Alright. did you guys like that last chapter? I'm trying to speed things up
and stuff but my brain seems to want to drag things out in terms of the
plot. Sorry that I'm taking so long to update. er, I've been busy! Heh,
heh.
Chapter 6
The week passed by well and Aeris' bruises healed quickly. We'd go to the beach daily and have some fun splashing around in the waves like love- stricken teenagers. We'd go do girly things that Aeris enjoyed, like shopping and. *sigh* those awful, awful silent auctions for antiques. Oh, well! It didn't matter to me. All that mattered was that Aeris was happy and enjoying herself in everything we did.
I took her to dinner a couple of times in nice tropically-themed restaurants, where Hispanic guys playing acoustic guitars would sing us serenades in the sunset. Aeris would just giggle and hold my hand tighter from across the table for two. I'd smile back at her and maybe get a small kiss. But that was about all I got from her: kisses. It wasn't a big deal, since I just wanted her to be happy anyway. As long as she was content, I wouldn't force her into anything she didn't want to do. It may sound like a lie, but she really meant, and means, everything to me.
And then that week passed by. Our Bonding Ceremony was to take place in Cosmo Canyon. By that time we HAD gotten in contact with everyone from AVALANCHE and Aeris' mother also. Everyone was going except for Tifa, who we couldn't get a hold of. Every time we had called heard, she would have never been home or some strange man, who sounded really sick, would have picked up and told us that Tifa wasn't taking calls.
So when the day came for our Bonding Ceremony, we had in fact informed Red that it was indeed to be a romantic one. It was only over the PS that we spoke, but I could just sense the smile that must have curled over his furry muzzle. He laughed and told me that we'd need to get married soon as well for the Bond to really have a good effect over us. I told him that everything was still very new to us and that marriage wouldn't be for a while yet.
Aeris spent about two hours getting ready in the washroom for our ceremony. I spent about five minutes. But when she came out all dressed and dolled up, it was definitely worth it.
Her hair was pinned up with strands falling out, on purpose of course, to add to the effect. She wore some shiny gloss stuff on her lips and did something to really make her gorgeous eyes stand out. She wore a beautiful off-white strapless dress with fancy floral embroidery at the bottom. She was absolutely stunning.
She smiled and my heart jumped in my chest. "How do I look?" she asked.
Again, I found myself in a bind where it was difficult not to gawk, but this time I straightened up and looked her in the eye to speak. "You look pretty good."
She raised an eyebrow suspiciously and nodded. "Alright. let's get going then. Aw! You look so cute in your tux, Cloud!"
I had almost forgotten about the dorky penguin suit I was wearing. I looked down at it and shook my head. I didn't realize we had had to dress up so much at the beginning!
I had no idea what to expect at this ceremony! Red had informed me that it wouldn't be too formal, but I was still very nervous.
We took a chocobo carriage to Cosmo Canyon and arrived in the early afternoon. I stepped out of the carriage in my black loafers and offered Aeris a hand to step out as well. We walked into town to find all of AVALANCHE, with the exception of Tifa, and the entire town standing round the burning fire. Everyone wore smiles on their faces as they watched us walk towards them. I could see Cid and Barret giving me the thumbs up and the others whispering with laughter. Red stood on one side of the fire while all the guests sat on the other side.
"Greetings!" said Red upon seeing us, "Please join us over here by the flames." He motioned for us to stand in front of him, before the fire. I took Aeris' hand in mine and we walked over to where he indicated. The guests all stood up in respect and a young boy carrying incense walked around the fire as an old man walked behind him sounding a bell. Aeris and I looked around at everything curiously. The old man started to chant and other Elders from the guests joined in with the sacred hymn.
"Good afternoon," spoke Red when the song had died down, "We are gathered here today to reunite Cloud Strife and Aeris Gainsborough in Romantic Bond. The Romantic Bond is one of holiness and honor, one to be respected. Through this ceremony, these two individuals will be forever bound in soul and spirit unless the event of serious complications."
Wow, I thought, This really feels like a wedding!
Red looked me in the eye, then at Aeris. "Do you, Cloud Strife, promise to take this woman into your heart and to cherish her through life as well as through death?"
"I.I do," I said nervously as I looked deeply into Aeris' somehow quietly beautiful eyes. They seemed to understand, to know. Something about them told me that our bond was true and very real. Did we even need this ceremony to know that?
"And do you, Aeris Gainsborough," continued our fiery feline, "promise to take this man into your heart and to cherish him through life as well as through death?"
"I do," she said with certainty as she smiled at me through all her elegance.
