A/N: It's been a while since I updated this one, but this last chapter's the longest of the three, so it's worth the wait yes? Thanks for everyone who stops by to read and/or review this story, you have my undying gratitude
Yumerin: Thanks for your patience! Ana should be a lot easier to figure out in this chapter, with all the hints I threw in there. :) And your answer on the triplets is indeed correct!
ghikiJ: Yes, this is her Promised Land! I think Aerith's life was really a sad one, experience wise.
cerberus angel: Ana shall be revealed!
anime/videogame freak: Thanks! This is the last chappie, so I hope you like the results. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing, really.
Yuffie: 'Cause I own it all! (pumps fist into the air)
All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within.
- Horace Friess
Chapter 3: Something to Hope For
When Saturday came around, Zach couldn't be more excited. He was up bright and early, running around, waiting impatiently for his guests to arrive. His mother laughed at the way he constantly looked at the clock.
"Zachariah, none of your friends will be here till noon, how come you're up so early?"
"I can't stay asleep," the little boy answered. Tifa chuckled a bit, as this was not in character at all, as it normally took forever to wake him up.
"Morning!" Marlene greeted making her way to the kitchen, patting Zach on the head as she went by.
"Say, you want to help Marlene and me with breakfast? We sure have a lot to cook!"
"Okay!"
Tifa was nowhere near lying when she said there was much to be made. Zach was only to help get ingredients, as the bartender didn't want him to get injured doing anything with the oven. He watched as Marlene fried pounds and pounds of various meats while his mother made so many stacks of pancakes…. After all, two plates of meat satisfied Barret and three whole stacks of pancakes would satisfy Yuffie, which in her current condition, another stack would probably be needed. And that was only two people.
Cloud and Denzel came downstairs in the process of breakfast making, the aroma it made never failed to do so, hoping to catch the end of it. However, failing to time themselves correctly, the raven haired woman sent the teenager to egg frying, and her husband to cleaning up the dishes. Just as she was setting the tea, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Zach said, running over to the door. Surprisingly, it was the person who the tea was specifically for. "It's Uncle Cid!"
"Hey there kiddo, what's cooking?"
"Pancakes."
"Sounds good." The pilot made his way in yelling over to the kitchen about the status of his tea, while his wife and a little girl trailed behind.
"Hello Zachariah," Shera said, leading her seven-year-old daughter inside.
"Hi Mrs. Highwind. Hi…Stella…" The small blonde smirked at him.
"Hiya Zach." He could see mischief twinkling in her eyes. For whatever reason, Stella Highwind thoroughly enjoyed torturing the young Strife, yet no one would believe him though, because she would put up a sweet front. Truly a devil in disguise. Or maybe it was proof the she really was her father's daughter?
Within the next hour, Seventh Heaven's bar became a bustling bar. Everyone seemed to fussing over the ninja princess, who soon would be producing the next heir to Wutai.
"Gawd, I dunno how you two did it! I'm so fat I can't see my feet anymore!" she grumbled, polishing off her fourth round of pancakes. Cid thought about making a smart remark about that, but the warning glares from his wife gave him changed his mind.
"You'll lose weight afterwards," Tifa replied, collecting any unused plates.
"Yeah, easy for you to say, Miss "Easy-to-lose-baby-fat"," the Wutainese girl scoffed.
The meeting progressed, and Zach's eyes never seemed to leave anything that showed relation to time. About five minutes before twelve, the doorbell rang again, and the ebony haired boy rushed to the door, with his mother following behind.
"Hey hey, I thought everyone who was coming already came?"
"Some of Zach's friends from school are coming today," Cloud explained, taking a sip of coffee.
"Damn, that kid doesn't waste time making 'em, it's only been what a week?" the one-handed gunman questioned.
"That's Zach for you," Marlene chirped.
Quickly snapping open the door, the blue-eyed boy found himself looking at the mother-to-be of triplets.
"Hello," she greeted a big smile on her face.
"Where's Ana?"
"Ana?" she asked, looking at him quizzically. "Oh! Ana, he's hiding behind me." The boy took no time in averting his gaze there. He found his invited guest trying his best to avoid the boy, and the lady giggled. "Don't be so shy, he won't bite." He just huffed in response. When Tifa finally made her way to the door, she smiled in recognition of the long-haired woman. She must have walked here, in that condition, she knew she was probably just a little tired.
