Ok second chapter! YAY!!! So read and review please?!?!?!? Enjoy

Ch. 2- Footsteps

The trio and the dog had been traveling for hours non-stop. The rain was beating down hard on the carriage roof making Aeris drowsy and soon she fell asleep. The other two people in the carriage were sitting quietly and didn't speak at all. Cloud was listening to the rain and found himself absentmindedly staring at Aeris.

A soft "caw" came from outside and Cloud immediately stuck his arm out the carriage window. A heavy black bird landed on his arm, it was carrying a message. He brought the wet bird inside the carriage and untied the note on it's foot. He reached inside one of his pockets and pulled out some soft jerky and gave it to the bird. The bird cawed in delight and then jumped out the window. Vincent had fallen asleep so Cloud decided to open the letter and read it himself.

Cloud,

Are you okay? Did everything go as planned?

Everyone's dying to know. We need this girl, only

she can get what we need. If they get a hold of her they will

get the weapon and use it against the world. You must be careful.

Yours always, Tifa.

Cloud rolled his eyes in annoyance. He had heard the same thing about a million times, he knew how important it was to get her to the castle safely. He knew the consequences if he failed...

Just then a loud roar from outside shook through the forest. Cloud had been hoping not to encounter any demons on their venture back, but his luck had just ran out. Aeris awoke with a start looking around nervously, Vincent was still sound asleep.

"Can you fight?" Cloud asked while waking Vincent with a rude kick to the shin.

"Y-yes, a little," Aeris answered.

"Then let's go, ladies first." she stared at him bewildered by this statement. She had never fought a real demon, only simulations in her battle classes.

Aeris cautiously left the safety of the carriage and entered the cold rainy outside. Although it was the middle of July the air had turned frosty and every time Aeris exhaled a white puff of smoke was released. Cloud and Vincent soon followed Aeris' footsteps. It must have been below freezing, the chocobos feathers were rimmed with ice and the rain was no longer wet, but hard pieces of ice falling from the sky. They couldn't see two inches in front of them, because a thick fog had rolled in.

"It's s-so c-cold" Aeris said, rubbing her arms to get some warmth. Cloud was about to put his arms around her for some reason but then a loud boom shook the forest floor and then another. Footsteps.

A looming figure came out of the thick fog and before anyone could react the creature swooped his hand down throwing everyone in different directions. No one could see where the other went. Gun shots echoed through the forest and the thing roared in anger.

Aeris got up quickly and ran towards where she thought the thing might be.

"Vincent! Stop," Aeris screamed as a bullet soared past her head, "You'll hit one of us!"

The fire seized, everything was quiet for a second. Then the demon went straight towards Aeris. The huge creature now wielded an axe. He swung it down and Aeris was too late to react. The axe sliced through her left side, blood was starting to pour out of the deep wound. She collapsed on the floor moaning in pain. She looked up to see the figure raise it's axe to bring down upon her helpless body. Out of nowhere Cloud appeared. He swung his buster sword heavily cutting through the hand that wielded the axe. Black blood fell out of It's wrist hitting the ground, the blood seemed to be absorbed into the ground instead of leaving a puddle.

The demon was furious now. He swiped here and there trying to destroy everything he possibly could. Cloud ducked and swerved the demons arms and finally when he had the chance he lunged for it's heart. His sword made direct contact where the heart should be and Cloud twisted with all his might. The creature roared in fury and pain and then in a split second everything was back to normal. It was still raining, lightly now, and the fog disappeared. The temperature had gone back to a nice 80 degrees. The chocobos were a bit distressed but other than that they were fine.

As Cloud recovered he remembered that Aeris was lying somewhere seriously injured. He turned around and looked all around him. He didn't have to look far though. Vincent was crouched over Aeris, she wasn't moving. Then as Vincent used his healing magic she coughed and returned to life. She was paler than ever and shaking more furiously now. Cloud quickly walked over to them.

"How is she?" he asked quietly.

"She won't make it unless we hurry back to the castle where she can get proper care. My healing powers are weak, I took classes for destruction not healing" Vincent murmured quietly.

Blood was still pouring from the deep wound left from the demon. Vincent took off his cloak and wrapped it tightly around Aeris' waist. They were both quiet for a minute wondering what to do next.

"I'll take a chocobo with Aeris," Cloud said, "The chocobo will run faster with just us on it, send a letter by Raven immediately, tell them.. tell them to meet me on the main road and bring healers with them." Vincent nodded whistling for a Raven from the skies. It was harder to call one down since the storm was picking up again. Cloud had already mounted his chocobo and was waiting for Vincent to hand him Aeris' helpless body. She was still breathing, very slowly though and she was paler than a ghost.

"Hand me her," Cloud said, Vincent gently picked up her body and handed her to Cloud. She gasped in pain when they moved her from one place to another. Vincent nodded and Cloud took off.

"It's alright, Aeris," Cloud said softly as he coaxed the big yellow bird to go faster. There was still at least 3 hours until they would get to headquarters if Cloud drove the bird hard and fast. The chances of Aeris surviving this journey were slim to none "I won't let you die, I promise."