Chapter 9
"Don't be so frightened. I'm not going to hurt you," Cloud spoke out gently, bringing her face up to meet his. "What are you thinking about. Actually, it would really help if you'd be straight forward with me."
"Straight forward?" Aeris asked hesitantly, making sure that, that was what he really wanted.
"It would help."
"... I want you to let go, ... please..." Cloud looked down at her, wondering which was more painful to him, the fact that she had once died, or that she had commanded him to let go. Cloud pulled away, respecting her wishes without giving himself time to protest.
"Sorry. I missed you so much, and figured you had felt the same."
"I-I don't ...know ...who you are." Aeris spoke out plainly, stating the absolute truth. "Sorry, I really don't."
"But-" Cloud questioned quizzically, astounded, "..You called out my name."
"Which I had learned from this picture," Aeris replied diffidently, sticking the pictures in his free hands.
"Oh... These... I left these here about three months ago..." Cloud stated, looking away from the pictures in his hand to Aeris fair face. He slid the pictures into his belt, then fell silently into deep thoughts.
"...Oh..."
Without any further words exchanged between Aeris and Cloud, Tifa stepped into the room hurriedly, not wanting Cloud to spend another moment with the woman in front of him. "Cloud," Tifa spoke out quietly, "We have to go now." Instead of confirming understanding, he turned to stare at Tifa in the most questioning way. Tifa knew the question had to do with, Why wont you leave us alone, but she took it as, Why do we have to leave. "The bar, remember?"
"... Yeah," Cloud nodded, looking down at her dark brown, leather boots. He knew by the look in her eyes, that she was definitely not liking what communication was going on between Aeris, so he kept to her boots, not wanting her to pierce him any more then she already had. How much had she seen, and how far could he go without loosing Tifa too? "It was nice seeing you again... Aeris... We'll come over tomorrow... okay?"
Tomorrow?... Aeris gave a slight nod, not really liking the idea, then smiled up at Tifa, who only rolled her eyes to the left out of jealousy.
No, I don't want her to think she has me... Pretend like nothing's happened "Tomorrow then," Tifa smiled reassuringly, establishing friendship with Aeris, and the end of a long night. The jealous-player walked up to Cloud and swiftly took ahold of his masculine arm, pulling him over to the front door. "Come on Cloud."
"Bye," Cloud frowned, not wanting to leave Aeris to fend for herself. Tifa more dragged then pulled Cloud out of the house, and once they made it out on the front porch, Tifa swiftly twisted around, and slammed the door shut behind them, shouting out a harsh good bye to the sensitive Cetra.