"Zachariah, why haven't you invited them in yet?" she lightly scolded, gently pushing her son out of the doorway. The two of them made their way in, following Tifa to where they others were conversing. Everyone fell silent, checking to see what kind of "friends" the youngest Strife had made. "Come in and have something to drink? It must have been something, to walk all the way here."
"Oh no, really, I need all the exercise I can get," she said sitting on an empty barstool. With everyone staring at her, she felt a little uncomfortable.
"Everyone, this is Maia," Tifa introduced, pouring her a glass of water.
"And who might you be?" the Yuffie probed, her eyes scanning the dark brunet boy. When he didn't answer, Maia gave him a little nudge.
"I am Anastasius Serafeim Crescent the First."
Vincent nearly choked on what he was drinking when the young boy declared this, and Cid had to smack his back a couple of times to get the fluid down. The shinobi princess started to think that maybe that wasn't a good question to ask. Cloud and Tifa just exchanged worried glances.
"See, I told you his name was hard to say," Zach said, matter-of-factly. "So, can me and Ana-"
"Anastasius," his so-called friend interrupted.
"Can me and Ana go play now?"
"Um," Tifa said, somewhat taken aback from this new information, "Sure honey. Why don't you take Stella with you?" This little girl gave him a devious grin. Zach reluctantly nodded, then proceeded to drag Ana upstairs, the young Highwind following behind.
"Ana-sa… ana… Ana-stah?" the azure-eyed boy tried to pronounce.
"Anastasius."
"What kinda name is that? What exactly does that mean anyway?" Stella asked, wondering what his parents were thinking when they named him.
"Resurrection."
"So…." Barret began, as Maia was sipping away at the water, "Ya ever have any relatives that worked in the science business? Particularly for ShinRa?"
Upstairs when they finally reached the five-year-old's room, Zachariah pulled out all sorts of games to play. Stella insisted to try their luck at "Candyland", while Anastasius thought Monopoly was a much more intriguing game… they trio finally settle on the game "Life." In the mist of playing, the raven-haired boy saw a long piece of silver hair in his friend's locks. He quickly reached and plucked it, resulting in a twitch in response.
"What are you doing?!" Anastasius roared, placing a hand where the strand was taken from.
"Hey Ana, do you know you have grey hair?" Zach asked, observing the shiny thread.
"Don't you know grey hair is wisdom?" he retorted.
"Grey hair is a sign of stress," Stella remarked. "I would know 'cause my daddy has a whole head full of it." Zachariah nodded and began to search his friend's hair for any more, but his hands were swatted away before he could check.
"Leave my hair alone!"
"I'm just trying to help! Stress is for old people, you don't need any." He defended.
The commotion at Seventh Heaven stopped when the doorbell rang again. Maia took this chance to escape her interrogation, very confused why anyone would care to know about her husband's side of the family, as another two boys found their way to Zach's room.
"….. I was not aware that Lucrecia had a younger brother."
"Well, it's just a coincidence right?" Yuffie said, adding a nervous laugh.
"It has to be," Tifa tried to agree. She looked to Cloud for something else to be added, but he shrugged the whole thing off. Barret quickly changed the subject to how the oil business was going, and other conversations sprang up, trying to distract Vincent. More children came, each time Zach looked like he was waiting for someone else though. The total number of times of doorbell ringing since noon: six.
"What did he do, invite the whole class?" Denzel asked as the eighth child came in.
"We should be happy he didn't invite the whole school," Marlene said. Already Tifa was worrying about her son's next birthday party. They were once again interrupted by a seventh ring, this time Denzel answering the door. He was greeted by two girls who he knew from school, each squealing happily when he opened it.
"Oh… Notholi… Fritilla…uh…hi?" The two girls burst into giggling. If anything, he knew he had no luck with women, even though girls tried to talk to him all the time. Tifa would say it was because he was "too cute for his own good," which he guessed was a good thing, since she said the same thing about Cloud.
"Hi, Denzel," the older one said, trying to retain her laughter. Marlene came to see what was taking him so long, when she saw the two girls flirting away. Instead she peeked around the corner, watching the whole situation play out… maybe she could use this as black-mail later. "So our lil' sis says she was invited here."
