A/N: Hi everyone! First and foremost, this is going to be a Cloud x Aeris fanfic. I have been Cloud/Aeris fan ever since I became a Final Fantasy VII fan, so I thought that it's about time that I write a serious fic about them… I think it's obvious that this will be a C/A fic just by reading the title. Anyway, this is the first part. I hope that you will enjoy… Thanks!
Dedication: I would like to dedicate this fic to ALL Cloud x Aeris fans out there. =)
When The Soldier Meets The Flower Girl
by Kristine
Chapter I: The Flower Girl in the Slums
There was definitely nothing impressive about the slums. It was dirty. It smelled. It was polluted. It was everything that you would want to avoid. It was a hard place to live. Not to mention dangerous and disgusting. It was raining—and even that did not help at all. The rain angrily slashed down on the dark stoned ground. People wandered about the streets. Some were running, trying to find shelter.
She was wet. She was exhausted. And she couldn't catch her breath. She carried a basket full of colorful blossoms. She ran and ran, but it was useless. She was already soaking wet in the rain. Aeris Gainsborough halted to a stop. She looked to her left. She looked to her right. She was amazed at how the people of Midgar had suddenly emptied the entire Sector 5. Now she was alone. Again. She tucked her mahogany hair behind her ear. She shivered as the hard wind blew, whipping her pink dress.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed as her flowers flew off from the basket, joining the dancing wind. Gone. Everything was gone. She watched as the beautiful colorful flowers twirled around in the wind. Aeris could smell their fragrance, each different, each unique. Sighing sadly, she lowered her gaze to her empty basket. Everything she had worked for was gone in one second. But Aeris smiled to herself. It was no problem. She could grow more flowers. She knew that the flowers had no trouble blooming to her sacred place.
Aeris continued to walk, her mind somewhere else. It was still raining hard and Aeris was cold and alone. Still that didn't stop her. It was a hard life, here in the slums. But this was the only place that she knew. This was the only place that she grew up in, the only place she could remember. Her home. Home… as much as it was hard to accept, she knew it was true. It was a dangerous place to be in, to live in, and to grow up in… But somehow Aeris had managed.
She thought about the landlord, Edgar. She knew that he wouldn't be too happy about the news, the news that she would not be able to pay this month's rent. What else was she supposed to do? She was just a flower merchant. It was difficult. Very difficult. But Aeris loved her job. She loved her flowers. They were the only beautiful thing, creature in the slums. It was the only thing that she was able to appreciate in this dark and dreary town.
Aeris finally stopped. She found herself standing in front of an old abandoned church. She looked up at the deserted church for a while. Nobody would find her here. She entered the church. It was still standing, and that was a good thing. She was in fact glad to know that President Shinra hadn't decided to demolish this church. This was the only place that she could seek solitude, a proper place to pray. And to talk with the Planet. She walked over to the flowerbed. She kneeled down and took this moment to smell the flowers' fragrance. She sighed in relief and placed the basket down next to her. This church, it was a special place, she could feel it. She could hear and feel the Planet's cries, its troubles and its pain. But just recently, she was having a hard time understanding what the Planet was trying to tell her. She couldn't quite clearly hear what it was telling her.
She didn't like it at all. But it could only mean one thing though. The Planet is in danger…
But Aeris sat down next to the flowerbed. She wrapped her arms around her knees, shut her eyes. How she loved this place. No one would bother her. It was only her, the flowers, and the Planet. It became almost her meeting place with the Planet… This was her… sanctuary.
"Aeris?"
She suddenly looked up. That voice. It couldn't be… Slowly turning around, she almost sighed in relief to find Edgar. He was alone, good thing. Aeris rose to her feet, adjusting her wet clothes. "You've found me here…" she looked right at him.
"Relax, just wanted to remind you that your rent is due tomorrow," Edgar told her, raising an eyebrow. He studied the soaking flower girl for a while. "What happened to you?"
"As if you care," she replied, turning to look away from him.
He shook his head at this stubborn girl. He knew better than to argue with her. Edgar walked to the exit. "Don't forget. You must pay in full tomorrow."
She quickly turned to face him, her mouth opening to say something… but before she knew it, Edgar was already gone. She ran toward the exit. She looked outside. It was still dark and the stubborn rain would not let up. She saw Edgar running through the raging rain. "Edgar! Wait! I can't pay in full! Edgar! Please give me time!" Aeris yelled at the top of her lungs.
But Edgar didn't even stop, didn't even turn to look at her. He appeared as though he hadn't heard her. Aeris sighed a defeated sigh. "What am I gonna do…" she shook her head and then turned toward the flowers. She had no other choice. She had to try and sell her flowers… but in this weather, it would be impossible…
Not knowing what else she could do, Aeris walked back to the flowerbed and started picking more flowers to fill her empty basket.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"More please!" The redhead slammed his empty glass on the wooden counter. He eyed his blue eyes to the bar hostess' ruby eyes. He knew he looked cool. Reno always believed so. And he said the magic word, please. Ha. He was definitely cool. He was well aware that he wasn't wearing his blue uniform now, the Turks uniform, still he looked just as handsome.
