* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Do you ever think about me?
Do you ever cry yourself to sleep?
Do you ever reminisce?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
His eyes averted onto the ocean, as the waves swept across the golden sand. The breeze rustled through his shoulder-length platinum hair, as the emerald of his eyes reflected the setting sun ever so delicately. The tall man stood near the shore of the beach, as his posture remained the same, as though he were a statue. His lanky build covered with black leather clothing that clung onto his skin, revealing even more of the paleness he had.
A gentle breeze cascaded against him, as his silver hair fell against his face. The man smiled, the first he had in so long, as he slowly turned around, clasping tightly onto a long sword that secured in his gloved hand. His emerald eyes gazed over towards the horizon, as the sudden disturbing sound of a thousand flock of birds hovered drastically over the far off hill, as if by signal. He continued to walk in silence of his own solitude towards the area, as his eyes never looked back.
"What's your purpose in all this?" a voice called out to him, as the man came to an abrupt stop. He reluctantly looked over one shoulder, as the figure of a petite woman stayed on his sight. She was draped with a thin red cape that draped over her shoulders, a black sleeveless shirt and a short red skirt that hung midway of her thighs.
"Haven't you been told to never question a SOLDIER?" the man asked.
"You're not a SOLDIER, Sephiroth," she retorted with disgust, as she stepped up closer to him, her knee-high black boots clenching against the sand. "You're nothing more than a puppet." This sudden remark made him turn around, as the green of eyes met. Sephiroth stared back at the woman, his eyes fixed onto hers.
"A puppet that saved you," he stated, his voice a near whisper. "Don't you go off forgetting that, Aeris. This is not the right time to go against me." Aeris hesitated, as the words seeped to escape. Her slender fingers slowly clasped onto a chain that hung from her neck that dangled a round black pendant. Sephiroth's eyes gazed downward, as he noticed what she was touching.
"Or is it?" she uttered. The tall man smiled, as he looked away and continued walking off.
"You can't keep doing this!" Aeris yelled out, as her hand clenched at her sides, "You can't keep killing innocent people! No one gave you the right to do this!" The man simply laughed it off, as a smile crept onto his lips.
"The Promised Land awaits," he replied, "And soon, the ultimate sacrifice will be given." The young brunette felt her heart pound rapidly in her chest, as her legs felt weak, and she fell to her knees. Aeris slowly closed her eyes, when the sudden familiar voices began to echo in her head. She couldn't have made out any single word, for they spoke over one another.
Her eyes quickly opened, as the sight of Sephiroth disappeared a moment after. Aeris wearily brought her hands in front of her face, as she slowly removed the red fabric gloves. Why do I feel this way, she thought, as her bare hands touched against her cheek. Why do I cry?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"That's right! Headlines read that a whole city was slaughtered," the old man uttered, as his eyes veiled the room suspiciously. "I think its been like 3 months already and the culprit hasn't been found yet. He could possibly be in this very same room with us."
"How would you know if it was a he, could be a pretty little woman," a young man remarked, laughing as he brought the glass of wine to his mouth.
"Hey now!" a young waitress retorted, "Calm down, men. This here is a pub, not a battle field." The men laughed, miraculously, as the room continued to flow with time. The young blonde woman smiled, as she brushed away a strand of blonde from her round face. She turned to the swinging door, as a familiar figure walked in.
"Cloud!" the young woman exclaimed, as she clasped her hands together. She steadily walked towards him, her short white skirt bobbing at her sides, "What brings you here?"
"To the slums, you mean!" the bartender corrected. The blonde woman made a face, as she turned her attention back onto important matters or so she thought.
"I need a room," Cloud replied, as he walked up to the counter, the woman following close behind.
She smiled, exuberantly, "Well, Yume at your service! We'll always have a good room for our most special guest, right, Pubb?" Her blue eyes reluctantly turned to the nearly bald middle-aged man that bartend behind the counter. The short man winced, as he threw a white towel over his shoulder, and continued to ignore her.
"Well," Yume began, "bad service by him is always necessary." Cloud slightly smiled, as he sat down on a stool in front of him. His eyes circulated the big pub, as he noticed a figure of a woman sat in the corner table of the crowded room.
