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

Innocent Eyes

Marlene may have been only six years old, but she knew how to read other people's feelings, especially when they were making it so obvious that they were interested. She glanced up at the older woman, Aeris, as she was led away from Sector Seven into Sector Six, towards the flower girl's house.

"So, how long has Cloud been working for Avalanche?" Aeris asked, looking down at the small girl, who couldn't help the small smile.

"A while," she answered, her eyes falling on the basket of flowers. "He gave me a flower, did he buy it from you?"

"Yes." Aeris replied, glancing behind her and putting an arm around the little girl's shoulders in a gesture of protection. Marlene made an interested noise, causing the flower girl's attention to fall on her.

"Cloud doesn't care about anything, he can be nasty to Auntie Tifa sometimes and she's his childhood friend," the little girl replied. "So I wonder why he was nice to you?" she asked, looking up into confused green eyes.

"I don't know."

Marlene was about to speak again when a rustling sound caught her attention. It seemed Aeris had caught it too and was searching around them while pressing her hand further into the little girl's back to get her to pick up the pace.

They didn't get further than two steps when a black haired man appeared in front of them, his eyes falling upon Aeris, who returned his gaze with a hard stare. Instinctively, Marlene moved closer to the woman, clinging to the hem of her pink dress.

"Don't bother resisting Aerith," he sighed, the brunette frowning at the use of her full name but her eyes softened as they fell upon Marlene.

"At least let her go, she has nothing to do with this," she sighed. The man stared down at the girl, causing her to shrink back further.

"Very well, take her to your door and let your mother take her."

Aeris did as she was told, knowing if she disobeyed, Marlene would be hurt as revenge. She knocked on the door three times before it opened. Her mother's relieved look turned instantly into one of dread as she took in the man behind the two females.

"No..."

"Mom, please take Marlene for me," Aeris begged, gently guiding Marlene inside the house. "Cloud and the others will come to collect her soon," she added. Marlene turned to look at her once more as the door was shut, taking hope in the flower girl's words. If Cloud was coming, so was her Daddy and Auntie Tifa!

Just as she had thought, Cloud turned up less than half an hour later, asking where Aeris was taken. Marlene heard every word as she sat in Aeris' room, waiting for them to come up and find her. She leapt to her feet when Barret burst through the door, immediately wrapping her arms around him.

"Daddy! Stop kissing me, your beard is tickly!" she squealed, turning her gaze to the door. Cloud was approaching, giving her a small nod in acknowledgement. "Cloud!" she cried, running up to stand in front of him. "Guess what! Aeris was asking me loads of questions about you! I bet she likes you!"

Cloud's cheeks turned a light pink as he scratched the back of his neck. "I don't know..." he whispered. Marlene smiled and shrugged.

"Well I think she does," she replied before leaning forward. "And I won't tell Tifa," she whispered. After a confused glance, Cloud left and Marlene sniggered into her father's shirt. She just knew Cloud liked Aeris too and one day they were going to get together.

"What are you laughing about?" Barret asked.

"Cloud," she answered sincerely. It was answer enough for Barret, who chuckled slightly and hugged her again.