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Those thousand words have never been spoken. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Aeris sat peering out the window, as she noticed a small child running around in front of the narrow walkway. She slowly pulled her knees to her chest, as she gently leaned back against the chair, a feeling overwhelming her. The young woman quickly closed her eyes as she buried her head down.
She began to breathe heavily, as voices began to echo inside her head, wanting to escape. It was too much for her to comprehend, as she felt the dizziness cascade through her head as well. The young woman's hand pressed against her forehead, as her eyes remained shut.
Who's talking to me? Why do I feel...Aeris thought, when it quickly came to a stop, her eyes open wide at a pair of burning blue eyes that hovered inches away from her face. She gasped in shock, as she leaned back against the chair roughly, as though doing so would protect her.
"Aeris! Aeris," Cloud called out, as his hands clasped tightly onto her arms. He gently shook the young woman, as her eyes seemed lifeless and no words seeped out. She quickly shook her head, as her eyes remained shut. She immediately opened them to realize the man in front of her was only Cloud.
The young woman breathe heavily, as she began to calm herself down, her eyes remained on his, without blinking. Aeris didn't realize it, but warm tears streamed down her face, as they fell gently onto her lap.
"Are you okay?" Cloud questioned, knelt down before her, as his hands rested at her sides.
"...Cloud." She uttered, startled. The man smiled reassuringly, as his gloved hand touched lightly against her cheek, wiping away a coming tear.
"Mm? What's wrong? Is something wrong?" he questioned, trying his best to keep the woman calm. Aeris stared back at him, her lips quivering, when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck throwing herself against the warmth of his body. Cloud, a bit startled found himself slowly doing the same. He felt her pulling him closer against herself, as she muffled her sudden cries against his shoulder.
He didn't know what was going on and for the first time in so long, something felt strange but yet familiar. The young woman gently pulled away, as her eyes searched his in silence.
"I'm sorry," she uttered, her voice soft against the cool air, "...it's...it's nothing." The brunette quickly wiped away her tears, as a smile slowly formed upon her rosy lips.
" ...It's nothing so don't worry about it," she uttered. There was a slight hesitation in her voice when she continued, "Right, Cloud! It's nothing." The man stared back at her, his eyes showing sympathy for reasons unknown even to him.
She was hiding something and she had from the start, it surprised him that the thought never occurred in his mind. But everything seemed so unclear, and it seemed that it would remain that way until Cloud himself searched for the answers. Something that he wasn't doing and didn't think of doing.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Barret, Marlene's growing up, it's about time you let her do things on her own," Tifa scolded, her arms crossed. The woman shook her head in dismay but still possessed a smile. Barret flashed her a look, as he glanced over at who was still his 'Little Marlene'. The young girl gaped back up at her dad, as her hands clasped behind her back.
Tifa smiled, kneeling down beside her, "Isn't that right, Marlene?" The woman turned her eyes back up at Barret who stood impatiently, "I know it's hard to let go, Barret. But the children's camp isn't going to be all that bad."
The tall man sighed, as he avoided Marlene's gaze. The girl slowly took his hand, as a reassuring smile formed on her face, "Yeah, Daddy. All the kids are going. It's only a weekend. Pleeeeaseee?"
"You need some parenting lessons," Cloud's voice called out, as he entered the 7th Heaven, his arms crossing his broad chest.
"Cloud!" Tifa exclaimed with a smile. Barret rolled his eyes, as he pointed a finger at the blonde man.
"None of yer damn business," he retorted, "Since when did you start givin' advice 'bout my kid? Hell, since when did I say you could?" Tifa sighed, as the sound of the two exchanging remarks would soon fill the room. But her ruby eyes quickly fell on the woman that stepped up beside her childhood friend. She heard herself gasp at the sight that stood before her.
"Aeris?" Tifa uttered, quickly snapping back into reality, only to realize that no one had heard her. But she knew that Barret pondered the same questions, as his eyes fell on the familiar woman. His mouth opened to speak, but was soon interrupted.
"This," Cloud began, noticing it, "This is Aeris."
"It's the Flower Lady!" Marlene exclaimed, quickly walking up to the young woman with a smile, as she immediately took her hand. Aeris gazed down at the young girl, smiling, as she slowly kneeled down to her height.
"Flower Lady?" she uttered, gazing up at Cloud and the others with curiousity, "I think you're mistaking me for someone else."
"No," Marlene stated, "You're the Flower Lady."
