Before they knew it, Saturday came. Rufus had checked the weather report: everything was fine. Rufus went downstairs, to see Aeris waiting for him.

She had already changed into "some clothes she could move around in." She wore a pair of jeans and a green sleeveless top, and over it she wore a little yellow vest. She had been anticipating this trip for the past two days. He himself was wearing a sky-blue shirt, with a pair of khaki pants.

Rufus saw Aeris and smiled: well, she looked ready. He went over to her and offered his arm to her. Aeris smiled and took it.

They walked toward the elevator, and pressed one floor down. It was the indoor parking lot.

They walked to Rufus' car. Aeris gasped.

"THAT'S your car???" Aeris ran to it and examined it. It was a black sports car, not that expensive, but very exravagant in. normal standard. nevertheless. Rufus swallowed, trying to come up with an excuse. He had taken the precaution of taking his car and parking it where the employees parked. But he wasn't expecting this. However Aeris just jumped over the door and sat herself down on the front seat, giggling.

Rufus checked his trunk. A huge pack with food, some cooking utensils, a lantern just in case in got dark, and a tent for emergencies. A coat. That was enough: they were planning to be back by ten anyways.

Rufus opened his side of the door and set himself down. He smiled at Aeris.

"You ready to go?"

Aeris nodded and he stepped on the gas. There was scarcely anyone in the parking lot since all the employees had left about thirty minutes ago. Aeris laughed as they tore out of the building.

Midgar was a place where there was no middle class. You were either really poor, or really rich. Sadly most people fit into the former category: say hello to cheap trains. Highways were really uncommon. But, since it was the Shinra building where the richest lived and worked, there was a small road for cars that stretched for about sixty miles.

As they got on the road, Rufus inhaled a big breath. Reno's words came into mind: "You really should get out more. You're starting to look sick." Well, maybe that was right. After all, he NEVER left the Shinra building, since he LIVED there. But the air brushing against his face and the flowing of his hair were starting to feel very good.

Aeris was staring out at the road, enjoying the feel of her hair as the wind combed it back. She was rarely on car rides, and it had actually surprised her when he told her he had a car. and apparently, a good one.

She turned to Rufus, for no particular reason.

His shirt collar was unbuttoned, and the neat professional look that always followed him was gone. His hair was ruffled and kept brushing against his face due to the wind. He looked suddenly very different from the Rufus she knew from the building.

Blue eyes, even bluer than the skies towering over them. She stared at those sapphires for god knows how long, until Rufus turned to her with a questioning look.

Aeris was inclined to respond. "Uh.. thanks for taking me out Rufus. It's been forever since I did anything."

'Same here.' Rufus thought.

The sun was beginning to get brighter, as it was nearly one thirty. Rufus fumbled in the little compartment drawer and got out a pair of sunglasses. He put them on.

Aeris giggled. He reminded her of a movie star, riding in sports cars with sunglasses.

"Hm?" Rufus asked.

"Nothing," Aeris said. "You just look. . . cute with that glasses."

Rufus grinned at her.



Not long after, they arrived in the mountain. It apparently had a trail, and because it was so undisturbed the wildlife was wonderful. There WAS a fee though, and Rufus paid for them both. He carried the huge pack over his back.

"Come on, let's go." Aeris followed.

They started out slowly, taking a look at the trail map. But it was an easy trot: it should take not more than six hours to come back.

Rufus stuffed the map in his pocket. Aeris had both arms wide open. She seemed to be feeling the wind. Aeris caught him looking and smiled.

They started talking about inane things. Between Aeris' giggles and Rufus' few chuckles, they reached the top before they knew it. Aeris' cheeks were flushed and Rufus had some color back into his too.

It was almost three thirty, and they were beginning to be hungry.

Rufus looked for a good spot to cook. Not far away, he saw a place where a bunches of short trees stood, blocking the wind. He motioned Aeris to come there. He took out the few things for cooking he brought. He made a fire, and put some rice into a pot with some water. He just left it there on the fire. Aeris was busy with some wild patches of flowers. They were rare in Midgar. A slow smile spread on her cheeks as she gathered little bunches and made them into a bouquet. She saw Rufus, busy making dinner. She went over to him and presented the little gift. Rufus laughed. "Shouldn't I be giving this to you?"

After they finished eating and started cleaning up, they felt the clouds hovering over their heads. That was odd. When they started there was not a dot on the sky. However, the ominous clouds kept gathering. Before they were fully packed, huge drops of rain began to fall.

Rufus couldn't believe it: the weather report was wrong??? DAMN IT! How were they supposed to finish their hike now? It seemed impossible as the clouds began to cover the sky entirely. The rain slowly but surely got stronger, and Aeris stood below a little tree, squatting, to avoid the rain. Aeris motioned him to come near her.

Rufus looked frustrated. "But that weather report said. . . WHAT THE HELL!!" He quickly turned to Aeris. "I'm sorry, Aeris," Rufus said, apparently sorry that the little outing has turned out to be a disaster.

"What do we do?" Aeris asked. It was not an option to try to go down the mountain now. That would be ludicrous, seeing how dangerous a mountain can be in a rain.

Rufus sighed. "Well, I brought a tent. It's small, but I'll set it up so we can wait there in the rain." He looked around. "This looks good enough, the rain's kinda blocked by this shrubs and stuff."

He opened the pack and got out a little package. He assembled it under the protection of the little tree. Aeris tried to help. Few minutes later a tent was assembled. Rufus got some huge rocks to keep the tiny tent in its place. He sighed once more.

"I know it's not that comfortable in there but we should be better off now. The rain doesn't seem like it's gonna stop anytime soon."

"Thanks," Aeris said, as she carefully stepped into the tent. Rufus followed soon after, and zipped the entrance. The wind was blocked considerably. But it was still freezing. He remembered he had a little lantern and lighted it. He put it in the middle of the tent and watched it glowing. He noticed Aeris was shivering and took out the coat from the bag. He wrapped it around her.

"No, it's ok," Aeris protested. "Aren't YOU cold too?"

Rufus, in response, put the lantern closer to her.

Aeris rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Well, might as well make the best of this. . . Looks like we're gonna be stuck here for some time."

Author's note : I just noticed a huge flaw in my story. THERE IS NO MOUNTAIN IN MIDGAR. especially above the plates. is there? NO!!!! o_O Well this IS fanfic, so I'm gonna keep at it. This chapter seems pointless but it sets the background for what's gonna happen later. Don't give up on me just yet! Oh, and Please Review!