The long-haired brunette poured another glass of red-colored alcohol. "Here you go. Sir." She squinted over at the redhead. It was obvious that she was already annoyed. Tifa Lockheart couldn't help but slam the alcohol-filled glass down in front of Reno's face. This man, since the rainstorm had started, had been drinking for who knows how long already. Despite Tifa's obvious annoyance, Reno appeared as if he didn't care. He almost snatched the glass from her grasps.
Tifa suspiciously eyed the redhead man as he gulped the whole glass down in just a second. She bit her lower lip and shook her head in disgust. Tifa sighed, shook her head and looked over to her other customers. They were all busying themselves in their own affairs. Perhaps she should be doing to the same thing. Tifa was about to walk away when he heard the redhead's voice calling out to her.
"Wait, miss, I want more," he retorted.
Tifa groaned in irritation. She stopped in her tracks, and turned to look at him. She stared at the man, remembering his features, his disheveled red hair and wild blue eyes. The redhead coughed and waved a hand over to the bar hostess. "Hello!? You there? I said, gimme more!" he ordered.
Tifa tried her best to flash him her cutest smile. She walked up to him and took his empty glass. "You sure like to drink…" she commented, not really paying that much attention to him.
"Give me something hard!" he exclaimed. "And hurry it up!"
"Haven't you had enough, sir?" Tifa tried to sound as polite as possible, but it was proving to be more difficult than she had thought.
He smirked. "Heh. It's not your business to meddle in your customers' affairs. Now do your job and get my order!"
Tifa was about to raise her already balled fists to smack Reno in the face when another man had suddenly appeared behind the drunken redhead. She lowered her fists and looked at the new guy. He had long black hair and tanned skin. He was wearing a blue suit. He placed a hand on Reno's shoulder.
"Reno," he said.
Reno, hearing that familiar voice, a voice that he had feared, had suddenly jumped up from his seat. He looked at the black-haired guy, trying his best to hide his horrified look. In fact, he wasn't sure how he looked in front of his boss, but he knew that he must look terribly nervous. So much for his cool exterior.
"Tseng, sir!" Reno exclaimed. He tried to laugh, but it was obvious that he was definitely nervous. Tifa watched the scene in amusement.
"What the hell are you doing here, Reno?" Tseng asked, scowling at him. "You haven't fulfilled my orders yet!"
"Sir, I'm off duty," Reno reasoned.
"A real Turk acts even if he is off-duty," Tseng told him. He raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms over his shoulder and looked straight into Reno's eyes. "Some guards have spotted the Ancient running around in Sector 5. I want you to get your team ready and search for her."
Reno looked disappointed. "Right now?"
"Yes."
"But—"
"No, buts, this is an order from your boss!" Tseng cut him off immediately.
"Sir, it is raining. I'm sure that Ancient isn't stupid enough to run around in this storm," Reno remarked.
Tseng sighed in annoyance. "Are you gonna capture her or not?"
"Er… Right!" Reno finally gave in.
"Excuse me," the bar tender finally spoke up.
Both Tseng and Reno eyed the girl.
"That would be 500 gil for all your drinks," Tifa said as a matter-of-factly. "Please," she added, handing Reno the check.
Tseng gave Reno a look. Reno just smiled at him.
"No prob there, Miss! I have some gil right here," Reno reached inside his pocket and handed Tifa exactly 500 gil.
"Thank you," Tifa replied as she took the money from him.
"Hurry up and get your butt ready, Reno," Tseng barked. "That Ancient will not wait for you."
Reno nodded, as he followed Tseng toward the exit. "Yeah, I know that. I'm gonna get everyone to search every corner of Sector 5 for that Ancient."
"Good," Tseng answered. He suddenly stopped when he reached the door. Then he turned to Reno. "Oh by the way, I'm going to deduct 15% off in your next salary."
Reno could only open his mouth to protest. When no words came out, Tseng exited Seventh Heaven bar without giving Reno a chance to say a word.
~ * ~ * ~ *
"Buy a flower anyone? Only 1 gil," Aeris extended her hand as she held a white jasmine. People were filing out of the theater. They had just seen a wonderful play entitled Loveless. Aeris had heard a lot of positive feedback about that play. But she had also heard a lot of negative feedback about it. But as Aeris stared at the poster she couldn't help but feel curious. Someday she would go and see that play with someone… someday, somehow he will show up and take her to a play. It was still raining as Aeris curiously gazed at the poster. Loveless, My Bloody Valentine.
"Holy shit, man! That was the most boring damn play I've ever seen!" she heard one of the guys as they exited the theater.
"I'm with there man," agreed his companion. "Shit, it was a horrible play. Too damn corny!"
Aeris adjusted her hair and slowly approached the two men, who had both stopped to look at the flower girl. The first man looked at Aeris from head to toe and back again. "Yeah? You want something, girl?" he asked.