"Uhh, Marlene, sweetie," Tifa interrupted, as she walked over towards them, placing a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "How 'bout I walk you to school now? You don't wanna be late for the trip now, do you?" Marlene shook her head with an exuberant smile, as she quickly grabbed her small bag from the bar counter.
"Hey!" Barret called out, but to no prevail the young girl quickly ran up to him, giving him a hug.
"Thanks, Daddy!" Marlene exclaimed, "I'm gonna miss you!" Tifa let out a soft laugh, as she looked at the expression on Barret's face.
"Bye, bye," she remarked, with a smile. The young woman turned her attention back onto Aeris, who had now stood up.
"It was nice meeting you, Aeris," Tifa stated.
Aeris smiled, "It was nice meeting you..?"
"Tifa," the ruby-eyed woman responded. The name repeated in Aeris' mind, for reasons she didn't understand. It continued to do so, until the echo of the voice in her head stopped.
Tifa quickly made way for the door, abruptly turning around, "I'll be back in a little. Take care of things here for me, kay, Cloud." With that, she turned and exited the room, leaving a heavy silence behind her.
Cloud cleared his throat at this, causing Barret to flash him a weird look. The big man gave a smile, as he crossed his arms.
"The name's Barret."
The young woman smiled, and nodded, "Nice to meet you." The room remained quiet for a couple of seconds, when Barret made way towards Cloud.
"Ima talk to you," he uttered, as he brushed passed the two, leaving them to be the only ones left in the bar room. Cloud's attention fell back onto Aeris, who looked a bit concerned, if not for herself but for him.
"I'll be back," he stated, as he followed his friend out. He looked over to the side, noticing Barret's back turned towards him. Reluctantly walking over, he leaned his palms against a rail on the opposite side.
"What the hells goin' on?" Barret questioned.
Cloud looked down at his gloved hands on the cold bar, "...I don't know."
"Ya meanin' to tell me that ain't Aeris in there?!" the tall man scolded. Cloud shook his head, as he stood up straight, his eyes fixed on Barret.
"Like I said, I don't know," he remarked. "I met her in Sector 5. She doesn't remember anything..." There was a slight pause, as Barret let out a sigh, leaning back against the rail.
"Well," he began, "Ya got time on yer hands. Take care of what's in front of you for right now. I ain't tryin' to tell ya what to do, Cloud. Ain't like your spikey-headed ass is gonna listen."
The blonde man hesitated, as he listened to the older man's words. What was he trying to tell him, anyway? Did he really think he wasn't doing or trying to do something about it. What else could he have done?
"Tell her," Barret stated, as though answering Cloud's thoughts. "Ya got a chance to do it over a second time. Ain't nobody gettin' that many chances. Even if it aint her, it wouldn't hurt to try." The younger man remained silent, as his friend reluctantly turned away and entered the bar, leaving him to think about what he had just said.
Aeris' eyes immediately turned to the door, as she noticed the tall man prancing in. Barret gave her a quick smile, as he headed for the stairs.
"I got some things to do, Aeris," he replied, "That guy o'er there'll keep ya company." Her eyes turned to the doorway, that soon revealed Cloud.
The brunette smiled, "It's all right." She slowly turned to face him, as Barret disappeared up the stairs. The young woman glanced around the empty bar. "So Tifa runs this place?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"It's nice," Aeris stated. There was a moment of silence that fell between the two, when Aeris spoke, "Cloud? Who was that little girl?" His eyes quickly fell on her, a bit startled to answer.
"She's just a girl...," he responded without thinking. This caused her to laugh, as she clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward towards him.
"I know THAT," she said. The man scratched the back of his head, as he shrugged. His movements seeming to trigger something inside of her.
"Marlene," he replied, "Barret's daughter."
"Do you...," Aeris began, but halted, "Nevermind." Cloud crossed his arms, giving her a questionable look. But he quickly turned towards the counter, as he sat down on the stool. Aeris slowly followed the man, as she sat down beside him.
"Where were you stayin' when you were here?" he questioned.
She hesitated, as her eyes gazed up at the majority of wine mounted on the wall, "I stayed at the Inn around the city."
"You know," Cloud began, "Those inns aren't safe. It's dangerous there."
Aeris smiled, squinting her emerald eyes slightly, "So how do you know I'm not in danger right here?" He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, and quickly turned away.
"Cloud!" Aeris exclaimed, gently pushing his arm, "Say something."
"...something," the man uttered. She shook her head, with a smile, as she reluctantly wandered off into something else.
"Maybe, I was born here," she uttered, softly. His eyes turned to her, questioning.
