Wren landed on the other side rolling. Her face smashed onto the dirt.
"Ow…" She lifted her face and spitted out the dirt caught in her mouth. Taking a few moments to catch her breath, she scanned the area finding out she was next to a playground, whew… it's a good thing Tifa taught me that punch. Who knew I would've used it so soon? Then she remembered Tifa's hurt expression from the other day. She sighed; I should make it up to her… I guess… She was just trying to help.
Wren heard the door opening again, Oh snap! Her eyes caught sight of signs pointing to the town up ahead. Following the signs, she made her way through the Market area as she crashed into a couple of people while her senses went wild. The girl was unaware of her eyes were still in the feline state, her senses mapped out everyone to their core and heard the immediate thoughts of every individual. Wren stomach churned, her throat felt choked, she tried to keep looking forward but her eyes became frantic with every person's thought.
When she made it to other side of the market place, she spotted an entrance to an abandoned highway. She entered that highway and after a few steps, she vomited before continuing to walk a couple more steps. Then her legs gave out; I can't stop running, Wren felt her eyes becoming watery, I need to… She coughed out something that tasted like iron and when she glimpsed at it, a black blot, w-what is that?! She screamed as she forced herself to get up to continue but her body wouldn't respond. She collapsed on the ground again, wheezing for air while her head was spinning, it hurts… Her body wasn't responding. It hurts… I need… to get back… brother… Cloud… help… Her blurry vision caught eye of the same tall figure walking towards her. She could have sworn she saw a smirk on the figure but couldn't make anything else out. Her face is wet with tears and sweat, but she couldn't tell if it's from fear or pain.
"*wheeze* who are *wheeze* you…?" was all Wren could say before she blacked out.
~7~
While running through the Reactor's hallways, Cloud stopped in his tracks and observed his surroundings as his face turned rigid, something doesn't feel right. He continued forward past the steel walls and doors. Hacking any enemy in his way.
Not far behind, Tifa noticed Cloud's expression as he finished killing a fiend, "What's wrong Cloud?" she asked. The next swarm of Fiends came at them, but they were quickly shot down by the gun armed man.
Barret snorted as he reloaded his gun arm, "SOLDIER boy getting cold feet?"
Cloud sheath his sword and shrugged, "It's nothing. Let's keep moving."
He kept walking ahead of them while Tifa's eyes followed, you've changed Cloud. The memories of their childhood rushed to her. They weren't close, but he had always intrigued her, the mysterious quiet boy next door. And then our home was destroyed... Another enemy jumped out, she clenched her fist and clobber the thing to pieces. She recalled the other day at the bar with Cloud's attitude between her interaction with him and his with Wren. He seemed to more relaxed with Wren… She shook her head; No, I shouldn't be thinking that. Tifa let out small sigh under her breath, besides… Wren doesn't seem to like me… Cloud sees her like family and I'm… I'm…
Barret sees Tifa's shoulders dropped, "Ya' okay there Tifa?" he asked.
Tifa gave a small smile and nodded, "Yeah," She readjusted her glove, "I am just a bit nervous. It's been a while since I was on a mission."
Nervous she said… He maybe one armless, but he wasn't blind. The way Tifa had been looking at the blonde-haired man. He felt his blood boiled as it reminded him that his little angel at home will one day grow up too and have her heart captured by some heathen man. Not on my watch… no man will ever get 10 miles near to Marlene. Not when Barret Wallace of Avalanche is around. The man grunted, "If SOLDIER boy needs a ruff up, ya know I am here." He lightly pointed to the Ex-Soldier leading them through the reactor.
Tifa chuckled at Barret's comment, "I am pretty sure Wren wants her brother back in one piece." Wren's rejection of her concern did hurt. Wren is only a child so she thought Wren was relying on her like a sister. I am over thinking it. I am sure Wren just need some space. I over stepped. Their first meeting was interesting to say at most. The following days when she reacquainted herself with Cloud again, she picked up on the girl's behavior. She acts tough and demanding, but she can't handle Marlene. It's kinda cute to see her get flustered by a 4-year-old. In the same way, the sense of protectiveness the girl had over Cloud was rather cute too, rather the idea of a 12-year-old protecting a 21-year-old man. She smiled to herself when she thought of Wren's quirky behavior and sighed in relief; yeah, I really am over thinking it.