A young girl put a garland of flowers around my neck that was connected by a red ribbon to a garland of flowers around Aeris' and joined our hands.
"Then you may lead the bride around the fire," Red said to me. He had explained what would happen in the ceremony earlier to us, so we were familiar with what was to be done.
I led Aeris and we walked around the fire in a clockwise motion while two Elders on either side played bells and sang the hymn again. That hymn must have been the blessing thing Red had told us about. We walked around three times before coming back to Red.
"And to conclude the ceremony," he explained, "You may kiss the woman and all will be done."
I again looked deeply into Aeris' eyes and almost lost myself in their glowing infinitude. She was so stunning, so beautiful. But just as I was about to lean in and kiss her, I saw a strange reflection in her eye. Someone was coming running towards us. Aeris took her gaze away from me to see what it was and a look of confusion engulfed her formerly passive and calm expression.
I snapped my head around and there she was. Tifa was running towards Aeris with a sharp knife, ready to stab her. I took my love into my arms protectively and Tifa stopped in her tracks. Everyone at the ceremony started to scream and get up from their seats to run. My former colleagues, however, stayed by my side, with weapons ready.
"What are you DOING?" I yelled at Tifa while Aeris watched timidly from my arms.
"Ha, ha!" laughed the girl I used to call my friend, "The ceremony cannot continue!"
I was puzzled. "Wha..?"
But when I realized the malicious grin spread over Tifa's lips, I turned my head around to see what she was looking at. And there, right next to Aeris and me, was my arch nemesis. It was, it was. Sephiroth! How he had appeared without anyone noticing I don't understand. But I had no time to think anyway. He let his fist fly and hit me square in the jaw. I fell over in bewildered pain, releasing Aeris from my clutch.
"Cloud!" she screamed. I looked over and realized that Sephiroth was fleeing off, carrying her with him.
"NO!!" I yelled, doing my best to stand and run towards my distancing worst enemy and my greatest love. But they were too far and even though I was on my feet and running swiftly, I couldn't reach them before he started to take flight on his ugly, solitary wing.
I could see Aeris crying as Sephiroth roughly held her and pushed her when she struggled. I wanted to hit him and hurt him and kill him. I wanted to torture him for hours and hours on end before destroying him from any sort of existence. He had taken my angel, and I had promised that that would never ever happen.
But just as all hope seemed lost, I heard a gunshot.
"AH!" screamed Sephiroth as he fell, releasing Aeris just as I had. They both hit the ground hard from about four feet off. Aeris just lied on the ground for a minute before her kidnapper yelled a second time.
"I'll have you for this!" yelled the hideous silver-haired man as he clutched at his bleeding arm. He stood on his feet painfully, cussing under his breath, and with a twirl of his cape and a cloud of smoke, he was gone. I ran over to Aeris.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" I asked her as I pulled her up into my arms once more.
Her eyes were closed as she lied silently, her body limp. The others ran to our side, as all harm seemed to have disappeared.
I looked up at the quiet vampire-like figure that had saved my treasure's life with his simple sniper. "Thank you, Vincent." He nodded simply.
"Tifa is nowhere to be found," said Red, "Come. We need to get Aeris to a bed." I stood up, holding my gem and my group and I walked towards the inn.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
"How many fingers am I holding up?"
Aeris was very groggy still and obviously didn't want to answer my little test.
"Mmm." she grumbled as she stirred in the covers.
"How you feeling honey?" I asked her as I sat next to her on the bed. Everyone else was waiting in the Turtle's Paradise bar, where I had told them to stay while I spoke with Aeris.
"I." she forced out sleepily, "I'm okay I guess. Did I pass out?"
"Uh-huh," I answered, "That. that creature had you for a minute there." I felt my fists clench at the thought of Sephiroth.
"I'm so sorry, darling. I am so, so sorry." I kept on failing her, again and again.
"Hey," she whispered, "It's fine. I'm fine, you're fine. That's all that matters anyway."
I shook my head. "I don't know what happened back there. I don't know what the hell's wrong with Tifa either." That would something else I didn't understand.
"It's okay," she said stroking my cheek, "I love you so much, Cloud." Her words were unexpected, but she topped them off with a small, blissful kiss. "Why don't we go down to the bar, huh?"
"But, Aeris." I started, "You're still so weak. I won't let you! You're bleeding and everything too."
"Oh rubbish!" she said with a laugh, "These are only cuts! I'll make it, especially with a little help from Bacardi."
"I didn't know you drank!" I exclaimed surprised.
"Only when I feel like it. and when I'm out with friends."
"Well in that case, you're in good company, baby." She laughed as I helped her up from her bed and led her downstairs to have some fun. But little did I know, the twisted threat still lingered and a broken heart sought vengeance against her opponent.
