Author's Note : Ah! Okay, so I'm gonna re-write the first part sometime soon. And I'm not sure as to when..I should enter in made-up's. Or what characters to use, as well. So, maybe you would like to help?.. E-Mail me at flaming_banana@hotmail.com ..if you want to help with the whole 'made up characters' situation. But, yeah, back to the story. n.n Hope you enjoy; comments and such are wanted!


Tifa had left the bar. Seemingly had the need to get out of there and walk around. It was rather cold out, so she had her arms hugging her own slender stomach just a bit. The gaze of those chocolate duos was on the dusty ground, lost in her own confusing thoughts.

She wasn't really looking on where she was going. Even ignored Johnny, who was calling her to her. In which, she didn't notice until he was forced back inside of his house. Poor Johnny, she thought.

Within a few minutes of walking, she stopped. Looking up, she glanced around. Finding herself at the train station. The last train for that day had come just a few minutes before, too. A few people were still around, but.. not many.

Tifa sighed. She wished that she could leave this polluted place sometime soon. Once ShinRa was gone.. Or, at least their crazed ideas of somehow 'making the world a better place'.

She shook her head lightly. Her long, tied, brown hair swaying from side to side. Steps were taken, again. Walking through the train station, and heading more towards the 'Train Graveyard', as some would call it. Just a place where they put trains that hardly worked.. Not many people went there, though. Mostly because 'crazy' people lived there.

She walked up the concrete steps, letting her arms drop; and hang down by her sides. Not even noticing the person that she had ran into.

Or, at least partially ran into.

Tifa stumbled back a bit, looking down at the figure. The person was sitting down, and hardly even took notice that she had ran into him. She blinked a few times, before she spoke.

"I'm sorry.." Tifa stated, softly.

The figure didn't really move. Tifa only taking note that he was breathing. By his chest extending forward with each breath he took; and then falling when he exhaled. The man didn't even take note that his fairly large blonde spikes were hanging down into his eyes.

Tifa just sighed. This was great. In a sarcastic matter, at least. She sat down next to the man, on her knees. Cocking her head to the side a bit, before a gloved hand went to lightly touch the young man's shoulder. She felt the need..to see if he was alright. It was common for her. Always had to make sure people were okay.

But, her touching the man must've gotten his attention. He looked up, and towards her. Those clear blue eyes piercing through her own brown orbs.

Tifa gasped. The man.. looked familiar. Just wasn't sure as to who it was. "Uhm.. Are you alright?" Tifa asked, concerned.

The man just blinked once. Before giving a small nod. He looked cold. And confused. His gaze had dropped back down to the ground again. His arms were crossed along his stomach; in which.. He was rather thin. But, seemingly muscular, by what Tifa came to think of anyways. Her hand still being on his shoulder.

Tifa removed it, though. Took note that it might be a bit..awkward. She let that hand rest along her leg. She was getting cold. Dressed in short shorts; and a white 'shirt' tied together at the end; and letting her navel show and all..wasn't really for this kind of night weather.

But, just then, the figure had looked back up at her. Raising an eyebrow slightly, as well. "Tifa?" He questioned, speaking quietly.

Tifa paused everything for a moment. A lot of questions running through her head. The major one being : How did this person know my name? She just nodded a little bit, letting her gaze fall to the ground; as she tried to figure out who this person could be.

Tifa didn't hear anything from the young man, but knew that he was still looking at her. She felt.. Odd. But then, it hit her. The odd, large spikes. The clear blue eyes. The..sense of insecurity that somehow radiated off of the young man's soul.

She looked up, and the corners of her mouth curved up into a small smile. "..Cloud." She spoke the young man's name, quietly.

Cloud just nodded a bit. Looking down towards the ground again. He was shivering from the coldness. But, it was kind of odd.. Yes, it was cold out. But, he was actually wearing warm type of clothing. Shouldn't be shivering.

But, that's Cloud, Tifa thought to herself.

"What are you doing here?" She asked softly. Moving a bit, into a more comfortable sitting position. Her legs were hanging off the edge of the train station's 'platform'. The cold concrete wasn't helping much with the cold air. But she'd live.

Cloud just gave a small shrug. Looking over to her, Tifa took note that he seemed a bit.. Confused? Exactly.

"What about you?.." Cloud asked, in return. Still speaking quietly.

"I live here, now." Tifa replied. She then remembered.. She didn't tell anyone where she went. And, knowing Barret, he was most likely looking for her right now. "Actually, I should be heading back to my bar.. Wanna come?" She asked, hoping.. To spend time with Cloud. Make sure that he was alright; and.. maybe they could talk. About things.

Cloud shrugged, again. Letting his gaze fall back to the dusty ground of the train station. That is, before he stood up, somewhat. He stumbled a bit, but remained standing in the end.

Tifa took note of this. Worried, a bit, she stood up as well. Tilting her head to the side. "You sure you're okay, Cloud?" She asked, wanted..to know if something was wrong.

"I'm fine. But..sure..I'll come with you.." He gave a small nod as he spoke those words. Swallowing just a bit, his throat was sore. Felt..odd.

Tifa just nodded once, letting one of her gloved hands go and take a hold of one his hands. And, she started on the way back to the bar, him following.


-----


Reddish-brown boots hit the stone pavement of the street in small strides. The 'thud' of the boots connecting with the streets surface echoed, slightly, as well. Gaze was set to the ground; as the young woman lightly swayed the basket of flowers back and forth. She was lost in thought; and for once she didn't have the noise of other people around here. But, even having that taken away; she still couldn't think as well as she could when she was in the church. She had just finished her little 'routine' of selling flowers; and had made a quick stop at the church to check on them. And, since then, the air had..a different feeling to it. It was hard to describe; but, one might say she felt..paranoid? Exactly.

