Hey, Rikkumi here! I started posting this story a while back, but I took it down because I wasn't pleased with it. ^^ Anyway, I've been editing and revising it so I'm going to begin posting it again. This fic is CloudxAerith, just so you know. I'm keeping all other pairings a secret, mwahaha. Anyways, here we go. (:
Prologue
"I wonder if she's going to tell him tonight," Aerith thought to herself aloud as she ran a hand through her honey-brown hair, legs up in the air, kicking through the misty white fog she had gotten so used to.
"Nah. Tonight's not the night; Denzel's still on the fritz about picking out a sword so there'll be all sorts of drama."
The young woman jumped in surprise and craned her neck around to find ex-SOLDIER Zack Fair standing behind her, a usual cocky smile placed on his lips. "You don't know that…" She said uncertainly. "Tifa's been working up for courage for quite some time now."
Zack sighed. "Y'know, you don't have to stalk those guys so thoroughly. It's only depressing you—see, I know these things!"
Aerith pouted and turned her head away from him. "So? Maybe I do spend a bit too much time looking after my friends and those dear to me. Maybe I do spend too much time worrying and praying over them. But maybe I wouldn't have to so much if a certain someone actually looked out for them like I do."
The raven-haired man rolled his eyes. "Oh, whatever. We both know that 'praying' and 'worrying' really mean obsessing. And it's not like it actually accomplishes anything. Just…let it go. It's been years. Your death is old news by now."
She was silent.
Zack could tell he'd offended her and attempted to take back his words. "I mean, of course you're still dear in everyone's hearts, you're just not quite the gaping hole you used to be…"
She groaned. "But I want to be a gaping hole. Is that bad? Does that make me bad?" She exhaled softly. "…No. That's just selfish. I don't want them to hurt because of me. I don't…Do I?"
He patted her shoulder. "I know Aer, and I know she wouldn't want her friends to having gaping holes in their hearts. Now I've gotta run 'cause Angeal's been hollering about some old practice fight we had once and how I need to help give a play-by-play with him to so-and-so, but I'd like to remind you: That dating deal is still open!"
"Ha-ha. Thanks but no thanks, Zack! I've moved on."
Zack shrugged. "Your loss. Besides, y'never know when old feeling's will come rushing back. Alright, now I really gotta go." And with that, he jerked his body in the opposite direction and his figure faded away as it was engulfed in the fog more and more.
Sighing, she turned back to Seventh Heaven. Tifa was setting the table for dinner—Marlene was supposed to be helping, but she seemed to find playing with the forks more amusing—and Denzel was sitting behind the bar counter, filling in as the cashier while he read his book. Cloud was nowhere to be found. "Probably out with Fenrir again, I bet." Aerith frowned and burrowed her head into her arms.
A few moments passed.
"…I don't want to be here, Cloud," she whispered into thin air. "I really don't want to be here…!" Tears spilled out from her green eyes and ran down her cheeks, evaporating into the Lifestream's watery mist. Her voice croaked as her body curled up into a ball, fists clenched tight. I just want to be home…This isn't home!
And with that, she blacked out.
/End of prologue
Well, there we go. Off to a not half-bad start.
