Chapter 7

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Aeris suddenly opens her eyes widely. Something crawls on her spine, a creepy feeling. Quickly, she wakes up from her bed. After she recovers herself, she tries to interpret that strange feeling. Slowly, something that crawled on her spine now spreads around her body. She cannot stop that phenomenon, yet she knows something will be happened.

Cetra…my child…Suddenly a familiar voice rings inside her mind. The Planet.

Yes…Planet…? Aeris sends her vibe back. Although Planet sounds mysterious, it also sounds…grieving. Somehow she gets an instinct that it relates to her creepy feeling before.

Planet…what happened to you ? What's the matter…? I feel something different about you…Aeris asks, concerned. This is the first time she feels this strange sensation. Surely it disturbs her since she feels something wrong beneath it.

Cetra…The Planet calls her again. Time has come…come back to where you belong….

Aeris is stunned on her place. She cannot believe what she heard. She shakes her head to remove her dizziness, and asks Planet again.

Planet…what do you mean ? Back to…my place ? Aeris' heart goes uneasy. What does it mean ? she thinks. A short moment of silence rises.

Cetra…The Planet suffers….becomes unbalanced….Planet's voice comes up again, but now with faint tone. Aeris cannot understand what it means.

Suffer…? Why ? Again, Aeris asks with puzzled tone. She tries to concentrate her mind to catch Planet's meaning clearer, but everything is too foggy to uncover.

Find what lies beneath The Lifestream….Planet's voice gradually fades out into the void, but Aeris still feels it is still echoes inside her mind, leaving her in confused state.

The communication is now over. Aeris shakes her head again and looks outside through her window. It is midnight, the rain has stopped, but the sky is not as starry as several nights before, because dark clouds cover it. She rubs her beautiful face carefully and stands up. She then walks to the window and opens it. Aeris smiles faintly as she feels a dejavu. Several days ago, she did the same thing as she does right now. The difference is, things get clearer now, at least, she is now sure that something wrong is happened although she still has no idea what really going on is.

The Planet….told me to go back to my previous place…Aeris tries to digest the communication subject. After saying that sentence, Aeris becomes frightened. An image of worst event suddenly comes into her mind. Quickly, she erases it with her own thought. However, it is still annoying her heart.

To go back to my previous place….she starts thinking. Does it mean…I have to go back to…Lifestream ? Planet's last sentence told me to find the answer in Lifestream….but….is that the only way ?. Fear starts to crawl her heart. As far as she knows, going back to Lifestream means…giving her life. Aeris closes her face with her both palms after realizing the situation she must face. She knows for sure, Planet is in trouble. She can feel that. What the trouble is, the answer lies within Lifestream. Aeris shakes her head again with sad feeling.

Planet said it became unbalanced…why ? Question pops up again in her mind. Aeris takes a deep breath as she rewinds her memory to the past. The word 'unbalanced' pulls out something from her brain. Finally she finds out. It was when she and her friends were at Cosmo Canyon, together with Bugenhagen. She recalls how Bugenhagen explained about the nature of The Planet, related to Lifestream and living things on The Planet. According to him, every living thing in The Planet played a circular role to keep balance. One deceased, one raised, often in different form. That is the reincarnation that keeps the balance state. Once this circular chain is broken, then The Planet would be no longer in its balanced state.

Aeris compares what Bugenhagen explained to her current condition. She was dead before, but somehow, she was revived again, until now. Her heart feels stop beating when she realizes this. If that is true, it means she made Planet in unbalanced state. She knows that Planet revived her again with a reason, that was to eliminate Sephiroth. When they were fighting him inside Lifestream, she knew she should went back to Lifestream after everything was over, but her friends, especially Cloud, pulled her from Lifestream. Moreover, she knew very well that although she had to go back to Lifestream, she did not want to. Her heart told her not to. It was not Cloud's fault, it was absolutely hers. She did not resist when Cloud pulled her hand to go outside Lifestream (Author : to those who haven't read Lasting For An Eternity, please read that so you'll know what I'm talking ^_^ ). Aeris thought that everything would be fine after that, but now, she has to face the consequence.

Is this my destiny ? To live again, and to die…again ? Aeris asks herself in bitterness. I…I was so stupid….why didn't I think this before ? Now…what will be happened ? Planet suffers…it is unbalanced….and that's because of me….Aeris regrets herself. Now…what should I do ? No…what MUST I do ? She clenches her fist and bites her lips. Although she knows the answer already, she dares to tell it, even in her own mind. It is too painful for her. Aeris just lets out a sigh when a cold wind blew her face.

