The wind blew, and carried, what seemed to be, water mist? The wind danced around the lone figure that stood on the Gazebo. The wind twirled around him and reached its destination, a pot full of ashes. There was once a fire there, but it had extinguished a while ago. The wind swirled around it until smoke could be seen. The figure moved to pot and, with a fire spell, lit it. The fire blazed, and the wind died down. He stared into the fire, just staring, and thinking.
How many years had it been? He didn't know when he lost her. Without her he felt even more incomplete. He loved her smile, her walk, her eyes. He had it all right there, but HE took her away from him.
"Sephiroth, you dog..."
you took her you bastard! You took my partner. So much, you've taken so much!
Its true. Sephiroth tore their relationship apart. It was all his fault.
"Cloud?"
He turned and saw Yuffie standing on the frame of the gazebo. They were in Wutai for the reunion. She looked concerned, as well she should had, Cloud had been moping around all year. She was gone and for that, he was always sad. Not even his beautiful counterpart could cheer him up, and she felt bad about it, and also she also felt resentment.
"Oh, its just you. Hey Yuf, aren't you supposed to studying with Vincent?"
"Yeah, but we finished early. Are you alright? You seem, oh i don't know, sad?"
please don't close me out. You've done it for SO long.
She looked up at him with big eyes.
Cloud stared at the girl. She was now 18 and had grown up immensely. She was like his sister.
"I'm fine, just came to catch the breeze."
Yuffie nodded her head in understanding. Cloud sighed. He felt so alone. As he slipped into his thoughts he went back to his normal self. He started to head for the house, then stopped short, standing beside her.
"Where's Tifa?"
Yuffie blinked to think.
"In the kitchen."
Cloud looked at the door and sighed.
"I really need a drink."
He slumped off, his face full of sadness and longing. It was routine now. Everyday he would stand there and go in for a drink. It was like clockwork. The fire's warmth met Yuffie's legs as the wind picked up again. She looked at it.
"Fire..."
It was so much like her, graceful, full of life, beautiful, delicate, yet strong. She sighed and questioned why. But she already knew. Nothing lasts forever.
The wind blew and she soon felt cold. She looked at the now extinguished fire. The cold air bit at her face. She blinked back tears.
"Why..."
She shook her head and headed for the house. A whisper passed her ears. She stopped. She turned around and looked at the flame. It was gone but she could see the beginnings of another.
-like a phoenix from the ashes...-
Just like her she thought. She stared and sighed.
Come back home soon friend.
A tear slid down her face. Everyone missed her. She closed her eyes and made a wish.
"Come back home to us soon...Tifa."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This IS a Cloud and Aeris fic. There will be other couples also.