A/N: Thank you . for reviewing :P I'm glad you like it :) Here is the next chapter for you! Thank you to everyone else who is reading or will read in the future! Enjoy!

Aerith was never happier to see the small little store in her life.

Walking around the slums was scarier than she first expected it to be at night. Drunkards were wandering the streets, victims of Geostigma who were cast out by society, were huddled in cardboard boxes or wherever they could sleep, coughing and shaking. It didn't help that monsters also roamed the area, looking for easy prey.

The only thing that seemed at least a little comforting was that she had run into several ShinRa Infantryman along the way, patrolling the streets with their rifles held threateningly in their hands. The red lights on their helmets were eerie at first but Aerith slowly grew accustomed to them. Even though she didn't like ShinRa, she was glad that they were there to keep away any monsters that happened to be nearby and save her from the drunk men that were staring at her with evil intent.

She opened the door to the store and stepped inside, shrugging off the hood of her coat. She flashed a smile to the owner who was just getting ready to close up for the night, wiping down the counters and humming quietly.

His jaw dropped in shock when he saw her.

"Aerith!" He exclaimed.

She waved to him.

"Hello, Angeal. Sorry I came so late-"

"What are you doing out at this time of night!" His eyes were narrowed in disapproval and he put his hands on his hips. "It's dangerous for a young, pretty girl like yourself to be out this late! What were you thinking!"

Aerith flinched, upset at herself for making him worry so much.

She had known Angeal for years, ever since she was a little girl, and the two of them had developed a sort of father/daughter relationship over the years. "I'm sorry Angeal…but I had to come. It's Denzel again…"

Angeal's eyes immediately softened and his muscled arms fell limp at his sides.

"His Geostigma is acting up again?" He quietly asked, his eyes downcast.

Aerith nodded sadly.

Angeal knew Denzel and Marlene too. Aerith had often brought the two of them along with her when she came to get groceries here.

Angeal sighed, suddenly looking tired and older than he had in a while.

"I wish we knew what was causing this. I was hoping maybe ShinRa had an answer but they seem to be almost as confused as we do as to where it started." Angeal murmered. He looked up, seeming to remember what he was supposed to be doing. "Just a minute, I think I've got what you need in the back room…"

Aerith watched as the dark-haired man disappeared through the door behind the counter.

She waited patiently while he shuffled around the storage room.

She winced when several crashes ensued, breaking the silence. Curses followed after the crash, making Aerith giggle a little.

"Angeal?" She asked in concern, trying to hide the amusement in her voice. "Are you alright?"

For a moment, nothing was heard but mumbling and more swearing, before Angeal answered in a sour tone.

"Peachy, just peachy."

Aerith couldn't help but smile at the sarcasm.

Angeal returned a few minutes later, carrying a bottle of medicine and a case of pills, along with some bandages.

He set them on the counter than dusted the dirt and cobwebs off his black, sleeveless turtleneck with a frown.

"Stupid spiders…" He mumbled, making Aerith giggle again.

She had forgotten that Angeal wasn't a fan of spiders.

Smiling and shaking her head at him, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of change, attempting to hand it to him.

Angeal smiled and took her hand, closing her fingers around the coins.

"No," He shook his head. "You keep that, I'll give it to you free."

Aerith's jaw dropped.

"But Angeal-" She protested. Trying to shove the money towards him again. Angeal began to laugh, shaking his head at her persistence.

"There is no honor in making you pay for something that probably would have gone to waste any way. Most people around here can't afford medicine so most of it just goes to waste and expires. Besides, you're a friend." Angeal smiled warmly at her and ran a hand through his black hair.

Aerith, her eyes wide with surprise, smiled back.

Typical Angeal.

"Thank you, Angeal, thank you so much."

"Don't mention it, I'm happy to help. There's not much one can do to help out the poor people who have the misfortune of getting the disease…"

Aerith nodded sadly, agreeing with him.

She wished so badly that she could help…but what could she, what could anyone, do?

Angeal sighed and stretched, looking at the clock on the wall above the front door as he did so. He smiled lightly.

"Ah, work is done for the night and I am free to go home - and eat a cold dinner!" He grinned, making Aerith laugh at how 'happy' he sounded.

"You? Sarcasm?" She asked, an eyebrow raised and a grin on her face.

Angeal shrugged, grinning sheepishly.

"Zack must be rubbing off on me," He admitted.

Aerith smiled. Angeal had mentioned Zack a couple times, told her how hyper and impatient he was. The seventeen year old was currently training under Angeal's tutelage to further his skills as a SOLDIER, ShinRa's elite combat force.

Angeal had once been in SOLDIER as well, but had been wounded in one of the many wars with Wutai and had decided to retire and live a normal life, running the small convenience store they now stood in.

"Well, I should probably get going," Aerith started, reluctant to leave the comfort, safety and warmth of the little shop and Angeal but knowing she should hurry home to keep her mother from worrying to much.

"Mother will worry if I stay out too long." She explained, taking the medicine and bandages and putting the items in the pockets of her coat.

Angeal nodded.

"Let me walk you out at least," He said, reaching for his jacket and slipping into it before walking over towards the door and opening it, gesturing for Aerith to go first.

Aerith smiled at him and together they walked out into the cold night, making her wish she would have stayed inside for just a little longer.

"Do you want me to walk you home, Aerith?" Angeal asked as they walked towards their homes.

She quickly shook her head.

"I'll be okay, my house isn't too far anyway."

Angeal hesitated.

"I'll be fine, Angeal." She laughed, patting him on the arm. "It's not going to take ten minutes for me to get home and I'm a big girl, I can look after myself."

Angeal sighed.

"I know you are but…it doesn't make me feel any better about it. At least let me go with you halfway."

Aerith thought for a second then nodded.

"I don't see any problem with that," She smiled up at him.

"Exactly." He nodded, putting his hands in his pockets.