Finally, the party arrived at the Mako Reactor Core. Cloud stopped for a moment observing the core, while Tifa and Barret walked to checked the machinery.
"Alright, this is it." Tifa said.
"At least we don't have to face another Shinra machine here." Barret huffed.
Suddenly, Cloud clutched his head and grunted in pain. A flash of his memory came to him, the day that Tifa's father died. And for another moment, he thought he saw another memory where he only saw himself slouched on the ground next to a deceased figure and his sword in his hand. He didn't know the others heard him.
"Damn man, get a hold of yourself!" Barret yelled.
Tifa rushed to him in concerned, "Cloud, are you okay?"
Tifa's pain… it's my… fault… Cloud looks up to her, still gripping his head, "… Tifa."
Why does he look guilty? Tifa tilted head, "Hmm?"
Cloud regained his composure and straighten himself up, "No… it's nothing… Forget it… Let's hurry." Focus on the mission, Cloud quickly walked past them and planted the bomb. Then his headache returned, the others didn't notice him wincing again. His mind wondered to another memory, now he remembered the young silvered-haired girl, "Um… Hi… Uhh… I'm Wren… What's your name?", Wren… He shook his head, "It's all set up. Let's go."The others nodded and they all quickly left the core. As they trek their way back, Cloud thoughts went back to his travel companion; I wonder if she's okay. The kid still has a lot to learn. Wait… have I seen her fight?
Finally, the party made it to the outside bridge section of the reactor. They were immediately surrounded by Shinra soldiers on both sides.
"Shit! What the hell 's going on?!" Barret hollered and saw the soldiers unmoving. Heard footsteps from the entrance they came through, "Pres-President Shinra?!"
"Why is the President here?!" Tifa said.
The President spoke, "Hmm… So you all must be that … what was it?"
Barret shook his fists at President Shinra's direction, "AVALANCHE! And don't ya forget it! And you're President Shinra huh?!""
Cloud walked in front of the two and made eye contact with President Shinra, "Long time no see, President."
The President raised a brow, "Long time no see? Oh… you…" He smirked, "You're the one who quit SOLDIER and joined AVALANCHE. I knew you'd been exposed to Mako, from the look in your eyes. Tell me, traitor... what was your name?"
"Cloud."
"Forgive me for asking, but I can't be expected to remember each person's name. Unless you become another Sephiroth. Yes, Sephiroth… He was brilliant. Perhaps too brilliant…"
"Sephiroth…?" Tifa asked.
Barret raised his arm in protest, "Don't give a damn 'bout none of that! This place's goin' up with a big BANG soon! Serve y'all right!"
President Shinra sighed, "And such a waste of a good fireworks, just to get of vermin like you…"
Barret's blood boiled, "VERMIN!? That's all you can say… VERMIN! Y'all Shinra 're the VERMIN, killing the planet! And that makes you King VERMIN! So shud' up jackass!"
"You are beginning to bore me. I'm a very busy man, so if you'll excuse me… I have a dinner I must attend." President Shinra nonchalantly said.
"Dinner!? Don't gimme that! I ain't even started wit' you yet!" Barret tried to attack the President, but cloud restrained him.
President Shinra shrugged his shoulders, "But, I've made arrangements for a playmate for you all."
Tifa pointed to a moving object coming at them, "What's that?!"
In an instant, a massive machine charged at them and a battle ensues. It took a while but Cloud, Tifa, and Barret managed to defeat the machine; however, the machine exploded causing the metal bridge to collapse.
Barret and Tifa were safe but Cloud was hanging by a metal pole.
"It's gonna blow! Let's go Tifa!" Barret yelled.