"What is it?" Yume questioned, her eyes filled with concern.
Cloud hesitated, as he studied the long auburn hair that cascaded down her back and slightly onto her shoulders. "Is she a usual here?"
Yume turned in the direction he was looking, as she paused to answer. "I think so," she replied, caring less of the actual fact.
Pubb rolled his eyes, as he handed Cloud a glass of foamy wine, "Don't listen to her. Since when has her mouth spoke the truth? That girl's been showin' up here since probably two days ago. She just comes in, eats and leaves. Same routine everyday." The bartender smiled, and joked, "Quite the looker, too. I say you here would make a mighty find fellow chasin' after her."
The words the man spoke didn't seem to even enter his thoughts, as though it slipped through one ear and out the other. Cloud's eyes fixed upon her tiny figure, as her back remained towards him and everyone else. He was surprise no one had done her any harm especially when one lived in the Slums. Or didn't she?
"Hey," Yume uttered, as she leaned back against the counter, "You think he was listenin'?" Pubb shrugged, as the two stared at the blonde headed man. The young woman suddenly stood up, as she placed a few gil onto the wooden table and quickly pulled the hood of her red cape over her head, then exiting the bar. This caused Cloud to snap back into reality, as his eyes turned over to the two familiar faces.
Without a slight hint of anything, he quickly stood up and followed after the unfamiliar woman. Yume's mouth suddenly dropped open, as she turned to face Pubb.
"He really is chasing after her," she muttered in shock.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He could have cared less what was left behind him. In the meantime, all that really mattered was finding her. Cloud didn't understand why he was out doing this. To hell he didn't even know who she was and where she was going. But he couldn't help but feel that sudden familiarity he had felt while wondering who she was.
The Slums remained the same, as the streets and pavement covered with water that people dumped from the high complex. It probably wasn't considered the same when coming to a man that had walked these familiar streets constantly. It had gotten worse. Corruption was only an issue no one cared of anymore. There was no ShinRa. No one to keep things in order and he didn't know if that was for the better or worse.
Cloud slowly turned a corner into an alley way, as the sound of boots sounded and echoed. He stopped short, as he noticed a dead end off a couple of feet ahead of him. His eyes slowly fell onto the wet cement, a LOVELESS banner torn at his feet. The sudden thought seemingly disturbed him and he couldn't understand why. Cloud sighed, as he turned back the way he came. Suddenly stopping short by the sound of a woman's scream.
"Get away! Don't touch me!" Aeris yelled out, as she backed into a wall, hoping it would protect her. The rugged man smiled, wryly as his dirty hands reached out to touch her face, by reflex she quickly slapped it away.
"Too clean, young lady," he snapped back, "How 'bout I dirty you up a little? Waddaya say?" The man quickly turned over his shoulder, as he noticed a man standing a couple feet behind him. "And who the hell are you?!"
Aeris' eyes fell on him, as she felt a weird feeling come over her. Where had she seen this man before, she couldn't recall.
"I really don't like cleanin' up after people," Cloud uttered, his eyes turning to the young woman. "And only you stand between me and her."
The man laughed, scornfully, cocking his head back. "Ha! What the hell are you, the SOLDIERs? Sorry, kid, but those idiots are all dead and rotting in hell somewhere. And I really don't wanna hurt you. But I think I'm goin' to have to. If you ever live to tell this story---"
"You talk too much," Cloud stated. This caused him to have an outburst, as he suddenly charged at the blonde man head first. Cloud quickly dodged him, as his fist met the man's head and caused him to suddenly fall onto the wet concrete.
Aeris breathed heavily, as her back remained against the wall, her eyes watching the man that stood before her. She slowly walked closer to him, as she looked down at her attacker, passed out completely. Her hands clenched at her sides, when she slowly gazed up at the blonde man.
"That was fast...," she uttered, her big emerald eyes meeting his own. There was a moment of silence that fell between them, as they gazed at one another without any attempt of words. Aeris, it...it can't be..., Cloud thought.
He didn't know what it was, but he wanted to leave and attempted to do so. When the touch of her hand against his wrist caused him to stop. Aeris slowly walked up in front of him, as her eyes gazed downward at the toe of her boots.
