3#

Jealousy

Zack jumped across the rooftops and debris while kept holding Aerith's hand to make sure she didn't fall. They ran away from the church.

They kept running and running until Aerith stopped and panted.

"Can we.. rest for a while? I can't feel my leg."

Zack and Cloud looked at the flowery girl, her face was totally exhausted.

"Girl, weak as they supposed to be," Zack elbowed Cloud and laughed, Cloud laughed as well. Aerith screwed up her eyes and approached them.

"Hey, that's harsh! Just for your information, guys, that was not the first time they chased me. It has been a hundred times, maybe more and I can escape from them EVEN without your help," she crossed her arms and put on her serious face.

Zack thrust his face to Aerith, "Oh really?" Aerith also thrust her face to Zack, "Indeed."

"Seems like you are not lying then. So why were they chasing you? There must be a reason, right? Chasing by the Turks, that's kinda odd actually, except you're dealing with ShinRa."

"Turks?" Aerith tilted her head.

"Turks, a group that performs covert operations on behalf of Shinra, including espionage, kidnappings and assassinations. They also scout for potential candidates for Shinra's elite military unit, SOLDIER, and serve as bodyguards for the Shinra executives."

Both Zack and Aerith stared at Cloud, "Wow, that's a long explanation. I'm not good at the theory, man. All I know about Turks is they are a bunch of cocky people, just like Reno," Zack sighed, "Well, except Cissnei I think… I kinda miss her…"

There was a sad expression on Zack's face. Aerith raised her eyebrow, "Who is she?"

"She is a friend of mine. She helped me a lot while I was still in ShinRa. I wonder how is she doing now." Aerith looked at Zack with envious, "What?"

Aerith didn't answer him and walked toward Cloud, "Hey, Cloud, have we met before?"

Cloud scratched his head to remember her, then he nodded, "Yeah, you sold me flowers, right?"

Aerith jumped happily, "Great, that's not a coincidence. I sold you flowers, I saved you with my flowers, I wonder what will happen next. Hey! What about coming to my house? I wanna know you better, c'mon c'mon!"

"What? Wait, Aerith, I—" Aerith grabbed Cloud's arm and dragged it away. Cloud looked at Zack as Aerith took him away. Oh man, I'm in trouble

"Hey! What about me? You can't leave me here. Aerith! Are you mad? Hey, wait up!" Zack quickly after them. Cloud, you're going to face me later


After passed a lot of houses, they arrived at Sector 5 Slums where Aerith lived. Aerith house was at the end of the sector. It wasn't too big but lovely. It seemed like it welcomed every single soul who wanted to come in. Behind it, there was a small waterfall which made it became more beautiful.

"Welcome!" said Aerith as she invited the men in.

"Your house is still fancy as it used to be," said Zack but Aerith still ignoring him. She was too busy talking to Cloud. Zack sat beside Cloud and stared at him with boiling rage. Cloud swallowed as he saw the deadly gaze but he couldn't do anything because Aerith kept talking and he couldn't stop her.

Minutes went by, Zack still in silent while Aerith still talking excitedly to Cloud. He propped his chin and pouted, sometimes he glanced at Aerith and Cloud. Then Aerith's mother, Elmyra, came down.

"I'm glad you're home. Are you okay, Aerith? Are those guys chasing you again?" She checked both sides of Aerith to made sure she is okay.

"I'm okay, Mom. They will never catch me. After all, there were Cloud and…," she paused before she continued her words, "…Zack with me."

"Oh thank you so much, Cloud and… Zack? Are you Zack? Zack Fair?" Elmyra approached the tall man and rubbed his face in disbelief, "But Aerith said you are dead…"

Elmyra already considered Zack as her own son. Therefore, she cried when she saw Zack.

Zack smiled to her and spoke as he spoke to his own mother, "I'm alive now, you don't need to worry anymore. I won't die easily, "Elmyra chuckled and wiped her tears to control her emotion.

"Sorry for being so mushy. Well excuse me then, thank you again," she walked away and disappeared to the kitchen.

"Your room is upstairs," Aerith glanced at Zack, "Zack knows which one. I'm going to sleep, I'm tired."

Aerith walked upstairs and leaving Cloud and Zack behind. After made sure Aerith was upstairs, Zack quickly overwhelmed Cloud with words.

