A/N: First off, I am really sorry for the delay. I meant to finish this chapter by May 1st, but I've been busy. I know that I'm done school and it's summer… but I've been working on my Aeris shrine, slacking off, and… partying. ^_^;; Hey gotta celebrate the end of semester, right? Sorry about this… Anyways, I hope that you enjoy this chapter. I kinda rushed this, but I hope it's not obvious. And to all those who liked Cecil—I put him in this chapter. =) Glad you guys liked the little boy and I wrote a description of him also. Oh btw, I know that the title for his chapter is 'The Last Cetra'. I am a big fan of Kylene's Aeris shrine of course…

Oh yeah, by the way, to those who asked me for the URL of 'The Northern Cave', I hope that you guys got my email. If you want the URL, it's listed on my links page on my Aeris shrine. Thanks! The romance should come up on the 9th chapter. It's kinda the same as the game, but I'm gonna change it in the later chapters…

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to Peachmelba-the-kickass-wonder-mog. Because you're actually into my A/C fic. ^_^ hee hee… and you add so much depth to your reviews. Your reviews make me happy. So thank you so much! //hugs// I hope that you did well on your exam!

Random FFVII Quote: "Hey, that's Cloud's line! 'I can't get you involved… blah… blah… blah!'" ~ Aeris Gainsborough

When The Soldier Meets The Flower Girl
Chapter VII: The Last Cetra

As Aeris saw the menacing stares of Reno, she silently moved behind Cloud. Cloud covered Aeris and faced the redheaded Turk. He examined Reno's familiar blue uniform. Yes. He had seen that uniform before. The Shinra. The Turks… one of Tseng's own kind.

"Who are you?" Cloud asked Reno.

"Just a little friend of Aeris," Reno answered, smiling evilly.

Aeris tugged at Cloud's arm. "Cloud…" she whispered softly as she slowly shook her head.

Cloud studied Reno's expression, and then he turned to look at Edgar's face. He was smiling in approval. "No you're not," Cloud said to Reno.

Reno frowned. "I'm not what?"

"You're not a friend of Aeris," he replied. "What do you want?"

"We just want the Ancient," Reno answered. He pointed toward the flower girl who was hiding behind Cloud. "Aeris is Shinra's property. The president wants her back in the lab!"

"Ancient…?" Cloud whispered in confusion.

Aeris finally stood next to Cloud, revealing herself completely. "I am NOT going back to that place!" she yelled.

Reno just laughed. "Silly little Ancient, I'm not asking you to go back, I'm telling you…"

"I make my own decisions, Reno," Aeris answered stubbornly. She shook her head. She could feel Cloud's blue eyes wandering over to her.

Reno turned to face his allies. "I'd rather we not use violence, but it seems like we don't have much choice…"

"Alright with me then," Cloud agreed, smiling evilly at Edgar. He hated his guts every time he remembered what he had done to Aeris. Cloud was just about to take out his sword when Aeris interrupted him.

"Please! Don't fight here! You'll ruin the flowers!" Aeris screamed.

Cloud quickly let go of the sword's hilt when he was just about to take it out. Aeris ran toward the back door. "Hurry Cloud! This way!" she called out to him. Cloud gave one last look at Reno and his little goons before following Aeris to the back.

Reno looked at Kain and the other Shinra guard. "This is exactly why I hate that Ancient…" he muttered under his breath. He eyed Edgar. "You didn't tell us that Aeris had a SOLDIER by her side, you little moron."

Edgar opened his mouth but shut it closed again.

"You're pathetic," Reno remarked.

"B-But! I-I didn't know that THAT spiky-headed goon was gonna be here with her! Honest!" Edgar faltered in a pleading voice.

"I'll deal with you later," Reno told Edgar. "Right now, I've got a mission to complete."

Reno walked over to the flowerbed, muttering a curse under his breath. When he had finally walked across the bed of flowers, he stopped in his tracks and turned to look at his allies. "Oh by the way, don't step on the flowers."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Cloud ran right behind Aeris, following her to the back of the church. It was easy to trip over the wrecked floor, but Aeris ran as fast as her feet could take her.

