READ THIS YOU SCALLYWAGS!
Okay, this story is, unfortunately, on hold! NO NOT BECAUSE I'VE GIVEN UP/WRITER'S BLOCK. I am going through DENTAL PAINS! My tooth is cracked, my nerves are open, and my teeth grow funny. As such, the only way I can get the tooth removed is through surgery, in which they have to remove part of my FACE, my GUMS and my BONES just to get to the damn tooth. This wouldn't be so bad if the surgeon hadn't said, "because of your weight, there's a chance you won't be sedated unless you lose blah blah blah before your surgery (23rd of July)."
Naturally, I AM EFFIN PANICKING, because I am terrified already that my face has to be removed, but now there's a chance I have to be awake while they're removing it! This wouldn't be such a problem, actually, because losing weight has become easy for me, but you must understand; I am in serious pain. I'm in so much pain that Lortabs DON'T WORK. Nine times out of ten I am so doped up that I have no idea what I'm reading/writing, the meds make me drowsy and dizzy, my head feels like cotton, I can't eat because my throat refuses to swallow anything (makes it easier to lose weight so I can't complain about that much, just hate that my throat is swollen too much), and they wear off in about 2 hours. I have to take them 6 hours apart. ._.
I tried to write this story while on meds and I don't know WHAT the EFFIN EFF I was thinking. This is actually the tenth time I've done this chapter and this time I wrote it off the meds; you don't even want to know what sort of ramblings I did in my previous versions. Hell, I was writing about people that weren't even in the story yet and somehow made it into a crossover (I somehow confused it with a completely different fic)! Despite writing this off the meds, I couldn't continue to go through with trying to decipher what the hell I was doing because the pain got to be too much, so, as of now until further notice, this chapter is HALF COMPLETE. I figured you guys would prefer it until then. :)
Anyway, no worries about the story, it will continue the moment I'm down to a safe weight (I have gained almost 10lbs since I started my higher doses of pain meds a while ago (in the course of a week and a half), and that's not even saying how much I gained due to laziness, but I'm not morbidly obese so no worries guys, I actually don't have to lose that much!), and I don't have drugs and pain messing up my mind (which is the biggest cause of concern at the moment. Seriously, if you could see what I wrote...).
And now my face is throbbing again. -Goes to lay down.-
Magic swirled, the comforting green of the Lifestream playing in the air around her.
Cloud focused as hard as she could, willing her powers to remain steady as she drowned out the world around her. She could distantly feel the negative emotions in the air of a world that was so barren and cold, the ground dead, the air rancid, the people sick and dying, and she wondered how Aerith lived with it on a day to day basis. Opening her eyes, Cloud let a small smile grace her lips as she stared at the flowers surrounding her. Yellows, greens and blues blossomed under her gaze, all leaning towards her full of love and life and gratefulness, their stems strong and thick with promises to live amongst the filth for her sake, filling her with warmth as she focused on them.
It was still a bit disconcerting, to be honest, feeling the needs and wants of life around her, feeling the pains and bitterness and angers of death, but Cloud had forced herself to grow use to it. Aerith had been the greatest help with such a task, showing the young blonde how to protect her mind from the whispers and pains, to absorb the positive on a daily basis, to absorb the pain and rage to use in battle. Without Aerith, Cloud's mind would have taken a long time to return to itself instead of just a few short weeks, and for that she would always be grateful.
"How do you make the flowers bloom?"
Blonde brows furrowed as her personal bubble was broken, leaving Cloud in a world that once more stank of decay and rot, the low thrum of life drifting from the pews behind her alerting her to her bodyguard's location. Ruluf had remained quiet for hours, so quiet that, had it not been for the low thrum his presence gave off, she would have forgotten he was there. Ignoring the question, as she had done with all of the others, Cloud gently removed her hands from the dirt, trying to ignore the pang of disappointment that went through her as the feelings of life muted.
It was no wonder Aerith spent so much time amongst her plants.
