Chapter 9 : Hey! Am I invisible here? - Cid
"So does anyone know what's actually going on?" Red XIII and Rude had been that last to join the group, just arriving back from Neo Midgar.
"Nope." Said Barret simply.
"Nothing." Added Vincent.
"Yep £%&$ all." Cid leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.
Since the new Turk's office was in Junon, Reno had suggested that everyone should stay there until something came up, much to the disliking of Barret but Tifa had eventually managed to talk him into it.
Elena was still in the hospital back at Corel and according to the doctors it would be another week or so until she would be allowed out which, didn't seem to upset Reno at all.
Cid had decided to bring Shera over from Rocket Town so he could look after her, although he wouldn't admit been worried about her when asked.
Tifa and Reno spent most of the day trying to remove the materia from down in the reactor and sometimes Shera came down to try and figure out how to operate all of the computer equipment that had been set up there, so far though no one seemed to be getting any anywhere.
Yuffie decide to use this time to try and collect any other materia that was around. The fact of a new type of materia had been found in the reactor had given the little ninja a new hope and now she wanted to find others like it.
Vincent had recovered quickly from his attack back in the Corel Mountains and was usually helping Barret asked around the city to see if anyone had come across someone matching Sephiroth's description.
And finally Reeve had been keeping an eye on the news, lately there had been quite a few earthquakes in the Northern Creator area, the island where the Temple of the Ancients had been located, the mountains south of Wutai and the City of the Ancients. With all that's happened lately it was thought that the appearance of Sephiroth and these quakes there might be a connection.
"Well what do we know so far?" Reeve asked.
"I know that one." Cid boasted. "First we chased Cloud over here and found he'd arrived at the docks, then we saw someone who looked like Aeris and then Cloud chased her down the tunnel which leads to the reactor."
"Someone who looks like Aeris?" Red repeated.
"Yeah just like her, but she can't be the real deal. Right?" Cid questioned himself.
Around the room everyone had the same face, they all wanted it to be Aeris but, how could it be?
Cid gave up thinking and continued. "Well then we caught up to Cloud down inside the reactor and that long haired freak was there too, after beating the livin day lights out of us he then dropped Spike into that huge pool of Liferiver."
"Stream." Vincent corrected.
"Whatever, and now we're all sat here doing nothing."
"And no ones seen Sephiroth, Cloud or this Aeris look alike since?" Red wasn't convinced that the fact someone who looked like Aeris just happened to show up when Sephiroth was around too was just a coincidence.
"Nope, Tif's been down there each day but she's seen no sign of him." Cid returned his attention back to the ceiling.
"Well it looks like Reno's right," Reeve yawned and sat down on one of the desks. "Until something new happens we can't do anything."
Red nodded "Unfortunately your right."
A few moments later the phone began to ring, and Cid lazily reached over the desk and picked it up. __________________________
"Okay, meet you back here in a minute."
Cloud turned round and walked up to the receptionist to get the rooms while Aeris went to the store to buy a few potions. She had woken up a few miles from Corel and seemed fine but Cloud still wanted her to get something to heal her neck injury.
Aeris entered the store and picked up a few potions off the shelf making sure she had enough for Cloud too. 'I really don't like these, they taste awful. But then again there's nothing else, I don't have any cure materia and I'm too tired to use my powers.' She placed the bottles on the counter and paid using the gil Cloud had given her when she noticed something on the counter.
"Em excuse me."
"Hm? Is something wrong?" The attendant asked.
"What's a Class 2 Elixir?" She picked up the bottle and studied the contents.
"You mean you haven't heard of them? Where have you been for the past year?" He gave her a curious look.
Aeris suddenly realized that things will have change on the planet while she's been away, even things as simple as this. 'To things like Cloud and Tifa.' She put the bottle down and collected the potions.
"Is everything ok Miss?" The attendant asked.
"Hmm?" Aeris looked up and realized that she had drifted off for a while. "Oh yes, sorry, I've just been thinking a lot lately."
"I see, maybe you should get some rest, by the look of things you could really use." He pointed to the cut on her neck.
Aeris covered it with her hand. "Yes perhaps your right." She bowed her head and walked back to the reception area where Cloud was already waiting for her.
"Did you get them?" He pointed to the bag.
"Yep," She smiled and lifted one out. "And some for you too."
"Oh Great." Cloud's face went green. '...Ughhh I hate those things, they taste worst than Cid's cooking, if that's even possible.'
"Did you get the rooms?"
"Ah," Cloud scratched the back of his head. "Well you see, since it's so late they only have one room left."
"Oh..." Aeris put the bottle back in the bag. "Well it could be worse, we might have had to go back down to Corel."
"Good point," Cloud was nervous that she wouldn't even want to stay in the same room but Aeris didn't seem to mind at all. "Well its only about ten o'clock, are you hungry?"
Aeris yawned, she was tempted by the offer but she doubted she would be able to stay awake long enough to even find somewhere to eat. "You know, I think the only thing I could do right now is sleep for a week."
Cloud smiled, he searched around his pocket for a moment and pulled out a key. "Not a problem."
_____________________
"Oh I give up."
Tifa kicked the crystal around the materia out of frustration, it was early in the next morning and still she was no closer to obtaining it.
The light from the pool and the crystals seemed to grow brighter as the night settled in, the walls and ceiling were covered in swaying green shades of colour. "I told you it was pointless." Reno was laid down at the top of the stairs as his stared at the ceiling, watching the light show.
"Don't start!" She put her hands on her hips and stared at him. "I'm still not talking to you."
"Come on, are you still mad about that?" He sat up and smiled at her. "It was only one kiss."
