Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy

Sleeping Cetra

Chapter 10

True Love's First Kiss

Cloud sped through the Cetra city, running past all the sleeping people. He felt the weight of his sword slowing him down. He took it off and stabbed it into the ground as he ran, hoping he would remember to get it. Maybe the others would find it. It did not matter. He came to the castle gates where the guards lay passed out on patrol. The servants who were preparing for the Aerith's return were sleeping in awkward positions. Cloud bypassed the throne room where King Gast and Queen Ifalna were sleeping in their thrones. He hurried up a staircase that spiraled around. Cloud hoped this was the tower. He assumed from his position on the outside that this was the tower where Aerith was.

No, he knew this was where it should be. He could feel himself being pulled into this direction. A feeling inside of him pulled him toward this place. He climbed up the stairs, stumbling several times as he carelessly hurried along. Finally, he came to the top, to a door. He took several deep breaths, staring at the door. Slowly, he approached it and reached for the handle. Cautiously, he turned it open. Prince Cloud walked inside and felt himself choke back tears.

Lying on the bed covered in flowers and petals was his beautiful princess. Her brown hair spread across the pillow just as she was left. Her hands were folded over her as though she was praying. Cloud approached the girl. She looked so pale, like a ghost. It looked as if the life was drained from her. He sat on the bed, still staring at her static face. He brought his hand up and removed the glove. Gently, he caressed her face, only to find it cold as ice.

Cloud gasped, pulling his hand away. His hand traveled over her and found the small hole in her dress. His fingers brushed against the wound that Sephiroth made. Cloud closed his eyes, tears slipping as he lowered his head, resting it on her pillow next to her head. His faced buried in her hair.

"If I should leave this lonely world behind… your voice will still remember our melody." Cloud sang softly remembering her song. "Melodies of life come circle round and grow deep in our hearts…. As long as we remember."

Cloud felt his mind remember the time in the cave. Aerith was in his arms, shivering. She was as cold as she was now. He tried to warm her up but it soon became temptation for them both. He wanted to kiss her so much back then, and he still wanted to kiss her now. Even like this.

Slowly he bent his head down and brushed his lips to her, kissing her tenderly. He lifted his head and closed his eyes, allowing the tears to pour down onto the girl. Yet, he did not notice as girl's eyes slowly opened. Aerith felt the warm tears on her skin and focused her eyes on the figure of Cloud. She let out a soft moan, causing Cloud to open his eyes.

"Cloud, why are you crying?" she asked softly. "I had such a strange dream. I dreamt I was a princess. In my dream I thought I heard you calling to me. It was so sad, and I wanted to help you.

"Aerith you are a princess! It was not just a dream. I did call for you."

He laughed and pulled her up into his arms, hugging her closely. Aerith was initially shocked but slowly brought her arms to hug him back. Yet, suddenly she felt herself crying.

"Oh Cloud…" she cried. "I can't be with you."

She pulled away from her burying her face in her hands. Cloud pulled her hands from her face, forcing her to face him. She looked at him sadly, wanting nothing more than to be with him.

"Why?" he questioned softly.

"Because," she sobbed. "I'm a princess. I did not even know, but I am and… I…"

She faltered lowering her head to him. However, Cloud gently placed his fingers under her chin and made her look up at him. He smiled at her.

"What is it?" he asked

"I have to marry a prince!" She closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears.

Cloud smiled, "I know; and I'm a prince who is supposed to marry a Princess. I am sorry I did not tell you, but I am Prince Cloud of Nibelheim. I am engaged to the Princess of the Cetra, Princess Aerith."

Aerith's eyes flashed open as she stared at Cloud. He wiped away her tears and nodded toward her, confirming that he was telling her the truth. Aerith burst into fresh, happy tears. She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. Cloud wrapped his arms around. He picked her up from the bed carrying her bridal style in his arms. Aerith wrapped her arms around his neck.

He set her down on the ground and cupped her face. The two looked at each other and slowly moved closer to kiss when a soft cough interrupted them.

"Getting comfy?" Nanaki asked.

"Everyone in the kingdom has awoken, and they are all waiting to see you!" Cait Sith said excitedly.

Cloud glared at them. "Do you have to always interrupt us?"

Without warning, Cloud kicked the door close with his foot. He turned to Aerith, hearing the loud complaint from Nanaki, and kissed her passionately. Aerith returned it but when they broke apart, she let out a soft sigh.

"They are waiting for me," she said.

"They waited sixteen years," his reply came. "They can wait a few more minutes."

X, X, X,

The throne room was silent as they all waited for Aerith to come down. Word got around that she was in the castle already. Although everyone in the castle questioned why he or she was asleep, Tifa covered up as she fibbed about it being Sephiroth. Yet, all the questioned dissolved when coming down a long staircase was the beautiful Princess of the Cetra. Escorting her was Prince Cloud.

