A ring of laughter rang out from a lighted tent.
Although the two people inside the tent was completely oblivious to everybody else, everyone outside of the particular tent was stifling their laughter and watching the very-obvious silhouette. The lamp inside and the luminous moon made it clear that a man with spiked hair was stroking the hand of a female with braided hair.
Soon enough, everyone was done with their meals. Chuckles from Barret and Cid, and giggles from Yuffie. However, one by one, they went into their separate tents. Darkness came over the forest like a thick cloak, with the dying flickers of the campfire indicating its official entrance.
It was impossible to see anything now but the warm glow from the tent. The forest was silent, with no trace of anyone ever being here. Not even the sharpest eyes would have noticed a pair of auburn eyes staring out in the darkness.
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"… isn't it, Cloud?"
How long had it been since I have really laughed?
Cloud wondered, noticing the gentle glow of the lamp lighting up the face that was smiling at him.
"… so I thought we had to do it… besides, you really looked cute as a girl!"
How did you end up here, Aeris?
Soft giggles caused Cloud to smile in spite of the reminder of the incident that they promised "never to talk about." She could do that. Somehow, something inside of him melted away when he was with her.
Aeris resumed talking, but Cloud was no longer listening to her. He just concentrated on the way her soft voice chimed against his ears, her sparkling emerald eyes locking with his now and then. He was trying to make the fact that he was stroking her hands like an insignificant event, but just the warmth of her hands in his own made his heart ring, his eyes blur, his mind go blank with nothing but the image of her.
How?
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Despite her clothing, she wasn't aware of the wind that made her hands go numb. All Tifa was aware of was the fact that the tent was still lighted, and that they were still laughing, and that he was still holding her hand.
She fought the urge to just throw a rock and make the tent collapse on both of them. She clenched her fists and let go, and fumbled with some gravel at her feet.
1 They're just friends…
Tifa sighed. It was so dark that she couldn't see a foot in front of her. She should really go to sleep; they have a big day tomorrow. She rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling the cold chill so unbearable against her skin.
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"What a weirdo!"
"Bastard!"
A blond boy stood an outcast, not two steps away from his house. His mom had persuaded him to go outside once again, just try to fit in… why was it so difficult for him?
He ran his hand through his unruly sunlit hair and kicked the ground, watching the dust rise and settle, soiling his clean white shoes. He didn't want to seen staring at her again.
Tifa.
It was almost as if it was an instinct. Unable to help himself, he backed against the wall of his house and lifted his eyes wistfully, watching a girl with waist-length jet-black hair giggling with her friends. Always the center of attention. She was pretty, and she caught every boy's eyes.
Was she aware of his feelings, that he thought about her every day? That he only came out from his house to face the wretched kids who made fun of him day after day, just to see her face?
Suddenly he felt indignant. She should know how he feels… please. Only if she would notice him… but would her gorgeous eyes even take a look at his, would her lips form her beautiful smile for him?
"Hey Tifa…"
He hadn't even begun his sentence when she suddenly turned around, her long hair tracing a circle midair. She was still laughing, surrounded with friends. She didn't look back once.
Why did she seem so unreachable, so detached from him?
He watched, as his childhood began to die.
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She's so beautiful…
It was an undeniable fact. The way her long lashes fluttered at him. The way her chestnut hair with golden streaks framed her face. The way her pale skin lit up when she smiled. Ah, and the way those coral lips smiled at him.
Most important of all, her eyes. Unbelievable shade of turquoise. It was as if she was almost teasing him with her eyes, making him intoxicated under the emerald gaze. It urged him, for the first time in his life, to break out of his shell.
2 Aeris…
He was startled to find her eyes staring directly at him, probing him for an answer. Did he just say her name out loud?
It seemed so, as Aeris shook her head and laughed… almost as if she knew the way he felt about her.
"Yeah, Cloud? I'm listening." Her voice melted through the silence.