Chapter 6
The week passed by well and Aeris' bruises healed quickly. We'd go to the beach daily and have some fun splashing around in the waves like love- stricken teenagers. We'd go do girly things that Aeris enjoyed, like shopping and. *sigh* those awful, awful silent auctions for antiques. Oh, well! It didn't matter to me. All that mattered was that Aeris was happy and enjoying herself in everything we did.
I took her to dinner a couple of times in nice tropically-themed restaurants, where Hispanic guys playing acoustic guitars would sing us serenades in the sunset. Aeris would just giggle and hold my hand tighter from across the table for two. I'd smile back at her and maybe get a small kiss. But that was about all I got from her: kisses. It wasn't a big deal, since I just wanted her to be happy anyway. As long as she was content, I wouldn't force her into anything she didn't want to do. It may sound like a lie, but she really meant, and means, everything to me.
And then that week passed by. Our Bonding Ceremony was to take place in Cosmo Canyon. By that time we HAD gotten in contact with everyone from AVALANCHE and Aeris' mother also. Everyone was going except for Tifa, who we couldn't get a hold of. Every time we had called heard, she would have never been home or some strange man, who sounded really sick, would have picked up and told us that Tifa wasn't taking calls.
So when the day came for our Bonding Ceremony, we had in fact informed Red that it was indeed to be a romantic one. It was only over the PS that we spoke, but I could just sense the smile that must have curled over his furry muzzle. He laughed and told me that we'd need to get married soon as well for the Bond to really have a good effect over us. I told him that everything was still very new to us and that marriage wouldn't be for a while yet.
Aeris spent about two hours getting ready in the washroom for our ceremony. I spent about five minutes. But when she came out all dressed and dolled up, it was definitely worth it.
Her hair was pinned up with strands falling out, on purpose of course, to add to the effect. She wore some shiny gloss stuff on her lips and did something to really make her gorgeous eyes stand out. She wore a beautiful off-white strapless dress with fancy floral embroidery at the bottom. She was absolutely stunning.
She smiled and my heart jumped in my chest. "How do I look?" she asked.
Again, I found myself in a bind where it was difficult not to gawk, but this time I straightened up and looked her in the eye to speak. "You look pretty good."
She raised an eyebrow suspiciously and nodded. "Alright. let's get going then. Aw! You look so cute in your tux, Cloud!"
I had almost forgotten about the dorky penguin suit I was wearing. I looked down at it and shook my head. I didn't realize we had had to dress up so much at the beginning!
I had no idea what to expect at this ceremony! Red had informed me that it wouldn't be too formal, but I was still very nervous.
We took a chocobo carriage to Cosmo Canyon and arrived in the early afternoon. I stepped out of the carriage in my black loafers and offered Aeris a hand to step out as well. We walked into town to find all of AVALANCHE, with the exception of Tifa, and the entire town standing round the burning fire. Everyone wore smiles on their faces as they watched us walk towards them. I could see Cid and Barret giving me the thumbs up and the others whispering with laughter. Red stood on one side of the fire while all the guests sat on the other side.
"Greetings!" said Red upon seeing us, "Please join us over here by the flames." He motioned for us to stand in front of him, before the fire. I took Aeris' hand in mine and we walked over to where he indicated. The guests all stood up in respect and a young boy carrying incense walked around the fire as an old man walked behind him sounding a bell. Aeris and I looked around at everything curiously. The old man started to chant and other Elders from the guests joined in with the sacred hymn.
"Good afternoon," spoke Red when the song had died down, "We are gathered here today to reunite Cloud Strife and Aeris Gainsborough in Romantic Bond. The Romantic Bond is one of holiness and honor, one to be respected. Through this ceremony, these two individuals will be forever bound in soul and spirit unless the event of serious complications."
Wow, I thought, This really feels like a wedding!
Red looked me in the eye, then at Aeris. "Do you, Cloud Strife, promise to take this woman into your heart and to cherish her through life as well as through death?"
"I.I do," I said nervously as I looked deeply into Aeris' somehow quietly beautiful eyes. They seemed to understand, to know. Something about them told me that our bond was true and very real. Did we even need this ceremony to know that?
"And do you, Aeris Gainsborough," continued our fiery feline, "promise to take this man into your heart and to cherish him through life as well as through death?"
"I do," she said with certainty as she smiled at me through all her elegance.
A young girl put a garland of flowers around my neck that was connected by a red ribbon to a garland of flowers around Aeris' and joined our hands.