"Cloud!" Tifa ran to the edge and tried to reach for him, but Barret stopped her, "Barret! Can't you do something?!"
"Not a damn thing." Barret said.
"But-" Tifa tried to speak then she looks over to Cloud, "Cloud! Please don't die! You can't die! There's still so much I want to tell you!"
Cloud saw Tifa's dishearten eyes as he struggled to pull himself up, "I know Tifa…" He feels his grip loosening up.
This is SOLDIER boy, I'm sure he's gonna be fine but… Seeing Tifa desperately trying to find a way to help Cloud hanging from a pole and beneath him was hundreds of feet to the slum below. The results look grim, he breath and decided to ask for Tifa's sake, "Hey, you gonna be alright?"
Cloud pondered for a moment on Barret's question before looking directly at Barret and answering, "You worry about yourselves! I'm all right, but take care of Tifa.",
Barret saw Cloud's determination and nodded. "…Alright. Sorry 'bout all this."
Cloud smirked, "Stop talkin' like this is the end! You and I both know it's not!" He gave Tifa one last look, even if she was shedding small tears. He felt a pang of guilt, but it gave him the more reason to pull through out of this even when he will fall to the slums below.
"Alright then, later," Then Barret quickly grabbed Tifa as they escaped the exploding reactor.
"Cloud!" Tifa yelled while Barret carried her off.
Cloud lost his grip and fell to the slums below.
~7~
Her eyes snapped opened and she gasped for air. Wren's face and body still lied on the cold must ground. She quickly used her arms to get up, how long was I out?
However, her reaction made her head dizzy. She clutched her head, "Uuugh, what happen…?" Wren observed her area, "Where am I?" She heard water dropping from the broken pipes. She scanned the area to see the highway broken in the tunnel with many cars, trucks, and signs scattered and buried in the rubbles, "I should check if there is a way through here." She began trekking through the highway. The puddles where she had fell unconscious near reflected the silver-haired figure watching her leave but… there is no one standing there.
~7~
In the bathroom, the rushing water from the sink rinsed Tifa's tears away. She looked in the mirror. Her complexion was fine but her eyes made it obvious she was bawling hours ago. The day had went by fast like a blur.
It's my fault that Cloud is… She stopped herself, get it together Tifa… the others should be back from their jobs with Wren. Tifa's shoulder dropped, "What will I tell Wren?" She shook her head, "Come on Tifa, be strong." She exited the bathroom and made her way to the bar downstairs to see Barret giving off an intimidating aura to Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge.
Barret was livid, "Whad'ya mean you lost th' shrimp?!"
The three slightly shrink, "We caught the person snooping around earlier about us but…" Biggs slowly said.
"We went to get Wren, the shop owner said she took the payment and left heading towards the bazaar market place. When we asked around, they said she went with a guy in a suit and two Shinra troops." Wedge quickly added; he could feel the sweat drops from his face.
When Tifa heard this, she went over and grabbed Wedge shoulders, "Wren is missing?!"
Wedge yelped in pain as Tifa's searched for answers. He realized that Tifa's grip is terrifyingly strong, "We don't know where the Shinra people took Wren! We tried to track them, but the only clue we got is that folks saw the same suited man with a bruised jaw!" He cried in pain as he answered.
Bruised jaw? That means… Tifa realized she had a grip on Wedge, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry." She let him go, "Do you know where they headed?"
Jessie lightly puts her hand on Tifa's shoulder, "Not really, the folks said they only noticed them leave and the suited man returning by himself but from the complete opposite direction. Besides, didn't you teach Wren some hand combat in case she is in a pickle?"
"I did, but…" Tifa shoulders dropped, I feel like this is also my responsibility, "If its Shinra, why Wren?"
Barret clicked his tongue, "The shrimp was with SOLDIER boy. Wouldn't be surprising if they want to snuff any evidence." He quickly regretted his words as he saw Tifa became more distraught over the missing girl. Shit… Barret the back of his neck with his good hand, "Ahem…Ya' know th' shrimp is a tough cookie, so if she got the jobs you gave her done. I'm sure she got out of those slimy Shinra hands."
