Stolen Away
By BlissfulIgnorence
Because heaven sends and heaven takes…
Aerith had been dead for three years. But she had not been forgotten.
The waters of the Forgotten City were as clear as they had been on the day she died, Cloud observed as he sat in morning.
He had brought her flowers from her church in the midgar ruins. He sat in silence, remembering her, what she had done for the planet, and her death.
Cloud thought of Aerith often. He thought about his feelings for her, the regret that had haunted him since he'd failed to save her.
He bit back tear. Heroes don't cry. Heroes are always strong. Always in control. Of their mind, their circumstances, their emotions. He can't cry, the time for morning was long gone. The time of her death was long gone.
"You shouldn't be afraid of crying Cloud."
Cloud raised his head. He stood up, snapping out of his intense reflection. That voice was strangely familiar.
She was beautiful; she hadn't aged a day since he'd last seen her. She wore the same clothes she'd worn on the day she'd died. Nothing out of place, everything perfect.
"You're… How?" Cloud asked. He swallowed. "How can this be real?"
She laughed. "The planet sent me back Cloud. To make you happy."
"To make me happy?" he echoed.
Instead of answering his question, she closed the gap between them, capturing Cloud in a tight hug. He hugged back, crying into her shoulder. "This can't be true," he said.
But it was true, Aerith had returned to life. She was back.
-----
They soon set out. Heading toward the city of Edge to announce the good news. Cloud wanted to tell everyone in person, so they chose not to use his cell phone.
They moved quickly. They were not cautious. Cloud knew he could take care of any monster that came his way. Besides, he wanted to get home a soon as possible.
So they were taken completely by surprise when a monster lunged at them from the trees.
Cloud was caught off guard. He was tackled to the ground. He fought back, but was soon blinded by blood in his eyes.
He heard Aerith scream. There was another one, drawn by the smell of blood and fear.
The screams grew more desperate, before falling off in to silence.
Cloud had failed her, once again.
Aerith was dead just hours after her glorious resurrection.
Because heaven sends and heaven takes.
A/N
So, how did you like it? Sorry folks, I just had to play with that idea. It just popped into my head. Credit for the line 'heaven sends and heaven takes' goes to the Killers.
