Ta-da new chapter time! Let's just roll right into it!


Chapter 26

"Wow this place is just as great as I remember from the last time!"

"You really remember it that well?" Aerith asked as she led them around the side of a cliff..

"Of course I do, it was always so nice and quaint," Zack answered cheerfully.

Cloud was there as well, but he was looking around at everything. Once they rounded the corner, his eyes widened. For an area that was called the slums, he was amazed at how her house looked, and the land surrounding it.

The land surrounding the house was all a spectacular part of nature, with large cliffs overlooking the area in which her house was situated. The grass was such a vibrant green, with a variety of flowers lining the entire area in various spots. A majestic waterfall poured down the tallest cliff overlooking the house, and made its way into a stream that ran through the area and surrounded it. The water was such a clear blue as well, which is something that was rarely seen in any part of the bustling city. The stone pathway on which they entered curved around to the edge of where the waterfall was, leading to a small wooden bridge that connected to her house, and then another couple that connected the other small land areas.

Though there were plenty of signs of industrialization lining the cliffs and ground areas. Rusted metal components littered the waterways, though it did not seem to diminish the quality of the water. Some old catwalks lined the cliff opposite of the waterfall on the other side of the house. There were plenty of rustic pipes and metal frames adorning some of the other cliffside areas as well, with some of the pipes going down into the water.

When they reached closer to the house, the entire beauty of it soared into view. The outside was a fresh wooden layout, with a singular door and a couple of windows lining the front side. A wooden railing accompanied the front as well and the entirety of it, from side to side, was surrounded by a plethora of different flowers. It smelled nice.

Looking up, the roof of the house seemed like it was much taller than the rest of the house itself. The roof was also wooden, and quite large, making the shape of a hat like it was just sitting on the rest of the building. A couple of windows were situated in some triangular openings in the roof, with awnings stretching out above them. Even above that appeared to be another small structure that was on top of the roof, almost like a shed or a miniature house.

"This is so… pretty," Cloud said simply, realizing there was more to take in than he would have thought.

Aerith chuckled. "Well thank you," as she gave him a warm smile.

"I'm glad to see that you kept it all up, Aerith. It looks better than ever," Zack emphatically stated.

"Besides tending to the church and selling the flowers, this was all that I had to do during all this time. It gets challenging trying to purify the area sometimes though."

Cloud stopped. "Wait, so you were able to, make this all look the way it does?"

"Mhmm."

"She's special, Cloud. And her magic is second to none," Zack replied.

Aerith seemed to flinch and almost blush. "I see your flattery and boyish charm is ever the same," she led with a chuckle.

Zack grinned back. "Of course. I wouldn't really be me without it."

The trio walked a bit further and gazed upon the house. From the front, it was what looked to be a mid-size building for the most part. It wasn't much, seeming to be almost a normal wooden frame, but the design was unique.

Not much time went by before the door to the house opened and the boys were allowed inside. It opened right up into a small, seating area as they were surprised how it looked.

The room was dimly lit, with a rustic looking chandelier hanging from the roof which gave off an amber glow. Directly under the fixture was a small, round table with four chairs around it, on top of an intricately patterned hexagonal rug. To the side was an array of cabinets that were part of what looked to be a kitchen area. After looking around, the entirety of the inside of the house was made from a chestnut colored wood. It seemed small, but at the back was a staircase that led to an upper floor, where lowers were ornately placed around the banister, and anywhere else they could be found.

"It's just like how I would have imagined it" Zack said as he walked around. "I never got the chance to come inside before. Still such a nice homely place."

"It's the best we can do considering we're in the slums," Aerith replied. "Oh also, my mother isn't here yet it seems. She may be out in the back of the house and probably will be back soon."

"I don't think I ever got the chance to meet her before," Zack replied before going to take a seat at the kitchen table.

Aerith quietly sighed. "Well she may not be too excited to see you here, but I'll do my best to explain the situation."

Zack pushed forward a smile. "Thanks Aerith, that would be great. Wouldn't want to be kicked out right after coming in."

Before Aerith sat down, she thought of something. "Oh, I'll make us all some nice tea."

"You don't have to do that," Zack said instantly. "But I know you will anyways, so thanks," he finished lightheartedly.

She dashed away quickly over to the counter. They all made some small talk for the moment, the three of them enjoying the conversations. Before too much longer, she was finished with the beverages and brought them over and sat them down on the table in front of each of them.

"Thank you," Cloud said simply.

"Yeah, thanks Aerith," Zack replied as he then took a sip of the tea. "Wow this is really good!"

Aerith smiled gently at their comments. Her face then relaxed and she sipped her tea shortly. "So what was it that you wanted to tell me about, Zack?"

"Oh, right," he said despondently. "It was about the last four years. Or is it five? I, can't quite recall. I wanted to at least explain things. And, hopefully Cloud can remember some as well."

Cloud looked over at his friend, and then at Aerith who had turned her attention towards him. "Yeah, I do remember. Some things. Some are a bit fuzzy still."

"You don't have to push yourselves for me. I-"

"But I have to! I want you to know what happened. The reason I had not come back. I owe you this at least. So give me that," Zack suddenly nearly shouted without realizing.

