Author's Note: This is Cloud Strife/Genesis Rhapsodos, and my first posted fanfic. I've written several, but this is my first posting. I hope you enjoy it, it's also an sl for an rp bewtween me and my Aeris. Speaking of which, I am dedicating this to her…
To my Angel: This is for you, you're my real life Aeris… my love. Thank you for being mine.
Disclaimer: I am not claiming to own or be the characters in this fic. I do not own Final Fantasy VII, which is property of Squareinx and such. I do own the fic and the story I have made.
Now, on with the fic.
A smooth and steady purr echoed through out the ghostly white and rocky paths of the Forgotten City. The purr was of a certain motorcycle belonging to a certain blonde haired delivery boy that curently was riding it. Leaning forward on the sleek black metal of Fenrir he rode at near top speed down the glowing path before him. His mind was a messy jumble of thoughts, and entire body was aching with pain from the ordeal he just went through. Though he didn't care, there were far more important matters to attend to. At that very moment he was on his way to... see her again, but if the others knew for what reasons they would think him even more insane than they already probably did. Hell anyone would think him insane to have thought this possible, but he was not giving up hope. He never had...
He wouldn't care what they thought though, a part of him had stopped caring what they thought of his obsession a long time ago. 'Just a bit further...' his desperate thoughts echoed in his mind, and his heart raced faster as he got closer to his destination. The pure white trees that were before him and blocked out most of the bitch black sky, began to part and reveal what was there. He saw a shell like structure and in front of it was a small lake, the water's surface glittered with moon light and sloshed gently as he approached on his bike. SLowing to a stop a few feet from the shorline, he sat up and black leather gloved fingers practically ripped the goggles on his face off. Lowering them around his throat his gaze fell to the peaceful surroundings. Mako blue infused hues of pure sapphire looked around, he saw nothing and no one.
The pale moon above made the intensity of his eyes glow even more in the pure white and pitch black that encircled him. In those eyes was a mixture of fear and hope, and without a single word he swung his left leg over the right side of Fenrir and climbed off. Swiftly his feet led him over to the shorline and he gazed into the depths of the deep crystal blue water. His eyes scanned it for any signs of life, but he found none at that moment. The moon's light reflected off the surface which showed the deep water, he strained his eyes to see to the bottom. Gentle sloshing against the edge could be heard as he continued to strain his eyes and now his ears as well, for any sign of what he sought. He stood stock still on the edge as the water sloshed over his boots and left to the lake agai, a slow repeated process. His mind did not register it, but he began to feel fear creep up. Shaking it off he began to encircle the lake, his eyes never leaving the body of water, what the hell... why wasn't anything happening? A bit frantic he kept his pace so as to not miss anything and looked from all angles of the water. Desperation was evident, but he began to wonder if maybe... no. He kept hope for a few more minutes before he stopped at where he had began in front of Fenrir. Hands at his sides he let them hang lossely and fingers twitched slightly with that familar numbness he had felt long ago. His head dropped and he turned to walk back to Fenrir, sitting down he dropped down at the wheel and rested his back against it. Chin hitting his chest slightly as he drew his knee up to him and drapped an arm over it, his hand gripped the leg and tightly at that. Blonde spikes washed over his face as despair set into his heart and mind slowly. That feeling was familar to him... he had felt it nearly three years ago when she had died, and now it was like she had all over again. It left him feeling broken like before, and he sat there with it filling his entire being and the physical pain was long forgotten. Now the emotional pain, that left his heart breaking and his eyes burning... it was all he had along with the meories that were of her. They began to play through his mind as he sat... hope was lost.