"Thank..you...," she uttered, reluctantly. Her eyes looked up at him, waiting for a response. "I'm Aeris." This came to no surprise for him, he expected those words to come out at any given second.
"You better get home," he replied, as he headed back out of the alley. Aeris quickly followed behind him. How could she not remember anything? This wasn't the Aeris he once knew, she knew nothing of him. The words stormed through his mind, as he continued to walk away. Why couldn't he have been happier to see her? It was too surreal. It couldn't be real...Would he have felt the same if she did remember him?
"But wait...I-I don't even know your name," she uttered, disappointed. Still no response. Aeris bit her bottom lip, as she stopped short in front of him, causing him to stand in one spot.
"Then, I'll give you a name," she remarked, her rosy red lips curved into a pleased smile, "Mr.....Strife!" Cloud's eyes stared back at her sudden remark. The young woman smiled, "Don't tell me that's your name. I don't know anyone by that name." She didn't know why she had said it. It made no sense where the name had come from. Though, it felt familiar somehow.
"Go home, you'll be safer there," Cloud stated, as he continued walking, leaving her behind. Aeris stood in one spot, as her emerald eyes glistened and she felt lonely for the first time. She didn't understand where these feelings were coming from or how she had come to agreeing with them. Who's feeling were they? The young man that had saved her had done something more than that. He had triggered something inside her that Aeris just couldn't make out. She felt safe with him...
"Where are you going?" the brunette called out, "Why are you leaving?" Her voice was shrill, as she stared at his back, "I don't wanna be by myself....I know it might sound out of the ordinary but...I feel...I feel like I remember things better when I'm with you...I don't want to forget."
Cloud slowly turned over to face her, as his eyes studied her sudden weary posture. He took in a deep breath, as he willingly walked up to her, stopping short as he held out a gloved hand in front of him. Aeris' eyes fell on it, as she searched for his words.
"Are you coming or what?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It's hard enough just passing the time,
And I just can't seem to get you out of my mind.
Where is the good in good-bye?
I should get over you, I should know better.
But its just not the case. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
**AUTHORS NOTE: How was this chapter? Please R and R.
Do you ever think about me?
Do you ever cry yourself to sleep?
Do you ever reminisce?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
His eyes averted onto the ocean, as the waves swept across the golden sand. The breeze rustled through his shoulder-length platinum hair, as the emerald of his eyes reflected the setting sun ever so delicately. The tall man stood near the shore of the beach, as his posture remained the same, as though he were a statue. His lanky build covered with black leather clothing that clung onto his skin, revealing even more of the paleness he had.
A gentle breeze cascaded against him, as his silver hair fell against his face. The man smiled, the first he had in so long, as he slowly turned around, clasping tightly onto a long sword that secured in his gloved hand. His emerald eyes gazed over towards the horizon, as the sudden disturbing sound of a thousand flock of birds hovered drastically over the far off hill, as if by signal. He continued to walk in silence of his own solitude towards the area, as his eyes never looked back.
"What's your purpose in all this?" a voice called out to him, as the man came to an abrupt stop. He reluctantly looked over one shoulder, as the figure of a petite woman stayed on his sight. She was draped with a thin red cape that draped over her shoulders, a black sleeveless shirt and a short red skirt that hung midway of her thighs.
"Haven't you been told to never question a SOLDIER?" the man asked.
"You're not a SOLDIER, Sephiroth," she retorted with disgust, as she stepped up closer to him, her knee-high black boots clenching against the sand. "You're nothing more than a puppet." This sudden remark made him turn around, as the green of eyes met. Sephiroth stared back at the woman, his eyes fixed onto hers.
"A puppet that saved you," he stated, his voice a near whisper. "Don't you go off forgetting that, Aeris. This is not the right time to go against me." Aeris hesitated, as the words seeped to escape. Her slender fingers slowly clasped onto a chain that hung from her neck that dangled a round black pendant. Sephiroth's eyes gazed downward, as he noticed what she was touching.
"Or is it?" she uttered. The tall man smiled, as he looked away and continued walking off.
"You can't keep doing this!" Aeris yelled out, as her hand clenched at her sides, "You can't keep killing innocent people! No one gave you the right to do this!" The man simply laughed it off, as a smile crept onto his lips.