:They use to terrify me,: Aerith had whispered to her, knowing that Tifa was picking up every word and for once not seeming to care. :Back then, my mother use to protect me from them, and when she died I didn't understand the voices I was hearing, or why I was hearing them. So I pretended I couldn't hear them, so desperate to be normal, but the voices…the feelings only go away when you acknowledge and accept them as a part of yourself. It took me years to realize that.:
"Are they real, Lady Shinra?" Ruluf questioned, reaching a hand down to touch the silk petals of the flowers that she made. Her feelings condensed, nurtured and loved, blossoming with all of their strength to show the world the life that she could bring. They were her babies; a soft smile touched her lips as they expressed a joy that only she and Aerith could feel.
"Shouldn't we be returning now?" Cloud questioned, standing up and wiping her hands on a towel. Aerith had insisted she bring it, not wanting her to ruin her pretty blue dress, and considering the events taking place later within the day, Cloud had agreed with no fuss. Ruluf's eyes snapped over to her, studying her face for any tells as his fingers glided smoothly over the very real petals.
"Yes," he mused, taking in every word, nuance and gesture within the last few hours that he'd spent in her presence to shape up a silent report. "Come, Lady Shinra."
"Shinra-Strife," Cloud corrected, refusing to let it slide a second time. Conrad Shinra had instructed all of his guards to call her only by her Shinra title, perhaps in a bid to make her grow use to it, but Cloud refused to be known only as a Shinra to anyone. Not that that stopped them from trying.
The walk from the church was silent, Ruluf observing everything about his charge while Cloud kept her mind focused on the house she was returning to. A house where two little girls were preparing for the events happening soon, where her mother was cooking up a meal and humming happily about the visitors coming, her aunty cleaning with her brow furrowed, and two little boys that stayed underfoot, eager to earn their keep as they alternated between helping whoever needed help.
It was a lively house, a lived in home, something that (much to her honest irritation) filled her up with joy. The more people in the house, after all, the more joy she could take from life. It was annoying on the best of days, but she barely grumbled anymore, instead ducking into the house and slamming the door on Ruluf's face, not even bothering to hide as her body lit up with magic, running through the house and short circuiting every new camera that had been added in her absence. Elmyra paused at the sight, before she forced herself to move again, making Cloud bite back a smile.
It had been Aerith's plan, a way to bring the two women into the fold without outright blurting everything to them and having them freak out. They had mutually decided that it was best for all involved to not hide their magic, to let the two women, and the two awed boys, come to terms with the fact that they were living with people not entirely human any longer. It was taking some time, especially for Elmyra, who had never before seen magic cast unless it was on the telly, but they were slowly getting over their jumps whenever their daughters did something strange.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," Rayne's voice drifted from the kitchen. "Clean your hands and make yourself presentable; our guests are going to be here a bit earlier than expected." Cloud released a sigh, hoping her hands weren't shaking as she made her way to the bathroom. She bypassed Reno and Rude on the way, giving the two a nod that they hesitantly returned. She wasn't friends with them, not by a long shot, but she was polite and cordial enough to not gain a firm look from her mother whenever they interacted.
"Cloud, good morning." Aerith beamed at her, reaching out to grab her dirt covered hands without hesitation. Cloud's lips twitched as the brunette closed her eyes in joy, knowing now why Aerith was always such a touchy-feely sort. "Are you ready for today?"
"No," Cloud confessed cheerfully. "I had hoped that I could calm down at the church, but it appears as though that only delayed my reactions; I'm absolutely terrified." And it was the complete and utter truth, for once. Aerith gave her a sad look, before gently leading her by the hand to the upstairs bathroom, pulling them away from the ears downstairs. "How's Tifa?"
"Just as bad as you," Aerith confessed. "I'm not sure if letting her meet with Sephiroth will be a good thing or not."
Because that was what this was all about.
It was all Hollander's fault, really, the man having decided to make a surprise visit to their home with the cheerful announcement of his nephews coming over to visit. Angeal and Genesis, his so called nephews, who would be spending a week with them (as they were told, not asked, much to Cloud's annoyance). Hojo hadn't known that the man had done such a thing until Aerith, in one of her daily doctor visits, had innocently questioned a stoic Sephiroth if he was visiting too.
