Drabble #5: Monument

Summary: And for the first time in over ten years, Cloud felt tears form in his eyes…

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix


It sickened him.

The way that everyone carried on their usual routines as if nothing bad had ever happened. Had they forgotten about Meteor? Had they forgotten about what ShinRa had done? Had they forgotten…her?

It pained him to think about it so he seldom did. But he would always see her bright sparkling eyes and long honeycomb hair in his dreams and he would replay that horrid scene repeatedly.

It never stopped.

Cloud Strife would not soon forget the ill-fated flower-girl who had fallen to Sephiroth's blade. He did not want to forget her.

The Church was in sight now, just a few forced steps away but he had to stop. He just needed one minute to stare at it and take in its beauty and majesty. Something he had not done nearly enough with her.

"Cloud!" a young voice called, snapping him out of his half daydream.

He gave an irritable sigh as he turned and saw a young girl of about eight running towards him with a huge smile spread across her face and her long, braided brunette hair flying back at the speed she was running at. Cloud blinked for a moment. He still had not quite gotten to grips with how much the young girl looked, and acted like her.

"Come and see! Come on!" she cried, grabbing his hand and attempting to drag him with her.

"Marlene, what are you talking about?" he asked.

"It's finished!" she replied. "Come and see!"

She let go of his hand and raced ahead, stopping at the corner and waving for him to move. Cloud was still standing outside the Church, glancing around for some sort of clue as to what he was supposed to do. Marlene waited patiently for him to move and since it seemed he had little choice in the matter, he moved after her with a long sigh. Marlene beamed and took off again, her speed surprising him and making the blonde run after her. He began to wonder if all this was really worth it. He could not understand what could be so important that they had to get him to run through the city after a little girl. However, as they rounded one more corner, into the heart of Edge he stopped in his tracks, his mouth hanging open.

There, beside the statue of the meteor built for the memories of those who died stood another statue. He recognised the face immediately. It looked just like her right down to the last twist of her braid. The ribbon stood proudly at the top and Cloud was surprised to see that it was part of the girl's original ribbon instead of being made of stone.

He unconsciously swallowed as he took a step forward, noticing the small writing at the bottom and he kneeled to read it.

Aeris, always enjoy the company of the clouds as they have always enjoyed yours. Rest in Peace.

And for the first time in over ten years, Cloud felt tears form in his eyes.