The woman came to a halt; and a glance was given to each side; and then behind her. She didn't see anything; but, still, she felt it. It was natural for her to feel the presence of others. Especially those that she kind of knew; and were familiar with. A faint sigh was emitted under her breath. She didn't need to feel this tonight. Couldn't she just have one good day, ever? Seemingly not. But she wouldn't complain; or voice out her opinion. Not at the moment, at least.

Steps were taken again; as she turned the corner; and continued to walk down the street. Still felt the presence of someone behind her; and she knew it was just one person. Just couldn't find out as to who they were. There were so many people after her. And one might question as to why; but only she..and the people..could answer that fully. Not like she would tell anyone, though.

She had eventually made it to the end of the street; and walking through some partially destroyed building. Graffiti on the walls; but only one stood out for her to see. The walking slowed down a bit so she could read it fully. It was another message from Avalanche. A supposed 'terrorist' group. Their message stating that what ShinRa was doing was wrong; and that they would stop them in the near future. Most people laughed when they read their messages; but she didn't. She kind of..agreed with them. But, again, she wouldn't voice out her opinion. She was just a flower girl.

Walking went back to it's normal pace; and she walked through the building; coming out into the more 'slum'-ish area. Turning another corner, she stopped. Again. Heart beat was a bit faster than normal; and she knew that the person whom was shadowing her was closer. And, possibly in view, now. Pearls bit down on the lower tier; as she turned around. Sighing, again, as she took note of whom was behind her.

A man. Dressed in a navy blue suit; a white shirt underneath. The navy blue shirt over it buttoned up to hide it mostly. Long black strands hung down; a few strands against the slightly pale skin on his face. A small smirk was given, as he looked down at the woman. "Come now, Ancient. You know that if you come with us, the world will be.. better." He spoke quietly, to possibly hide the lie that he was telling the girl.

The girl knew that he was lying. She also knew other things, as well. The fact that he wouldn't take her forcefully to ShinRa, not yet, anyways. There was also the fact that maybe, just maybe, there was a way to make him believe her. To stop trying to persuade her to go. But, she just didn't know how to do that. "I don't know what you're talking about, Tseng."

Tseng sighed. He didn't want to take her forcefully. 'Knowing' her all these years, he kind of got attatched to her a bit. Never would admit to it, though. He didn't even know her name, really. Never got to the point of asking her for it; or finding out for himself. Lame, maybe. But, things happened like that. "Look, Ancient, it's better if you come with me. Otherwise in the near future; it could get worse."

"Well, I guess I'll have to wait until then." The girl stated; giving a small wave to Tseng with her free hand. She turned around, then. And started to walk off. In a slightly quicker pace than usual; but nothing too out of the ordinary.

Tseng didn't try and stop her or anything. Just stood there for a moment; before he sighed under his breath. Turning around; and walking off into the darkness. It was a good thing he didn't have to report this; this was done out of his own free will. But, next time..it wouldn't. He didn't want to hurt her. But, seemingly, it was the only choice.


The girl walked through the slums; passing by pieces of scrap metal..that some called shops. Or houses for that matter. Passing by a broken vehicle; seemingly an R.V.; she could see her house. She walked the rest of the way, and stopped outside of the actual normal looking house. It was a normal size. Two levels, kitchen and dining room downstairs. And the bedrooms upstairs. Outside was a small path that led to the garden. They weren't the best of flowers; but flowers nonetheless. The best flowers grew at the church. But, basically only she knew that.

Steps were taken to the door; and she turned the handle with the free hand. Pushing the door in; a quick glance was given around the place. It was seemingly empty. She stepped inside; and let the door shut close. "Mom! I'm home!" She called out, turning to look towards the kitchen. In which, she saw her 'mother' come out to greet her.

"What took you so long, Aeris?" Her mother asked, worried. Hands were wiped upon the apron she wore; dirty from the cooking and such she was doing to occupy herself with.

"I was followed again. But, it's alright. Nothing happened." Aeris smiled, and gave a small nod. She was good at faking smiles. No one seemed to be able to see through them. Which, was a good thing. For the time being, at least.

Her mother was even more worried, now. She knew that her 'daughter' was in danger; but she wouldn't voice it. Aeris could take care of herself. She would just help along the way. It was as simple as that, right? She hoped so. "You shouldn't stay out this late.." She began, quietly. She didn't finish, though. Mostly because she knew that her 'daugher' didn't like to hear that.

"I'm fine, mom." Aeris stated simply. She walked over to the table; and set the flower basket on the table's surface. Looking down at the flowers for a moment; before sighing faintly under her breath. It was one of those unheard type of sighs. She didn't want to worry her mother. Besides, she would get through this, right? She hoped so. Aeris turned around, and smiled to her mother. "I'm going to go to bed. See you in the morning, mom."

A nod was given to her 'daughter'. And, she turned around to walk back into the kitchen. She, too, sighed under her breath. She didn't want to lose the only person she had left in her life. But, things happened..

Aeris walked up the steps; getting nearer to her bedroom. Turning the corner; and stepping inside of her room; in which, the door was open. She bit her bottom lip lightly. Sometimes, she wished that she wasn't..what she was. An ancient. Who would want to be that? You get hunted; and used; and-- She wasn't going to go into this now. Not..now. Everyone dislikes..their life, it seems. But, there had to be good things about being what she was. She would just have to..find them.

Slipping underneath her covers; once she had gotten into bed; she rested her head on her feather stuffed pillow. Eyes shut closed; and she thought. Thought about what exactly was good about being an 'Ancient'. Before falling asleep; she..had the feeling that she knew what it was. But, then there it was. Another dream.