Disclaimer note: I don't own FFVII characters. Sorry for the long update! Examinations were up and I had a little time writing this chapter. That's all! Enjoy this chapter!
"Cl-Cloud?"
The blue-eyed SOLDIER blinked. He gazed down to see the flower girl but he only saw the mechanic slowly waking up from a deep sleep. The drowsy mechanic slowly fluttered her eyes, everything was a bit hazy but the she can see the outlines of Cloud's face near hers. Cloud quickly withdrew, his heart was beating erratically. Aria yawned widely and she jiggled her head. Aria froze when she felt pain at her neck.
"Ow!"
Cloud watched her caress her neck. He still couldn't believe he was close to kissing her moments ago. Aria straightened and she pouted at him.
"Why are you looking at me that way?" Aria gasped and she covered her face. "Is there something in my face? Oh my gosh! How embarrassing!"
Cloud chuckled as she frantically wiped her face with her handkerchief. Even if he was about to kiss her he still couldn't find a reason to be timid. Everything seemed to be natural and he felt like himself around the klutzy mechanic.
"There's nothing wrong with it, Aria." He assured her.
Aria slowly lowered her handkerchief from her face and she timidly nodded. Then a strange sound came out of the SOLDIER's stomach. Aria playfully giggled at him. Cloud looked away from her, blushing. Aria's bag cluttered as she searched for something in it. The blonde's eyebrows furrowed, wondering what was the mechanic up to now. She gave out a happy shriek when she took hold of a paper bag.
"Here…"
Cloud glanced at her hand. She was holding half a ham sandwich. He raised her eyes to her face and smiled when he saw her nibbling the other half. Cloud took the sandwich from her hand.
"Thanks…"
Aria responded with a nod. Cloud's blue eyes gazed down at the sandwich he's holding. He swallowed hard and he took a bite. Cloud sighed when the food fell into his empty stomach. It was wonderfully tasty and the thought that Aria made it made him grin.
"You made this?" he asked.
"Nope!"
Cloud stared at her in bewilderment. Aria gobbled up the last of her sandwich and she drank from her water bottle.
"Clay made it for me. He always does when I go out to work. It's one of his world-famous sandwiches. It's a shame he doesn't put his talents to good use. He doesn't make it for anybody else. In fact, you and I are the only people in this world who tasted it. He doesn't eat his creations though except when he's cooking our meals. Do you…"
Aria glimpsed at Cloud. He was holding his chest and was coughing briskly. A look of concern raced across Aria's face as she frantically searched for her water bottle.
Where did I put it? I mean I was holding it a minute ago! Aria looked inside of her bag and she found it lying at the far end. She took it out and she opened its cap. Aria gave it to Cloud and the SOLDIER quickly drank from it.
"Are you alright, Cloud?"
Cloud took the bottle from his lips and he breathed heavily. "I'm alright. I just… Did you say he made this?"
Aria nodded and she gazed to the heavens. "He cooks Dee-licious dishes! It's kinda hard to believe because when you look at him for the first time you might think he's a killer. But when you're with him for a long time you can fully understand how a wonderful person he is."
Cloud raised a blonde eyebrow at her in disbelief. Aria grinned at the doubting SOLDIER.
"Don't worry it's not poisoned. Trust me."
Cloud shrugged and he took another bite from the sandwich. Aria watched as Cloud took little nibbles from the sandwich. The gentle wind filled the haven with aromatic smell of flowers. Butterflies began to gather around the majestic tree that is now shimmering under the soft light of the sun. Aria's emerald eyes sparkled as the multi-colored butterflies slowly increase in number.
"Wow… They're so pretty." A brown butterfly slowly flew across the others and it rested on Aria's shoulder. Aria smiled widely at the butterfly. "Look Cloud! It's mom. Hi, mom!"
"Then this must be your dad."
Aria glanced at Cloud and she covered her mouth to prevent from giggling. On top of Cloud's nose was a bigger butterfly with different designs. Cloud saw her smiling and his heart lightened. It was a warm smile filled with nothing but joy and happiness. The somber SOLDIER smiled too. Aria held out a finger to the butterfly.
"Dad is very fond of you, Cloud."
The butterfly crawled from Cloud's nose crept to Aria's hand. Cloud scratched his nose and he grinned at Aria. "I guess he does."
