Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

Author's Note: This story is completely AU of the story Aerith and Cloud had to endure in Final Fantasy VII, since the Aerith and Cloud are generally considered AU themselves for Kingdom Hearts. So there is might be some Final Fantasy references, but basically, Cloud, Aerith, nor anybody else from Final Fantasy will have any connections to anything, but Kingdom Hearts. As far as the goes, I hope you enjoy the story, and get around to reviewing.

The seven-year old Aerith Gainsborough ran around in the fields of the Traverse Town Elementary School with her best friend, Tifa Lockhart. The two young girls had a joyous time playing a game of tag while Leon watched with his arms crossed over his chest. He wore a small smirk as Tifa was tagged by Aerith after tripping over her shoes. Aerith ran as quickly as she could from Tifa while she screamed playfully.

"I'm going to catch you, Aerith!" Tifa exclaimed, with her left hand extending forward while Aerith turned around and stuck out her tongue. "Oh, yeah! That is so mature!"

Aerith stopped and laughed. In the shadow of a tall oak tree, the young brunette saw a boy with large, spiky blond hair sitting down watching them play. She skipped over to him, excitedly. "Hi!" The boy looked up at her with his ocean blue eyes and stared at her. He raised an annoyed eyebrow. Aerith glanced over her shoulder and saw Tifa waiting for her to return to the game, but she felt the need to stay with this strange boy. He looked so sad all by himself. "Do you want to play with us?" She received no answer. "I'm Aerith and those are my friends, Squall and Tifa." Aerith sighed, still not getting any reply from the young boy that looked like he might be her age or younger.

"Aerith, come on!" Tifa called impatiently.

"I'll be along in just a minute, Tifa!" Aerith yelled back. She turned her attention back to the boy who still seemed unaffected by anything. Aerith sat beside him with her back against the bark of the tree. At first, she wondered if this boy could talk at all, but she pushed that thought aside, thinking that she would get him to reply somehow, voice or no voice. "Am I bothering you?" He shook his head 'no,' and continued not speak. "What's your name?"

"I'm Cloud." It took every bone in her body to keep her from smiling like a total idiot, just because he had finally said something. "Your friends are waiting for, Aerith."

"They can wait just a little while longer, Cloud. Where are yours?" she questioned, curiously.

"I don't have any," he replied, in a low tone.

"Don't be silly! You have me." Aerith tugged at the pink bow from her hair and it fell loosely in her right hand. "Here's your proof." He gave her a confused look. She giggled and said, "It was my grandmother's. She gave it to me before she died. I want to give it to you. You'll keep it safe, won't you, Cloud?" He nodded and she smiled brightly. In fact, it was so bright, he thought, that it put the sun to shame. 

"Great. Now come on!" Aerith grabbed Cloud's hands and they both stood up. She dragged him out of the shadows and in the sun's light. "We're playing tag and Tifa is it. I suggest you run."

Tifa ran forward and immediately tagged the spiky-haired boy on the shoulder. "Tag! You're it."

He stood there dumbfounded for a moment, but soon started running after both Aerith and Tifa until recess ended and it was time to go inside. Leon, Tifa, Aerith, and Cloud shared parting glances with each other. Aerith and Cloud, on the other hand, locked eyes, knowing that this wasn't their newfound friendship wasn't going to end.