Chapter 7 - The Resurrection

Song (1): Descendant of Shinobi from the Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack

Song (2): Whirlpool of Love from the X-Men: The Last Stand Original Soundtrack

...7th Heaven...

The next day was unbelievably warm and the sky was clear and heavenly, as it should be. The bar had been closed for the weekend to allow Tifa to restock her supplies and get a few days of rest before going back to Junon with Cid to check on Vincent, who was being kept there to allow Shera to study his mysterious coma with more useful resouces. She let the children go out and play with the others while she and Cloud fixed up the store. Cid and Damian had still been sleeping, obviously because they stayed up so late talking with each other. Tifa and Cloud hold a conversation as they stock the supply of liqeur.

"Cloud."

"Yeah?"

"You never explained to me what it was that made you so happy. I know it wasn't me."

"Don't say that, Tifa. I'm always happy when I'm with you. Who isn't? You won't let anyone be sad."

"I was just getting concerned about you. I understand that you love...her...more." Cloud stopped.

"I do love her." He said. "But I love you, too."

"But not like you love her."

"Tifa. You're my best friend first. Do you really think it would've worked out between us?"

Before Tifa could answer the somewhat heartwrenching question, the doors flew open to reveal a skinny girl with short hair and an unmistakably high pitch voice.

"Suprise!!!" Tifa's face changed instantly, hiding the fact that she was indeed hurt by Cloud's comment. (1)

"Hi, Yuffie. I didn't expect to see you for a while."

"I know." Yuffie went in to go sit at the bar to talk with Tifa and Cloud. "I wanted to hang out with you guys. I was missing you already."

"We don't have any, Yuffie." Cloud said, as he knew what 'hanging out' meant to Yuffie.

"Oh, come on!!" the teenager shrieked. "Why can't I just hang out with you all without you thinkin' I'ma steal your friggin' materia?"

"Because it never happens that way." Cloud answered.

"Well, this time it's different. I knew you guys didn't have any materia when I came here. I really do wanna hang out this time!"

"Damn!!" Everyone looked towards the hallway entrance to find Cid in a white tank top and black tearaways hanging out of the doorway, still not fully awakened. "I knew I heard a fuckin' howler monkey in here!!" Yuffie was obviously not pleased to see the pilot.

"Dammit, Tifa!! What the hell is Cid doing here?"

"I asked him to stay here." Tifa answered.

"Tifa!! Why? He has his own house!! Why can't he stay there?" Cid was behind he counter getting a drink when he turned to the unhappy girl.

"Quit fuckin' arguin' with her!! She's doin' both of us a hella huge favor lettin' the two of us stay here!"

"Screw you!"

"You'd like that. Wouldn't ya?"

"Ewwwww!!!! Gross! Sexy body and pretty voice or not, I would never degrade myself like that!"

"Cid. Don't argue with that girl." Damian had awaken sometime before Cid and decided to freshen up. He wore a black T-shirt and black leather pants. However, he still wore his coat. His long, red hair flowed carefully down his neck behind him as he walked downstairs into the bar. Yuffie was practically drooling over him. "You're older than she is." Cid looked at him and grinned.

"Well if it isn't ol' Red!"

"Welcome to the living." Cloud said, smiling. Damian gave a low giggle and turned to Tifa.

"I'm going to go sit with my sister for a while, Tifa." he said politely. "I'll be back shortly." Cloud stood up from his seat.

"I'm going to pay my respects soon. Wanna go there with me?"

"Sure, Cloud. I'll wait for you."

"I know!" Tifa screamed. "Why don't we all go together? I'm sure Aeris would like to see all of us."

"Wait a minute!" Yuffie butted in. "Are you trying ta say...that this guy is Aeris's brother?" Her mouth was wide open now. Then, she looked at Damian and cross-examined him, trying to find something to make it seem like a lie. ...nothing.

"Twin brother, actually." Damian said. "My name is Damian Gainsborough. You must be Yuffie Kisaragi, the famous Materia hunter my sister talked about."

"Yep!" Yuffie said, excited that Aeris would even mention her name. "That's me!!! Oh, and, when you get a chance, tell her I'm sorry. She'll know what I'm talking about." Damian did nothing but nod. Tifa rose from her position behind the bar.

"Yuffie." she said. "Could you go and get the children? They're at the playground."

"Sure thing." Yuffie replied as she left the bar.

"Well, I'd better go an' get washed up." Cid explained as he went to go back upstairs.

"Aren't you coming, Cid?" Tifa asked him.

"Naw." he answered. "I think I'll sit this one out.

"Where is the playground, Cloud?" Damian asked.

"It's behind the city." Cloud answered. "Near where Old Midgar used to be. You can't miss it. It's surrounded by trees."

"Thank you. I'm going there. I'll be back soon." Damian walked out of the bar. Tifa watched him as he left. (1 off.)

"Damian's so much like her." she told Cloud, who was now sitting next to her. "It's hard to doubt that he's her sibling."

"It sure is." Cloud responded. "It's almost like having her here with us in a way." Tifa gave Cloud a half-smile.

"Yeah."

...The Forgotten City...

The once peaceful and blessed ambiance had been destroyed by the events that occurred three days ago, but its presence could still be felt all around. The quiet and still wind whisping lightly and carefree like a bird just learning to fly. The trees fluttering and dancing alongside their partner, singing softly of the rebirth of the enchanted forest that was. The lake watching the dance of the wind and the trees motionless.

(2) Then, the lake began to glow a blue light that seemed to come from its murky undertones. The light grew in intensity until it illuminated the enitre forest. The wind began to howl as it quickened its pace, sneding the trees into a frenzy. The glow became so intense that if seen by the naked eye, it would destroy its sight and perseption. The winds grew quiet and the trees stilled once more. Then out of the glow came a feminine figure. She had a pink ribbon that tied her cinnamon colored hair back behind her in a long braid. The woman had fair skin and bright, green eyes. She wore a somewhat legendary costume consisting of a simple, long pink skirt, a maroon jean jacket, and tan shoes. She gently brushed her bangs out of her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"I'm...alive?" she said, shocked more than happy. "I...I must find...Cloud." (2 off.) "I must warn them."