The butterfly from Aria's shoulder flew towards the butterfly on her finger. The two butterfly rose from her finger and they hovered in front of Aria's nose. Aria smiled at them and she opened her palms. Cloud watched the two butterflies rest on the mechanic's palms. Aria closed her eyes and she said a silent prayer. The blue-eyed SOLDIER gazed at the heavenly sight in front of him. His mind was debating whether this was real or not. In front of him was a woman praying, saying a silent wish that could possibly not come true. But still there she was believing in something that only happens in fairytales. When Aria opened her eyes she raised her hands and she let the butterflies fly free. Both green and blue eyes stared as the two butterflies flew to the two tombstones. Aria heavily sighed and she beamed at Cloud.
"Mother told me once that when you catch a butterfly you must say a wish before you set it free. I believe in all those things." Cloud stared at her. Aria scratched her head and she hugged her knees. Then she smiled widely at him. "I may sound immature and childlike but when you want something very much you do everything you can to possess it. You believe in the unbelievable and well… just hope for it to come true."
Her words were buzzing in his ear. Cloud gazed at the water bottle's he's holding. She was also drinking in the same bottle. It was the same as kissing her in the lips but her lips would be soft and… Cloud shook his head.
Damn! What am I thinking?
Cloud turned to his side to talk to the mechanic. But Aria wasn't there. He raised his blue eyes and he saw Aria peering down at him.
"Didn't you hear what I said?" Cloud shook his head. Aria annoyingly placed her hands on her hips. "I said I'm going back to the Seventh Heaven. Unless you want to stay here for a little while."
"No… I mean… Let's go back."
Aria nodded at him then she turned to the two tombstones of her parents. She clasped her hands in deep reverence for another prayer.
Mom… Dad… I hope you're happy that I visited today… The flowers are from a church in Midgar. Cloud's special friend grew them. They are very special to her and Cloud. Her name's Aerith by the way. Cloud seldom talks about her but I'm sure he misses her very much. So when you meet her please tell her that Cloud really misses her.
Cloud stood up and he slowly strides towards her. He stopped in front of the two gravestones and he slowly raised his hands. He held them together and he closed his eyes.
Uhh… Hello, Aria's mom and dad. I can't believe I'm doing this. He sighed. Aria's a good person and she has taught me, well, just about everything. It bothered me that she looked just like… Aerith. Her gestures, the way she tilts her head and the way she looks at me. But she's not Aerith. I know that now… I guess I should give you thanks for bringing up Aria in a good way. She really loved you both even though you were separated when she was just a kid. So thanks… And when you see Aerith… Tell her, I'm ok now and… I miss her.
Aria opened one green eye and she glanced at him. Her emerald eyes slightly widened in surprise. She smiled as she saw him praying before her parents. Her smile never left her face as she closed her eyes. Aria brought her clasped hands closer to her chest as a cold wind passed them by.
I am so happy meeting him. I wish you could see him now. You would be very happy too! Thank you for bringing him to me. I promise I would make him happy as he's making me.
Cloud opened his eyes and he glanced at Aria. His eyes slightly widened when he saw Aria smiling at him. He turned back, blushing again. He walked a few steps ahead of him and he turned to her when he reached the opening towards the forest.
"Let's go, Aria…"
Aria stared at his back and smiled. Her grip on her two-ton bag tightened and she ran towards the silent SOLDIER. Aria stopped at his side and she took one last look at the two tombstones at the middle of her secret haven. The two brown butterflies were still hovering at the top of the tombstones.
Mom… Dad… I'll visit again soon. Wait for me, ok? I'll be going now. Don't worry Cloud is here with me. I'm sure I'm safe with him.
Then she faced Cloud beaming. The SOLDIER smiled back at her and together they went out of the Sleeping Forest.
Author's notes: This chapter is dedicated to my grandparents. Last year on all soul's day we returned to our hometown (I'm studying in the city but I still return home once in a while!). After we visited my grandparent's grave we took a rest at my aunt's house that were once my grandparent's house. After we ate lunch two huge brown butterflies came inside the house and they stayed until midnight. We Filipinos believe that souls of our loved ones visit us in the form of butterflies no matter what the color, size or shape. So I think my grandparents visited us. I missed them both so much. We were separated when I was just a little girl. So to those who still have their grandparents cherish the moments that they're by your side. For you'll never know… Death is like a thief in the night. You will never know when it strikes.
Cloud: sobs Did you have to bring that up?
Me: pats Cloud in the head That's ok Cloud. Cry as much as you like. I know you really miss Aerith.
Please review and watch out for the upcoming chapters!!
