Turning Points

Of Escape And Endless Plains

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The Blonde swordsman's hair blew rapidly in the wind as the Motorcycle raced over the Barren land. They had left Midgar a few minutes back. The sounds of the commotion of the dirty city was now growing distant and further away. As though a weight had been lifted off of the chest's of both the figures on Fenrir. The sun was beginning to rise over the horizon filling the surroundings with a dark morning light.

Cloud glanced in the side view mirror which was attached to the handle of the Motorcycle. Through it he made out a brown braid dancing and swaying in the air. Aerith's hold of him had not lessened. In some deep part of him. He was glad.. The Flower girl's cheek was placed against the Ex-Soldier's back. The folds of her pink dress flapping in the wind. Neither of the two had uttered a word since Midgar. They were too on edge, there was nothing that needed to be said.

The hills and jagged ledges that flew past them were very much lifeless. A sickly grayish brown mesh of rock and dirt covered the ground and surroundings.

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The sun rose higher in the sky and now the area was filled with sunlight. It felt good to be out of Midgar. It felt as though he had regained a second lung, the air was clearer.

Cloud loosened his grip on the acceleration and Fenrir began to slow down. He felt Aerith shift behind him. Soon the Bike reached a full stop and the air was once again silent. Aerith slowly slid her arms from around Cloud's chest and returned them to her side. The new found Outlaw Cloud slung his leg off and dismounted the drivers seat. Opting to instead lean back against the Motorcycle after he had pulled down the kickstand. Aerith turned so she was sat perched on the back, facing the same direction as Cloud.

"I doubt we'll ever be able to go back to Midgar again." Cloud stated as he stared out at the morning sun across the endless plain of green grass and hills.

Aerith nodded her head. "What happens to us now?" She was afraid of that question. The flower girl had been fighting the urge to ask it for awhile. Would he leave her by herself now?

Quiet came once more as Cloud raises his head to the sky. Deep in thought.

"We have to get far away from here... Shinra is after us now, we have to keep going." Cloud described as best he could. He hadn't really thought of a plan yet.

"We?" Aerith's words slipped out. Her hands trying to retake what she had said. Cloud blinked in shock and confusion. "I mean... 'WE' will!" Aerith pieced together. Cloud looked at her with a searching glance for a few moments before resuming looking forward. The flower girl sighed in Relief.

The dark blue clad swordsman looked out across the plain. The wind kicked up and with it the grass swayed forward as far as the eye could see. "We should head for Kalm. It's the closest town to Midgar." Cloud informed.

Aerith placed her hands in her lap and leaned forward turning her head to face Cloud. The blonde glanced to her but immediately averted his gaze when he felt her eyes on him. "Kalm? How far away is that" Aerith asked innocently.

"It's the nearest town but its still a far way off... If we ride through the day and sleep late... Then... Two days." Cloud nodded. Fairly happy with his deduction.

Aerith gasped. "Two days?" She asked frantically. "But there are beasts roaming... Where will we sleep?"

Cloud folded his arms and glanced around.

"Cloud?" Aerith inquired further.

The blonde inhaled deeply. "... Have you ever been camping?" He muttered.

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Both had ridden for most of the day. The scenery hadn't much changed. The area was notorious for its endless expanse of grassland. Regardless each time Cloud looked over his shoulder he caught sight of the Flower girl in awe at the view. Each time he felt something tug on his face.

Soon the light grew more dim as the sun began to sink over the horizon. The evening sunset filled the sky with a mesh of orange, yellows and reds. The motorcycle finally stopped once it reached a hilly terrain. A few tree's were dotted around the area too. Suggesting they were getting further away from the Grimy city of Midgar.

Cloud climbed off the vehicle and offered his hand to the pink clad girl. She paused for a second before beaming and taking his offer of helping her off. They had parked between two grass hills. One or two tree's surrounded them and the ground beneath was both flat and grassy.

"This seems like a good spot to set up." Cloud stated. More to himself. Aerith turned to him. Her silver bracelets jangling as she did so and her brown braid swaying behind her. Her pink dress looked even more beautiful in the setting sun.