"I was wondering if you would like to buy a flower," Aeris replied, nodding her head. She took out a freshly picked flower and offered it to the guy. "It's only 1 gil each."
He looked at Aeris with interest, totally ignoring the flower that she was offering him. "A flower…?" he frowned, admiring Aeris' beautiful features.
"You little retard!" the second guy exclaimed as he nudged him. "The lady asked you a question! Say something, you idiot!"
The first guy blinked in embarrassment. Clearing his throat, he continued, "Right… Sorry 'bout that miss… it's just that you hardly see beautiful women in a wet dress running around in the slums."
Aeris could only smile at his words.
The second guy continued. "We'll have one please…" he nodded over to the flower she was holding.
Aeris' smile grew even wider. "Thank you kindly, sirs…" she said as she gave him a jasmine.
The first guy's face lit up. "Tell you what, miss, we'll take the whole basket!"
Aeris looked at him in surprised. "Huh?" She could hardly believe it.
"It's just that you looked tired. You probably gotta momma who's worried sick 'bout ya now," he remarked. "We'll take the whole basket."
The second guy smiled, handing Aeris 700 gil. "Here ya go. Don't worry 'bout the change." He took the whole basket from Aeris.
"B-But!" Aeris only looked at them in shocked. She could hardly believe what these two strangers were doing.
"Ah, now, don't worry 'bout it, miss," the first guy winked at her.
She giggled. "I'm very grateful, sirs. Thank you."
"C'mon, take care miss!"
"Take care," she replied as she watched the two men strolling away in the rain. Sighing she looked at the gil that she had earned. Even this was not enough for her rent. But it was close enough. She just hoped that Edgar would be willing to accept her pay even if it were only short by two hundred gil. Almost everyone had emptied the theater now.
Aeris yawned. The clock tower read 12:35. It was indeed very late. Now she must run home right now otherwise Elmyra would be worried sick. She was just about to leave when she heard a threatening voice that she so despised.
"Hello, Ancient," Reno smiled at Aeris.
Aeris looked at the redhead. Two Shinra guards stood on either side of him, each holding a rifle. Aeris rolled her eyes. "Hello to you too, Reno," she replied. She looked away from him. It was clear that Aeris was definitely not up for this. She was tired. She was sleepy. She wanted to just go home tonight and have a good sleep in her comfortable warm bed. She had no time to deal with the Turks right now. She had other better things to do. "Goodnight." She started her way forward.
The two guards pointed their guns toward Aeris, but Reno raised his hands, indicating for them to hold their fire. "You're in a good mood, I see," Reno noticed.
Aeris stopped, but she didn't look at him. "No, Reno, you are wrong. I am just tired and I don't feel like dealing with you right now. So please, leave me alone. I want to sleep."
Reno nodded his head as he turned to the two ShinRa guards. As the two guards stepped forward, Aeris suddenly turned around and faced the two guards rather valiantly.
"Your two silly guards in blue ShinRa uniforms don't scare me, Reno of the Turks," Aeris said firmly. She was not afraid of getting killed by the Turks. All the time they had been chasing her, they had never attempted to murder her.
"Halt!" Reno ordered the two guards.
The two guards quickly obeyed his order. Reno walked up to Aeris. Aeris stood there, staring at Reno's cold menacing blue eyes. The two stared at each other. "Aeris," Reno leaned forward so that his face was only two inches apart from her. "You will pay for this! I am supposed to be off-duty for two fuckin' days, but you—you had to come along! The Boss had to cancel my holiday because of you, you stupid Ancient!"
Aeris backed away from Reno as she smelled his alcohol breath. She looked at him in disgust. "You're drunk!" she exclaimed.
Reno relaxed and smiled. "Move back to the Headquarters! We're finished here."
The guards looked at Reno. None of the two guards moved their feet. One of the guards took a step toward Reno. "B-But sir… what about the Ancient?"
"Don't tell Tseng," Reno said. "Let her go. We're off-duty, remember? And I trust you two wouldn't tell Mr. Tseng now would you?"
"R-Right!" the guard answered nervously.
"Move out!" Reno barked.
The two simply nodded their heads and went off their way. Reno turned back to Aeris and shook his head. "You're a lucky chick, Aeris. But I ain't finish with you yet."
Reno gave Aeris one last look before he disappeared in the rainy foggy night.
~~ End of Chapter 1 ~~~
A/N: I know that Cloud is not in this chapter, but he will be later on… Please remember that this fanfic is gonna be Cloud x Aeris. We really need more fics about those two. I encourage all of you Cloud/Aeris fans to write a fic about Aeris and Cloud. There's more AeriSeph fics out there. We lack Cloud/Aeris fics… ^_^ Anyway, please let me know what you think. Please be nice about it, as I am not that good at writing FF7 fanfics. Thanks!!
~~ Kristine
(aeris_15@yahoo.com or mimiblossomsmt@yahoo.com)