Tifa did a slight nod, "Your right. I'm sorry. I'm just over thinking it." She smiled at them.
They all silently sigh in relief, Crisis adverted.
Barret grunted, "Now, that's settle. Show us the rat you three caught."
"Right!" They said. Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge haul in a tied-up man. The restrain man muffled while they quickly took him to the back of the bar to be interrogate by Barret.
Tifa followed behind them, Good thing Marlene is over at her friends today. Her thoughts went back to the missing girl, Wren… I hope you are okay somewhere.
The man was tossed in the back room of the bar, and Avalanche closed the door behind them.
Barret pulled the clothe from the man's mouth while the man's eyes were still covered, "Now talk. We don't like strangers sniffing around our area."
The tied-up man became more petrified by Barret's booming voice, "O-Ok, Ok, I'll talk…t-the Don said to find AVALANCHE a-a-and find out w-what they have."
They all looked at each other in concern. Barret grabbed the man's collar, "Tell us more."
In a matter of moments, the man cracked. He told them everything that he knew.
An interrogation later, AVANLANCHE released the man away from the bar to go back where he came from.
"What now?" Biggs asked.
"Not much info, but doesn't mean we can't prepare." Jessie said.
"But they know AVALANCHE. They might come after us." Wedge added.
"Quit ya' yapping, I'm thinking." Barret hollered.
Tifa pondered on the info they gathered. Don Corneo had info on AVALANCHE, the Don didn't tell the man what he will do with it, and the Don is looking for a new bride. Looking for a new bride… that's it. She turned to everyone. "I'll go find out. I will go undercover as a bride candidate to find out what Don Corneo really wants."
~7~
Hours passed by, Wren couldn't see anything in the distance just darkness and more rubble in the highway. She encountered some monsters but nothing she can't handle. She flailed her arms while she continued to walk by a collapsed edge, "Where is the exit?!"
She sees a rock in front of her and kicked the daylights out of it. The rock ricochet off the wall back to Wren which made her lose her balance, "Waah!" She fell into the ditch of the collapsed road, unaware the rock bounced off of her and hit a dormant machine. "Great…"
*buzz… buzz…*
She heard the noise, "Huh?"
Turning to the direction of the noise she saw rubble moving, *buzz… buzz…* *buzz… buzz…* *buzz… buzz…* She saw a blur of glowing eyes before 3 machines burst out of the of the rubble.
Wren's face blanched, "Hoo boy…" She quickly gets up and runs to the other side the ditch. She tried to grab a ledge but failed.
The machines inched closer to Wren. She turned back to face them and she unsheathed her blades. Her enemies' movement were becoming quicker. Wren launched herself to the farthest one to attack, knocking it down. She bashed her blades against it a few times before another machine attempted to attack her. Dodging, she sidesteps into a twirl slash to counter the attacking one.
Unfortunately, Wren didn't know the machines can shoot out sludge like substance.
*Buzz, buzz* *Buzz, buzz* *Buzz, buzz* The machine shot a sludge and it hit her shoulder.
Wren lost her balance as the force of the shot made her body hit the broken wall, "Augh!" She regained her stance, but the machines were closing in on her, crap… She didn't notice her breathing speed up and her eyes became sharper, okay Wren. Don't panic. Don't panic. I can do this.
She sensed the machine lifted its arm to attack, and in an instant, she used her blades to block with a parry. Her slash caused the attacking machine to crash into the other two. This made an opening for her. She rushed past them and prepared to attack again. The machines regain their stance and shot sludges at her. To counter, Wren ran towards them dodging their attack. She leaped over them and successfully slashed them from behind.
Unfortunately, she tripped again. She quickly realized it's too late to dodge as a metal arm was heading midway towards her head. She shut her eyes and raised arms to shield herself from the oncoming pain. The next thing she knew, she heard metal crunch and the machines erroring.
*…b-buzzzz…*
No pain came.
"Wren, are you okay?" A familiar voice said.
