Chapter 7
THE SEARCH OF HOPE
Highwind is once again leaving the ground on next morning. The engine roars loudly as it floats higher. After reaches steady altitude, it changes its course toward Cosmo Canyon. Inside Highwind, The Avalanche members are gathering in the bridge. They discuss about their destination, as well as their hope to find a clue for defeating Sephiroth while they are having breakfast.
"Aeris, we rely on you on this task", Red XIII starts the conversation. "Even we find Ancient books in the library, surely it'd be you that can read them".
Aeris nods while puts her meal into her mouth.
"It is only a matter of time", she says. "Do we have much time, or not ? I am afraid the answer is the latter. Sephiroth still has ability to contact me through his mind. He contacted me while I was in Shera's house. At first, I doubt whether that was really him, or it was just my feeling, but soon I found out that it wasn't an ordinary feeling. I could feel his presence. At that time, his presence wasn't very clear, but slowly I could feel it grows stronger. That's why I rushed Shera to leave Rocket Town at once. I hope I was right.", Aeris explains.
"Do you feel his presence now ?", Tifa asks her.
"Yes, I feel it…faintly….I hope it means that he is far away from here", Aeris replies.
"Nah, how could that &$^%$ Sephiroth reach us right here ? We are flying now, and there is no way he could match Highwind's amazing speed", Cid boasts his airplane.
"But we cannot stand here forever. There will be time when we reach ground, and at that time, Sephiroth can do anything to us", Vincent, who is quiet since departure now gives a talk, still in his famous cold tone.
"So you can feel Sephiroth's presence, but you cannot tell where he is ?", Cloud tries to pinpoint the problem. Aeris nods as reply and adds, "I can only tell he is near or far, but I can't tell where he is exactly, how far or… how close."
After that, they go silent. Everybody has themselves own thought. The worst thing in a battle is when enemy is undetected.
"Aeris, I wonder how Sephiroth could come alive ?…if he is really alive…", Cloud suddenly breaks the silence with question. He then says, "I was the one who defeated him, and I saw him before my very eyes that he was dissipated into Lifestream ! Completely !".
"I don't know, Cloud…There must be something inside him. Planet said that Sephiroth had something that did not belong to Planet", Aeris responses. Cloud gives a sigh.
"Something inside him….did not belong to Planet…", Cloud mutters to himself with Aeris' previous words.
"Any idea, Cloud ?", Tifa asks him. Cloud does not reply to her. He only closes his eyes as he starts a deep thinking. He lasts for some minutes in that position. Cloud folds his arms in front of his chest. "It must relate to with his past…", he lets his words slowly. The others watch him thinking with big curiousity. If it comes to Sephiroth's past, it is only Cloud that capable to give answer. Suddenly, he snaps his fingers and exclaims,
"That's it ! I know that !",
Cloud opens his eyes and finds every pair of eyes look at him with hope.
"I don't know if this is right, but it makes sense…it is because of Jenova !", Cloud explains his result. "Sephiroth has Jenova cells inside his body, right ? And Jenova is an alien race that came from outer space. Definitely, it is something that 'did not belong to The Planet' like Aeris said ! The Planet could not dissipate his existence completely because of his Jenova cells !"
Tifa, Aeris, Barrett, Cid, Red XIII, Vincent, Yuffie, Shera, and Cait Sith agree with Cloud. To their mind, it really makes sense that Jenova cells inside Sephiroth may have ability to escape from Lifestream.
"I tried to doubt Cloud's words at first, but then I find no other reasonable argument", Red XIII speaks. "But I wonder, how it could be ? Aeris ?". Red now looks at Aeris.
"Maybe his Jenova cells had resurrection ability, I cannot say that for sure, but I guess it's something like that", Aeris responses.
"Heck. Perhaps that was the first time for Lifestream swallowed a guy with alien cells in his &@*^)* body", Cid draws a deep breath of his cigar after he speaks.