He didn't say anything. He just squeezed her small hands into his and just stared at those green orbs that seemed to whisper his name every time they blinked… almost daring him to do something he never thought he would do.
"How did you end up here, Aeris?" He voiced his innermost thoughts. How did you, someone like you, cross my path?
She was obviously started by the question. She looked down at their joined hands, and smiled sheepishly.
"I don't know… but somehow I know that it's my destiny."
Ambiguity. What did she mean by that? What could she possibly mean, with her words that always conveyed a second meaning?
"Your destiny?" Cloud choked out.
Aeris looked up in his eyes, making Cloud lose his train of thoughts.
"Yes… something you don't know yet, but you will soon."
Yet, another puzzle which he could not unlock.
3 Is your destiny to be with me?
No, of course not. Friendship is the furthest this would ever going to go… just like everyone else in his life, he couldn't be…
4 Her lips…
Before he knew it, he was leaning towards her, as if in a trance, taking the dare which freed his innermost hope among hope, that she cared about him… for more than just friends.
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Tifa absent-mindedly picked up a huge rock and examined it. Then she threw it in the dying fire, making the ash rise, lighting up with what dim light it had.
She was still staring at the shadows in the tent. The lamp was getting dimmer and dimmer, although the two didn't seem to mind. Her heat became heavier and heavier. She almost turned to leave when she caught a sudden movement.
Cloud was leaning towards Aeris, their hands still interlocked. This could mean nothing but that they were about to…
She picked up a rock from the ground and heaved it at the tent.
She heard a sharp yelp and an alarmed shout before the feeble tent collapsed on both of them, making them thrash wildly.
She bolted and jumped into her tent.
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Cloud had been not five inches away from Aeris. His heart seemed to burst and his vision had clouded, and her sweet scent of flowers had overwhelmed him. His hands were now on Aeris' waist and he was almost about to…
When the tent, which had been so secure just two seconds ago, collapsed on top of them.
He heard mumbles and shouts of his friends, some of them still apparently half sleep. He clawed at the fabric wildly, trying to get out… was she ok? Nearby he could hear frightened squeals and another mad flapping of the fabric of the tent. It was too dark to see anything.
After what seemed like hours, his body was untangled from the fabric and so was Aeris. Both sat on the ground, utterly puzzled as to what could have possibly happened. They were both panting heavily. Aeris leaned against Vincent, her eyes half closed, the material of the tent having nearly suffocated her. Cloud, although looking flustered, was trying to deal with mad rage that tore away at his heart.
No one said anything until Yuffie broke the silence.
"What the heck happened?"
It was a question no one but Tifa could answer.
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Aeris was glad.
She was glad that the tent had collapsed just when she was about to turn her face away from him, thus wounding him forever.
She lay in her newly assembled tent, her face flushed at the thought, clutching at the blanket that failed to keep her warm in her midst of thoughts. The trickling stream of cold tears that wet her cheeks didn't help.
Soon, her teeth were chattering and she sat up, rubbing her arms. She was freezing. She unzipped the tent and went outside, and noticed the flickering ashes of the dead fire. She got her fire materia and sat on the stone nearby it. She was about to cast the magic when…
a gloved hand clasped over her mouth and a muscular arm tightened around her waist, choking her. She struggled wildly, kicking and elbowing at the stranger. It was to no avail, however, since his hold on her just tightened like iron and her breathing became faint.
Cloud woke up the next morning to see the very person he dreamed about gone.
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Author's Note: I am the QUEEN of Sappiness! Sigh…
Ah… I'm sorry it's progressing so slow!! But I firmly believe that character and plot development is important in a story… But from the way the story's going now, it seems as if it's a Cloud+Aeris, no? Ehehe. Oh, by the way, does anyone know Ghast's, or is it Gast's, first name? Please??? How about Ifalna's last name?
Don't forget to Review, please! It really keeps me going! Thank you everyone who reviewed me before!!