"Hurry up! The Ancient is getting away!" they heard shouts from behind.

Aeris stopped and quickly ran up the stairs that would lead them to the church's ceiling. Cloud, however, stopped and held out his buster sword. He stood in front of the two Shinra guards. Reno appeared behind the two.

"What are you doing, trying to protect a silly little flower girl?" Reno asked, spitting on the ground in disgust.

"It's none of your business," Cloud replied. He held up his sword high. "If you want the girl, then you're gonna have to pass through me first."

At first Reno didn't know how to respond, then he shook his head and chuckled. "We're not interested in you. My mission as a Turk is to capture the Ancient, that's all."

"Too bad—but you're gonna have to deal with me first," Cloud retorted. His Mako blue eyes then landed on a familiar figure, Edgar, who was actually hiding behind Reno. "And I'll deal with you, you little pervert, after I finish the Turk off."

Edgar gulped and silently scampered away from the SOLDIER's sight.

"If you insist on resisting us, then we don't have much choice but to get rid of you," Reno said.

Cloud smirked and stood in a fighting stance. "Aeris, leave now. I'll deal with these goons," he uttered to the young flower girl, who was standing close behind him.

Aeris hesitated. "Cloud… please…"

"Hurry, Aeris, don't worry about it," he whispered.

"But Cloud…" Aeris' voice trailed off as Cloud immediately advanced to the two Shinra guards who had been standing to cover the young Turk. "Cloud!" Aeris cried.

Cloud swung his sword but missed the two guards.

"Cloud!" Aeris called out.

Cloud stopped and his eyes landed on a barrel, which was only a few inches away from him. The two guards were just about to strike when Cloud picked up the barrel and violently threw it on the two guards. The barrel was actually unexpectedly heavy as it landed on the two Shinra guards. They were thrown down, flat on the ground.

Now it was Reno's turn.

Cloud scowled at the Turk and took up his sword once again.

He so wanted to fight Reno when Aeris tapped his shoulder. "Cloud, let's just leave. Please, Cloud, just take me home…" Aeris said in a pleading voice. She really didn't want to see anyone hurt anymore. She just hoped that Cloud would just leave the drunkard alone for now—anything just to avoid hurting others. "Cloud…"

Cloud eyed Aeris and couldn't resist her pleading gaze. He then turned to look at Reno and sheathed his sword. "I'm not finished with you yet," Cloud told the redhead. "I still don't understand why you want to kidnap Aeris, and that's what I'm gonna find out."

Reno chuckled. "I'm not finished with you either…" he smiled at him. Reno immediately kicked the barrel off from his two so-called allies. They groaned at the pain.

"You pathetic little scumbags," Reno retorted. He kicked Kain by his head. "Get up, Kain. You're stronger than that."

Kain nodded and slowly got up, helping out his other friend as well. They had nothing to say to Reno as the two made their way out as quickly as they could.

"Cloud…" Aeris whispered, as she held onto his arm.

Reno shook his head and turned around, silently walking away. Cloud was just about to leave with Aeris when another figure appeared by the door. He quickly took out his sword again. "Who's there?!" he shouted. Aeris tightened her grip onto Cloud as she heard some muffled footsteps.

"H-Hey…! It's just me…!"

Cloud sighed in relief and lowered his sword. Edgar. He was a harmless human being, as far as Cloud was concern.

"Edgar, what were you doing with Reno?" Aeris asked.

"I…" Edgar stammered.

Cloud held up his sword higher and pointed it toward Edgar before he could walk closer to them. "What do you want huh?" Cloud asked. It disgusted him to see these men hurting the poor Aeris.

Edgar nervously laughed as he fearfully eyed Cloud's sharp blade. "I… I… heh… uh, don't worry about me… I… uh, I'll leave you two alone…" he laughed again, scratching his head at the same time. "I'll see you around, Aeris! Don't forget your pay!" Edgar made his way toward the door again.