Why did I just let him pulled me outside Lifestream ? I could insist on staying there….Aeris inquiries herself on what happened in the past. Again, she already knows the answer. That's because of him….Cloud….My reason to keep alive is him…. Aeris leans on window frame, her eyes stare to the cloudy sky. Although her room is on second floor, she can smell wet ground below. Although I know he won't be with me….I…I still love him…I just want to live to see him happy with Tifa, although it hurts me…but that's better than I watch him from Lifestream….At least I can still see him, I can still talk to him, I can still….show him how much I love him although I can't hope he will love me…Now, what must I do ? Must I leave him and the others ? I feel like having family here….at least, I am not lonely anymore…it's…it's very hard to leave them…and Cloud…. 

Aeris sighs again. She is really confused, but she has to make decision. Her eyes traverse around the cloudy sky, hoping that she will eventually find a sparkling fallen star again and makes a wish for her best. However, she only finds a silence wraps around her. No fallen star. Nothing more.

……..

Yuffie is sweeping bar's terrace in the morning. She is yawning broadly when suddenly someone greets her.

"Excuse me, is this Neo 7th Heaven bar ?", asks the person with polite tone. Yuffie lifts her head to see who asked her, and it makes her startled. She does not expect to see a young handsome man greets her in the morning because she is not quite cute in such time (at least, that's what she thinks !).

"Um…oh…yes…yes…this is it…", Yuffie replies groggily. The stranger smiles as he says 'here it is' to himself. Yuffie stares at the man with surprised look.

Wow…how handsome he is….Yuffie gives comment on what she sees, of course only in her thought. From his appearance, she concludes that he is older than her, his age maybe about 20 something, the same as Cloud. However, Yuffie finds this one is different from Cloud.

He's so…polite…so charming…so cool…she continues her thought.

"I am looking for someone, may I go inside ?", the young man politely asks her. Yuffie does not reply, she just looks at him with awe. The young man raises his eyebrow, smile is still on his visage. This gesture makes Yuffie back to the real world. "Oh…well…of course…but we are not open yet, we start business at evening..", she replies in shyness because she was being caught staring at the man.

The man explains, "That's not the matter, I'm looking for someone who…stays here…". Yuffie's eye goes wide as she asks the man, "Who ?". Before he replies Yuffie's question, suddenly the entrance door is opened and Aeris appears from inside. Quickly she recognizes the man in front of Yuffie and smiles at him.

"Oh, it's you Vic…", Aeris greets him. The man, Vic Skye, nods his head and grins. Yuffie, who grows confused, just looks at Aeris, and then turns her face to Vic. With her elbow, she touches Aeris as she wants her attention. "You know him..?", Yuffie asks to Aeris in whisper. Aeris notices a slight jealousy look from Yuffie's eyes. She chuckles, then gives her reply, but actually teases Yuffie, "Well…kind of that…what's the matter, Yuffie ? I'll introduce you to him…don't worry". Yuffie smirks as a sign that she agrees with Aeris.

"So you make it here, huh ?", Aeris speaks up with cheerful tone, "If it wasn't because of your umbrella, I will surely work hard this morning to dry off my wet clothes…". Aeris giggles at the end of her words. Vic makes a gesture with his hand to tell that it is all right. Yuffie glances at Aeris. She now knows the matter between two persons. Nothing to worry about, she thinks. Aeris catches Yuffie's glancing at her, she then says, "Well…since you are here Vic, let me introduce my friends. This is Yuffie Kisaragi, I bet she was quite shocked to see you". Yuffie gives Aeris a vicious look, but then she blushes. Aeris giggles softly. Vic only smiles and gives his hand to Yuffie. "Nice to meet you, Yuffie, I am Vic Skye. Of course I know you, heroes of The Planet !". Yuffie accepts his handshake and grins at him. "I…I am Yuffie…you already know that…", she responds with nervous tone.

Aeris pipes up, "Now, since I am in debt with you, why don't you be our guest and have breakfast together meanwhile I take your umbrella". Vic fixes his circle sunglass position, rubs his chin for a a while, then replies, "Hmmm..that's a good idea…besides, my stomach is still empty…". He then grins at those girls.

Later, after they are inside and sit together for breakfast, Tifa comes from the kitchen with some meal for breakfast, followed by Red XIII. Her face shows a questioning expression to see a stranger sits on their chairs, joining them for breakfast. Red also shows the same expression as Tifa does.

"Tifa, Red, this is Vic…he is the guy who lent me umbrella last night…Do you mind him joining us for breakfast ? I owe him a debt, after all", Aeris explains to Tifa, also requests for Tifa's agreement. Tifa nods her head and smiles, "Enjoy yourself here…I am Tifa, the bar owner. Aeris' friend is also friend of mine". Red XIII studies the new guy for a while. "Welcome, Vic", he only says these words, but his voice is deep, a sign that he welcomes the guest.