"Lil' sis?" They moved aside, showing the little girl Zach had met on the bus. She was holding a bouquet of yellow and white lilies, sheepishly blushing at her sister's actions. They then returned to the first positions, and chatted with the boy, who stuttered half the time. Marlene decided that Denzel probably needed to be saved now, and motioned for Tifa to go to the door. The martial artist, not knowing what was going on, came to find her adopted son's face red as an apple, and the two girls straightened up when she came to the entrance. They then quickly said goodbye to the wavy haired teen, and left. Denzel gave a huge sigh of relief. When Tifa's cinnamon colored eyes reach the child, the first thing she did was gasp. Waves of brown hair, emerald eyes, and two pink bows holding up two small pigtails holing a third of her hair, with the rest of her hair hanging….She was like… a miniature Aerith. But it couldn't be?
"Um," the little brunette said softly, holding out the flowers, "My mommy said it was okay for me to give these to you. I like them, so I was hoping you'd like them too."
"Thanks you," she softly replying, taking the gift from her. "I like them very much…"
"That's right," Denzel thought aloud, "Your family owns a flower shop, right?" The girl nodded in response. Tifa's first instinct made her call out to Cloud.
The way his wife said his name, alarmed him and the rest of the group. Rushing out there, each ready for a fight, they found the ebony-haired bartender holding a bouquet of flowers, staring down at an auburn-haired girl. Realizing there was no threat or danger, Yuffie sighed, and came to examine the girl closer. The others just stood there wondering why she had sounded so troubled.
"Eh-my-gawd, she looks just like-"
"Eryth!" Zach cried, running down the stairs, other kids following behind, giving the girl a hug when he reached her. "I was wondering when you'd show up! Hey you're wearing the ribbons I gave you! Oh wait, I thought you gave you one?"
The girl fumbled with some of her wavy hair, replying, "Mommy cut it in two 'cause, she said it was too long by itself, and the ribbon would get lost in my hair because it was too thin."
"Aerith?! Your name is Aerith?! For real?" the ninja princess questioned, shaking the girl's shoulders with her hands. The rest of the group surrounded her, each scanning her looks. It somewhat scared the poor child. "How?"
"Um… my mommy likes lilies too?"
"Lilies?!"
"Erythronium, a genus of the family Liliaceae," Anastasius commented from the stairway.
"She's a genius?!"
"No Yuffie, "genus" is a classification term for living things," Nanaki explained.
"Damn, you'd think an empress would know more $!# words! Wutai is &#&# doomed." Cid said aloud, Shera quickly elbowing him in the stomach.
"Today is jus' full of surprises," Barret added. The blonde-haired warrior nodded, and turned to his wife.
"Must be fate," he said to her, a finger tracing a lily's petals.
"You think so?"
He took another look at the two children who were amused at the situation, whispering to each other, giggling at the actions of the adults.
"Didn't I tell you? He was my first love."
"Definitely."
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 years later-----
Fenrir roared in front of the tiny shop, with its new owner excited about the trip he was making with his girlfriend today. After all, a special girl, on her special day, needs to be taken somewhere special, right?
Rushing out of the shop, adjusting the pink ribbon on the left side of her head, Eryth quickly hopped onto the motorcycle, giving the now eighteen-year-old Zachariah a kiss on the cheek.
"Sorry, the triplets were on the phone."
"They just saw you yesterday!" he complained. During the passing years, the two had been helping Anastasius look after his brothers, when his parents were too busy to do so, and had become very attached to the flower girl in the process. "I don't get why they love you so much. Especially the youngest one. Do you know he shoots me dirty looks when you aren't looking?"
"I'm sorry honey, but what can I do? Say no?"
Knowing very well how well behaved the trio was without her presence, he choked out a "Never mind." He knew his best friend would find the nearest sharp object and stab him repeatedly if she quit going to help baby-sit.
"So, where are we going?"
"It's a surprise!" he replied.
"It's always a surprise!"
Every now and then
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down
"You'll love this one for sure!" He started revving up the engine, and the couple was on their way to the raven-haired boy's destination. Zach led the two out of the Edge, past unfinished roads to old unused dusty ones.
Who understands it all
Reaches out each time you fall
You're the best friend that I've found
Eryth buried one side of her face into her lover's back, trying to see the sights at the same time. She had never left the city, so it was interesting to see what was outside of it. Her blue-eyed boyfriend always said that when the two of them finished schooling, they would both go out and see the world. It was amazing how long the two had stayed together.
I know you can't stay
But part of you will never ever go away
Your heart will stay
The surrounding area wasn't so interesting to look at, but the brunette girl thought for a slight moment, on one of the passing cliffs, she saw a huge rusty sword sticking out of the ground.
"Hey, isn't that like your father's sword?" she yelled out, since Fenrir's motor was extremely loud.
