Hi! Here's the next chapter. This one was hard to think up. I was also pretty busy while I wrote it. So…umm… read and tell me what you think! And I don't own Final Fantasy VII.
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Chapter 6
"What, are you sure? That was a long time ago, how could you remember?" Cloud asked.
"I don't know how I remember. It just stuck in my memory. But I guess I can't be sure until I see for myself", I said looking up at him.
"Well, I can take you to the castle to see him, but only during the night", he said.
"Huh? Why only at night?" I asked.
"He only comes out of his room at night. It's strange. Even Tifa doesn't know why he does it." I stayed quiet for a few minutes.
"But I don't think I should take you tonight. The last time I saw him, he was in a pretty bad mood. And besides, we need a reason why you are in the castle in case you're caught there". I just nodded my head. "Let's just enjoy the evening while we're here, okay?"
"Yeah", I agreed.
We sped off across the meadow again. Then we came to a river and got off the chocobo. I sat down on the grass under a tree and watched the water. The reflections of the moon made the water seem to sparkle and appear silver. Cloud sat down beside me.
"I'm so sorry I got you involved with my family problems", I said.
"It's okay, Aeris. I don't mind at all", he said.
We remained silent for a few moments. Cloud picked up a pebble and threw it into the water. It made a soft splashing sound.
"Actually, I had my own problems in the past", he said.
"Like what?" I asked.
"It's a long story, but I'll shorten it", he said. "I had a little brother named Zack. We grew up as best friends and we did whatever we could to help each other out. While he was young, he took violin lessons. A few years later he became the best violin player anyone had ever seen. People came from all over the world just to see him play a song or two. He was the greatest guy in the world to me".
"What happened to him?" I asked.
"He was also known as a ladies' man. Sometimes he would go to the bar just to play his violin and impress women. He was so young but he had a mature mind. The night he turned fifteen he played for everyone in the bar. All of a sudden, a thief stormed in. He accused Zack of sleeping with his girlfriend and Zack protested against it. The thief took out a knife and stabbed him in the heart." Cloud paused and looked down. "And I wasn't there to help him".
"That's so sad", I said quietly. Cloud nodded.
"Yeah. After I heard about it, I went into a state of shock. I wouldn't talk for months after that. My family never really cared about me and Zack and we never minded then. But after he died, I needed someone to talk to. My family acted as cold as ever to me. The only time I felt better was when I was practicing my sword skills and whenever I felt alone, I went out into the forest."
"I guess we're almost in the same situation then", I said. Cloud laughed softly.
"Yeah, I guess so", he said looking up at me.
"I'm getting a little tired", I said with a slight smile.
"Yeah, me too", he replied. "I think we should go back since it's getting a little late".
"You can go ahead. I'll stay here", I said.
"You're not coming? It's to far to walk back".
"Maybe", I said lying down beside the river, "It's too nice out here to sleep indoors". Cloud walked over to the chocobo.
"I agree with you there, but I still have to go back. Are you sure you're not coming?"
"Yes", I said half asleep.
"Okay", he replied.
I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me. I heard two sets of footsteps walking away from me. But then they stopped for a couple of minutes. I heard a soft wark coming from the chocobo and one set of footsteps coming toward me. Right before I fell asleep, I felt Cloud put his arm around me.
I woke up a few hours later and the sky was just beginning to get brighter. Cloud seemed to wake up a few minutes earlier than me. I stood up and brushed the leaves and grass off my dress.
"Okay, now we can go back", I said to him with a smile. He laughed and helped me onto the chocobo. He got on and we rode out of the small forest. After a long time, we arrived back at the stable. Cloud went inside to put the chocobo back and I stayed outside. Even after what I heard that night, I felt a little happy. I guess it was because I finally knew someone who understood what happened to me. But a part of me felt awful for Cloud. I would never have thought that a prince would go through something like that. Finally, Cloud came back outside.
"Feel a little better?" he asked.
"Yeah, do you?" I said.
"Yeah, it always feels better when you talk to someone". He looked down.
"What's wrong now?" I asked.
"Nothing, I just… had a lot of fun… tonight. Umm… did you?" he asked.
"Of course I did", I said laughing. He smiled.
"That's good. So… I guess I should go now." After he said that, he stayed standing right where he was. "Oh and thank you for listening to my lame story about me. It really made me feel better talking to you", he said in a serious tone.
"It's okay, Cloud. I like talking to…"
Before I could finish, he quickly leaned forward and kissed me. That really surprised me, but soon I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around him. It seemed like time itself stopped. After what seemed like an eternity, we broke apart.
"You interrupted me", I said with a fake arrogant tone.
"Well, excuse me Princess Aeris!" he said sarcastically.
We started laughing.
"Hey, that kinda sounds nice together", he said smiling.
"Okay, that's enough Cloud", I said laughing.
We stopped laughing after a few minutes and the sun began to rise.
"Okay I guess I should really go back now", he said looking at the sky.
"Alright, are you coming back tonight?" I asked. He looked back at me.
"Of course", he said. He turned and started walking away. "Have a good morning, Princess", he said, quickly bowing to me. I started laughing again.
"You too", I called to him. He started running back and I sat down against the barn. "This is like a fairy tale", I whispered to myself. I smiled and I leaned my head against the wall. I always loved to watch the sunrise.
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Heheheh, romantic chapter, huh? But also a bit sad. Poor Cloud!! And what's Sephiroth's problem? I think anyone can guess that! But anyway, I want to thank everyone who gave me good reviews. Especially Chaos Winged Mage, you really helped me out a lot!! ^_^ Ok, I REALLY need to get some sleep now. I only got one hour last night so gotta go!
Yunalesca Strife ^_^