"Thank you, Tifa…Red…that's a warm greeting, indeed", Vic responds. From his look, Tifa can tell that he is admiring her. This makes her flattered a little, but nothing more.

"We got other guys here too…but they have been out since last night for some drinking", Tifa says. "Do you mean Cid, Barret and the others ? I guess they are too drunk to walk home…", Aeris adds with soft chuckle.

"Hey ! It's you again !", suddenly Cloud enters the bar. He stands in front of the bar entrance door with puzzled look. The others turn their face to Cloud's direction.

"Cloud ! Where have you been ? You've just gone since morning !", Tifa speaks with concerned tone. "Yeah…I was taking a little practice out there…". Cloud pats his Ultima sword on his back. "I'm sorry Tifa, I didn't mean to make you worry…", He continues while scratching his head. He knows that Tifa easily goes worry if he goes unnoticed. Cloud then approaches the other and requests an explanation with his eyes on seeing Vic is there.

"Hi, Cloud, we meet again..", Vic greets Cloud. The others, except Cloud and Vic look at each other. Looks like those two guys have met each other before. "We met at the bar yesterday", Cloud explains as he already knows what is inside others' mind. Aeris is the first who comments out, "So you already know each other…Cloud, he's here to take back his umbrella that we…I…used last night". Aeris' lower her voice at the end of her words. Mentioning word 'umbrella' and 'last night' makes Cloud only nod his head to hide his sudden guilty feeling to Tifa.  He finally replies, "Yeah…whatever…". Cloud then pulls a chair next to Tifa and sits on it.

"Cloud, please tell me anytime you are going outside…", Tifa gives him a worried look. Cloud looks at her face, and with soft tone, he replies, "I will, Tifa…I'm sorry for not telling you this morning, I didn't want to bother your work". Tifa nods, a satisfied smile is curved on her face. Aeris just watches the couple with sad look, remembering the event last night. She then starts to take some dishes on her plate to disguise her feeling. Meanwhile, almost unnoticed by the others, Vic, also watches the couple and then he glances at Aeris. For a very short time, his expression changes, but then turns to normal again. It is only Yuffie who witnesses what Vic did. To her mind, she hopes she is not being too suspicious to Vic. She caught a shocked yet worried expression on Vic's visage before it goes back to normal again. This makes Yuffie sense there is something about him.

………………

"Barret !! Drag your ##$@* ass !! Tifa is going to kill us if she catches us in this #$@#% messy form !". Cid's famous curse strikes into Barret's ears. The big guy only grumbles and makes his steps quicker.

"If it's not because of yer ^#&^( mouth, I won't drink dat much !", he exclaims. Cid's eye widens in anger. He shouts back, "Man ! You're blaming me ??? If it's not because Tifa has said that she had something important to tell this morning, I will surely blast your #)(@^ ass !!". Barret moans a little. Cid is right. There is no point of arguing right now.

"Hey, you !! Calm down !! We can tell Tifa that we couldn't go home because last night was raining heavily…right, Vincent ?", Cait Sith tries to cease Cid and Barret. The cat on the big mog turns his face to Vincent. "Whatever…nothing can change our situation now", Vincent replies with cold tone as usual. Barret and Cid stop they quarrel at once. Vincent is right. The most important thing now is to walk quickly. Still mumbling some words, Cid continues his step, followed by the others.

When they finally reach bar entrance, they look at each other. It is breakfast time already, and they cannot sneak inside the bar and then go to dining room as if they were not late. Vincent is the first who opens the bar door toward inside, followed by the others. After they are all inside, everyone's eyes greet them, stick to them. Cid and Barret gulp in unison. Only Vincent and Cait Sith act as if nothing happens. However, they are quite surprised to see a strange yet familiar person is sitting among the others.

"Hey ! It's that kid again ! How could he be here.. ?", Cid exclaims while pointing at Vic. Barret, Vincent, and Cait Sith look at the person Cid pointed. As he is going to speak again, Tifa's sharp look already cuts him off. "Well….?", she asks for explanation with investigating voice.

"You see, last night was raining heavily, we can't go home, that's why we're late", Vincent replies coldly and walks toward the dining table. Cait Sith then adds, "Yeah Tifa, sorry for being late…we hope you're not announcing your news yet". He then follows Vincent and takes a seat on a chair. Cid and Barret quietly follow them. They do not speak anything.

Tifa just lets out a sigh and shakes her head. Yuffie's face grows curious when Cait Sith mentioned about 'announcement'. "What announcement, Tifa ? I don't know anything about that..", she asks excitedly. Tifa only smirks, she then stands up from her chair and speaks up, "Since everyone is already here, I will announce an important news to you as I promised you yesterday". She coughs a little to clear her throat. The others now pay attention to the bar mistress. Cloud narrows his left eye. He does not know that Tifa will announce something, but his sense tells him that he already knew what Tifa would say.