"Umm…don't you think it's something terrible, guys ?", Tifa questions everybody. Her face goes pale and it takes the other's attention as well.
"Whassap with ya, Tifa ?", Barrett asks Tifa. He knows that Sephiroth's revival means bad thing, but he does not get Tifa's point. He, and the others, only know that Tifa got another thought.
"If Lifestream itself cannot banish Sepiroth, then….who can ? We can fight him for hundred times, but as long as Lifestream loses to Jenova cells, this will surely be a lengthy battle. How long can we stand such circumstance ? We have to live our life with fear inside our mind everyday !", Tifa explains her point.
Nobody gives response to Tifa. She is right. They relied to Lifestream before to eliminate Sephiroth since he was too evil, but this matter now signs them that they must think another way, or they have to live with constant fear day by day, thinking how and when Sephiroth will come again, yet if they could always stand against him. The irony is, they could defeat Sephiroth many times but everything is not going to end yet, while it only takes once for Sephiroth to destroy them all to come an end. Aeris notices this worried aura, she then stands up from her chair, and announce her words,
"My friends, we have done this before…and if we did it, why can't we do it again ?", she smiles to everyone. She tries to cheer them up. "Sure, Sephiroth had his learned lesson, but don't you think we also have our lessons ? We even have a hope to find a way, and as far as I know, it is a powerful weapon. We have reasons to do this fight. We do it for protecting others, for people we love, and I am very sure this is what Sephiroth does not have ! We have won before, and we will reach victory again !". Aeris still smiles. She pats Barrett's shoulder and says, "Come on, Barrett, you were a tough man. Where is your great strength ? Don't let it be buried under your fear ! I'm sure you will fight Sephiroth, if it's not because of others, you can do it for Marlene's sake".
Now she turns to Mr.Badass, Cid. "Cid, you are a spiritful and mouthful one as well..", she giggles, "show it to Sephiroth once again, okay ? And don't forget you could only treat Shera better if we defeat Sephiroth again".
Aeris walks over the others and pats their shoulder to give encouragement, still in cheerful tone as if she has no burden over her own shoulder .
"Come on, Vincent, you will make your life worthy by doing good deeds like this, and someone will be proud of you… Yuffie, my great ninja, don't you want to try another Materia again ? Aren't you interested in my White Materia ?". Aeris teases Yuffie. She then reaches Red XIII. "Red XIII, my fellow Shinra specimen, we have experienced bitter past, but don't let it happen again ! We must beat Sephiroth ! Don't let Bugenhagen and your father down ! Cait Sith…don't you want to be a famous fortune teller by making your fortune telling about me comes true ? If you know what I mean…". Aeris gives Cait Sith a meaningful, yet hopeful look. When it comes to Tifa's turn, Aeris quiets for a moment. She takes a look at Tifa with caring eyes. "Tifa, do you know how much I rely on you ? You are my best friend, please, don't let me down…". Tifa only nods as reply. She cannot say anything. For Tifa, Aeris has won over her. Aeris is still kind and caring to everyone, and she does it without hoping something for return, she does it with purity of her heart. Maybe that was the reason Cloud loved her…Tifa speaks to her mind with sadness.
Finally, Aeris stares deeply into Cloud's Mako-blue eyes. They both don't say anything, but their eyes do. Aeris already knows from his eyes that he will undoubtedly fight to the end, and she captures a worried look in his eyes about his fear. It is not a fear that he has to face his foe again, but it tells her that he is afraid to lose someone, again. Aeris then steps closer to Cloud, caressing his cheek with her soft hand from her standing position.
"Cloud… just fight Sephiroth, win, and…keep alive…promise me that…", she whispers in soft voice. Cloud, like Tifa, only nods his head. He then manages himself to smile and say something to Aeris, "You too…".
"And what about yourself, Aeris ?", Tifa's voice breaks Cloud and Aeris' moments. Aeris pulls her hand fromCloud, and replies,
"Me ? I have my own reason to fight. I am a Cetra, after all, and it means I have to protect The Planet and all living beings on it. This is my destiny, and I don't call it a burden. I know my responsibility as well. Sephiroth may still find his way to devour Planet's power, and I have to stop him at all costs…"
Even it means my life…again…she continues her words in her heart.