"Are you trying to take her from me huh?"

"Hey, she was the one who constantly talking to me, not me."

Zack sighed and put his head against the table, "Sorry. I was out of control. Hey Cloud, do you think she is mad at me?"

"Huh?"

Zack lift his head and looked at Cloud, "I know she is mad. She often gets mad at me. But I don't know why, do you know it?"

Cloud frowned, "How should I know? Do I look like a love doctor? You better ask her by yourself. She will tell you, I assure."

"Maybe you're right," he sighed, "Hey Cloud, what are you going to do next?"

"Don't know. But I think I will go to Tifa's bar. They must be worried about me."

"Ah! About this Tifa. How is she?" Zack smirked.

"What do you mean by 'how is she'. I don't like the tone."

"Don't take it seriously, I'm just asking," he laughed, "Man, you really like her, don't you?" Cloud didn't answer the question but Zack could see him blushing.

"No need to be shy, lad. I mean, it's absolutely normal if you like him, she is gorgeous. Pretty, long hair, and big b-" Zack stopped his words as he saw Aerith came down. She still looked mad.

"Where is this Tifa?"

"Huh?" said Cloud and Zack in unison.

"Sector 7…"

"I'll take you there." Zack gawked.

"You can't, Aerith, it's too dangerous!"

Aerith glared at him then looked at Cloud again, "Tomorrow, 8 a.m. don't be late," she said, after that Aerith backed to her room.

Zack looked at Cloud and asked, "Do you think she heard what I said?"

Cloud shrugged and walked upstairs. Zack sighed and shook his head, in his heart he prayed that Aerith didn't hear a thing.


It was a cold and dark night. Zack still opened his eyes. He couldn't sleep while Cloud was already lulled by his dream. Tiptoeing, Zack walked outside the room. He looked at Aerith's room, wondering if she was still awake.

Zack walked downstairs. He examined the living room as he stepped outside the house. There he saw Aerith was standing, looking at the night sky. Slowly, he approached the girl.

"Can't sleep?"

Aerith turned her head, shook her head and backed looking at the sky again.

"Why are you mad at me? You've been ignoring me," Zack stood beside Aerith and gazed her.

"I'm not."

"Oh, man, I've known you for years. I know you so well, c'mon tell me."

Aerith turned her head to face Zack, "Who is Cissnei?"

Zack was in silent for a while, then burst into laughter. Aerith pouted and walked back to her house but Zack held her.

"I haven't answer that question yet," She silenced, "Sorry, sorry." Zack scratched his head.

"Cissnei is only a friend. More like partner, maybe. I don't know either. You don't need to be that jealous. I thought you were mad for something else. Geez.. Aerith, you were too jealous."

"It's not only Cissnei! This Tifa is also bothering me too. I think I'm not as gorgeous as her, as pretty as her, I may have a long hair too but I don't think mine was as, ah forget it!" Aerith blushed as she said her words.

Zack laughed and held Aerith's arms, "She maybe more more more than you. But I will not like her. Even if you are the ugliest woman in this world, I don't mind, I will still loving you because…" he paused and whispered right into her ears, "…you are Aerith Gainsborough, I won't fall for someone else."

Aerith blushing like red tomato. Zack laughed and hugged her, "I love you."

Aerith was speechless, this was the first time Zack said those three words. She wanted to say it too but her tongue was numb.

"This is your turn to say it. Don't ruin the moment," Aerith giggled and gazed at his eyes.

"Is it a must?" She asked. Zack nodded and smiled.

"I-"

Elmyra stepped outside and noticed the couple, "Oh I'm sorry, do I interfere you?"

Aerith quickly let Zack's arms go, she didn't want her mother saw her in that position, "No you are not. I'm going to sleep now. Zack, you should sleep too," Aerith entered the house as fast as lightning. Elmyra followed her from behind and closed the door.

Zack sighed, his moment was ruined again and again. He sat down and gazed at the stars. Then he realized, what did Elmyra do in midnight like this outside? He looked up and saw Aerith's room window. Sigh.. she must do it on purpose.. He chuckled and walked inside.


Finally I finished it *wipe sweat*

I'll update the next soon, wait for me, will you ;)

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big thanks and hug!