"Sorry, I got caught up there," he continued.

Aerith stared with a worried look on her face. However, she knew that Zack was quite persistent. Once he had his mind set on something, there was no changing it. It was one of the things that she did like about him. Though, she wondered if those feelings still held true… or not. After turning some ideas in her head, she gave a slight nod.

"All right then. If you're sure."


"I would… I never expected you would have gone through so much since I last saw you," Aerith replied after hearing Zack's story. "I knew it had been years, I just never was able to consider the magnitude of it I suppose."

"Yeah… it's hard to think that a year has gone by since we left Nibelheim, but almost five years since we left for it," Zack said before lowering his head. "Five years of our life just gone, but we look like we barely aged a day… I mean sure we may look a tad older since this past year, but still..."

"It's just a lot to think about…" Cloud added in. "I wish I could have been more help early on."

"Hey! Don't doubt yourself Cloud!" Zack said as he turned to face him. "You recovered that was what matters! I was so afraid you were going to be completely catanontic… when you were sleeping so much and often spaced out, I was afraid the mako was going to ruin you. Sometimes I heard stories… about mako poison… they never woke up. I was so afraid… afraid you were going to sleep and never…"

Zack swallowed heavily. He felt a chill run up his spine as all of his thoughts came rushing into his mind. He shuddered as he felt the hairs on his arm start to rise. Quickly he rubbed his arms and shook his head. "But that never happened. You woke up and became more active again, you've made a full recovery!"

"Yeah, you're right. I'm just… glad all that's behind us…" Cloud tiredly replied.

Aerith was humming softly to herself as she stared at Zack. He was usually always smiling, always cheerful. But she knew better than that. She could see through those cracks on his mask, and right just then the mask had slipped. She saw what was hidden behind there and it only made her feel more concerned than before.

Aerith arose from her seat and walked over to Zack. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck and leaned her head against the back of his own. Zack found himself almost relaxing, the two of them not saying a word more at the time. Awkward silence filled the small room, making time seem ever slower than before.

Cloud fidgeted a bit more as he watched the two of them. He felt as though he might not be needed in that situation, even though he did want to be around Zack. Besides, he had started to cramp while sitting there anyways.

"Um, where is your bathroom?" he asked quickly?

"Oh, it's around the corner there and to the left," Aerith looked up and pointed.

"Okay, thanks." With that, Cloud made his way to the back of the house. In the next few seconds, there was a door that was heard shutting.

"I wonder if Cloud's all right?" Zack asked, not realizing he said that aloud.

"Maybe you should stop worrying so much huh?"

"Yeah, I know but-"

"You… don't have to hide things you know? I can see right through it."

Zack nearly broke into a smile, not only at her comment, but as he sat there more, her arms around his own body again was soothing. He felt his barriers slowly starting to fall as he relaxed his face, and then the rest of his body.

"Yeah… I know. You always were good at that. You know, this reminds me of before… all those years ago…" Zack trailed silently off as he hung his head lower, a sniffle escaping from him.

6 years ago now. It was shortly after Zack's mentor had died. Aerith remembered it quite well, and it seemed Zack did too. But that's not all. As she thought back, all the times they had spent together flashed in front of her. There were more instances that they spent time together, and where he would come to her for comfort. Even though it wasn't a lot, it was enough for them at the time.

And that's when it hit her.

"How could I ever have thought he would have just left. I wanted to believe there was a reason, but… I had doubts. Why? I was so stupid. I started to doubt him this past year, and if he even cared. And all he ever thought of was returning to me… "

"This feels… nice. I've missed this Aerith," Zack said simply through a nearly quivering voice, revealing his weakened state. But in front of her, he didn't care.

Those words hit harder than she thought they should have as it pulled her from her thoughts. Happiness radiated inside of her heart, but it was slowly being encompassed by another feeling. Guilt.

A tear started to trickle down her cheek, and when it reached the end, it fell onto the nape of Zack's neck. Startled by the feeling, he raised his head slightly.

"Aerith… what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Aertih replied in a soft tone. "Only was thinking about some things. The past, and now."

"What does that mean?"

"I'm… I'm not sure entirely. Trying to figure that out myself. Just a lot of feelings going through me."

"Well, you just told me not to hide things, so come on. Be honest with me."

Aerith sighed slightly and opened her eyes. "It's just that I-"

The backdoor to the house was heard swinging open. Moments later her mother came walking down the hall. As soon as she stepped into the room, she froze up. Her eyes were locked coldy at the sight she saw before her.

"Aerith! What is this? What is going on and what is he doing back here?"

Right away Aerith removed herself from holding onto Zack and ran over to her mother. "Please mother, let me explain first before you make ill judgement."

"What ill judgement could I possibly make about him? Or did you forget already what he put you through? I won't see him hurting you like that ever again."

"It wasn't his fault though! Please try to listen to me mother," Aertih pleaded.

Aerith's mother looked at her daughter, staring at her wide and pleading eyes. Then her gaze shifted back to where Zack sat. He straightened up and his eyes met with hers, but he didn't say a single word. A moment later she closed her eyes and sighed.

"Fine, tell me what has happened."


Some good feels ya? Hope you all enjoyed as always!