"Set up?" She asked softly.

Cloud unhooked a cylinder shaped bag from the back of the shiny black motorcycle. He nodded to Aerith. "We have to set up the tent." Aerith's eyes shot open and sparkled with a look a wonderment.

Though the Ex-Soldier had said 'We' when speaking of setting up camp he refused to let the Flower girl do any of the work. Cloud easily slid up the structure and placed in the poles, fastening down the wires. Aerith had been examining the surrounding flowers and sun set as he did so.

"There." Cloud told simply as he finished the tent. It was a semi-circle shape, the flat side sprawled across the ground. The flower girl stood up and rushed over. Fenrir had been parked directly to the side of the tent. It was a dark green tent that blended in well with the surroundings Cloud unzipped the front of the tent and looked inside. It was bare. Something was missing. Just as he was contemplating what. The flower girl appeared to his side crouching down by the entrance. In her hands she held bundles of blankets he had left in a bag on the Motorcycle. The two kneeling side by side glanced at each other for a split second. Blue and Green. Aerith flashed a smile before untucking the blankets. She placed one light blue blanket over the thin material floor of the tent as to make lying on it more comfortable and placed the other one over the top.

"There, perfect!" She smiled her calming, unnerving and beautiful smile. Cloud muttered a 'Yeah'.

The inside of the tent was spacious. There was enough room for the both of them and a little more. Aerith crawled in first. Cloud burned as he watched her slender figure climb in. Immediately after, he followed.

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A wind had kicked up outside. Not enough to affect the tent but enough still to send a cold draft in. Cloud hastily zipped up the flap which served as the door. The wind stopped or at least was no longer getting inside. They were both sitting practically side by side on the two layers of blankets, which Cloud had to admit was quite comfortable. The two remained in silence for a few moments before Cloud finally began to remove his boots. He slid both off and placed them to the left corner near the flap. He then began to unfasten his shoulder armour. The flower girl now had followed suit and removed her light brown boots placing them in the corner by Cloud's. Soon Aerith's Bracelets and red jacket joined the pile of possessions as well as Cloud's shoulder armour, gloves and of course the Buster sword which they all the items rested on.

Aerith put a hand over her mouth a yawned slightly. "Are you tired?" Cloud asked. The flower girl now dressed only her pink dress nodded. Two straps held her dress up and the buttons of it were done down to below her thighs. Her feet were bare.

In turn the flower girl glanced to Cloud. He was now simply wearing a sleeveless dark blue jumper and slightly baggy dark blue trousers.

"We should get some rest. If we want to get to Kalm tomorrow." Cloud explained. Almost before he had finished talking he heard the blankets rustling and felt it move beneath him. Glancing up and over to Aerith he caught her sliding between the Blankets and lying on her side, pulling the top layer around her shoulders. She stared up at Cloud with bright green eyes and smiled before closing her eyes and shifting to get comfortable one last time. Cloud Strife could not help but smile back.

Aerith hugged the blanket around her. The tent was cold enough. It felt comfortable though. This was indeed the first time she had been camping. Something about the experience felt... Exciting. Suddenly she felt the blankets pull slightly out of her grip. She slowly opened her eyes and found Cloud climbing between the sheets. He adjusted and lay on his back, staring up at the tent ceiling. He was inches away from her!

"I'm sorry I brought you into all this..." She found herself saying. It was right.

Cloud hands rested beneath the back of his head. A few seconds went by. "... Don't be." Came the simple yet genuine response.

The temperature in the tent had dropped slightly. Aerith found herself curling up in an attempt to keep warm. The two said nothing more. Cloud rolled onto his side and faced towards the Flower girl. Her back was now to him and she was curled up. Trying to keep warm by the looks of it. He wanted to do something but couldn't bring himself to act over the pounding in his chest. After awhile he heard the girl's breathing slow and realised she had fallen asleep. Outside the light had vanished and was now replaced by darkness. The Ex-Soldier stared at the chestnut hair in front of his face. Soon after, sleep took him also.