When he was gone, Cloud placed his sword back again and turned to Aeris. "Hey, are you OK?" he asked her gently. He wasn't even sure why he was suddenly concerned about someone. He had never been this way to any girl in his life… no not ever.

Aeris nodded her head. "Yes…" she whispered, her gaze on the ground.

"Aeris, don't you know those people? And what kind of people they are?" Cloud asked, staring at the young beautiful flower lady. When she didn't answer, Cloud continued, "Those were the Turks, Aeris. They usually scout for possible candidates for SOLDIER—"

Aeris laughed lightly. "Oh, I don't know, Cloud. Maybe they think I have what it takes to be in SOLDIER," she cut him off.

Cloud smiled and folded his arms over his chest. "Hmmm… maybe you do…" he whispered. He had never seen her fight, but he just wanted to see what she was going to say to that. "Do you want to join?"

She looked at him, a little glad that Cloud had forgot about what Reno had said about the Ancients. "No, I don't want to get caught by Reno…"

Cloud grinned. "Then let's get you home, alright?"

She nodded her head quickly. "Of course, Bodyguard!"

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"Mom, I'm home!" Aeris called out to the house. She glanced to Cloud who had just shut the door. "Please, come in…" she told him.

"Are you sure? It's rather late," Cloud hissed.

Aeris turned on the lights. She was just about to offer Cloud a seat when Elmyra came walking down the stairs. But she was not alone. On her back, she was giving a piggyback ride to a little boy. His hair was platinum blue and his blue-gray eyes were half-closed. As Elmyra reached the bottom of the stair, she went toward the nearest couch and seated the young boy gently.

"Mom, what's Cecil doing here?" Aeris asked.

Elmyra glanced to the young SOLDIER before answering her. "I found him wandering around the streets all by himself. Since it's so late, I just took the poor boy home. Cecil's been waiting for you to get home. Why so late, Aeris?" she raised an eyebrow and glanced once again at the young SOLDIER that had came in with Aeris.

"I'm really sorry for intruding—"

"Mom, I would like for you to meet Cloud, my bodyguard!" Aeris immediately cut Cloud off.

Elmyra wasn't sure how surprised she looked as she gazed at the young SOLDIER, staring at his Mako eyes. They were the same eyes that used to stare at her, every night after Aeris' boyfriend would take her home. "Bodyguard? A SOLDIER?" she turned quickly to her daughter. "Aeris, you were followed again?"

"It's okay, Mom. I had Cloud with me," she turned to Cloud and grinned.

Elmyra sighed in relief and looked at Cloud gratefully. "Thank you for bringing Aeris home, Cloud. My name is Elmyra."

"It's no trouble," Cloud replied.

"So what now?" Aeris asked.

"Well, I've got to get to Sector 7 quickly," Cloud answered. "I've got to get my pay from Barret and figure out what's happening with the AVALANCHE."

Elmyra's eyes widened in shocked at the mention of the word AVALANCHE. "You're from AVALANCHE?!"

Aeris nodded. "Cloud is a mercenary, Mom. He is temporarily aiding the AVALANCHE," she briefly explained. She turned back to Cloud. "Cloud, I'm gonna take you to Sector 7. Let's go!"

"But Aeris—"

"Now, why don't you just spend the night here and leave tomorrow? It is already late," Elmyra cut off the young mercenary. She turned to her step-daughter. "Aeris, please bring Cecil upstairs and prepare the bed."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

When Aeris disappeared with Cecil, Elmyra just sighed and shook her head. "Another SOLDIER… the last thing that Aeris needs is to have her heart broken again…" she muttered under her breath.

Cloud pretended not to hear Elmyra as he just stood there in silence. Elmyra glanced over to Cloud. He indeed resembled Aeris' first love greatly. "Would you like some tea, Cloud?" she offered.

"No thanks," Cloud replied.

Elmyra poured some tea on an empty cup. Sipping on it, she looked at Cloud. "So Cloud, how old are you?" she asked.

"Twenty-one," he answered.

"And your rank?"

"First… Class…"

"I see…"

"Please… do me a favor, Cloud?"

