Fountain of Memories

Chapter 4: Homecoming

Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy 7 chars, they all belong to Squaresoft and they get all the money made off them, ie. I'm not being paid for this.

'Where the hell is Aurora?' Tifa yelled, running into the breakfast room, causing Barret to spill cornflakes down his front, and Yuffie to choke on her coffee.

'Isn't she still in bed?' Cloud asked, getting up from the table, while simultaneously trying to dodge out of the way of Barret who was heading for the sink while leaving a trail of cornflakes and milk.

Tifa shook her head, 'No, I checked. All her bedding's gone, and there's no sign of her.'

Vincent looked up suddenly, he'd been staring out of the window. 'I think I can guess where she is.'

They found Aurora in the decorative garden which Reeve had ordered planted in memory of a certain flower girl. She was asleep under a tree.

'How did you know she'd be out here Vincent?' Cloud asked, picking the girl up in his arms. She was as light as a feather.

Vincent shrugged, 'If you'd spent the last 10 years sleeping outside, how would you like to spend a night in a stuffy building?' He sighed, 'You should have seen the trouble I had getting used to beds after all that time in the ShinRa mansion.'

Tifa was knelt at one side, peering at the flowers that released a beautiful smell into the air. As she rose, Cloud could see tears in her eyes.

'Teef, what's wrong?' He asked, trying to shift the bundle of bedding and girl he held in his arms so that he could look at Tifa properly. Aurora hadn't even woken up.

'These are…Aeris' flowers. Exactly like the ones in the church. Like the one you gave me that night after your first mission.'

There was an awkward silence in which all of the other members of the group took an advanced study in the sky, or anything else that was handy which meant they didn't have to look at one another. Then Yuffie gasped, and pointed.

The statue rose up from the flowers like a goddess. It was made from white marble, and quite clearly depicted a kneeling girl praying. Water flowed around her legs, and into the small pool just in front of her knees. The gentle trickling noise could barely be heard when the breeze rustled the flowers.

Cloud felt his throat close up as he looked at it. Hesitantly, he walked towards it, flower petals flying around him. There was a plaque on the plinth below.

Aeris Gainsborough

1973 - 1995

For Aeris, who saved us all,

And whose smile, and happiness will

Live on in our hearts,

For as long as we remember.

'Cloud!' Shouted Tifa, as he spun around and ran from the garden back towards the building. Still carrying Aurora in his arms as easily as if she were a ragdoll.

The others all looked sadly at one another, and headed after him.

* * *

As a welcome home for President Reeve, and the 'heroes' who had been thought dead, an evening reception was being held. Chaos had erupted in the part of the new ShinRa building where the companions had been staying.

Tifa was fussing around Aurora who was coming as well, while Barret and Cid were sitting around looking uncomfortable in their suits. Vincent was nowhere to be found. Yuffie had suddenly reverted to her hyperactive younger self, and was busily bouncing around annoying everyone. Red was trying to keep out of the way. His tail had already been trodden on by an absentminded ShinRa worker, who had received a growl and a reprimand, which had been enough to send the poor woman running from the room screaming at being spoken to by a large cat.

Cloud took the opportunity to clear his head, and so had gone to stand out on the balcony, staring out over the twinkling lights of NeoMidgar. It took him several minutes before he noticed that someone else was standing out on the balcony too.

The cloaked figure grabbed his arms and put a gloved hand over his mouth, as he turned to yell to the others.

'I'm not going to hurt you, so please do not shout to your friends, and please do not try to run away.' The figure said quietly.

Cloud nodded and the stranger released him. 'You're the guy from the desert aren't you?' He said, to the cloaked figure.

'Yes, I have some very important things to tell you, but I have been watching to see if you are ready to except them.' The figure replied from the shadows.

A blur hit the figure, and it rammed into the balcony's barrier. Vincent stood up, his hair flapping in the wind.

'Why have you come here? Why do you stalk me like prey?' Vincent growled, 'Why did you come to 'her' cave?'

'Ah, so many questions, and yet perhaps you are not ready to hear the answers hmm?' The figure replied, peering over the edge.

With a feral roar, Vincent charged at the man again, this time the man went over the balcony dark cloak streaming behind him. A pair of gloved hands grabbed the edge of the balcony.