"As you may know, I and Cloud have been close to each other", she opens the speech, giving a clue on what she will say after this. "We have been engaged since that, but Sephiroth returned for the second time, leaving us no chance to prepare the follow up…but now…after we defeated him again and nothing will stand our way anymore…at least at this time…We…and with advice from Red, finally decided that we will be married right next week !". Suddenly, handclaps are echoing around the bar. Everyone cheer the couple with loud voice. Tifa sits again, wide smile is formed perfectly on her happy face.

"Yo, Spikey ! Ya finally made it !", Barret exclaims with his gruff voice. "Yeah, kid, whatever you need from this old man, I'll be ready ! Just prepare yourself a honey moon ride on Highwind !", Cid shows his thumb to Cloud. Yuffie joins in cheerfully, "Congratulation, Cloud ! You will have your Mrs. Strife in a week ! Hey, Tifa ! Your days as Tifa Lockheart are only seven days left ! After that, you will be Mrs. Tifa Strife !". Tifa only laughs softly being teased by her friends. Cloud only smiles, but inside his heart, he does not know how he must react. It is not because he does not love Tifa or does not like her announcement, of course he still loves her. It is because of the flower girl who sits in front of him. Carefully, Cloud looks at Aeris with his eye corner. He is very surprised to find Aeris smiles at her.

It is not usual her…Cloud tries to figure out her smile. Her smile is so mysterious. Cloud has no idea, but when he stares intensely at her eyes, he finally discovers something beneath her smile. Sorrow. Aeris quickly turns her face away from Cloud as she realizes that she is being studied. She does not want him to know what deep feeling she keeps inside her heart. She smiles because she is happy that finally Cloud has Tifa beside him forever, someone who will care about him better than her. Contrary, at the same time, she cannot deny a losing feeling stays within her heart. She has to let him go. She has to learn how to face the truth that he cannot love her, no matter how she still loves him. Aeris feels that her friend's handclap sound nice to her ears, but also tortures her heart badly at the same time.

Vic, who sits next to Aeris, notices this slight change. He then asks Aeris, "Are you okay ?". He sounds concerned. Aeris shakes her head slowly and replies with low voice, "I am fine…thanks…". She then forces her lips to form a smile again. She must not make Cloud in doubt again. She must show to Cloud that she will be fine and makes him believe that Tifa is the best for him. Vic just watches Aeris, he looks concerned but he says nothing. Again, Yuffie watches Vic. She grows more curious to see how Vic, as the new person, looks concerned to Aeris as if he already knew her for a long time. Also, Yuffie feels that Vic already knew the others more than just 'a group who saved the world'. On the other side, she cannot resist his handsome and charming face (Author : *shaking my own head* ^_^). Vincent, while clasping his hands, also watches Aeris and Vic. At first, he only wanted to know how she would react in such circumstance, but he never expects that the new guy shows a caring attitude to her. This draws Vincent's attention. He folds his forehead a bit to see how Vic reacts to his new environment. He seems familiar to Vincent's eyes. Vincent senses something will be happened, something big, and it will come from this Vic Skye guy. The bad thing to Vincent is, his sense usually tells the hidden truth.

AUTHOR'S POST-CHAPTER NOTE :

Refer to my MS-Word, this chapter is five pages-length without my note, but actually I wrote more. I cut some paragraphs from this chapter and put them on next chapter to make this one shorter. At my previous fanfic, I used to write about 6-7 pages per chapter. After I converted to HTML format and uploaded them…gee…it was long scroll to reach bottom, isn't it ? Also, it took more time to download it completely. I assume that readers prefer to read shorter pages although it costs more chapters. So in this fanfic, I try to make every chapter shorter without losing its interest. I guess lengthy paragraphs in one-chapter makes a fanfic less readable, less traceable. Therefore, readers' enthusiasm to follow the story decreases, thus that fanfic may suffer lack of reviews J. I hope my guess is right, but still I need your opinion on which I read at reviews page ^_^.

This chapter hangs on Vincent's and Yuffie's suspicious look at Vic Skye. Moreover, Vincent's sense is still sharp J. Just read next chapter to find out about Vic….and Aeris :D.

One more thing, one of the reviewers asked me whether I took this fanfic title from Bon Jovi's song titled Lay Your Hands On Me. I can only say, that is a coincidence, but I took some of song title or song lyrics for some chapters, example : my first fanfic titled Live Forever was taken from Spice Girls' Viva Forever, my other fanfic titled Those Are The Days Of Our Lives was taken from Queen's song, and one chapter of this fanfic (When I Find My Piece Of Mind) was taken from RHCP's Soul To Squeeze lyric. I own nothing, so please don't sue me J