"Then you may lead the bride around the fire," Red said to me. He had explained what would happen in the ceremony earlier to us, so we were familiar with what was to be done.
I led Aeris and we walked around the fire in a clockwise motion while two Elders on either side played bells and sang the hymn again. That hymn must have been the blessing thing Red had told us about. We walked around three times before coming back to Red.
"And to conclude the ceremony," he explained, "You may kiss the woman and all will be done."
I again looked deeply into Aeris' eyes and almost lost myself in their glowing infinitude. She was so stunning, so beautiful. But just as I was about to lean in and kiss her, I saw a strange reflection in her eye. Someone was coming running towards us. Aeris took her gaze away from me to see what it was and a look of confusion engulfed her formerly passive and calm expression.
I snapped my head around and there she was. Tifa was running towards Aeris with a sharp knife, ready to stab her. I took my love into my arms protectively and Tifa stopped in her tracks. Everyone at the ceremony started to scream and get up from their seats to run. My former colleagues, however, stayed by my side, with weapons ready.
"What are you DOING?" I yelled at Tifa while Aeris watched timidly from my arms.
"Ha, ha!" laughed the girl I used to call my friend, "The ceremony cannot continue!"
I was puzzled. "Wha..?"
But when I realized the malicious grin spread over Tifa's lips, I turned my head around to see what she was looking at. And there, right next to Aeris and me, was my arch nemesis. It was, it was. Sephiroth! How he had appeared without anyone noticing I don't understand. But I had no time to think anyway. He let his fist fly and hit me square in the jaw. I fell over in bewildered pain, releasing Aeris from my clutch.
"Cloud!" she screamed. I looked over and realized that Sephiroth was fleeing off, carrying her with him.
"NO!!" I yelled, doing my best to stand and run towards my distancing worst enemy and my greatest love. But they were too far and even though I was on my feet and running swiftly, I couldn't reach them before he started to take flight on his ugly, solitary wing.
I could see Aeris crying as Sephiroth roughly held her and pushed her when she struggled. I wanted to hit him and hurt him and kill him. I wanted to torture him for hours and hours on end before destroying him from any sort of existence. He had taken my angel, and I had promised that that would never ever happen.
But just as all hope seemed lost, I heard a gunshot.
"AH!" screamed Sephiroth as he fell, releasing Aeris just as I had. They both hit the ground hard from about four feet off. Aeris just lied on the ground for a minute before her kidnapper yelled a second time.
"I'll have you for this!" yelled the hideous silver-haired man as he clutched at his bleeding arm. He stood on his feet painfully, cussing under his breath, and with a twirl of his cape and a cloud of smoke, he was gone. I ran over to Aeris.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" I asked her as I pulled her up into my arms once more.
Her eyes were closed as she lied silently, her body limp. The others ran to our side, as all harm seemed to have disappeared.
I looked up at the quiet vampire-like figure that had saved my treasure's life with his simple sniper. "Thank you, Vincent." He nodded simply.
"Tifa is nowhere to be found," said Red, "Come. We need to get Aeris to a bed." I stood up, holding my gem and my group and I walked towards the inn.
~~~~~**********~~~~~
"How many fingers am I holding up?"
Aeris was very groggy still and obviously didn't want to answer my little test.
"Mmm." she grumbled as she stirred in the covers.
"How you feeling honey?" I asked her as I sat next to her on the bed. Everyone else was waiting in the Turtle's Paradise bar, where I had told them to stay while I spoke with Aeris.
"I." she forced out sleepily, "I'm okay I guess. Did I pass out?"
"Uh-huh," I answered, "That. that creature had you for a minute there." I felt my fists clench at the thought of Sephiroth.
"I'm so sorry, darling. I am so, so sorry." I kept on failing her, again and again.
"Hey," she whispered, "It's fine. I'm fine, you're fine. That's all that matters anyway."
I shook my head. "I don't know what happened back there. I don't know what the hell's wrong with Tifa either." That would something else I didn't understand.
"It's okay," she said stroking my cheek, "I love you so much, Cloud." Her words were unexpected, but she topped them off with a small, blissful kiss. "Why don't we go down to the bar, huh?"
"But, Aeris." I started, "You're still so weak. I won't let you! You're bleeding and everything too."
"Oh rubbish!" she said with a laugh, "These are only cuts! I'll make it, especially with a little help from Bacardi."
"I didn't know you drank!" I exclaimed surprised.
"Only when I feel like it. and when I'm out with friends."
"Well in that case, you're in good company, baby." She laughed as I helped her up from her bed and led her downstairs to have some fun. But little did I know, the twisted threat still lingered and a broken heart sought vengeance against her opponent.