Suddenly the lake began to glow a faint sea emrald green, the moonlight cast eerie splinters of light across the surface. The waters began to slosh a bit more against the edges and all sounds in the area became non-exsistant. So... much pain, it was all crashing over him in tidal waves across a beach. A tsunami of pure emotional pain and it was so much worse. Much more than when he had first lost her, back then he had Sephiroth to face and it helped. Now, he had nothing in his life but the children and Tifa, even they could never take her place though. Tifa tried, she tried so hard to help him and though he appreciated his best friends efforts... he could not forget the flower girl. No, it had killed him a little more every day to go on without her. Cloud Strife had never admitted it to anyone, not even himself back then, but he had needed her kindness and care. That thought brought up a stray memory from their travels... -FLASH BACK- It was in Costa del Sol, they had just arrived around an hour ago. The group had split up of course and automatically Aeris was dragging Cloud somewhere, though he had a frown on his face and was saying how it was only because he was her bodyguard that he was allowing her to do this. Yet it was more to convince himself inwardly and really... he knew the real reason. But he would never admit it to himself or her, and so the ex-SOLDIER turned bodyguard was dragged off to God knows where. The market...... of course she would take him down there. Okay it was bearable and after all he did need to stock up on a few supplies as well as see if he could get any new Materia. So they stood together looking from the different items on display, her emerald eyes which were so filled with warmth would shine bright in child like curiousity. Cloud knew why she was so like this, it was not only in her nature... but she had never before been outside of Midgar and every town had new gadgets of which she had never seen before. Cloud saw something her eyes had lingered on for more than a mere moment. It was a wrist watch, emerald green jewels decorated around the different numbers. A leather and stainless steel, it was a beautiful object. Something to be expected in Costa del sol. With a bit of confidence he spoke up in the more cocky tone he displayed those days "You like that?", she shifted her warm eyes to him, and seemed confused. "What Cloud?" he reached over and picked it up, "This.... do you like it?" she gave a firm nod. "Very beautiful. Why do you ask?" before she had gotten the entire sentence out he had pulled out a good amount of gil from his wallet. Handing it over to the man who thanked him Aeris stood in shock. "Cloud I-" "Here..." taking her hand into his he gently strapped it on her left wrist. Pushing her bracelts up and alllowing her new watch front position. She sported a rose pink tint to her cheeks unbeknownst to him. "There. It suits you." she stared in disbelief at his gift to her and he shook his head before she opened her mouth. Turning he began to walk she soon gathered her bearings and followed him. Later on that evening she had come down from her room to eat with the others... only.... she wasn't wearing her new gift. A fact that did not go unnoticed by the certain blonde who had gotten her it. Throughout dinner which was light and carefree for once, a pair of azure mako blue eyes would dart over to Aeris, which was not going unnoticed by the chestnut haired flower girl,nor a certain raven haired bra hostess. After dinner Aeris went up to her room immediately and Cloud not far behind her. Just as her door shut he knocked on the wooden door, her soft tone called him in and he opened the door to find her at her at the small desk with her mirror positioned and her hair cascading down in waves. Gulping back without even realizing it she focused on brushing her hair. "Yes, Cloud?" once he found his tongue he spoke up "Aeris. Where's the watch I bought you? Why didn't you wear it down to dinner?". He tried to keep the hurt out of his tone but somehow it showed and Aeris' gaze tore away from er reflection to his own in the mirror. She couldn't help but feel bad as she reached into her bag and silently pulled the watch out. Watching with that same blank expression he wore she stood and walked over to him it lay in her gentle cupped hands. Looking down from her face that her hair perfectly framed and made her look beau-- dammit where did that thought... leaving it at there and examined the watch. It wasn't ticking, moving or anything Later on that night, the calm night in Costa del Sol was relaxing to every member... except Cloud Strife. Whom was laying in bed with his hands behind his head cupping it. Mako blue eyes glowed in the dark room, the moonlight peeking in only intensified it as he lay in thought. Her face... she was so upset by it, and it did not sit well with him that she was upset. His resolve grew and he sat up carefully getting up he crossed the room to the door and opened it slowly. A slow and near inaudible creak echoed in the hall. Stealthfully he crossed the short distance to Aeris' door and opened it to peek in and find her sound asleep in the bed. Quietly he entered the room and slipped over to her nightstand and snatched up the watch before slipping out of the room. Heading straight to his own room again he closed the door and went to the desk. Setting the watch down