"Well...yer still like those old times, missy", Barrett's voice distracts Aeris. He smiles to her contently. Aeris grins to him for reply.
"Thank you, Aeris. You have cheered us up. Thanks God we still have you", Cait Sith adds. Cid only smiles faintly while smoking intensely. "Yeah…and I will take Sephiroth's Materia as well", Yuffie voice rushes in. Aeris giggles again. She did it. At least, the party now is not in low morale again.
"Well, let's finish our breakfast, it's getting cold", Aeris says as she sits on her chair again. Although she is happy, some of her heart is not, as she noticed a sorrow and jealousy eyes that point to her when she was close enough with Cloud, caressing his cheek. Those were Tifa's eyes, and it makes Aeris feels sorry for her.
The love triangle is back.
Vincent is standing quietly, alone on Highwind deck. He is watching the view surround him when a hand pats his shoulder.
"Hi, Vincent, thinking about Lucrecia again ?". That is Cloud's voice. He then stands next to Vincent. Vincent only gives Cloud a cold look as usual. Cloud tends to ignore his look. They both stand in silence, watching the beaufiul view from above.
"She's back….", Vincent breaks silence barrier, still looking at the view.
"You mean, Aeris ?", Cloud responses, his eyes are also sticked on the same spot with Vincent.
"I wonder how her revival affects your relationship with Tifa", Vincent says in cooler tone. Cloud sighs. Vincent continues, "Now that you and Tifa are getting married, I really want to know how you overcome this.".
"So you already know my plan to marry Tifa ?", Cloud asks, surprised.
"Everybody knew that from ring on Tifa's finger, while you were walking out, and came back with Aeris", Vincent replies.
"Come on, Vincent…", Cloud's voice sounds desperate. "I am going to get married with Tifa, and that is my decision, nothing or nobody can change that. Tifa deserves it. She has been longing for that"
"But Aeris doesn't know yet. I can see that from her, she is still in her happiness to meet you again. She doesn't even notice Tifa's finger.", Vincent cuts off Cloud quickly. Vincent is sure about that. From his past, he gains inner ability to see the other's hearts.
"I'll tell her…", Cloud speaks hesitantly.
"I doubt that", Vincent spins around then leaves Cloud.
Now Cloud is standing alone. He thinks about Vincent's words, and deep inside his heart he must confess that Vincent is right. Will he be able to tell Aeris about his wedding to her ?
Aww…don't be too sure, I'm not sure if Aeris loves me, she loves Zack, right ? And I…what if my feeling towards her is just a compensation to my failure for protecting her ? Sure I have had times with her, but could those time replaces my times with Tifa ? No way…
Cloud now fights his mind, forces himself to make sure that he and Aeris don't have feeling towards each other.
"Hi, Cloud…", a female voice comes to his ears, startling Cloud at his spot.
No…this is not the right time….
Aeris, the voice's owner now stands next to him.
"Oh, hi, Aeris…", Cloud responses groggily.
Aeris giggles. She turns her face to Cloud and says, "So…how do you feel now, Mr. Spiky-Blondie ?". Her tone is cheerful as usual.
She is not changed after all, still cheerful….Cloud lets his mind give comment.
"Thanks to you, I feel much better", Cloud replies. "That was your speciality, to cheer up the others."
"Oh yeah ?", Aeris blushes slightly. "I did that because I couldn't stand seeing the others sad".
Cloud nods his head and throws his eyes to a row of whooshing clouds. There comes silence between them two as they enjoy their own view.
"Aeris…", Cloud calls her. "Yeah ?" Aeris replies, turns her face to Cloud.
"Do you remember that I ever gave you promise ?", Cloud inquiries to her.
"You gave me a lot of promise, Cloud, I can't remember which one", Aeris throws a joke.