Genesis and Angeal, Cloud felt she could deal with. Even with Zack's memories still very much a part of her, the two of them hadn't built their own memories with her, not like Sephiroth had done. The silver haired child (with blank eyes and slurred words and death, death, death) was not someone she wanted to meet. Not now, not even soon or later, but he was coming over to visit despite her wishes and wants, and he would be spying on them for the scientists, just like Genesis and Angeal.
Just the thought of it was enough to make her stomach clench and ache, though she knew she could school her reactions, or rather, she really, really hoped she could. Tifa, on the other hand, was still just a child. The memories she had of Sephiroth were all from dreams, dreams that showed the man (who was just a child now, innocent, young, hurt, stained) destroying all that she held dear. Aerith would have her hands full just keeping the young girl calm and complacent, not to mention a guard who would have to come inside during the visit for "safety reasons."
All in all, it would be a full house soon, and they had to be prepared for it.
:And we've barely gotten use to Reno and Rude,: Aerith mumbled, thoughts straying to the two young boys below. :I still sometimes flinch when I'm around them; it is most disconcerting to see those two as…innocent.: But at least she could look at them. Tifa was already fast friends with them both, treating them as younger siblings even though they were older (much to everyone's coos). Cloud just couldn't get use to them in her-well, in their house.
(And, though she only admitted it to herself, sometimes she was incredibly jealous of them. The two boys were normal and nice, kind and eager to please; Rayne was quite smitten with them. On the other hand, it did make bullying them easy; She had managed to snatch up a rather wicked looking blade from Reno. Rude had even given her a well used gun and Fire Materia that was almost leveled up to its second stage just to make her stop looking at him. And she felt no guilt over doing it, despite Aerith's and Tifa's outrage.)
"We'll be alright, won't we?" Tifa's voice pierced through her thoughts. Cloud stared up at the oddly solemn girl, noticing straight away that her accent was missing. It always happened, she had realized, whenever Tifa was livid or serious. Her voice, even her mannerisms would change, and she sounded more and more like the woman who she dreamed of. "What if he tries to kill Aerith, Cloud?"
"Then I'll kill him," Cloud vowed immediately, drawing a nod from her, before the young child threw herself into her arms, body shaking. Tifa could still see Sephiroth falling from the sky, his sword aimed down as he descended onto a praying Aerith, who smiled as the long blade went through her body. She was scared, they both were, but they would get through it; she brushed a hand through Tifa's hair; they had to. "It's just a week," she stated softly. "Just a week, Tifa, and then we won't see him for a long time."
Cloud repeated the words like a mantra just a short while later, her hands wet as she watched the (unwanted) guests enter their house. First was Ruluf, who would be supervising during the stay; the blonde resisted the urge to spit in frustration. It would be the clingy guard that was sent inside; she almost wished for Tseng. Sephiroth was next, his eyes more aware, his body language showing blatant curiosity as he took in the house. The first, no doubt, that he could ever remember seeing. Glowing blue eyes twitched as Cloud forced down her pity, focusing on the next arrival, Genesis.
Genesis was looking rather subdued and nowhere near as arrogant as Cloud-…As Zack remembered. His face was pale, his hair a bit limp, and it was obvious that he was nervous and…knowing of his role. She wondered what sort of meetings he had been having with Hollander; had the man told him that he was a (failure, failure, failure) experiment? Had he promised to make him whole for his cooperation? Cloud wondered if Genesis even felt the pain of being (weak, adequate, failure) incomplete that she use to feel in the past life, that crushing emptiness that couldn't be described until Hojo explained (failure, no number, failure)-!
She gripped her arms tightly, trying not to let her shakes become obvious as she turned her attention to the last member to join their household.
Her breath caught.
Because it wasn't Angeal who walked through the door before her, it was Zack. Cocky Zack, with a wide friendly grin and kind eyes and playfulness and gods it was good to see him she didn't even know how much she'd missed him until that moment and-!
"Everyone," Ruluf's voice broke through the rushing thoughts, his eyes never leaving from the wide eyed and pale child he'd been charged with. "Meet Sephiroth, Genesis Rhaphados and Angeal Hewley, Hojo's son and Hollander's nephews." The name was enough to snap Cloud's attention to the present, where Zack melted off of the face of an older child with a kind and curious smile, who waved cheerily at them and waited patiently for an introduction.