She snapped her eyes open to the figure in front of her. She let out a small gasp, "Brother?"
Cloud nodded and helped her up, "Looks like you could use a hand."
Did I look that lame? Wren sighed not making eye contact before forcing a small smile, "I guess I did…" Cloud picked up her kukris and hand them to her. She felt her cheeks warmed, "Thanks." She puts her swords away before hugging Cloud contently by the waist, I'm so glad I met brother again. She felt more content when he tensed in her hug, Brother is so funny.
This kid… Cloud felt a sweat, he remembered Wren's struggle with the machines. He made it just on time before she seriously injured herself. Heh, she put up a good fight, but she still has a lot to learn.
"Ahem." Wren heard a feminine voice did a forced cough. While still hugging Cloud, she turned her head to see a pink dressed woman with braided brown hair, "I didn't know my bodyguard had a cute sister~"
Wren's grip on Cloud tighten and her eyes narrowed at the brunette, "Who's she?" Her words came out ruder than expected. This woman… why is she with brother… what if she's using brother?!
Cloud coughed and signaled his hand from the woman to the child, "Aerith, this is Wren, my mercenary partner." He did the same in vice versa, "Wren, Aerith, the Flower girl I met in the upper plates."
"Pleasure to meet you Wren. Cloud has been a great bodyguard." Aerith said as she offered her hand, "Let's be friends." She said warmly.
Wren heard the woman's thought, 'Aww~ She so cute. And I thought Cloud was cute.' Puffing her cheeks, she latched more onto Cloud's waist while giving Aerith an even more intense glare.
Aerith giggled at the girl's hostility. Cloud let out a small sigh and puts a hand on Wren's head, "Be nice." He said.
Wren pouted while not breaking eye contact with Aerith, "Fine." She muttered before letting go of his waist. She reluctantly walks up to Aerith to shake her hand, "…H-hi…" She quietly said looking away from her.
What a funny girl, Aerith quietly snickered, "Hello~" She returned the handshake. The woman's smiling face quickly turned into concern, "Oh no, your bleeding."
Upon hearing this, Wren felt her nose drip. She quickly let go of Aerith's hand and covered her nose as she looked away. Wren wiped some of the blood. Taking a quick glance at her hand, she felt her stomach churned. She remembered her panic attack from earlier. Her blood looks black. This is … This is not normal… For a split moment, her reality shifted and her bloody hand turned into the claw where the deceased scientist was on the bloody floor. Wren didn't notice her breathing sped up or that, in reality, she was standing in a trance just looking at her hand looking in fear.
"W-…. Wr-…. Wren…" She faintly heard Aerith called her name, "What's-… Wrong?-"
Wren felt unhinged. She can hear it, that husked voice that talked to her in the bar the other day, "S2." It was clear as day. Her loud heartbeat was drowning sound, until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She turned to see for a split second seeing the figure. Until she blinked and vision shown a concerned Cloud, "Wren, breathe." He said as he got on his knees to bending down to her level, 'Her eyes are different and her nose is still bleeding. Is that black blood?'
She didn't like his actual thought. She saw in flash, Kai being in front of her, 'S2 you freak.' She tried to push him away. She was feeling light headed, I-I have to run… She remembered the red-haired man, "No hard feelings, just doing my job." I need to get away… The last words of the text haunted her, "finish eliminating Subject S2." No, not again… I… I-I don't want to be alone again… She remembered Kai's lifeless body on the bed in the cabin. She looked away and try to push Cloud away again. Her overwhelming memories were overtaking reality. Her words were stuck. Everything was becoming blurring to her, why am I here?!
This is the first time I seen her afraid, Cloud felt her trying to push him away again with more force, "Wren, snap out of it." He lightly shakes her, Dammit, she not listening. He sees drops of sweat and she was starting to shake, what do I do? He didn't like this helpless feeling, a too familiar feeling.
