Yezzz, finally the NBA season starts tomorrow! No more watching reruns! Hehehe. Just to let you guys know, I did a check on Chapter 11 since I wasn't able to proof read it the last time which is way it had some errors (My friend and I were on the GG platform so instead of proof reading, I played DOTA instead.) Anyway, Chapter 12 is here (I dedicate this to all the Clerises out there who are kind enough to read this, I just hope I can do this chapter justice.)
Disclaimer: This chapter was influenced by nesza's "Desired but Forbidden".
CHAPTER 12
Cloud stared at the lake in front of him; they had arrived at the Forbidden City. Everyone was tired; they had gone for over a day with very little rest. Cloud was probably exhausted now, though he never did show any signs of stress. He had not slept ever since they left Kalimdor.
Cloud walked towards the edge of the lake. This place… he had visited this place many times before… to pay his respects to his fallen flower girl. But unlike her church he never did feel comfortable here, even though this is where he laid her body to rest. How could he when this place housed so many painful memories… so many nightmares. But for once he was actually glad to see that lake.
As he closed his eyes, visions of her began to flood his mind…
Her emerald green eyes that were so beautiful they would put the morning sun to shame…
Her Chestnut Brown Hair that was as smooth as the finest silk in the world…
And her Smile… that heart-warming smile that made him believe that anything was possible…
He started to smile a bit. For so long he had to make do with just seeing her in his dreams but now, in just a matter of moments, he'll finally be able to see her again… to hold her… to feel her warmth, no longer just a vision or a dream.
He started to open his eyes. It was finally time…
The words of the immortal one echoed in his head.
…THE STONE WILL DO THE REST…
He took out the bloodstone from his pocket. The stone that was once the color of blood had now turned emerald green. It shone brightly under the moonlight. As the seconds started to pass by, the stone shone even brighter until a green aura started to gush out from within it. The green aura made its way towards the lake. As it began to mix with the cold waters, the lake began to glow.
'That sure is one hell of light show!' Cid whispered.
Everyone was mesmerized by what they were seeing. As they stared at the lake, something started to rise from the depths of the water…
Cloud's eyes lit up. It was her… It was Aeris…
She was being supported by the stream of water that was encircling her body.
He couldn't take his eyes of her. He was only a few feet away… He wanted to reach for her… to feel her warmth again. He started to walk towards her.
'Yo spike!' Barret shouted.
Cloud didn't hear him. All his senses were focused on Aeris.
She was still so beautiful even after all this time…
He's gaze turned to the wound in her body. He started to remember…
He could hear it… the one-winged angel's maniacal laughter…
NO CLOUD, YOU DON'T HAVE FEELINGS BECAUSE CLOUD…
He started to clench his fist.
He could remember the last time he fought "Him".
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO YOU…? WOULD YOU GIVE ME THE PLEASURE OF TAKING IT AWAY…
Cloud slowly shook his he's head. That was the past, it was time to let go of it…
He looked at the stone in his hand. The Future… "Their" future… was in his hands now.
Without even thinking about it, Cloud placed the stone near Aeris heart. The stone was slowly absorbed by her body.
He could see it.
Her wound started heal… Her once pale skin was slowly being filled with hue… Her cheeks now becoming rosy red…
Aeris body fell into Cloud's waiting arms. He could feel her warmth again, her body no longer cold as it was that time when she was taken from him. He could feel her once silent heart beating against his chest.
He looked at her eyes, they were still closed and it gave the impression that she was in deep sleep. Cloud closed his eyes and leaned towards her left ear.
"Aeris… it's time for us to wake up." He whispered.
He was right. It was finally time for both of them to wake up from this nightmare. A nightmare that had lasted for three years. This nightmare of being apart from each other.
Cloud opened his eyes and looked at the flower girl again. Her eyes were starting to stir now and he couldn't help but smile.
Aeris slowly opened her eyes and she saw him… smiling at her.
"So, we meet again…"
'Cloud…?' her voice slightly louder than a whisper. 'Where… where am I?'
Cloud embraced her.
"Home…"
She could feel his warmth again… after so many years.
She remembered, how she had begged the planet to let her watch over him even if it was just until he could manage on his own. The planet agreed, but deep in her heart she wanted more. She wanted to be with him so badly… more than a dream or a vision… more than just a stolen moment.
When she bade farewell to him, deep inside she was crying… She had no choice but to wait for him in their promised land though she always believed that it was unfair for them to be apart for so long. Fate unjustly played a cruel joke on them, but now she could feel his warmth again.
She returned his embrace.
"I missed you… so much."
They slowly pulled away. Aeris gazed at Cloud's mako blue eye, those eyes that she could only dream of seeing back at the lifestream.
As both of them relished the moment, Cloud leaned closer and they kissed passionately under the moonlight…
After what seemed like an eternity, their lips parted. He gazed at her emerald green eyes. Those eyes meant more to him than both the sun and the moon.
"I love you…" he whispered. "…and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to tell you before."
He placed his forehead on hers.
'I know…' she whispered back. 'I always knew… Always…'
Aeris smiled. 'And I love you too…'
At that moment… both of them wished that time would stop and that they could stay in each others arms forever.
The moon shined upon the two lovers like a chandelier. Two people whose love fate had not looked favorably upon were now finally together…
I hope I did well. Took me a while but finally she's back… although if you think it ends here than I suggest you think twice… Anyway, season starts tomorrow and Halloween will follow so I may not be able to post the next chapter for a little while, unless I somehow gain some free time. RnR please.
Author's Note: I actually borrowed a line from nesza's work desired but forbidden. If you want to know which line it is than you'll just have to find out for yourself. Hehehe