Aeris shook her head solemnly, "Oh it's nothing." Her attention quickly fell on the door, as she noticed Tifa stepping back in.
The young woman smiled, as she made way behind the counter. She slowly reached over for a cup and fill it with water, reluctantly handing it to Aeris. "Sorry about leaving like that."
"It's all right," the emerald eyed girl replied.
Tifa paused, and questioned, "So, where are you from?"
Aeris hesitated, looking down at her hands that rested on the counter in front of her, "I don't really have a place...I just kinda...stumbled into Cloud."
"Oh," Tifa uttered, "Well, I bet when you met him, he told you that you'd be safer at home." Aeris looked up with a smile.
"Yeah, he did," she replied.
Tifa laughed slightly, as her eyes fell on the young man, who seemed as though he couldn't have cared less to their conversation, "We really shouldn't be talking about Cloud right in front of him." The brunette reluctantly looked over at the man with a smile.
"Yeah, right," he muttered, slowly standing up.
"Where you going?" Aeris called out as he headed towards the door.
"Somethin' to drink," he replied, and left. The young woman turned her attention back to Tifa with a questionable look on her face.
"He could've just gotten here," she uttered, glancing back at the door.
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His eyes stared straight ahead of him, as his hands stayed at his sides. All that entered his mind was Barret's words. Those words that he just couldn't take out of his mind. Cloud slowly turned a corner, finding himself standing in front of a materia shop. His eyes fixed onto the ground, as he leaned back against the brick wall.
He didn't want to run from reality like he had tried in the past. But he just couldn't come to grips with what was going on and who she really was. It was one of those things that you couldn't have denied but yet it was still deniable. He felt alone up to this point, and yet he still was somehow. Regardless of the fact that Aeris was temporarily, partially there, she wasn't there in her own mind and that bothered him.
He wanted to tell her. But he knew that was far from what was going to happen.
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Everything has change, Nothin' feels that same.
Are you lonely where you are right now?
Reality and dreams could feel the same whenever I'm with you.
It must be real. I don't believe it, you're close to me...
Wherever you may be.
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**AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks for the Reviews everyone. I really hope this chapter wasn't sucky. Hmmm...If you have any suggestions as to what I should maybe add to my story, (little scenes and such) be sure to let me know.
Those thousand words have never been spoken. . .
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Aeris sat peering out the window, as she noticed a small child running around in front of the narrow walkway. She slowly pulled her knees to her chest, as she gently leaned back against the chair, a feeling overwhelming her. The young woman quickly closed her eyes as she buried her head down.
She began to breathe heavily, as voices began to echo inside her head, wanting to escape. It was too much for her to comprehend, as she felt the dizziness cascade through her head as well. The young woman's hand pressed against her forehead, as her eyes remained shut.
Who's talking to me? Why do I feel...Aeris thought, when it quickly came to a stop, her eyes open wide at a pair of burning blue eyes that hovered inches away from her face. She gasped in shock, as she leaned back against the chair roughly, as though doing so would protect her.
"Aeris! Aeris," Cloud called out, as his hands clasped tightly onto her arms. He gently shook the young woman, as her eyes seemed lifeless and no words seeped out. She quickly shook her head, as her eyes remained shut. She immediately opened them to realize the man in front of her was only Cloud.
The young woman breathe heavily, as she began to calm herself down, her eyes remained on his, without blinking. Aeris didn't realize it, but warm tears streamed down her face, as they fell gently onto her lap.
"Are you okay?" Cloud questioned, knelt down before her, as his hands rested at her sides.
"...Cloud." She uttered, startled. The man smiled reassuringly, as his gloved hand touched lightly against her cheek, wiping away a coming tear.
"Mm? What's wrong? Is something wrong?" he questioned, trying his best to keep the woman calm. Aeris stared back at him, her lips quivering, when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck throwing herself against the warmth of his body. Cloud, a bit startled found himself slowly doing the same. He felt her pulling him closer against herself, as she muffled her sudden cries against his shoulder.
He didn't know what was going on and for the first time in so long, something felt strange but yet familiar. The young woman gently pulled away, as her eyes searched his in silence.
"I'm sorry," she uttered, her voice soft against the cool air, "...it's...it's nothing." The brunette quickly wiped away her tears, as a smile slowly formed upon her rosy lips.
" ...It's nothing so don't worry about it," she uttered. There was a slight hesitation in her voice when she continued, "Right, Cloud! It's nothing." The man stared back at her, his eyes showing sympathy for reasons unknown even to him.