before going to his bag he turned on the light and dug out a folded puch of tools and went over to the desk. Sitting he opened the folded pouch and took out the appropriate tools and opened the watch's back up. -6 Hours Later- Aeris woke to the bright morning sun and sat up, stretching she wore her usual smile. But there was more brightness to it because today Cloud would help fix her gift. Looking over to the nightstand to pick it up her eyes widened in realization that it was no longer there. Panic rising in her heart she began to whimper and stood up, looking all about the room for any sort of sign that would show where it could be. Unless... no, no.... someone did not come in and steal it. She would have sensed them. Taking a deep calming breathe she went over to the desk and took her ribbon, tying it in her hair before slipping out of her room and to Cloud's. Opening the door a fragment she saw him sitting at the desk, the lamp on and his form slumped over in slumber. She entered as quietly as possible to see tools scattered on the desk and his face sideways, facing her. His expression peaceful as he clutched in his left hand... her watch. Emerald orbs widened in realization of what he had done for her and a heart warming smile broke out across her face. Quietly she stepped closer and gently pried his fingers of the watch. Going to his bed she took the cover and placed it over his still form, before she left she leaned down and kissed his forehead and just as silent, left him to sleep. -2 Hours Later- Cloud woke up to the feeling of a light weight on his shoulders and back as well as a warm sun shining down on his blonde mess of spikes. Opening his eyes he found there was no longer the cold steel of a watch in his hand, before panic could settle he thought about it. Someone had obviously laid the cover on him, and he doubted a thief would have... so.... that meant... a flicker of amusement crossed his features. 'She couldn't even wait for me to wake up and give it to her.' standing up the cover fell from him and he stretched. Going over to his bed he sat down and pulled on his boots, gloves, shoulder guard and lastly he stood to strap on his Buster Sword. Opening the door he looked around the empty and silent hall before crossing the distance to Aeris' room for the second time in 8 hours. Knocking as gentle as possible but loud enough for her to hear he listened for any sounds. Just then a warm breathe tickled his ear and neck which sent a shiver down his spine before a small "Boo." was heard in his ear. Turning he found the object of his search standing with her hands behind her back and leaning toward him. "Looking for me?" she asked in that innocent tone. Cloud raised his brow and nodded, "I assume you know that I fixed it..." he was rewarded with a nod and a bright smile. "Yes, I woke up and found out it was with you. Next time, warn me before I have a heart attack.". Though he knew she was being playful he gave a small nod and began to mutter an apology before she stopped him "Stop. You did nothing wrong, you did however do a nice thing, a very nice thing. Thank you." grabbing his hand in hers she smiled and began to walk to the stairs. Cloud winced only slightly at the small sharp pain he felt in his left hand's index finger. Aeris turned having sensed the slight discomfort and looked down at his hand before swiftly pulling off his gloves. Examining the finger he had a deep long gash most likely from the working he had done in the past several hours. Grabbing the fabric of her dress she ripped a strip and tied it to the cut as gentle as she could. With Cloud blinking in a bit of shock from her having ripped her dress. "Come on, lets go get that cleaned up..." with that Aeris led a stunned Cloud down the stairs to the bathroom. -END OF FLASH BACK- Returning to the cruel reality before him, the still young blonde haired delivery boy had been lost in that memory for quite some time now. Lifting his hand he covered his face for a moment and took a breathe. Why did things have to be so.... hard? So painful and frustrating? And... he was so different now... that man wasn't really him as a whole... it was Zack. DAMN his memories... dropping his hand he tilted his head to the moon but suddenly he stopped and his eyes laid sight on a pink and chestnut brown form laying on the shore. Blinking hard... he fell forward onto a knee "Is it...?" his voice was quiet and a tad strained from the time he had barely used it. Getting up he darted forward the last bit of distance and kneeled by the familiar form of his flower girl. Placing a hand behind her head and lifted it gently, the other under her knees and he pulled her up on to his lap. His heart was racing... a jumble of thoughts none of which were coherent apart from 'Please be alive...'....
which meant... "It's broken." he stated simply. A sniffling Aeris nodded and cupped it to her heart. Seeing her shame he shook his head, blonde spikes whipping slightly and falling further across his features. "It's alright, Aeris. I promise you it will be fine. Go to bed and in the morning we'll see what we can do." turning the young mercenary made his leave. A smile crossed her lips and she placed the watch carefully on her nightstand before climbing into bed and turning off the lamp.
Author's Note: Thank you for your time. Reviews are welcome, any sort of feedback is welcome.