"I gave you promise to take a ride on Highwind, does it ring the bell ?", Cloud says. Aeris smiles to him.
"Of course I remember", she replies. Deep inside her heart, she is happy that Cloud still remembers his promise.
"Then here we are, on Highwind…sorry it took so long to fulfill my promise..", Cloud tries to smile to Aeris, but he feels a bit awkward. He does not have any idea why he should be like that.
Aeris giggles cheerfully and speaks, "I thought you forgot that. Don't worry, I won't be blaming on you that it took months after that for your promise became true". After her giggle is over, Aeris takes a content look at Cloud. It makes him embarassed.
"Cloud, thanks for fulfilling your promise…you are so…kind to me…and it does not change until now…", her voice trails off as she ends her sentence. "First time, I was afraid that you wouldn't want to see me alive again, that you would ran away from me, but now, those things are not true…and you still like the same old Cloud I ever know…I am happy for that, Cloud". Aeris smiles lovingly to Cloud. She then turns her face to the sky with her grace motion.
Cloud watches her beautiful figure. She is still beautiful and graceful, and somehow mysterious. Death that has fallen over her once cannot subside her attracting figure. Suddenly, Cloud wants to ask her about something, "Aeris…did you ever meet Zack again ?".
Aeris still stares to the sky when she replies, "Yes, I did, but it happened when I was in Lifestream. I and he are just like brother and sister now, Cloud, that's if you want to know". (Author : you may want to read my first fanfic – Live Forever about Aeris and Zack matter ^_^) Knowing that makes Cloud a bit uneasy, but deep inside his heart, he is pleased to know that.
"Cloud….", Aeris calls him. She sounds concerned.
"Yeah ?"
"Please keep your promise to win this fight again,…and to keep alive…", Aeris gives a pleading look to Cloud. Cloud nods his head. "Of course, Aeris. Please don't worry about that anymore. I promise", Cloud replies with soft voice. His eyes turn into a caring one to know that Aeris is still care about him. Aeris smiles to him. She feels lighthearted now.
"Hey, do you remember our Gondola ride ?", she asks, out of the blue. Cloud nods again. He smiles on recalling their date.
"And who's that legendary knight Alfred that saved the beautiful young princess Rosa from Evil Dragon King ?", Aeris teases Cloud with playful tone. Cloud's face now turns into a shying one. His cheeks are colored with crimson red.
"Err…umm…you know…I can't act very well…", those are only words come from Cloud, still blushing. Aeris laughs. Cloud, still in his blushing, looks at her with awe as she lets her laugh out naturally. Aeris then punches Cloud on arm softly and says,
"You had your promise to take me there again and take more rides, didn't you ?".
"Umm..yeah…but no more stage-action like that again, is that deal ?", Cloud asks her, he is not blushing anymore, and he seems full of joy now.
"Hey, it's not because of me that you acted like that !", Aeris defends herself, " Of course I can agree with your term now, but when we go there someday, I am afraid I cannot keep our agreement anymore if there is another stage-action !".
Aeris and Cloud then laugh together. They are having their time together. They are getting closer. From Cloud's side, he feels that Aeris makes him happy and delighted. At the Aeris' side, she feels very happy too that she can still have moment like this with her love. After they run out of breath because of intense laughing, Aeris sweeps her eyes from her laughing tears, and gazes at Cloud with meaningful look. Cloud now turns to her, gazes back to Aeris. Silence rises for a moment.
"Cloud…I want…to…meet…you…", she whispers softly to Cloud. Cloud's brow is raised as a sign of confusion. He feels a dejavu.
"Remember our Gondola ride ? It's still the same words…I…I want to…meet…you…", Aeris repeats her words, still whispering. With that, suddenly Aeris turns herself and runs inside Highwind, leaving Cloud on his spot with confused look. Before Aeris is out of his sight, she gives him a smile, a mysterious smile, and continues her way to inside.
