"Oh, Cloud!"

The blonde slightly raised his head at the familiar voice. Seeing Sora, Donald and Goofy standing in front of him, he lowered his eyes again.

"Whatcha doing?" Donald asked.

"I'll get him. This time we settle it," he said coolly. "Me, and the one who embodies all the darkness in me."

"I thought you looked kinda different, Cloud." Donald replied after further inspecting him. He did look kind of different from the first time they met him. Sora nodded his head at Donald's statement.

"If I do, it's his fault."

"Whose?" The brown-haired boy asked curiously.

"Sephiroth. Tell me if you see him."

"Okay. What's he look like?" Sora inquired again.

"Silver hair. Carries a long sword."

"Sure. Well, be seeing you, Cloud." Sora said before stepping back.

"Be careful," Cloud uncrossed his arms and stared at Sora. "He messes with your head, makes you think darkness is the only way."

"Is something wrong?"

Sora, Donald and Goofy turned to the voices' direction to see Aerith walking towards them. The blonde quickly strode forward to evade her.

"Uhhh…" Sora started.

Knowing he can't outrun her, Cloud turned back.

"It's nothing."

"Hmmm…?" She leaned towards him in an inquisitive gesture to which he inclined away.

"I don't want you involved," Cloud firmly stated.

Aerith placed her chin on top of her hands in thought. She straightened after a few moments and looked at Cloud.

"You mean you don't want me there when you go away again?"

"I just—" He stopped himself, sighed and looked forward. "Listen, even if I go far away, I'll come back."

"Do you mean it?"

Cloud averted his blonde eyes from Aerith's speculative emerald orbs. He knew he can't lie to her, but just this time…he's willing to try. "Yeah."

"See? You don't look so sure."

Cloud lowered his cerulean eyes and he turned his back on her.

"…I'm sorry," He whispered before walking away.

When he thought he could leave in peace, a warm hand enclosed his in a tight grasp. Cloud looked back to see Aerith's brows furrowed and her emerald eyes gleaming. He understood that…even without her saying it, he understood. He stopped with eyes downcast.

"I need to find the light in me," he murmured in a voice soft enough for her to hear. "In order to fight the darkness, in order to protect everyone... I must go and settle this with him, once and for all."

"But—!"

Aerith was cut off when Cloud pulled her into a tight embrace. Her eyes widened as he buried his face in her shoulder, in her fragrant hair, in her gentleness.

"I'll live… because you live, and our children live."

A tear fell from Aerith's eye as she smiled and nodded.

"Well, okay, I understand. Go—get things settled."

Cloud drew back, surprise was written all over his face at her unexpected response.

"Huh?"

The brunette wiped a stray tear from the ends of her eyes and beamed warmly at him.

"No matter how far away you are… once you find your light… I'm sure it will lead you back here again. Right?"

His eyes softened. It's true that she wasn't the kind of light that he was searching for; but, in a way, she glowed so bright that it didn't hurt his eyes. He wanted to look at her forever. Cloud showed a small smile and nodded.

"I suppose."

"So I'll stay here—and I'll cheer for you— Okay, Cloud?"

"Okay."

Without any more uncertainties, Cloud turned back and walked away. After he disappeared at a corner, Aerith once again placed her chin on top of her closed hand and sighed.

"Wonder if he'll be okay."

Sora stood beside her and grinned.

"He'll be fine. I'm sure there's some light in him somewhere."

Looking towards his direction, Aerith smiled.

"You're right."