In a swift moment, Aerith walked over to Wren. She went on her knees and pulled her into a cradling hug. "There, there, you are safe. You will be fine." Aerith soothed the frantic girl. Wren tried to struggle through Aerith embrace and tears began to fall down her face that mixed with the blood. Aerith remained calm; poor girl, she must of went through something traumatic… She felt Cloud's intense stare at Wren's condition in her arms, Cloud looks so worried for the girl. She must be a treasured partner. She heard the girl sniffled in her arms, so she continued her soothing words and rocked her a bit back and forth, "Just rest, you were very brave today. You did well. You are safe. Cloud will protect us."
She looked over to Cloud. He silent nodded in agreement. Seeing that the girls needed space, he got up and went to stand guard close by.
After a few more moments of soothing, rocking, and slightly humming the girl, Aerith felt the terrified girl calmed down and fell asleep in her arms. Seeing Wren in this position, reminded her of a distant memory, reminds me when my mom will comfort me when we were in that lab. She was gone all-day and I couldn't sleep until she came back to sing to me. It helped assured me that she was still alive… when she was still there, before she returned to the planet.
Cloud looked over to see that Wren was asleep. He went over to Aerith. He rubbed the back of his head, "Thanks… I didn't know Wren would freak out like that."
Aerith shook her head, "No problem. I don't mind helping. Besides, it reminds of what my mother did to me when I was younger."
"Elmyra is a really good mother. She was protective of you when I was helping out earlier." Cloud answered. He failed to notice Aerith slightly tensed, he didn't know she wasn't talking about Elmyra.
"Yeah, she is." Aerith answered, she thought of her actual mother, you were a really good mom. You were always thinking of protecting me, until the very end… I will miss you dearly. Aerith lightly shakes her head, "Shall we keep on moving?" Aerith slowly picked up Wren.
Cloud frown slightly, "How-" He was cut off.
"Oh, come on. I am not fragile." She flexed one arm, "I carried enough flowers to carry a child."
He had a skeptical look until she positioned the girl on her back.
"Tada, alright. Let's go~" Aerith said while pumping up her fist, "Come on Cloud, there is a place up ahead where she can rest a bit. You know, before you both mosey on over to Sector 7."
She does have a point, Cloud sees the unconscious Wren on Aerith back, "Fine. Let's get moving them." They made their way through the rest of the abandoned highway.
During that time, Aerith didn't say much out concern that she might wake up the girl by accident by her sudden movements or loud noises. They passed through running sewage through a large pipe that acted as a bridge.
Luckily for Cloud, he didn't really have to answer Aerith's questions. He took peeks from the corner of his eye to check on Wren. I suspected Wren wasn't a normal kid. No, I already knew. A normal kid wouldn't be fighting the way she does, they wouldn't be fighting at all really. He remembered their conversation from the other day, she has a past too. Probably her bleeding must of triggering some bad memories. He felt his fist clenched more, just like Tifa… did I fail Wren too? The destruction of Nibelheim flashed his mind for a brief moment. What happened after I beat Sephiroth? He had another headache. The details of what happen after that night was shrouded in mystery.
He didn't notice Aerith past him, "We almost there. Just need to head up this ladder." She directed.
He snapped out of his headache, "Got it." Aerith was about to head up, but Cloud stopped her, "I will take Wren. I can manage. Thanks for carrying her."
Wren means a lot to him, Aerith smiled, "Okay. It was no problem."
They made their way up and Cloud found himself at a children's playground.
Aerith tapped his shoulder lightly, "The gate of Sector 7 is over there." Then she directed him to the one near the swing. "You can put Wren down on that bench over there."
He nodded while carrying an unconscious Wren to the bench. As he laid Wren down, he took the chance to check her appearance. She looked calm in her sleep but he could tell she was crying from her swollen eyelids and can tell where the blood came from. Her nose had small residues and small crust of blood formed on one of her nostrils. He felt a heaviness seeing her in this weaken state, like he seen something similar before. He shook his head, and petted her head before moving some of Wren hair out of her face, wake up soon Wren. I can't do this without you partner. He gets up to and look over to Aerith who was patiently waiting for him. He did a small huff, "Thanks I guess this goodbye. You gonna be alright going home?"
