DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN EM!

"Strange. Didn't think you'd beat me." The words seemed quite out of place coming from the SOLDIER general's mouth. A man who had never lost a major battle admitting his defeat. Maybe the words weren't amiss. It was obvious that the battle was over. Blood trailed down the man's bare chest, and trickled from a gash on the side of his head.

"Well, guess you were wrong." The words weren't that glamourous, and in truth, the young man, an ex-ShinRa gaurd, was surprised as well. His friends weren't so flustered by the occourance, though. After all that Sephiroth had put him through, none of them could see him losing this battle. Especially after Aeris.

"Guess so." Cloud barely recognized the man. For years he'd been so high above all others. 'Maybe', Cloud thought silently, 'Jenova's letting him go.' It didn't matter. Even if Jenova WAS letting him go, Cloud couldn't care less. That gave him no right to live, even if he could be saved. A beam of red light pierced through the man's abdomen.

Several more beams shot through his body, untill they were piercing him from all possible angles. His body began to disenigrate, and as it did, it became tiny little bursts of green lifestream, returning to the glowing ground.

Cloud looked around the bottom of the crater. The glowing emerald substance began to weave around his body, enveloping him. He stepped back, only to be engulfed more by the lifestream. A figure began to approach him. A woman. She was wearing a white dress, which brushed the ground slightly. She floated slightly, her long ebony hair flowing around her.

"Am I....?" Cloud whispered, looking around with a slightly scared expression on his face. He flung his hand to his chest, feeling his heartbeat. The woman smiled at him, and took the hand clamped over his heart.

"Cloud..." She smiled sweetly, holding his hand. Cloud's glowing mako eyes widened considerably at the site of the girl. His breaths came in quick and shallow, and the look on his face was almost as if he was ready for death. He decided he should be prepared if this was truely the end of his life.

"Aeris?" He asked, his voice unsteady. Aeris smiles slightly, sensing Cloud's slight worry. Cloud just kept looking at the Cetra girl he thought was dead.

"Am I...dead?" Cloud asked, barely whispering. Aeris smiled again, though Cloud wasn't sure why. He continued to stare at her.

"No. You're still alive. You're just having an enlighting expierence!" Aeris laughed a little at the expression on his face, and dropped his hand.

"Okay...so, enlighten me. What the hell's goin' on?" Cloud smiled a little. He was still beyond confused, but decided to go along with it. He might as well if this would be the only time he could see her again. Aeris returned his smile, and walked a little closer to him.

"Well, the powers of the earth decided that in return for your services, they would give you a little push towards the right direction in your life. I voulenteered to appear to you, since I doubt that you'd appreciate Zack or Reno." She smiled again, and Cloud smiled as well. He didn't quite understand why he needed the powers to direct him, but decided that it must be a blessing.

"Give me your hand." She held out her hand, and Cloud slowly took it. A white light enveloped the two, and an image appeared before them.

"CLOUD! CLOUD!!" Tifa was leaning over the edge of a steep cliff, shouting down towards where Cloud was. Cloud started towards her, but Aeris stopped him.

"You're in the lifestream. She can't see you." She explained softly.

"CLOUD, PLEASE!!" Tifa continued calling his name. Tears fell down her cheeks, and to the rocky ledge she was kneeling on.

"I'm not finding this too enlightening. More angering...." Cloud said, a fierce look in his eyes. Aeris smiled slightly, and even let out a small giggle.

"I'm glady YOU'RE finding this amusing." Cloud spat, still watching Tifa.

"Something wrong, Cloud?" Aeris asked, tilting her head tightly to the side.

"Where's Tifa!? What if she falls? She's in danger! Enlighten me later, I need to help her!" He snapped. Aeris nodded, somewhat knowingly.

"Why are you so worried about her, Cloud?" Aeris asked, looking at him. She knew the true answer, but wasn't too sure of what his response would be.

"She's my best friend! Of course I'm worried!" Cloud shouted, angrily. Aeris shook her head. She should've know it'd be harder than that.

"Do you care about her?" She asked, trying to get Cloud to understand what she was saying. He remained oblivious to her true motives.

"Yes," he said, slowly, a little confused by her questions.

"Do you love her?" She asked, getting right to the point. Cloud looked at her, incrediously. Aeris sighed, looking at him wearily. Cloud waited a while before answering,

"...well, I...."


((That's all for now ^-^ Don't flame. I have reflect materia, and I know how to use it! REVIEW PLEASE!!!))