She was hiding something and she had from the start, it surprised him that the thought never occurred in his mind. But everything seemed so unclear, and it seemed that it would remain that way until Cloud himself searched for the answers. Something that he wasn't doing and didn't think of doing.
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"Barret, Marlene's growing up, it's about time you let her do things on her own," Tifa scolded, her arms crossed. The woman shook her head in dismay but still possessed a smile. Barret flashed her a look, as he glanced over at who was still his 'Little Marlene'. The young girl gaped back up at her dad, as her hands clasped behind her back.
Tifa smiled, kneeling down beside her, "Isn't that right, Marlene?" The woman turned her eyes back up at Barret who stood impatiently, "I know it's hard to let go, Barret. But the children's camp isn't going to be all that bad."
The tall man sighed, as he avoided Marlene's gaze. The girl slowly took his hand, as a reassuring smile formed on her face, "Yeah, Daddy. All the kids are going. It's only a weekend. Pleeeeaseee?"
"You need some parenting lessons," Cloud's voice called out, as he entered the 7th Heaven, his arms crossing his broad chest.
"Cloud!" Tifa exclaimed with a smile. Barret rolled his eyes, as he pointed a finger at the blonde man.
"None of yer damn business," he retorted, "Since when did you start givin' advice 'bout my kid? Hell, since when did I say you could?" Tifa sighed, as the sound of the two exchanging remarks would soon fill the room. But her ruby eyes quickly fell on the woman that stepped up beside her childhood friend. She heard herself gasp at the sight that stood before her.
"Aeris?" Tifa uttered, quickly snapping back into reality, only to realize that no one had heard her. But she knew that Barret pondered the same questions, as his eyes fell on the familiar woman. His mouth opened to speak, but was soon interrupted.
"This," Cloud began, noticing it, "This is Aeris."
"It's the Flower Lady!" Marlene exclaimed, quickly walking up to the young woman with a smile, as she immediately took her hand. Aeris gazed down at the young girl, smiling, as she slowly kneeled down to her height.
"Flower Lady?" she uttered, gazing up at Cloud and the others with curiousity, "I think you're mistaking me for someone else."
"No," Marlene stated, "You're the Flower Lady."
"Uhh, Marlene, sweetie," Tifa interrupted, as she walked over towards them, placing a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "How 'bout I walk you to school now? You don't wanna be late for the trip now, do you?" Marlene shook her head with an exuberant smile, as she quickly grabbed her small bag from the bar counter.
"Hey!" Barret called out, but to no prevail the young girl quickly ran up to him, giving him a hug.
"Thanks, Daddy!" Marlene exclaimed, "I'm gonna miss you!" Tifa let out a soft laugh, as she looked at the expression on Barret's face.
"Bye, bye," she remarked, with a smile. The young woman turned her attention back onto Aeris, who had now stood up.
"It was nice meeting you, Aeris," Tifa stated.
Aeris smiled, "It was nice meeting you..?"
"Tifa," the ruby-eyed woman responded. The name repeated in Aeris' mind, for reasons she didn't understand. It continued to do so, until the echo of the voice in her head stopped.
Tifa quickly made way for the door, abruptly turning around, "I'll be back in a little. Take care of things here for me, kay, Cloud." With that, she turned and exited the room, leaving a heavy silence behind her.
Cloud cleared his throat at this, causing Barret to flash him a weird look. The big man gave a smile, as he crossed his arms.
"The name's Barret."
The young woman smiled, and nodded, "Nice to meet you." The room remained quiet for a couple of seconds, when Barret made way towards Cloud.
"Ima talk to you," he uttered, as he brushed passed the two, leaving them to be the only ones left in the bar room. Cloud's attention fell back onto Aeris, who looked a bit concerned, if not for herself but for him.
"I'll be back," he stated, as he followed his friend out. He looked over to the side, noticing Barret's back turned towards him. Reluctantly walking over, he leaned his palms against a rail on the opposite side.
"What the hells goin' on?" Barret questioned.
Cloud looked down at his gloved hands on the cold bar, "...I don't know."
"Ya meanin' to tell me that ain't Aeris in there?!" the tall man scolded. Cloud shook his head, as he stood up straight, his eyes fixed on Barret.
"Like I said, I don't know," he remarked. "I met her in Sector 5. She doesn't remember anything..." There was a slight pause, as Barret let out a sigh, leaning back against the rail.
"Well," he began, "Ya got time on yer hands. Take care of what's in front of you for right now. I ain't tryin' to tell ya what to do, Cloud. Ain't like your spikey-headed ass is gonna listen."