Although the two people inside the tent was completely oblivious to everybody else, everyone outside of the particular tent was stifling their laughter and watching the very-obvious silhouette. The lamp inside and the luminous moon made it clear that a man with spiked hair was stroking the hand of a female with braided hair.
Soon enough, everyone was done with their meals. Chuckles from Barret and Cid, and giggles from Yuffie. However, one by one, they went into their separate tents. Darkness came over the forest like a thick cloak, with the dying flickers of the campfire indicating its official entrance.
It was impossible to see anything now but the warm glow from the tent. The forest was silent, with no trace of anyone ever being here. Not even the sharpest eyes would have noticed a pair of auburn eyes staring out in the darkness.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
"… isn't it, Cloud?"
How long had it been since I have really laughed?
Cloud wondered, noticing the gentle glow of the lamp lighting up the face that was smiling at him.
"… so I thought we had to do it… besides, you really looked cute as a girl!"
How did you end up here, Aeris?
Soft giggles caused Cloud to smile in spite of the reminder of the incident that they promised "never to talk about." She could do that. Somehow, something inside of him melted away when he was with her.
Aeris resumed talking, but Cloud was no longer listening to her. He just concentrated on the way her soft voice chimed against his ears, her sparkling emerald eyes locking with his now and then. He was trying to make the fact that he was stroking her hands like an insignificant event, but just the warmth of her hands in his own made his heart ring, his eyes blur, his mind go blank with nothing but the image of her.
How?
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Despite her clothing, she wasn't aware of the wind that made her hands go numb. All Tifa was aware of was the fact that the tent was still lighted, and that they were still laughing, and that he was still holding her hand.
She fought the urge to just throw a rock and make the tent collapse on both of them. She clenched her fists and let go, and fumbled with some gravel at her feet.
1 They're just friends…
Tifa sighed. It was so dark that she couldn't see a foot in front of her. She should really go to sleep; they have a big day tomorrow. She rubbed her arms, suddenly feeling the cold chill so unbearable against her skin.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
"What a weirdo!"
"Bastard!"
A blond boy stood an outcast, not two steps away from his house. His mom had persuaded him to go outside once again, just try to fit in… why was it so difficult for him?
He ran his hand through his unruly sunlit hair and kicked the ground, watching the dust rise and settle, soiling his clean white shoes. He didn't want to seen staring at her again.
Tifa.
It was almost as if it was an instinct. Unable to help himself, he backed against the wall of his house and lifted his eyes wistfully, watching a girl with waist-length jet-black hair giggling with her friends. Always the center of attention. She was pretty, and she caught every boy's eyes.
Was she aware of his feelings, that he thought about her every day? That he only came out from his house to face the wretched kids who made fun of him day after day, just to see her face?
Suddenly he felt indignant. She should know how he feels… please. Only if she would notice him… but would her gorgeous eyes even take a look at his, would her lips form her beautiful smile for him?
"Hey Tifa…"
He hadn't even begun his sentence when she suddenly turned around, her long hair tracing a circle midair. She was still laughing, surrounded with friends. She didn't look back once.
Why did she seem so unreachable, so detached from him?
He watched, as his childhood began to die.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
She's so beautiful…
It was an undeniable fact. The way her long lashes fluttered at him. The way her chestnut hair with golden streaks framed her face. The way her pale skin lit up when she smiled. Ah, and the way those coral lips smiled at him.
Most important of all, her eyes. Unbelievable shade of turquoise. It was as if she was almost teasing him with her eyes, making him intoxicated under the emerald gaze. It urged him, for the first time in his life, to break out of his shell.
2 Aeris…
He was startled to find her eyes staring directly at him, probing him for an answer. Did he just say her name out loud?
It seemed so, as Aeris shook her head and laughed… almost as if she knew the way he felt about her.
"Yeah, Cloud? I'm listening." Her voice melted through the silence.