Cloud, who is still standing on Highwind deck, looks confused. His mouth is opened. It was all of a sudden to him. He has no idea about what is going on, and he cannot understand Aeris' smile. However, he feels happier now, and that's because of Aeris. He cannot deny that. Now he knows what Vincent means with his words before. He is very sure now that he loves both Aeris and Tifa. Suddenly Cloud realizes he has moved his step too far. He feels his guilty to Tifa grows heavier.
"Shera…", Cid calls Shera. He is standing in front of Highwind main control.
"Yes, Captain ?", Shera comes to him. Cid's face still faces forward. He draws his cigar. Shera is now standing next to him, waiting for him patiently.
"I am a real bad-ass, don't you think so, Shera ?", Cid asks Shera, still not facing to her. Shera's eyes are widened to hear his question. Ignoring her, Cid continues speaking, "I always curse and curse to everything, including you…but…I guess that was rotten of me, I mean…whenever I curse, it doesn't always mean I'm angry or mad or anything, please understand this and…Umm..Shera…I forgot to tell you that you always did a good job…". There is a strange tone in Cid's voice. Shera can notice that for sure. Cid is getting nervous. Shera smiles, but Cid still doesn't turn his face into her.
"Sure, Captain. Thank you", Shera lets her words out at last. For her, this is the first time Cid gives her a gratitude, directly comes from his always-full-of-curse mouth, but this time, she hears no curse at all from Cid. It means he is serious.
"I don't know whether we will succeed in #%@& next fight..", Cid continues, a little curse starts to emerge in his words. "Anyhow, you must be alive, Shera…no matter what…even I….". He cannot continue his words. He doesn't want to make Shera becomes sad.
"We will win again, Captain, and you'll be alive…", Shera continues his words. Cid only gazes at blue sky in front of him.
Tifa is in her room, watching the sky from the window. She sits on the chair. She lifts one of her leg on another. She doesn't realize when someone comes into the room. It is Yuffie.
"Hi, Tifa", Yuffie greets her. Tifa looks at Yuffie. "Hi, Yuffie ", she greets back.
"What are you doing here ? Daydreaming ? Counting your days to be 'Mrs.Strife' ?", Yuffie teases Tifa. Tifa laughs softly. She looks at Yuffie's innocent expression and says,
"You are still teenager, you won't understand the grow-up matters. Marriage is a great thing...you will know when your time comes".
"My marriage ? Wow…when it'll be ? Four years later ? Five years ? Six years ? Or seven years later ?", Yuffie responses with a chuckle. She then says, "I wish for your happiness, Tifa…and I hope she will not turn your world upside-down. She is too nice to do that…".
Tifa's eyes are widened and now takes a look at Yuffie, "Yuffie, what are you talking about ? I don't have problem with her…please don't talk about it now…". From Tifa's response, Yuffie knows that Tifa knows who does 'she' refers to. Tifa sighs and speaks again,
"I hope you will not face the problem like I do, Yuffie…When you are on your way to be with your man of dream, but suddenly you have your best friend and rival embodied in one person is back. I know what she feels to him, and she knows what I feel to him, too. I have feeling that she is more suited with him, but the funny thing is, she also has feeling that I am the one who is suited with him…", Tifa gives Yuffie a concerned look. Yuffie pays her attention to Tifa. She then continues, "But the worst is each of us can't bear to let him go, again. I knew I've lost him to her once, and she has lost him to her death, but now…I don't want to lose him again, this time…I can't stand if that happens…". Tifa's voice trails off. She manages to smile to Yuffie, trying not to burden the young lady with her own personal matter. Yuffie walks closer toward Tifa. She sits in front of Tifa, holding her hand. Yuffie gives Tifa a concerned look.
A strong, but poor lady, Yuffie speaks to her mind.
"There is always a hope, Tifa, he loves you, I know that for sure, even I am still young…", Yuffie tries to ease Tifa.
"Thanks, Yuffie, you are so kind…", Tifa replies in soft voice. She prays that Yuffie is right.