The blonde man hesitated, as he listened to the older man's words. What was he trying to tell him, anyway? Did he really think he wasn't doing or trying to do something about it. What else could he have done?
"Tell her," Barret stated, as though answering Cloud's thoughts. "Ya got a chance to do it over a second time. Ain't nobody gettin' that many chances. Even if it aint her, it wouldn't hurt to try." The younger man remained silent, as his friend reluctantly turned away and entered the bar, leaving him to think about what he had just said.
Aeris' eyes immediately turned to the door, as she noticed the tall man prancing in. Barret gave her a quick smile, as he headed for the stairs.
"I got some things to do, Aeris," he replied, "That guy o'er there'll keep ya company." Her eyes turned to the doorway, that soon revealed Cloud.
The brunette smiled, "It's all right." She slowly turned to face him, as Barret disappeared up the stairs. The young woman glanced around the empty bar. "So Tifa runs this place?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"It's nice," Aeris stated. There was a moment of silence that fell between the two, when Aeris spoke, "Cloud? Who was that little girl?" His eyes quickly fell on her, a bit startled to answer.
"She's just a girl...," he responded without thinking. This caused her to laugh, as she clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward towards him.
"I know THAT," she said. The man scratched the back of his head, as he shrugged. His movements seeming to trigger something inside of her.
"Marlene," he replied, "Barret's daughter."
"Do you...," Aeris began, but halted, "Nevermind." Cloud crossed his arms, giving her a questionable look. But he quickly turned towards the counter, as he sat down on the stool. Aeris slowly followed the man, as she sat down beside him.
"Where were you stayin' when you were here?" he questioned.
She hesitated, as her eyes gazed up at the majority of wine mounted on the wall, "I stayed at the Inn around the city."
"You know," Cloud began, "Those inns aren't safe. It's dangerous there."
Aeris smiled, squinting her emerald eyes slightly, "So how do you know I'm not in danger right here?" He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, and quickly turned away.
"Cloud!" Aeris exclaimed, gently pushing his arm, "Say something."
"...something," the man uttered. She shook her head, with a smile, as she reluctantly wandered off into something else.
"Maybe, I was born here," she uttered, softly. His eyes turned to her, questioning.
Aeris shook her head solemnly, "Oh it's nothing." Her attention quickly fell on the door, as she noticed Tifa stepping back in.
The young woman smiled, as she made way behind the counter. She slowly reached over for a cup and fill it with water, reluctantly handing it to Aeris. "Sorry about leaving like that."
"It's all right," the emerald eyed girl replied.
Tifa paused, and questioned, "So, where are you from?"
Aeris hesitated, looking down at her hands that rested on the counter in front of her, "I don't really have a place...I just kinda...stumbled into Cloud."
"Oh," Tifa uttered, "Well, I bet when you met him, he told you that you'd be safer at home." Aeris looked up with a smile.
"Yeah, he did," she replied.
Tifa laughed slightly, as her eyes fell on the young man, who seemed as though he couldn't have cared less to their conversation, "We really shouldn't be talking about Cloud right in front of him." The brunette reluctantly looked over at the man with a smile.
"Yeah, right," he muttered, slowly standing up.
"Where you going?" Aeris called out as he headed towards the door.
"Somethin' to drink," he replied, and left. The young woman turned her attention back to Tifa with a questionable look on her face.
"He could've just gotten here," she uttered, glancing back at the door.
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His eyes stared straight ahead of him, as his hands stayed at his sides. All that entered his mind was Barret's words. Those words that he just couldn't take out of his mind. Cloud slowly turned a corner, finding himself standing in front of a materia shop. His eyes fixed onto the ground, as he leaned back against the brick wall.
He didn't want to run from reality like he had tried in the past. But he just couldn't come to grips with what was going on and who she really was. It was one of those things that you couldn't have denied but yet it was still deniable. He felt alone up to this point, and yet he still was somehow. Regardless of the fact that Aeris was temporarily, partially there, she wasn't there in her own mind and that bothered him.
He wanted to tell her. But he knew that was far from what was going to happen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Everything has change, Nothin' feels that same.
Are you lonely where you are right now?
Reality and dreams could feel the same whenever I'm with you.
It must be real. I don't believe it, you're close to me...
Wherever you may be.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
**AUTHORS NOTE: Thanks for the Reviews everyone. I really hope this chapter wasn't sucky. Hmmm...If you have any suggestions as to what I should maybe add to my story, (little scenes and such) be sure to let me know.