So many feelings rushed through her it made her heart skip. Disappointment, anger, sorrow, love, hate, joy, adoration, worship, respect, guilt, betrayal; Cloud felt dizzy with emotions. An unintentional gasp left her throat as her body forcefully reminded her that she needed to breathe, and she tried not to notice that it sounded far to close to a sob as she avoided Ruluf's sharp gaze.
"Cloud Strife," she introduced herself with a rasp, then cleared her throat as attention turned her way. "Cloud Shinra-Strife." Slowly, the others began to introduce themselves, Reno so obviously snubbing them that Cloud almost released a hysterical giggle. After all, he shouldn't be talking to his superiors in such a way!
"Why am I the only one who lacks a surname?" Sephiroth blandly questioned after the introductions were over. His words and tone earned him strange looks that he didn't acknowledge, plunging them into an awkward silence.
"W-well," Elmyra clapped her hands, dragging all eyes to her as she was the first to break. "Let's get those bags put up, shall we? Aerith, come and help me with these gentlemen's luggage."
"Yes mom," Aerith demurred.
"In the meanwhile, I'm sure you men must be famished," Rayne picked up, her smile a bit strained as she shot a glance to her pale daughter. "How's about we go to the kitchen for a quick fix? Food's already on the table."
"That will not be necessary for myself, ma'am," Ruluf interjected, his eyes still focused on Cloud. "I wish to see where I will sleep for the night, then inspect the premises, if that's alright with you?"
"Oh…of course." But it was obvious that she was distrustful and suspicious. "Cloud, show your-Ruluf where he will sleep. Tifa, come and help me in the kitchen dear." Tifa shot the silent blonde an helpless look before leaving her in silence with the avidly watching Turk.
"Is something wrong, Lady Shinra?"
"Yeah," she stated immediately. "My bodyguard apparently can't remember my real name. I'm wondering if I should phone daddy up and ask for a new one that's less stupid." Ruluf's eyes twitched and she gave a bitter smirk, before she silently turned on her heel and beckoned him to follow. Ruluf would be sleeping downstairs with the other adults, because Elmyra had put her foot down the day they were told of their incoming guests and coldly told Shinra what she would do to any grown man trying to sleep in with her daughters.
And if Cloud had gotten a little teary eyed at the added s on the end of that, well, it was because of the dust in the air.
"So, let's get one thing straight, Turk," Cloud began nonchalantly. "The basement is mines. Daddy can add as many cameras as he wants to the house, but you don't touch my basement. Do I make myself clear, Turk?"
"…Yes, Lady Shinra-Strife." She nodded sharply, ignoring the amusement in the man's voice. Obviously he wasn't taking the threat serious, but she was hoping not. If she found even one camera inside of her basement, she'd kill him, damn the consequences.
The rest of the morning passed by uneventfully, at least for Cloud. Despite Ruluf's presence, she could not force herself to participate in the talk going on upstairs. She knew it was making the Turk curious but…A scowl touched her lips as she heard laughter drifting into the basement. It was most irritating trying to work while people were making merry above her head. Not that she was getting anywhere, she quietly conceded, removing her gloves and goggles.
The basement was already filled with all sorts of items, most of which was just junk waiting to be melted down to be used as something better. There were staffs hanging on the walls, each carved in intricate shapes, small enough for young hands to grip them and holding upon them many materia slots. Some were full of materia that glowed and hummed with energy, connected and unconnected, reds, purples and greens. There were knuckles that were also placed about, heavy irons, woven metals, some with spikes, and few bits of blue and yellow materia within them.
Fewer were the swords, large and thick though the few were, with materia slots like all of the others. The blades gleamed in the light of the furnace, burning brightly with every clack of a hammer against the anvil, the room filling with smoke as burning metals were dipped into cool waters. Bits and parts of guns and rods were laid about, scraped and redone, bangles and belts, rings, armlets, woods and wheels showed the almost completion of a flower cart. There was a washing machine, a dryer, a refrigerator, a shower; honestly, Cloud could live down there if she wanted to.