King Gast and Queen Ifalna were both overjoyed to see their daughter alive and well. They were also pleased, as well as the Queen of Nibelheim, that she was with her betrothed. Off to the side, Cloud's brother Zack gawked. He had to admit the princess was a looker.

"Damn, if I knew she was that hot I would have married her," he muttered, thinking back to when his mother asked him if he wanted to marry her.

Vincent, who was behind him, smacked the back of the older Prince's head. Zack looked back at the captain of the guard who neither changed expressions nor even acknowledged what he did to the Prince. The Queen chuckled softly to herself.

Once Aerith approached her mother and father, she let go of Cloud's arm and walked into their open arms. She hugged them tightly. Aerith looked much like her mother, with the same beautiful eyes and long flowing hair. Ifalna hugged her daughter tightly; she cried softly and kissed her baby girl.

Aerith turned to her friends. She walked over and knelt down to Nanaki and Cait Sith. She hugged both of them, kissing each of them gently. After years of secretly taking care of her, the two now could retire.

"I'm sorry about your ship," Aerith said to Cid, bowing apologetically.

Cid sighed. "It's fine. I'll just have to build another one and let you fly in it."

Aerith smiled and then looked at Vincent. Although she did not know him, she thanked him politely for helping, too. He gave her a brief nod, since he was not one to talk much.

Finally, Aerith came to the ones she grew up knowing as her aunts and uncle. She looked at each of them and smiled. Although the last time they spoke, they were not on friendly terms, for she believed they did not care for her happiness. It was somewhat awkward for both parties until finally Aerith hugged all three at the same time. Tifa, Yuffie, and Barret smiled and hugged her back.

"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for everything."

When they let go, Aerith backed away, trying to hold back her tears. She then turned to look at Cloud who was waiting for her. She returned to him and he welcomed her into his warm embrace.

X, X, X,

Bells rang loudly as the church doors burst open. People outside the church watched as the bride and groom ran out, and everyone began throwing rose petals at them. As they ran, Aerith waved goodbye to everyone, but not before throwing her bouquet into the crowd. The bouquet went flying, and smacked right into Barret's head. Tifa and Yuffie both chuckled as he held the bouquet of lilies.

"I think she did that on purpose," Barret said.

Nanaki and Cait Sith simply chuckled to themselves.

At the top of the church stoop, The Queen of Nibelheim, Zack, and Vincent stood. The Queen chuckled to herself, getting the attention of her son and the captain.

"You know, now that Cloud is married, you are out of a job, Vincent," the Queen said slyly.

"What do you mean?" he questioned.

"However, I think you would make an excellent babysitter for Cloud's children."

"I think I need a vacation," Vincent replied, in his normal tone.

From far away, Cid was standing outside his new airship, waiting for the happy couple.

"Hurry up you two!" he shouted. "I haven't got all day."

The two entered the ship, Cloud leading her up to the deck where one could stand outside. Cid piloted the ship. His hands covering her eyes until Cid finally got the ship airborne. Once they began to lift off, he let her see the view. The Princess gasped at the spectacular view, even though they were hardly off the ground. Everyone was waving to them, Aerith waved back happily at them all. Cloud waved at the people down below as well.

"Oh Cloud!" Aerith whispered, as the people below began to disappear.

"I promised you," he replied.

He wrapped his arms around and kissed her head gently. Aerith rested against him and watched as the world below them became tinier. Aerith smiled; it was like a dream come true. She looked up at Cloud who in turn looked down at her.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied.

The two watched as the sun was setting as they flew to their destination. Aerith slipped her hand into Cloud's hand, happy that they could be together like this. It was like a fairytale. While some fairy tales ended sadly with deaths and lost loves, this fairy tale ended happily ever after.

The End

X, X, X,

Author Note- Finally finished, I am sad that I finished but I am also happy. I loved writing this. I love fairy tales and Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorites. Now maybe I will have more time to finish my other stories. Anyway, thank you for reading because I enjoyed writing this.

Oh my Squeenix, I'm done.

I'm done I'm done I'm done I'm done I'm done I'm done I'm done.

CEEEELEBRATION TIME, C'MON! xD

I had so much fun BETA-ing this! Thank you! (I also have so many pseudo-bruises for being so late -_- sorry!)

D'aww. Happily ever after. -gag- I'm adding in an invisible scene where Loz, Yazoo, and Kadaj meet up in the Lifestream, smiling and hugging each other, laughing at their freedom from Sephiroth (a bit like the last scene in Van Helsing, where you can see the faces in the skies). So much love! (from me. Not- not them. Would they even be capable, I wonder?)

Happy New Year's!