Chapter II: Dreams and Pride

I never thought sunlight could sting so much.

As he stared up at the bright morning sun, it occurred to him that the place he had just been in was underground. He could distinctly remember 'dying' in a snowy path leading to Banora. Dying isn't really the right way to put it now, he thought. Maybe I could use 'being unconscious for a long time'?

At that, he had to let out a low chuckle. Dead for several years was a more correct way to put his predicament. There was no use pondering where he was now, though. His mission was to go to Midgar, to the Slums, and find Aerith. He had promised her he would come back to her, no matter what. And it wasn't a promise he planned to break. I never break any promises. It wasn't a duty; his only duty had been tied to his friendship with Cloud. And he had completed that duty when he had 'died for several years', long ago.

Once his eyes adjusted to the bright light, he raised his arms into the air and let out a low yawn. He always found stretching his muscles to be a good way to relax. He was always tensed up when it came to doing important things, and sometimes, he was so exhausted from so much work; stretching loosened up his muscles and easily made him feel like he could take on an army of 100 000 Shinra troops.

Not that he planned to do that for a while. He had to go to Aerith first before getting involved in any near death situations.

As he took notice of the landscape; filled with a patch of followers, he was reminded of Aerith. The pink flowers were in full bloom, covering a grassy green landscape with their essence. Trees grew around the area as well, adding the majestic appeal of it. He didn't normally compliment flowers; he wasn't like that. But it was just so comfortable, so easy to stay here; as it reminded him of her.

Being with her, made him feel more calm. His world was almost at a standstill when he laughed or smiled at him. And the most important part, the thing he missed most, was the safe-zone he had when he was with her, in that Church. When he was with her there, the world's problems, SOLDIER, were at rest. He could rest easy in her arms, and never feel the stresses of the things around him.

It was because of this, he knew he had to go back. He had to go to her, and make sure she was safe. I have to keep my promise. So he had decided; no matter what happened, he would go to the Church again.

--

Cloud didn't really know if t here was such a thing as train-sickness, but if there was, he had it. The moving train gave him dizzy spells. He couldn't fathom how any person could ride this thing all of the time, every day. One trip made him want to throw up. Any more of this could scare him more than riding a chocobo ever could.

"Next stop, Banora outskirts. This will be our final stop for the night."

He felt wind blow onto his face; it was cold, and icy. The feeling reminded him of a distant event, long ago. When he had been carried and dropped in a random place, and then found someone lying dead before him. He knew where he was now, and just knowledge made his stomach churn. The sick feeling he had got worse, and worse. And all he could think of was getting away. Somehow, he just wanted to turn around and go back.

"You'll be my… living legacy."

He wanted to scream at the voice and say he did his job. He had already done as the voice asked. Desperately, he wanted to blame the voice for his meaningless life. He wanted to do all of this, but the truth was all too clear. It was entirely fault that he had no reason to live anymore. The only person to blame was himself. It was his fault Aerith had died. He hadn't been there to protect her. And Zack wasn't at fault. He was long dead.

If anything, I know it's all my fault, he thought. I let her die. The one bright light in my dull, legacy of a life; and I wasn't there to stop Sephiroth from killing her. He had let someone close to him die twice. And now, even if Tifa was with him, he was completely ignoring her. There was no use in being here, at all, anymore. He just wanted to disappear, for good, and get away from these feelings that crowded his mind up.

As he was about to get angry, let his anger build up, he stopped. A cool hand brushed over his hand, setting the seething anger to a low. He could feel soft hair against his cheek, and he assumed it was someones bangs. He could feel the warmth, the softness of the skin touching his, and he felt so calm. It was something from before, a familiar past of his.

He felt breath ghost over his cheek, and he felt like he was safe. He hand on his, the hair brushing his cheek; all of it made him want to stay here. Be in this serene place for longer. But just as he opened his eyes, he found nothing there. The feeling was gone, and he saw an empty seat beside him.

Silently, he stood up, and grabbed the Buster. He was ready to get off. But there was evidence of a smile on his face; a real, true smile. Aerith… maybe you are still with me…

--

There was a lone chair in the opening ahead of him. He didn't know why, but he had to check once. Whether he would find someone here or not. Although it wasn't too likely, he could always hope.

The fruits were in full bloom; each delicately lush and blue in colour. Zack didn't want to eat it. It reminded him of Genesis too much. Him and his stupid poetry. And his Gift of the Goddess. It was funny tha he now knew Loveless like the back of his hand. Genesis had said so many verses, he had memorized a lot of it. And he normally hated dramas and plays of any sort. Genesis had book-wormed him up into a play freak, too.

He leisurely walked p to the chair, and saw a straight reminder of Angeal. The Angeal copy he had thought was just a copy had been the real thing in the end. And when he had realized this, it had been too late. Angeal had been exhausted from the fighting, and died; fading away into the lifestream. Where Zack himself should be.

But I lived. So I could go back to Aerith. And I will never let this chance go to waste.

With renewed vigor, he nodded to himself and gathered strength, in his legs. No one could stop him from going back now. He was going to go be with his Aerith. He was going to keep his promise. And with this, he was sure it could happen.

He ran.

--

They were both sitting on a bench in the Church, he head against his shoulder, and his left arm wrapped around her waist. There was a warmth in her that made him feel alive; almost as if he could stay here forever. He really wanted to, but he was a SOLIDER, and he had to go soon. It was an inevitable occurrence. And this only made him even more sad.

Aerith looked up at him for a moment. He could see pain and sorrow in her emerald hues; and that alone made him hate himself. Why did he have to keep going? Couldn't he be stationed here, forever? He just wanted to be with her, longer. He was angry at himself, for hurting her. The one person he loved the most. But at the sudden smile forming on her face, he had to freeze. She looked so beautiful; she always did. And he adored her smiles. They were perfect in their own way. Her laughter, smiles; just one look from her, always took his breath away.

"Zack… I know you'll visit soon. So I'm not worried. You shouldn't be either," she reprimanded. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead, in a comforting sense. He already felt better, just with her saying this. And he knew he would come back, too. They were meant to be together, forever. She would always be his. "I know, Aerith," he said, slowly. There was a sort of knowing feeling between them. One that he doubted he'd feel with anyone else. Him and Aerith.

--