Chapter 28
The once exquisite door groaned as he pushed it open. He walked into the cathedral, shocking the two people inside. Two young children, one male, one female, were kneeling down next to a garden that dominated most of the floor. He looked around, but found no one else inside. The two kids jumped up, noticing him.
"She told us we could take care of the flowers until she got back." the boy said.
"Yeah." The girl added.
"Relax, I'm not here to tell you off. I'm just looking for Aerith." Shadow explained. "Do you know where I could find her?"
"Shut up, you must be one of them if you're looking for Aerith." The boy said bravely.
"One of who?"
"The Turks. They come here all the time trying to take Aerith. I thought that you guys would stop after that blond guy whooped you all so bad, but apparently I was wrong."
Shadow digested this information, so Shinra was still after Aerith. Well, he'd make them forget her really quick. He spun around and walked to the exit of the church, leaving to the two children confused.
==##==
He approached the house, his nerves were affecting him. He never thought he'd return to it, never thought he'd be able to let himself come home. He knocked on the door, then listened as the footsteps ran to the door. It was flung open, Elmyra standing in the door way. She stared at him a moment, the realization of who he was dawned on her. She flung herself against him.
"Oh, Shadow. Thank god you've returned." She sobbed, pushing herself away from him. "Something terrible has happened?"
Shadow stared at her, concern washing over his face. "What's wrong? What's happened?"
Elmyra took a deep breath. "Aerith has been kidnapped by Shinra."
==##==
Twelve years earlier, Aerith and Shadow had sat in the Church one hot summer day. Shadow watched Aerith as she played with some wooden dolls he had carved for her just a few days earlier. He quickly looked towards the door when he though her heard it creak, but it remained shut.
"Hey Shadow?" Aerith said.
Shadow turned his attention back to her. "Yeah?"
"Have you ever thought about joining SOLDIER?"
Shadow rolled his eyes. It was all everyone talked about. Soldier this, Sephiroth that. "No, why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering." She said, jumping up to her feet. She ran over to him. "If you joined SOLDIER, you'd become really strong right?"
"I guess." He answered honestly. "I've never really thought about it."
"Then you could always protect me right?" Aerith said.
Shadow jumped to his feet. "Come on Aerith. We both know no one is stronger than I am? I can already protect you."
"Really? So then you wouldn't mind promising to protect me no matter what?"
"Of course I will. After all, you're my little sister." He said, smiling. He loved the way her eyes lit up whenever he said that. She hugged him tightly around the waste.