"The Promised Land awaits," he replied, "And soon, the ultimate sacrifice will be given." The young brunette felt her heart pound rapidly in her chest, as her legs felt weak, and she fell to her knees. Aeris slowly closed her eyes, when the sudden familiar voices began to echo in her head. She couldn't have made out any single word, for they spoke over one another.
Her eyes quickly opened, as the sight of Sephiroth disappeared a moment after. Aeris wearily brought her hands in front of her face, as she slowly removed the red fabric gloves. Why do I feel this way, she thought, as her bare hands touched against her cheek. Why do I cry?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"That's right! Headlines read that a whole city was slaughtered," the old man uttered, as his eyes veiled the room suspiciously. "I think its been like 3 months already and the culprit hasn't been found yet. He could possibly be in this very same room with us."
"How would you know if it was a he, could be a pretty little woman," a young man remarked, laughing as he brought the glass of wine to his mouth.
"Hey now!" a young waitress retorted, "Calm down, men. This here is a pub, not a battle field." The men laughed, miraculously, as the room continued to flow with time. The young blonde woman smiled, as she brushed away a strand of blonde from her round face. She turned to the swinging door, as a familiar figure walked in.
"Cloud!" the young woman exclaimed, as she clasped her hands together. She steadily walked towards him, her short white skirt bobbing at her sides, "What brings you here?"
"To the slums, you mean!" the bartender corrected. The blonde woman made a face, as she turned her attention back onto important matters or so she thought.
"I need a room," Cloud replied, as he walked up to the counter, the woman following close behind.
She smiled, exuberantly, "Well, Yume at your service! We'll always have a good room for our most special guest, right, Pubb?" Her blue eyes reluctantly turned to the nearly bald middle-aged man that bartend behind the counter. The short man winced, as he threw a white towel over his shoulder, and continued to ignore her.
"Well," Yume began, "bad service by him is always necessary." Cloud slightly smiled, as he sat down on a stool in front of him. His eyes circulated the big pub, as he noticed a figure of a woman sat in the corner table of the crowded room.
"What is it?" Yume questioned, her eyes filled with concern.
Cloud hesitated, as he studied the long auburn hair that cascaded down her back and slightly onto her shoulders. "Is she a usual here?"
Yume turned in the direction he was looking, as she paused to answer. "I think so," she replied, caring less of the actual fact.
Pubb rolled his eyes, as he handed Cloud a glass of foamy wine, "Don't listen to her. Since when has her mouth spoke the truth? That girl's been showin' up here since probably two days ago. She just comes in, eats and leaves. Same routine everyday." The bartender smiled, and joked, "Quite the looker, too. I say you here would make a mighty find fellow chasin' after her."
The words the man spoke didn't seem to even enter his thoughts, as though it slipped through one ear and out the other. Cloud's eyes fixed upon her tiny figure, as her back remained towards him and everyone else. He was surprise no one had done her any harm especially when one lived in the Slums. Or didn't she?
"Hey," Yume uttered, as she leaned back against the counter, "You think he was listenin'?" Pubb shrugged, as the two stared at the blonde headed man. The young woman suddenly stood up, as she placed a few gil onto the wooden table and quickly pulled the hood of her red cape over her head, then exiting the bar. This caused Cloud to snap back into reality, as his eyes turned over to the two familiar faces.
Without a slight hint of anything, he quickly stood up and followed after the unfamiliar woman. Yume's mouth suddenly dropped open, as she turned to face Pubb.
"He really is chasing after her," she muttered in shock.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He could have cared less what was left behind him. In the meantime, all that really mattered was finding her. Cloud didn't understand why he was out doing this. To hell he didn't even know who she was and where she was going. But he couldn't help but feel that sudden familiarity he had felt while wondering who she was.
The Slums remained the same, as the streets and pavement covered with water that people dumped from the high complex. It probably wasn't considered the same when coming to a man that had walked these familiar streets constantly. It had gotten worse. Corruption was only an issue no one cared of anymore. There was no ShinRa. No one to keep things in order and he didn't know if that was for the better or worse.