And, as another bout of laughter drifted down to her, a large part of her wanted to.
With a sigh, Cloud sat down her blowtorch and leaned back on her haunches, her head drooping down without her permission. She had been avoiding it, but avoiding the problem never got anything done; just look at the mess her relationship with her mother was.
Alright, so I'm mad, the Conduit began to herself, ensuring that her thoughts were her own as she absently removed her White Materia. I feel betrayed by both Aerith and Tifa because they're getting along so well with those…! Those what's? What could she possibly describe them as? They weren't First Class SOLDIERS, not yet. Just three children, two of who were most definitely in labs, forced to try to get to know three young girls with more secrets than all of Shin-Ra combined. Without trying to, Cloud felt herself swell up with guilt, her breath catching at her thoughts.
Innocent children, forced to grow into monsters.
"Gaia, do you ever get the feeling that you're making a huge mistake?" There wasn't an answer, but a burst of comforting and concerned tendrils of life wrapped around her, making her huff. "Yeah…I think I'm being an idiot too."
Moments later had the blonde in her room, placing a pouch full of gil and tools in a book bag as low voices came from downstairs. Cloud felt her stomach knot in anger and sorrow as she heard Angeal speak, his voice so distinctive, so Zack, before she ruthlessly squashed it and made her way downstairs.
"Lady Shinra-Strife?" The call made her freeze, her heart pounding as she turned to see Ruluf, who was simply standing in a dark corner of the room listening to the others. His dark eyes were focused on her with frightening intensity. "Where are you going in such a rush?"
"Out," Cloud mumbled, not even bothering to kick up a fuss as he followed behind her. In fact, she almost welcomed his presence, his low thrum of life offsetting the feeling of slow decay wafting from the kitchen. Much to Ruluf's surprise, she grabbed his hand tightly and made her way from the house, centering herself on his presence as she absently walked through the hot slums. People who would normally walk up to her gave her a wide berth with Shinra's Shadow by her side, something she was grateful for.
"Are you alright, Lady Shinra-Strife?" Ruluf questioned, looking down at her with serious eyes. Cloud looked up at him, a frown on her face.
"Am I ever?" She wondered. He had no words to that, instead going silent with his brow furrowed. His hand gripped hers a little tighter, comfortingly, and she could almost pretend that she walking with someone who gave a damn about her.
:Cloud's not answering.:
The sentence went through Aerith's mind as she showed Angeal the garden outside, the older yet younger boy having expressed an interest in seeing it. She had left Tifa inside with Sephiroth, urging the young girl to get use to his presence, of which she was doing quite reluctantly. Reno and Rude had, surprisingly enough, taken to Genesis and became friends of a sort, and they were showing the pale boy their rooms and regaling him with stories of Rayne's and Elmyra's kindness.
:I know,: Aerith responded calmly. :I can't tell what she's feeling.:
But she wasn't feeling calm.
Patiently, Aerith dug her fingers in the dirt, planting a seed from a Banora apple that Angeal had on hand and absorbing the peace and tranquility from around her. He had apparently been eating "dumbapples" on the way to Midgar and was planning on planting some of the seeds when they arrived, only for the town to have no sky or fields or flowers. Though trying not to show it, the brunette was quite worried. Cloud wasn't even trying to get to know the three boys invited to their group, if she had then she surely would have been surprised.
After all, Genesis and Angeal, why, they weren't even friends yet. They barely knew each other. Genesis was absolutely shy and silent, and Angeal was cheery and chummy. Sephiroth was more of a blank slate, confused and wary, constantly asking questions about what did this and who does that because, for once, he was allowed to. It almost made her sick to think of it.
But where was Cloud? Off with Ruluf somewhere and distancing herself from everyone, including her. As many years as Aerith had known the man known as Cloud Strife, she realized that it was going to be an uphill struggle trying to understand a female one.
"…Shouldn't we go after her?" Angeal wondered, looking towards the slums that seemed a world apart from their little paradise. Aerith felt a smile strain her lips. Angeal was a rather intelligent boy, his eyes sharp and chivalry already high, and he knew that she was quite worried about her rather rudely behaving sister even if she was trying to show him how to take care of seeds properly. She could still remember meeting him in the Lifestream and was rather amused that his manners hadn't changed. "It's a dangerous place out there," he continued softly, turning back to her with worry clear in his eyes (dark eyes, lacking a familiar, lovable glow). "Especially for a little girl with just one guard."
