DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN FINAL FANTASY VII OR ITS CHARACTERS!

Chapter 21: Through the Heavy Blizzard

As we were getting close towards a mountain, we were constantly attacked by sea-like monsters. My magic was very weak, and I could barely concentrate during the fights. Seahorse monsters made a direct attack right at me causing heavy damage on me; Cloud intervened and took the monster down with ease. He turned and helped me up, and gave the signal to continue, but Red made a stop.

"Cloud, I think we should take a rest… Cynthia is badly hurt_" I interrupted Red.

"I'm fine. I can keep going; we got no time to rest…" I stated, but it was true that I was hurt, almost my whole body was aching and I wasn't any good during the battles at all, but I couldn't hold them down.

"Then I guess we should split up! Come on Cloud, part of our group barely had any time for recovery, so let's split up! Every great warrior needs to rest you know." Yuffie began backing Red up. Cloud looked like he was going to say something, but Vincent interrupted him.

"I'll catch up with you guys later, I'll advice those who haven't rested at all to accompany me." He said in a cold tone, and gave me a discrete look.

"Let's go Cynthia! You look almost as pale as Vincent!" Yuffie gave me a small punch on my arm and then took my hand so I can follow them. Red followed us as well.

…

As I lay down on bed, Yuffie began to use her restore material on me. It really helped to ease the pain, but I was still thinking about Aeris. It still seemed as if she was alive, and I could almost hear her voice as clear as water in my mind. I was trying to figure out her plan, but nothing logical came to mind. Then in a matter of seconds my thoughts were interrupted by Yuffie, who seemed to be trying to cheer me up.

"Cynthia, how are you feeling now? You sure took a lot of damage!"

"Thanks… and sorry." I said getting up, but then I was pushed by Yuffie.

"Oh no you don't, you concentrate on taking a nap now. I not leaving this spot until you do!"

"I can't… it's my fault, I saw her leave at Gongaga, still I didn't even try to stop her. I'm useless!"

"Yes, you sure are, look Cynthia, what happened happen, ok? Beating yourself down won't bring Aeris back, so put yourself together and move on."

We were both in silence while staring at each other, neither of us blinked. She was right, but still… why did Aeris had to die?

"Cynthia… I'm going to tell you this just once, and then you get yourself to rest. What would Aeris tell you right now?" She left the room.

Aeris would say to me… what? She certainly wouldn't blame anyone… 'Everything will be alright?' That's what you always tell me… but… sometimes, things don't end alright. Aeris, I miss you.

…

I was in the middle of Sleeping Forest, the trees were white, and the place was in deep silence. Suddenly, like 50 steps away from me there was this familiar figure. I was afraid, it was Seohiroth. He didn't turned. I wanted to run away, and I wanted to take him down. But feeling were strong, but I remain motionless. Unable to think, I was looking for Ke Zhan, but it wasn't with me.

"Looking for this?" I turned to look who was it, and someone wearing Cloud's clothing was staring straight at me. He had such a warm smile and he was holding Ke Zhan. "It's a nice sword… but it wan't be enough to take down Sephiroth. Do you know who I am?"

"You're… Zack?"

"Yup! The one and only… "He gave Ke Zhan back to me "A lot has been happening… Anyway, I got a message from Aeris." He smiled again.

"Huh?"

"Everything will be alright."

"What?"

"That's what she said… Don't let your guard down now… " Everything began to turn into a blur and slowly disappeared.

"Is this a dream?"

"Yup! Don't be turning into a coward now, you're a very brave kid, you know?"I opened my eyes.

I did indeed take a short nap, and it did felt good. Vincent was waiting at the exit along with Yuffie, it seemed like she was telling him quite an enthusiastic tail from her hometown and Red was still sleeping. I went to join Vincent and Yuffie and as soon as I stepped outside, Vincent turned.

"Are you ready to leave?"

"Yes. Let's go!" I tried to look enthusiastic, but it was hard to smile. Zack's message was in my mind now, and it was… somehow, it comforted me.

"Finally! Vinney here was killing me with his silent!" Yuffie was unique indeed, she actually called Dracula's son Vinney, it sure made me smile. "At least you look healthy now, I'll go get Red! We need to catch up to Cloud! Let's get a move on! RED GET OVER HERE! Cynthia is finally healthy to keep going!"

We managed to get out of "Evil Sea World" place and now we were embracing a blizzard which it forced me to get on Red's back because I couldn't take the cold, while Vincent protected Yuffie from the cold by sharing his red cape with her, he constantly rubbed her arm to give her warm.

"We need to find shelter! The blizzard is too strong!" I heard Red say to Vincent. He seemed to agreed and began to find a nearby cave were we could rest until the blizzard passed. My whole body was shacking uncontrollably. We ended up inside a *dead end cave* it was slightly warm. We all waited for the blizzard to end, Red sat right beside me to keep me warm, and Yuffie was almost inside Vincent's cape. They sort of looked like a couple. After a while, Yuffie seemed to recover her warm and stood.

" Cynthia! Follow me!" and I did.

"What's up Yuffie?"

"Let's warm each other up in a faster way."

"Huh? How?" I asked confused.

She went towards me, took my hand, and she twisted it causing me to fall. "What's this? You don't even have reflexes! Hadn't you been taking lesson from Tifa? Come on, stand up and fight me!"

"Why_ I don't want to fight you! This is ridiculous!" I began standing up while rubbing my arm, but Yuffie somehow side-kicked me making me drop flat on my butt.

"No, you're ridiculous!" She took a fighting position and gave me the signal to make my move, which I did. I began throwing synchronized jabs in which she dodged them all. I took plenty of hits and I felt adrenaline kick in. I never thought I could fight like the way I did with Yuffie, I was quite mad at her, but at the same time I was having a pretty good time, in fact I even forgot that I was cold. I managed to give her an unexpected hook. The fight stopped there. She just stared at me, with an undefined expression.

"You call that a hook! That suck! Oh boy, give me twenty push-ups!"

"No way!"we both began to laugh loudly for a long while, I was even wiping some sweat that was dripping from my forehead. "Yuffie… "

"What?" she asked trying to regain her mean posture.

"Thank you." As we were letting our heart's beat go down, we noticed that Red and Vincent were leaving the cave.

"Ah, the blizzard's over! Cynthia, get your stuff! Vinney! Wait for us!"

The blizzard was over, I took Ke Zhan with me, but before I exited the cave, I turned to look at it one last time, and I smile.

You're right Aeris, everything will be alright… I'll do my best not to let myself down ever again.

…

…

Thanks for reading, I had to add this side quest, and I think it was pretty good. Anyways, REVIEW if you like, if you don't let me know why ;) Next Chapter Secrets Unfolds. ^,^