Aerith shook her head, "Oh no! 'Whatever will I do?!' … isn't that what you want me to say?" She coyly said.
"When Wren wakes up, I can see you back." He responded.
Didn't expect that answer, Aerith was taken aback a bit by Cloud's bluntness, "Isn't that a little out of the way?"
He paused for a moment. It really was out of the way to get her back home again. He shifted a bit, "Yeah, I guess so."
Aerith smiled at him, and pointed to the children slide, "We can hang out up there while we wait."
Cloud felt a sweat dropped at the woman's suggestion. Aerith smirked and hugged his arm quickly before dragging him to the slide, "Come on, don't be shy. I promise I won't kick you off. Hehe." She took a good look at the slide, "I can't believe it's still here." She made her way up to the top of the slide and signal Cloud, "Over here."
Cloud sigh and made his way up too. He sat next to her.
"They sat there silently for a moment. A peaceful silence.
Maybe I can ask Cloud if he knows anything about 'him'? Aerith played with her thumbs before building the courage to ask, "What rank were you?"
Cloud slightly turned his head to her, "Rank?"
"You know, in SOLDIER."
"Oh, I was…" He paused, "First Class."
Was he… unsure? She shook it off, "Just the same as him."
"The same as who?"
In a swift moment, her memories bought to surface a distant memory. She remembered that ash black hair, his bright smile that was contagious, and those mako blue eyes that shimmered when he saw her. Aerith brought herself back to reality, she took a side glance to see if Cloud was looking before answering him, "My first boyfriend."
"You were… serious?" Cloud slightly peeked from the corner of his eye to see that Aerith had a somber smile graced her face.
I thought 'he' really was the one back then. I was the fool, she shook her head, "No. But, I like him for a while."
He did a small cough, "I probably knew him. What was his name?"
I find it hard to even say his name, Aerith did a small laugh, "It doesn't really matter."
They heard the gate beginning to open and they looked over to see a chocobo carriage coming through. They didn't notice that the noise of the gate opening caused Wren to shift and she start opening her eyes.
Cloud spots something at the back of the carriage as it began to turn, "Huh? Het, back there…" Once the fully, he got a clear view of the back, "Tifa?!" He bolted up which surprise.
"That in the cart was TIfa? Where was she going?" Aerith asked surprise and chose her next words carefully, "She looked kind of odd…" But seeing Cloud in a state of panic, Tifa must also be a special person to Cloud too. She nodded to herself and hopped down the slide to run over to catch the direction the carriage went.
"Wait!" Cloud called to her, "I'll go! You go home!"
Before he could run after her, he heard Wren, "Ugh…" and turned to see the girl sitting up on the bench half-awake.
He quickly went to Wren and kneel next to the bench, "Wren!"
Wren turned Cloud, "Cloud?" She rubbed head, "Ugh… My head… What happen?"
Does she not remember her panic attack earlier? Cloud stood up, "You were attacked earlier in the highway, so we saved you. You fainted shortly after." He looked over his shoulder quickly but couldn't see the brunette anywhere, Dammit I think Aerith must of ran after the carriage. He turned to Wren and offered his hand, "Can you walk?"
Who's "we"? She looked at his hand, "Oh, um… yeah…" She took his hand and he helped her up. She shifted a bit, "Um…Who's "we"?" Wren shyly looked up to him, but she wasn't expecting his next thought.
'Tifa is in trouble,' Cloud answered quickly, "Aerith. She helped carry you here-"
Wren's eyes widen, "What?! Tifa is in trouble?!"
Cloud was taken aback, "How did you?-"
"Brother, what happen?! We have to hurry!" Wren wasted no time pulling his hand towards the park, exit, Wait … I don't know where I'm going…., nor that she can budge the grown man.