"Trust me, Cloud can take care of herself even if something happened to Ruluf." Aerith chuckled lightly, hoping her voice didn't hitch as she turned back to the newest addition of her field. She could feel the apple seed tremble in confusion, the dirt so different to what it grew from, and hoped she didn't tremble herself. "But I warn you, never let her hear you calling her a little girl." She sent out her life to her hands, coaxing the seed to rise from the ground and live for her, making it slowly begin to root in excitement. "But…" She continued quietly. "I do wish to look for her, if you don't mind?"
"Not at all," he admitted, giving her a small smile. Aerith felt her heart skip a beat. Even so young, Angeal was rather handsome, and that smile reminded her so much of Zack that it was painful to look at. The thought of Zack…all thoughts of Zack…they made her feel so bitter.
It was amazing how many times she'd gone back to meddle in time, twisting strands to bring her back to times where she had yet to even been born, saving people who were to die, making sure life blossomed to its fullest. But whenever she tried to find her happiness with the man that had been so viciously ripped from her arms, he was always taken away from her, only to die time and time again. Sometimes she hated thinking of him because he shouldn't have been such a big part of her, that man that she hardly knew, but he was. He was, and she didn't want to get to know him when he died. She wanted to know him when he was alive and full of love, full of unwavering love and happiness and joy that was always for her.
She wondered if he could be saved this time.
She wondered if she even truly wished to try again.
"I'll go ask if anyone else wishes to look," Angeal stated, standing up and brushing off his pants. "Though I can't imagine anyone saying no; as men, we are honor bound to help." He paused, a rather endearing smile touching his lips. "And, even if we weren't, I would still offer my help to look, because it is the right thing to do, Lady Gainsborough."
"Thank you," Aerith smiled at him, feeling her heart breaking as she gazed at his smiling face. He looked so much like Zack…! She wondered if Cloud was thinking along the same lines as her.
Minutes later found the group of volunteers standing outside in the slums, the hot and rancid air so much different from the small paradise standing right beside it. Only Angeal, Genesis, Sephiroth and Tifa had come, Reno and Rude staying behind to ensure that the adults didn't worry needlessly over all of the kids disappearing. The two boys weren't even sure why the girls were so upset anyway; it wasn't as though Cloud had left on her own, after all. They weren't aware of their shared thoughts, though, or of Cloud's long absence in responding.
"How are we going ta find her?" Tifa questioned, looking over the slums with dismay. Cloud could be anywhere, in any sector; it wasn't as though she lacked friends to help her hide.
"I'll ask Gaia to help us," the Ancient stated, getting confused and calculating looks at once as she bent to the dirty ground, heedless to the state of her dress. "Tifa, would you like to help me?" Startled, the young girl stared her over curiously, before sending a look to the three older boys. The brunette patiently waited for her to join her on the ground, then placed her hands on the dirt and instructed her to do the same. "Close your eyes, Tifa," Aerith spoke aloud, still not wanting the boys to know that they could communicate telepathically. Not to mention the three experiments needed some gossip to bring back to their scientists, otherwise they would think the whole venture a failure and waste of time. "Feel your magic connecting to the Lifestream. Feel it going deeper, calling out to Gaia. Feel it being answered and use it to find Cloud."
Tifa's brows furrowed in concentration, though it was obvious that she was confused, her magic swirling gently around her. Aerith knew it would be harder for her, not being a time traveler or a Cetra, or even a real WEAPON. But she was connected to Cloud and the Lifestream now, so finding their wayward sister would be easier than finding a stranger. Gently, Aerith placed her hand above Tifa's, her magic cocooning around the swirling strands and leading them through the tasks required. Tifa stiffened as soon as the whispers started of life started.