"Oh, I asked him about that! Said it belonged to a friend a really long time ago!" he answered over the noise.
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life will just be kind
To such a gentle mind
He stopped right in front old city of Midgar. Eryth couldn't possibly think of what could be surprising in a bunch of ruins.
"Midgar? What's here?"
"Hey, I said it was a surprise!"
He drove slower this time in the city's limits, to a place where the young emerald-eyed girl made out a sign that looked like it said "Sector 5." When he turned the vehicle off, they were in front of what seemed to be a church.
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
"A church?" she said, a skeptical expression on her features.
"Cover your eyes!" he scolded, as he lifted her delicate hands over her eyelids. "And don't peek!" The man led her into the church, beaming with excitement. "Okay, you can look now."
I don't need eyes to see
The love you bring to me
No matter where I go
When she opened her eyes, she was at a loss for words… It was really breathtaking. There in the middle of the church was a sparkling pool of water, but it was surrounded by dozens and dozens of lush flowers, as if someone had taken a whole field of them and placed it inside.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday, babe!" Zach wailed, embracing the girl from behind.
And I know that you'll be there
Forever more a part of me
You're everywhere
I'll always care
"It's beautiful!" she said, happiness clear across her face.
"See, I knew you'd love it." Eryth giggled, and made her way over to the glistening pool of water. They sat at the edge, both with smiling at the scenery.
"How'd you find this place?"
"Wandering around, naturally," he answered, chuckling afterwards. "Actually, for whatever reason, I ended up here. Like I was drawn to it." His girlfriend silently agreed.
"Somehow… I understand that. And I feel like we should be thanking someone, something…."This feeling inside her compelled her to thank a nearby flower.
"My happiness is your happiness, Aerith."
Did she just hear the flower speaking to her? It was so familiar too, but she couldn't place her finger on the voice.
I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
"Hey Zach, remember what we learned in history the other day?"
"Some of it. You know, history's more of Ana's department… You know, he's always saying that stuff?" The brunette giggled at her boyfriend's antics.
"One needs to know the importance of one's history to avoid making the mistakes made in the past," Eryth said, trying to imitate the man's deep voice.
"Don't know why he needs to show up to school, the guy's a genius."
"Because his mother said she wanted him to grow up like a normal kid, that's why. Something or other about being in a healthy social environment. It isn't good to deprive someone's childhood. She would know, being a psychiatrist and all."
That life will just be kind
To such a gentle mind
"I know, I know. So why'd you ask?"
"I was thinking about the plate. It must have awfully hard for the flowers here to grow. With no sky and all."
"Maybe someone took care of them?"
"Maybe… With the plate no longer here, I wonder if the flowers are happy?"
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
"Why not? The certainly don't look unhappy."
"I guess so."
"So, is my flower girl happy?" he cooed, snuggling up against her. Eryth let out another giggle, and wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Remember me this way
This felt so right, like it was always meant to be this way. She peered down to their reflections in the water, and for a moment, saw the these reflections sitting together in the same position, but looking towards the sky.
"I'm happy as long as I'm with you."
"In that case, you'll be happy forever."
Remember me this way
And naturally, they lived happily ever after.
Gawd, that was long. A happy ending right? For everybody! Yay! BTW, Stella, Maia, Notholi and Fritilla aren't anyone in general "reincarnated." As for the names, Stella is chosen cause it means "star" and fit's for a rocket-town babeh yeah? I read that Maia means "mother." Notholi and Fritilla come from the genera "Notholirion" and "Fritillaria." Both in the Liliaceae family. Lol. As for Ana, having the same name and looks as the notorious Sephy would alarm the public right? Hojo had black hair and Lucrecia's was brown, so I settled for dark brown.
The lyrics near the end come from "Remember Me the Way" by Jordan Hills... It's so pretty, everyone should take a listen to it! It reminds me very much of Zack and Aerith. :)
Well I hope you all enjoyed reading this! I enjoyed writing it - it's my first completed fanfic!
And who is the father to Yuffie's babeh? Well, you can choose, cause, this story's not about Yuffie.
Yuffie: It should've been!
Now for some shameless promotion: For anyone who enjoys a bit of Yuffentine, please read my new FFVII story, "The Misadventures of a Princess and Her Frog." It's a parody of the fairy tale "The Frog Prince" but with much more twists and turns before their happily ever after. Naturally, there will be Cloti and Zerith moments in there too! So please check it out! Hopefully I can update it tomorrow. :)