Cloud grabbed Vincent's arm, 'What the hell are you doing Vincent? Calm down!'

Vincent looked like he was about to hit Cloud, but then the look faded and he stepped back.

'What's this guy done to you to get you so pissed Vincent?' Said Cloud, leaning over the balcony to grab the stranger.

The hood of the cloak had come off revealing a mop of blonde hair. The figure looked up, and Cloud stared into a pair of blue eyes that he had only seen before in a mirror. The older man laughed at Cloud's open mouth, and let go of the balcony.

He dropped the two floors and landed into one of the large bushes that surrounded the new ShniRa building. Cloud didn't see him climb out of the bushes, nor did he hear him.

Cloud turned to Vincent, 'Ok, this is the bit where you explain why you attack mysterious dark strangers I'm talking to.' He looked around, 'And also how you got here.'

Vincent looked away, ' I caught him in Lucrecia's cave awhile ago.'

'What was he doing?' Cloud asked patiently.

Vincent shrugged, 'I attacked him because I thought he was desecrating her shrine. He…he left a flower on her grave.'

'So you attacked him for it?' Cloud looked around, 'You were on the roof right? Trying to keep out of the way.'

'I…I don't know why I attacked him. It was…instinct almost.' Vincent looked a little sheepish, 'You know how…touchy I am when it comes to 'her'.'

Cloud nodded, and sighed. 'Never mind, I'm sure he'll be back, although I don't think knocking him over a balcony is gonna make him any happier Vincent…'

A shout from Tifa in the room, told the two men that it was time to go.

* * *

The room was full of people. All in their best clothes, and all chattering quietly in small groups.

When Aurora entered all eyes turned towards her. It would have been hard to miss her. Tifa had shoved her into a bath, and had brushed and combed all the sand and grit out of her hair until it seemed to glow. Her dress was a pale lilac colour that contrasted perfectly with her eyes.

People began muttering amongst themselves, and Aurora caught the name 'Sephiroth' several times. Blushing, she made her way through the room, to where she could see Barret towering above everyone else.

A band in the corner started up, and the floor cleared slightly as people moved to the edge of the room to allow people to dance.

Aurora stood to the side as she watched her new friends dance.

Barret had brought Marlene along, and she was trying to act grown up and was dancing with her daddy, causing much giggling and cries of 'Oh how sweet!' from the women in the room. Cloud, had asked Tifa to dance, and they were now waltzing gently around the room, apparently deep in conversation. Yuffie had dragged Vincent onto the dancefloor, where she proceeded to teach him how to dance. Cid and the woman who Aurora now knew to be his wife, Shera, were talking to another couple across the other side of the room, and Red had disappeared over towards the buffet table.

Aurora smiled happily. It was so wonderful to have new friends, and to be listen to the chatter of real people. She scanned the room, and saw Reeve with a group of other important looking men. He was looking in her direction, and raised his wine glass with a smile when he saw her look in his direction. She smiled back, when suddenly the world seemed to lurch. Aurora heard a wineglass smash.

Something in the North Crater stirred….

Darkness……someone was saying her name. It was a woman's voice, or at least what a female snake might sound like if it could talk.

'Aurora….Aurora, you have returned. I have found you at last…….'

She felt like something was raking through her mind, and threw up immediate barriers.

'Ah yes…powerful like you're father. I can control you too I think, although perhaps your will is stronger….It is no matter, you will bend your will to mine, or it will be broken.'

Someone was shaking her, and saying her name again. Urgently, over and over again. It was a man's voice. Aurora opened her eyes. Reeve was knelt beside her, looking over her concernedly.

'I'm alright,' She said shakily. She sat up and looked around. Most people in the room were looking in her direction, and murmuring quietly to one another. 'Sorry, I think I just had a dizzy spell.' She saw the wineglass smashed on the floor. Her glass of course.

'Can you stand?' Reeve asked, offering his arm as support.

'I think so…' Aurora tried to stand but her legs gave way. She felt so drained! Like she'd been on a 25 mile run with no stops. She allowed herself to be carried to her room and placed on her bed.

Despite the stuffiness of the room, Aurora fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Authors Note: Well I thought that chapter was ok. What did you think? R&R please, coz I know how much everyone loves writing them for me. Next chapter up soon (it's already written), but only if I get some reviews. LOL.