Aeris slowly opened her eyes, as she slowly sat up. When the room had finally came into view, she noticed that she hadn't recognized a thing. The room was gloomy, except for the bright sunlight outside the open window. There was a tall dresser at one end, covered up with piles and piles of paper. She gently pressed back her brown hair, behind her shoulders, as she gently leaned back against the head board.
Aeris glanced down, suddenly noticing that she had been changed into different clothing. On her body she wore a long navy blue sleeveless shirt, that barely covered her thighs. One side hung below her shoulder, revealing how wide the collar was. She gently tugged at the shirt, when a sudden thought invaded her mind. A man's shirt.
Her green eyes widened, as she searched around the room. Only to find that no one was in sight, and completely empty. Aeris let out a sigh of relief, but ended briefly. As she stood up, and walked over to the door, pulling it open. Only to peek outside. The hall was narrow, and had 2 doors on each end. She slowly stepped out of the room, and into the living room, that was neatly organized, except for some clothes hanging around on the couch. Men clothes. She slowly stepped out of the corridor, as she stared blankly at her surroundings. All was quiet, except for the soft tapping of rain outside the open window.
Aeris' eyes slowly adjusted on a young man, seated on the far end of the couch. She slowly made way to him, her eyes locked. he swung around, surprisingly, as he stared back at her. She had remembered those eyes anywhere, eyes that stared at her, eyes that gave her such frightful feelings. Aeris stood in one spot, as she waited for him to talk.
He slowly turned to her, "Finally, awake?" She stayed quiet, as she stared at him, with an odd expression.
"There's some soup on the table," Cloud uttered, as he slowly glanced back. Aeris stared blankly at the soup, as she slowly spooned it.
"What am I doing here?" she questioned, still holding onto the spoon.
"You're much safer here, than anywhere else. Trust me, I know you more than you think I do," he uttered.
She turned to him, with an odd expression, "Who are you?"
He looked at her, with a straight face, "Cloud...Cloud Strife." Aeris paused for a moment, then her expression suddenly turned hard. She reached over, holding the soup to her pale lips. She slowly walked over beside him, her eyes fixed before her.
"Thank you," she uttered, staring down at the floor. Cloud glanced up, then turned to the door, as there was a soft knocking. He slowly walked over, pulling it open.
Tifa smiled, as she invited herself in, "Where is---Aeris?" A smile suddenly crept upon her face, excitedly as she walked over to her, grabbing her hand, softly, "It's really you! It's me, Tifa."
Cloud walked up beside her, taking a deep breath, "She doesn't remember anything," he uttered, turning away. Tifa stared up hard at him, in grief, as she repeated his words. Cloud slowly shook his head.
Aeris stared blankly at the two. Tifa then turned back to Aeris, with a warm smile, "I brought you some extra clothes. you wouldn't want to wear Cloud's clothes forever."
"Clothes?" Aeris uttered, as she looked down at the bundle the girl held in her hand, "..Thanks." Tifa smiled, as she slowly took her back to Cloud's room to change.
"So..what have you and Cloud been up to?" Tifa questioned, brushing Aeris' long brown hair gently.
Her facial expression tightened, "Done?" Tifa giggled.
"I was only kidding," she replied, stroking Aeris' hair. She sighed, as she pulled away.
"I don't feel comfotable," she uttered.
Tifa stared at her, oddly, "What's wrong?"
Aeris looked down, "I....I don't know. I'm just lost. I have no idea, where I came from. Who I am...all I remember is that I was running, running from a man. A man....he..he chased me. Where ever I went. He told me that I'd be useful. A useful specimen. For..." her voice slowly trailed off, as she rubbed her arm, forgeting suddenly.
Tifa slowly stood up, then gave her a smile, "Don't worry about it. Just get some rest, okay? You'll feel better. I'll come visit you soon." She slowly instructed her to the bed. Aeris sat on the bed, then layed down. She quickly covered her head, trying to drown away all of her fearful thoughts.
Days, so many days seemed to pass since she first came to this place. A place where she knew not even a soul. Aeris sighed, as she sat beside the window sill, staring out to the people down below. She slowly brought her knees to her chest, as she leaned her chin against it.
It had been nearly a week, a week of nearly quietness. He hardly talked to her, but whenever it came to Tifa...Aeris sighed, closing her eyes. They all claimed to know her so well. But she hadn't recalled anything. Not a single thought had entered the young woman's mind.
Tifa had told her, how it all came to be. But she had never at all mentioned anything dealing with Cloud. He was always out, hardly even there. But still claimed to watch over her, like she were a little kid. Most of the time, he'd ignore her, as if she weren't there at all.
Aeris quickly looked up, as she heard the front door opening. Only to reveal Cloud. He continued into the door, as if not realizing her sitting by the window. She paused, still deep in thought. He walked over to her, standing at least two feet away.
"You need anything?" he questioned, staring at her, blankly.
"No, thank you," Aeris uttered, walking passed him, without another word. Cloud stood in one place, as he closed his eyes for a brief moment. That's all he could ever say. Just one simple question, when deep inside, he was filled with so many emotions. So many thoughts, that never ended. Since that tragic day only so long ago.
He slowly walked over to the couch, sitting down, leaning his head back. Cloud brought his hands to his face, as he let out a deep sigh. When he had finally found what he had been looking for, memories were only fragments. And they had all seemed to continue drifting far away. Far from his own grasp.