Cloud waited for her to continue.

"Could you please leave here tonight… without Aeris…?" Elmyra asked.

He didn't answer, but he just slowly nodded his head. Besides, she would be safe here in her lovely abode.

The room filled with silence for a long moment until Cloud scratched his head and finally decided to break it. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"Why are the Turks after Aeris?"

"She didn't tell you why?" Elmyra wondered, looking at Cloud carefully.

Cloud folded his arms over his chest, tapped his foot lightly. "Reno mentioned something about the Ancients… so I'm assuming that Aeris is…"

Elmyra nodded. "Yes, Aeris is a Cetra. She is the sole-survivor of the Ancient race."

"Cetra… is what they call themselves?" Cloud asked.

"I'm not Aeris' real mother," Elmyra explained. With watery eyes, she explained to Cloud exactly what had happened.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Aeris gently placed the young Cecil on her bed. Cecil opened his eyes and sat up to look at the flower lady. "Um… Miss Aeris…?" he began.

"Yes?" Aeris turned to look at Cecil as she started to hum a song. She opened up the closet and took out a white blanket.

"Is it true that Mr. SOLDIER really saved you from the bad guys that keep following you?" Cecil asked.

Aeris let out a soft laugh as she turned to the young boy of eight years. She knelt down and looked at him. "Yes, it's true, Cecil."

"So does that mean that Mr. SOLDIER is a good guy?" he wondered.

"He's always been a good guy," Aeris replied.

Cecil frowned. "But he's in SOLDIER right? Miss Elmyra said that SOLDIERs always break young girls' hearts. Is that true, Miss Aeris? When I was telling Miss Elmyra that I left you with Mr. SOLDIER, she got all worried and stuff."

She shook her head. "Cloud is different. He's not like that, Cecil. And besides, Cloud is no longer in Shinra. He is my bodyguard now…"

"But Miss Aeris! I thought I was your bodyguard," Cecil complained. "Why? Are you gonna marry Mr. SOLDIER, Miss Aeris?" Cecil suddenly asked.

Aeris blinked in surprised. She giggled and quickly shook her head. "Cecil, go to bed."

"But why? I'm not even sleepy yet," Cecil yawned.

Aeris was just about to say something when she heard footsteps. Looking up, she saw Cloud standing by the open door. "Cloud…"

When Cecil saw the young spiky-haired blonde, he quickly rose from the bed and looked right at him. "Mr. SOLDIER! Just because you're Miss Aeris' bodyguard now still doesn't mean that she is in love with you! I was her bodyguard even before you came! I'm always gonna be Miss Aeris' original bodyguard!"

Cloud just stared at the young kid blankly, too stunned to say something. Aeris stood next to Cloud and gazed at Cecil. "Cecil, how about this? You're going to be my apprentice. You help me with the flowers while Cloud helps me out with the bad guys."

Cecil mumbled a tiny complaint but finally agreed. He then lied back down on Aeris' bed and shut his eyes. "Well… I get to sleep beside Miss Aeris anyway…" he softly mumbled as he fell asleep.

Aeris sighed in relief. "Whew… finally…" she whispered. She then turned to look at Cloud. "You must be really tired, Cloud. I'm sorry…" she apologized. She walked outside her bedroom and led Cloud to the room next to hers. "I'm excited to meet your friends. Here… Cloud…" She opened the door for him. Walking away, she gave Cloud one last look. "Oh Cloud?"

Cloud looked at Aeris' beautiful face. "Yes?"

"Goodnight," Aeris said sweetly, smiling up at him. She then walked inside her room.

As she disappeared from his sight, Cloud ran his hand through his spiky hair. "Oh man…" he muttered, shaking his head.

= end of chapter 7 =

A/N: I didn't really write the part where Elmyra explained to Cloud about Aeris' heritage. It's basically the same as the one from the game. I know that Aeris was already captured by Tseng when Elmyra was telling them about the Ancients…. But anyways… this is my fic so I just added that part in. ^_^;; Thanks for reading!

~ Kristine