Well, at least she's back to herself, Cloud gripped Wren's wrist and lead her, "This way." Cloud SOLDIER speed dragged the 12-year-old at first, but he didn't notice that the child is able to keep up. His mind was elsewhere, we have to hurry up to meet with Aerith and save Tifa… Tifa… Please by okay…
The pair managed to catch up and find Aerith asking the guard of the market entrance any information about Tifa. She sees the pair and waves at them.
"This place is scary in a lot of ways. Especially for a girl. So, we've got to find Tifa fast," Aerith told Cloud. Then she looked over to Wren, before warmly smiling at the girl, "Good morning sleepy head, I'm so glad your well now."
In an instant, Wren jumped back and hugged Cloud by the side waist, This… This woman… I can't take her… Why is she with brother… Is she's using brother?!... Huh? Have we met before? Wren eyes narrowed at her, "Who are you?"
Hoo boy… She doesn't remember. Cloud frowned at the girl's reaction, "Wren that's-"
'Oh, I see. You must have been really stress to remember,'Aerith tilted her head and smiled, "Aerith, the Flower Girl and your Wren, the other body guard."
I don't remember?... Wait, body guard? Wren diverted her eyes and chewed her lip.
There was a small silence between the three of them.
Cloud shifted his gaze between the two girls, does Wren not like her? Besides we have to find Tifa quickly, but I can't push Wren if reacts the same way again. He took notice that people were quietly whispering about them, it's a bizarre sight for a child to be clinging to his waist while an older woman talks to her, I should say something soon…
Aww~ She debating to trust me, Aerith patiently waited for her response, maybe I should give her a flower later. Aerith thought of waving the flower in front of the girl and imagine Wren trying to grab it with her hand. Like a small kitten, she paused, but if Wren is a kitten, then Cloud must be a stray dog. The thought humored her; she is just an awkward child with a tough front, hehe.
Bodyguard… What was I doing before I woke up on the bench?... I was doing the jobs Tifa gave me and… Oh, I was paid and then… The guy with red hair who knew Kai… I ran… and I was scared… I remembered I blackout… Brother said I was being attack and they saved me… I guess I don't remember that part… I guess her story checks out. I will trust her… for the meantime, Wren looks at the Aerith warily, "H-hi… I'm Wren."
"Nice to meet you." Aerith said.
Wren felt her cheeks warmed before it dawned to her, Tifa! She let's go of cloud before she started shaking him for answers, "What about Tifa?!"
Cloud stops her, "We are going to save her, we need to get moving now."
What if Aerith takes brother away from Tifa?! Wren shook her head, "Well, that too… but… but aren't you Tifa's boyfriend?!" She blurted, "So why are you with her?!" She pointed to Aerith,
Aerith blankly stared at the two
Cloud couldn't contain his embarrassed expression, he felt the air around him get hotter, "W-what?!- Wren! We're friends."
Oooh~ Friends he said, Aerith coyly her fingers on her chin in thought, "Like a special friend?" She asked.
"No- I mean Yes- I mean-," Cloud fumbled his words before he paused and flicked Wren forehead.
"Ow!" Wren yelped as she rubbed were Cloud flicked her.
"Look, Tifa is in trouble. We need to hurry." Cloud said before quickly turning his feet to walk into the market place.
The two girls watched Cloud walk off, they both could see the tips of his ears were red.
Wren pouted, "I was just asking…" She muttered. Then felt a tap on her shoulder, she turned to see Aerith smiling at her.
"We should mosey on over to make sure he doesn't cause trouble. You are his bodyguard, right?" Aerith said, 'She's so adorably protective of Cloud."
Wren frowned, "I'll give you a chance. Don't blow it." Wren huffed and paced herself to catch up to Cloud.
I wonder if that's how sibling act, Aerith shrugged and followed after Wren and Cloud through the Market Place to find Tifa.
A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. I was figuring out how to write this chapter, but once I started, I wrote to my heart content. (-^w^-) Do you enjoy Wren childish behavior? Do you like her relationship with Cloud, TIfa, and Aerith? Next chapter is the "Scene" lol. Leave a comment if you have any feedback. Until next time~(-^u^-)y