Cloud slowly turned a corner into an alley way, as the sound of boots sounded and echoed. He stopped short, as he noticed a dead end off a couple of feet ahead of him. His eyes slowly fell onto the wet cement, a LOVELESS banner torn at his feet. The sudden thought seemingly disturbed him and he couldn't understand why. Cloud sighed, as he turned back the way he came. Suddenly stopping short by the sound of a woman's scream.
"Get away! Don't touch me!" Aeris yelled out, as she backed into a wall, hoping it would protect her. The rugged man smiled, wryly as his dirty hands reached out to touch her face, by reflex she quickly slapped it away.
"Too clean, young lady," he snapped back, "How 'bout I dirty you up a little? Waddaya say?" The man quickly turned over his shoulder, as he noticed a man standing a couple feet behind him. "And who the hell are you?!"
Aeris' eyes fell on him, as she felt a weird feeling come over her. Where had she seen this man before, she couldn't recall.
"I really don't like cleanin' up after people," Cloud uttered, his eyes turning to the young woman. "And only you stand between me and her."
The man laughed, scornfully, cocking his head back. "Ha! What the hell are you, the SOLDIERs? Sorry, kid, but those idiots are all dead and rotting in hell somewhere. And I really don't wanna hurt you. But I think I'm goin' to have to. If you ever live to tell this story---"
"You talk too much," Cloud stated. This caused him to have an outburst, as he suddenly charged at the blonde man head first. Cloud quickly dodged him, as his fist met the man's head and caused him to suddenly fall onto the wet concrete.
Aeris breathed heavily, as her back remained against the wall, her eyes watching the man that stood before her. She slowly walked closer to him, as she looked down at her attacker, passed out completely. Her hands clenched at her sides, when she slowly gazed up at the blonde man.
"That was fast...," she uttered, her big emerald eyes meeting his own. There was a moment of silence that fell between them, as they gazed at one another without any attempt of words. Aeris, it...it can't be..., Cloud thought.
He didn't know what it was, but he wanted to leave and attempted to do so. When the touch of her hand against his wrist caused him to stop. Aeris slowly walked up in front of him, as her eyes gazed downward at the toe of her boots.
"Thank..you...," she uttered, reluctantly. Her eyes looked up at him, waiting for a response. "I'm Aeris." This came to no surprise for him, he expected those words to come out at any given second.
"You better get home," he replied, as he headed back out of the alley. Aeris quickly followed behind him. How could she not remember anything? This wasn't the Aeris he once knew, she knew nothing of him. The words stormed through his mind, as he continued to walk away. Why couldn't he have been happier to see her? It was too surreal. It couldn't be real...Would he have felt the same if she did remember him?
"But wait...I-I don't even know your name," she uttered, disappointed. Still no response. Aeris bit her bottom lip, as she stopped short in front of him, causing him to stand in one spot.
"Then, I'll give you a name," she remarked, her rosy red lips curved into a pleased smile, "Mr.....Strife!" Cloud's eyes stared back at her sudden remark. The young woman smiled, "Don't tell me that's your name. I don't know anyone by that name." She didn't know why she had said it. It made no sense where the name had come from. Though, it felt familiar somehow.
"Go home, you'll be safer there," Cloud stated, as he continued walking, leaving her behind. Aeris stood in one spot, as her emerald eyes glistened and she felt lonely for the first time. She didn't understand where these feelings were coming from or how she had come to agreeing with them. Who's feeling were they? The young man that had saved her had done something more than that. He had triggered something inside her that Aeris just couldn't make out. She felt safe with him...
"Where are you going?" the brunette called out, "Why are you leaving?" Her voice was shrill, as she stared at his back, "I don't wanna be by myself....I know it might sound out of the ordinary but...I feel...I feel like I remember things better when I'm with you...I don't want to forget."
Cloud slowly turned over to face her, as his eyes studied her sudden weary posture. He took in a deep breath, as he willingly walked up to her, stopping short as he held out a gloved hand in front of him. Aeris' eyes fell on it, as she searched for his words.
"Are you coming or what?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It's hard enough just passing the time,
And I just can't seem to get you out of my mind.
Where is the good in good-bye?
I should get over you, I should know better.
But its just not the case. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
**AUTHORS NOTE: How was this chapter? Please R and R.