He didn't say anything. He just squeezed her small hands into his and just stared at those green orbs that seemed to whisper his name every time they blinked… almost daring him to do something he never thought he would do.
"How did you end up here, Aeris?" He voiced his innermost thoughts. How did you, someone like you, cross my path?
She was obviously started by the question. She looked down at their joined hands, and smiled sheepishly.
"I don't know… but somehow I know that it's my destiny."
Ambiguity. What did she mean by that? What could she possibly mean, with her words that always conveyed a second meaning?
"Your destiny?" Cloud choked out.
Aeris looked up in his eyes, making Cloud lose his train of thoughts.
"Yes… something you don't know yet, but you will soon."
Yet, another puzzle which he could not unlock.
3 Is your destiny to be with me?
No, of course not. Friendship is the furthest this would ever going to go… just like everyone else in his life, he couldn't be…
4 Her lips…
Before he knew it, he was leaning towards her, as if in a trance, taking the dare which freed his innermost hope among hope, that she cared about him… for more than just friends.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Tifa absent-mindedly picked up a huge rock and examined it. Then she threw it in the dying fire, making the ash rise, lighting up with what dim light it had.
She was still staring at the shadows in the tent. The lamp was getting dimmer and dimmer, although the two didn't seem to mind. Her heat became heavier and heavier. She almost turned to leave when she caught a sudden movement.
Cloud was leaning towards Aeris, their hands still interlocked. This could mean nothing but that they were about to…
She picked up a rock from the ground and heaved it at the tent.
She heard a sharp yelp and an alarmed shout before the feeble tent collapsed on both of them, making them thrash wildly.
She bolted and jumped into her tent.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Cloud had been not five inches away from Aeris. His heart seemed to burst and his vision had clouded, and her sweet scent of flowers had overwhelmed him. His hands were now on Aeris' waist and he was almost about to…
When the tent, which had been so secure just two seconds ago, collapsed on top of them.
He heard mumbles and shouts of his friends, some of them still apparently half sleep. He clawed at the fabric wildly, trying to get out… was she ok? Nearby he could hear frightened squeals and another mad flapping of the fabric of the tent. It was too dark to see anything.
After what seemed like hours, his body was untangled from the fabric and so was Aeris. Both sat on the ground, utterly puzzled as to what could have possibly happened. They were both panting heavily. Aeris leaned against Vincent, her eyes half closed, the material of the tent having nearly suffocated her. Cloud, although looking flustered, was trying to deal with mad rage that tore away at his heart.
No one said anything until Yuffie broke the silence.
"What the heck happened?"
It was a question no one but Tifa could answer.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Aeris was glad.
She was glad that the tent had collapsed just when she was about to turn her face away from him, thus wounding him forever.
She lay in her newly assembled tent, her face flushed at the thought, clutching at the blanket that failed to keep her warm in her midst of thoughts. The trickling stream of cold tears that wet her cheeks didn't help.
Soon, her teeth were chattering and she sat up, rubbing her arms. She was freezing. She unzipped the tent and went outside, and noticed the flickering ashes of the dead fire. She got her fire materia and sat on the stone nearby it. She was about to cast the magic when…
a gloved hand clasped over her mouth and a muscular arm tightened around her waist, choking her. She struggled wildly, kicking and elbowing at the stranger. It was to no avail, however, since his hold on her just tightened like iron and her breathing became faint.
Cloud woke up the next morning to see the very person he dreamed about gone.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
Author's Note: I am the QUEEN of Sappiness! Sigh…
Ah… I'm sorry it's progressing so slow!! But I firmly believe that character and plot development is important in a story… But from the way the story's going now, it seems as if it's a Cloud+Aeris, no? Ehehe. Oh, by the way, does anyone know Ghast's, or is it Gast's, first name? Please??? How about Ifalna's last name?
Don't forget to Review, please! It really keeps me going! Thank you everyone who reviewed me before!!