankful he wasn't going to say it. I remember a sense of sadness lingering on Aerith's words as she pleaded for him to say our prediction; "Please… please tell me, I promise I won't get mad."
The honesty in Aerith's voice must have reassured him because he quickly spun around and said; "Then I'll tell you! Your future looks good! You're perfect for each other! Aerith's star and Cloud's star! They show a great future."
I couldn't believe it, and after now, I probably shouldn't have. It just sounded too good to be true. He said our stars were perfect for each other… said we had a great future ahead of us.
So why didn't we?
Why was she taken from me? Why was her future ripped from her… from us…?
As we were carrying on with our journey to save the planet, I remember having a sense of resentment towards Caith sith. I know he couldn't have possibly known what lied ahead of us, but I still resented ever hearing that sad prediction of Aerith and my future. It wasn't his fault she died… it was mine. We would have had a good future together if I would have protected her better. So it's my fault—my fault that his sad prediction came true while the good one didn't.
'What you pursue will be yours. But you will lose something dear.' That was his first prediction. A sign of what was waiting for me down the road. If only I had paid attention to that prediction more than the other. Maybe then, she would still be here.
What a great future we turned out to have…
Thanks for reading! And do be kind in reviews!
TTFN,
Cali