Chapter 6 – The Premonition

"Cloud, what's going on?" asked Aeris once Cloud had set her down.

"Your back, Aeris. Plain and simple." Replied Cloud tears still running down his face, though not in the same amount as they had been earlier.

"How?" asked Aeris, obviously bewildered.

"You'll have to talk to Vincent about that, Aeris. He is the resident genius," Said Cloud. He had finally been able to stop the flow of tears.

"Vincent is here? Who else?" questioned Aeris.

"Everyone," replied Cloud simply.

Cloud took Aeris by the hand, and led her up the stairs. Tifa who had been pouring Barret a drink, looked up as Cloud came up the stairs.

"Hey Cloud, do you want something to…"

Tifa was cut short as Aeris appeared next to Cloud. She seemed to have forgotten about the drink she was pouring for Barret, as it was overflowing, and spilling onto the floor. She just stood there and stared. Finally, she seemed to find her tongue.

"Aeris… Aeris"

She stood frozen on the spot. Then, she jumped over the bar counter, screaming Aeris's name.

"Aeris! Aeris! Aeris!"

She grabbed Aeris in a tight embrace. So tight that she squeezed the air right out of her lungs. Cloud had to pry her off, which was no easy feat. Barret had not moved from the bar stool, but he had a huge grin plastered in his face.

"Good to have ya back, Aeris."

Cid, Red, and Vincent, who had been outside, came in, because of all the noise.

"What's all the commotion about?" asked Red. Then he caught site of Aeris.

Red launched himself over numerous tables to get to Aeris. He landed right on her chest, and once again, the air was knocked out of Aeris. Again Cloud saved her by lifting Red off of her. Cloud decided it was enough. He stepped in front of her and extended his arms.

"Alright, anybody who wants to tackle Aeris has to get through me."

Vincent stepped forward. He was smiling. It was the first time anyone had seen him smile since the first time they met him, in the mansion in Nibelheim.

"Well, it seems my machine was a success."

Being the dark and mysterious man that he is, Vincent headed back outside without another word.

"What a weirdo," Tifa muttered. "Hey, I have an idea! Lets all go out and celebrate! Barret knows the best places in Midgar, don't ya Barret?"

"Yup, I do. Just follow me."

They followed Barret out of the house, and into the front yard. Barret pulled off the sheet that was covering an old, blue truck, the same one that they had used to escape the Shinra H.Q.

"He's the richest man in Midgar, and insist on keeping that old truck," Tifa whispered into Cloud's ear.

It was a tight fit, but they managed to get everyone into the truck. Barret pulled out onto the main road and began the drive into the Heart of Midgar. Each of the sectors had one main road that led to the Heart of Midgar, where you would be able to access any of the other sectors.

Cloud sat with Aeris in his lap, his arms draped over her shoulders. Feeling her body press against his gave Cloud a sense of comfort that he hadn't felt since Aeris was killed. He held her tighter, never wanting to lose her again like he did before.

They finally arrived at the Heart of Midgar. The Heart was actually a giant building, like a super sized shopping mall. Barret had the Shinra H.Q. destroyed, and the Heart put up in its place.

"Well, here we are," said Barret.

Barret pulled into a nearby parking garage. The party of friends stepped out of the truck, and headed into the first floor of the Heart. When they first entered, the headed to a large map of the Heart. They found the dining level, and headed to the elevator. Pressing the appropriate button, the elevator began to speed up the shaft.

After a long elevator ride, the seven friends finally arrived at the Dining Floor. Nearly everything in it was made of a white marble, even the chairs.

"Wow Barret!" squealed Tifa in delight. "You sure know how to design a Dining Hall!"

Barret lead them to his own, reserved table. No sooner had they sat down, where the being fawned over by waiters and waitresses.

"Can I get you a drink, sir?"

"What will you be having today, sir?"

"May I make a recommendation, sir?"

Barret banged his gun-arm on the table so hard that it was in danger of cracking.

"QUIET!" Barret roared. "WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE'RE READY!"

Everybody took a menu from the stack on the center of the table, and busied him or herself with deciding what to order. After making sure everybody was ready to order, Barret beckoned over a waiter that had been lurking in the corner, waiting to be called upon. After everybody placed their orders, the sat is a comfortable silence, waiting for the food to arrive. Cloud sat with Aeris on his right, and Red on his left. Suddenly, Red began to sniff intently.

"Foods here," said Red.

And that it was. The food and drink was set down, and all seven began to eat. Red was wolfing down a rather large piece of fish, while Cloud and Vincent were both eating large slabs of beef. Barret was consuming a large piece of pork, and Aeris and Tifa where both eating chicken. It was the best food they had eaten in ages.

"This is great," said Cloud, taking a sip from a glass of wine. "You couldn't have picked a better place, Barret."

"I must agree," said Red. "I have not tasted food this delicious in a long while."

The seven finished the main course without any problems. But then dessert started. As a giant, chocolate layer cake was brought out, Aeris began to groan. She began to sweat in great droplets. Cloud sprang to his feet.

"Aeris, are you alright?" asked Cloud in an alarmed tone.

"Cloud, oh, Cloud, I'm seeing something!" Aeris managed to gasp.

Cloud wiped her brow and held her tight. He felt helpless. All at once, the sweating and groaning stopped. Aeris seemed to be perfectly normal, besides the fact that she looked very shaken up.

"Cloud, something is happening in Nibelheim!" said Aeris.

Cloud went white, and turned to Barret.

"Barret is there a weapons store in here?"

"Yeah."

"I think I'm gonna need to pay a visit to it."

"Then lets go."

Leaving the cake untouched, the seven got up and headed for the elevator. Once inside, they pressed the appropriate button, and sped down the elevator shaft.

Dinnng!

The elevator door opened, and all seven stepped out. Cloud headed immediately towards the sword section. He picked out various models he liked, and began to test them, feeling the weight, making sure the metal was of a high quality. Cloud finally made his selection. He pulled out his bag of gil, and paid for the sword known as the 'Dragoon Saber'. It had a long, curved blade, a golden handle and hand guard, and a leather grip. Strapping the blade onto his back, Cloud began to walk back towards the elevator, his face void of any emotion.

"Well, looks like Cloud is back to his old self," Tifa whispered into Aeris's ear as they headed back out to the truck.