"Concentrate Tifa," the Cetra patiently drew her attention back. "Ignore the whispers. We're looking for Cloud, remember?" Nodding hesitantly, she tried her best to ignore the whispers, feeling a shudder leave her as the world seemed to gain a green tint. The bodies of the people around them vanished, in their places floating orbs of light and feelings as the buildings began to sink…rather, she felt herself floating above them. Her heart beat fast as she began to panic.
"Calm down, Tifa," Aerith scolded gently, gripping her hand tightly and reminding her that she was there. "It's just an illusion. We're still on the ground."
"Ah don't feel anything beneath mah feet," she whispered.
"That's because your soul is searching for Cloud," the brunette whispered back, clutching her hand again. "Now, do you see her?" Hazel eyes looked around hesitantly, past the floating orbs and feelings and rotten smells and small buildings over and over with no luck. Her attention quickly darted behind her, where Sephiroth, Genesis and Angeal stood silently, and she had to force herself not to recoil. It wasn't even Sephiroth that made her nose scrunch in disgust, though the black slime that oozed amongst his soul did make her shiver in fear, it was the smell and feeling of rot and decay wafting from Genesis and Angeal.
More Genesis than Angeal, she realized after a moment, staring at the soul that seemed to be missing pieces. Angeal only had small holes, but Genesis was missing craters. "Focus Tifa," Aerith broke through her wide eyed concentration on the boy, her own soul bright and beautiful and oozing warmth and strength and comfort. "Concentrate on finding Cloud," she scolded. "Ignore everything else." Breathing in deeply, Tifa closed her eyes, willing herself to forget about everything else. No one else mattered at the moment, just Cloud.
Her eyes snapped open as she felt a cool breeze touch her face and a gasp escaped her. The buildings and orbs had gone, leaving her standing in a field of flowers, staring ahead at a blonde woman that didn't turn around to greet her. "Cloud?" She questioned, recalling the beautiful woman of before, her long robes and flowing hair unmistakable as she tilted her head, turning to give Tifa a look of surprise. But it wasn't the glowing blue eyes she saw, instead the luminescent greens of the planet. "Gaia?"
"How did you get here, child?" The blonde woman questioned in a cacophony of voices, a note of impression in every voice. Tifa eyed her silently, glad that the events of before were no longer happening as she finally had a calm moment to gaze at the woman who had given her another chance at life. It was obvious that the body was Cloud's, though she had grown. Her body curved attractively in her blue robes with a plunging V-neck, and the sides split to reveal smooth thighs and bare feet, blonde hair flowing freely until it hit the ground.
Cloud would grow into a beautiful woman.
"You are the other that lay claim to me," Gaia spoke while walking to the silent child. "Though you are different from the others, younger, weaker, your heart rings true. Tell me, what do you ask of me, child?" Tifa said nothing, her heart pounding as the woman stopped in front of her. To be honest she was kind of scared, and she wasn't too sure if words would even come out were she to speak, but Gaia didn't seem to mind. Indeed, a smile was forming on her face as she leaned down and ran a gentle hand over Tifa's cheek. "Is that truly what you wish?"
"But, Ah didn't ask for any-" Tifa protested.
"So be it." The next thing she knew was darkness, swarming darkness that bubbled up around her and swarmed her head, clouding her vision and seeping through every inch of her body. She tried to breathe and couldn't, her heart pounding frantically as she began to panic. There were voices and sounds that ran through her mind, pounding against her head, jamming down her throat, and then there was the hot and rancid smell of the slums and Aerith looming over her with eyes full of concern.
"Are you alright?" Aerith questioned anxiously, a hand running through her hair. Tifa slowly sat up, blinking in confusion. She didn't know what had happened, what Gaia had done to her, or why she was laying on the ground, but she did know that she had found her big sister.
"Ah'm fine," she mumbled, the words feeling weird on her tongue. Pausing, she tried again. "I'm fine." She shook her head and slowly stood up, brushing off her shorts as she stared ahead. Even though there were houses and concrete separating them, she could feel Cloud shining like a beacon in the dark. "She's in Sector Seven." Aerith looked at her in surprise, before scrutinizing her closely. Whatever she found made her smile bloom widely, pride and joy lighting up her face.
"You did good, Tifa," she stated, making her blush heavily at the praise.