Tifa's face went red. "So what, why did you even do it."
"We were on a date, right?" He replied simply.
"But, but..." She sighed realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere. "Just forget it."
"Look I'm sorry ok? I didn't know you would react that way." Reno laid back down.
Tifa tried to calm herself down. 'Why am I been like this? Normally if a guy kissed me on a date like that I wouldn't mind. So what's wrong?"
"You ok?"
Tifa nodded. "Yeah I, I just don't feel like myself lately. Look it wasn't the kiss, it's just..."
"Maybe you have feeling for someone else." Reno sat up once again and stared at her.
"Someone else?" She thought about it for a moment. "But, there isn't anyone else."
"What about Strife?"
"I told you already, were just friends."
Reno didn't look convinced. "But you still live together right?"
"Yeah so?" She stared at the floor, for some reason she felt shy about the subject.
"So maybe you do feel 'that' way about him, you just don't realize it anymore."
"Hey," Tifa looked up at Reno and gave him a cocky smile. "Since when did you become an expert in relationships, or actually cared about someone else's for that matter?"
"Do I really come over that cold?" He stood up and straightened out his jacket. "Hmm well anyway, I think you're jealous."
"Jealous? How can I be jealous? And off who?"
"Aeris." Reno walked down the stairs until he was right in front of her. "You've only been acting this way since we saw Cloud chase Aeris. Before that you were fine."
"Come on that's ridiculous." She crossed her arms and refused to look at him.
"Really? I bet your scared that if it really was Aeris then Spike boy will want her, and that means you two wont be together anymore. This relationship you're 'not' in wont be anymore."
Tifa felt her eyes start to water. "That's not true."
Reno sighed and shook his head. "You know I'm right, if they get together then Strife will move out. And you'll be alone again."
Tifa finally broke down and started to cry, she didn't want to be left alone again. Ever since Sephiroth destroyed her home and murdered her father, she had no one else to go to. For months she had traveled on the roads alone, not really sure of where to go, there was nothing left for her. Since Cloud wasn't around she thought he had been killed back in Nibelheim along with everyone else.
Eventually though she came to Cosmo Canyon and met Barret, his plans of destroying Shin-Ra seemed unlikely but at the time the thought getting revenge on them was the only thing that kept her going.
And now Cloud really was her only link to her home and past, and if he left, she would be alone again.
Reno put his hand on her shoulder. "Look, I didn't mean to upset you but, at some point your going to have to move on."
Tifa snapped herself out of it and wiped her eyes. "That's easy for you to say. Cloud's the only person left, there is no one else."
Reno looked round the room and then pointed to himself. "Hey! Am I invisible here?"
Tifa looked up confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well... What's Strife got that I don't"
"Huh?"
Reno shook his head and kneeled down. "And I heard Cloud was suppose to be slow."
"You mean?" Tifa was as shocked but then again it seemed to make sense, their meeting on the Highwind, the time they spent together and the way he was actually been sincere with her unlike there previous encounters. "I, I... "
Reno leaned forward and kissed her, this time however she didn't get angry or shout at him, instead she just closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.
________________________
Aeris opened her eyes and sat up, her body was covered in sweat. 'So much for sleeping for a week.' She knew it was a nightmare that had woken her up, a few images flashed in her mind but not enough to remember what happened.
She pulled the sheets closer feeling the cold air, her hair which was no longer tied back and it stuck to her body making her feeling even more uncomfortable. Aeris looked to her side at where Cloud was sleeping but was surprised to find that he wasn't there.
When they first entered the room and found out there was only one bed, Clouds first action was to kick together two chairs and sleep in them, letting her take the bed. But after nearly breaking his back several times, Aeris had managed to convince him to use the bed.
'But where is he?' On the floor was Cloud's armor and equipment so he hadn't left for good.
Aeris got out of bed and slipped on her boots leaving her jacket behind, she glanced at the clock which flashed 3:34am. 'Well I doubt I'm going to get anymore sleep, I might as well go for a walk, maybe that what Cloud's done too.'
In the corridor outside everything was quite, even the Gold Saucers constant tune was turned off at this time of night. She walked down the stairs when she heard a familiar voice.
"What do you mean you can't tell me the £$%ing room number."
Aeris ran down the stairs and saw Cid yelling at the receptionist and manager behind the counter.
"I'm sorry sir but we cannot reveal that information without the occupants permission." The manager explained.
"Then wake them up and tell them I'm here!"
"I'm sorry sir but we cannot do that either."
"What!? Then what the hell am I suppose to do?" Cid shouted, a moment later he felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Huh? Hey I'm busy here..."
"Hi." Aeris smiled as the pilot stared open mouthed.
"God dammit girl." He wrapped his arms round Aeris and hugged her. "You know when that show off Dio called and said the two of you were here I couldn't believe him but," Cid released her from his grip. "Here you are in the flesh."
"I glad your happy to see me." Aeris looked bashful.
"You kidding? You should wait till everyone else sees you, and if you thought that hug was tight just wait until Barret's gets hold of ya, hell I bet you'll even get Vincent to smile." Cid grinned.
"You think so." She smiled remembering how Vincent was.
"So where's Cloud?" Cid looked up the stairs. "He's with you right?"
Aeris shook her head. "I was hoping he was down here, his stuff is in the room but I'm not sure where he's gone."
"Huh, well can't say I'm not use to it. He does that type of thing back at Tifa's, she plays hell with him in the morning though."
"At Tifa's? Cid, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"What are Cloud and Tifa like? I mean," She tried to think if the right words. "Are they together?"
Cid scratched his head for a moment and then grinned. "Ah I get it, you got the hot's for em right?
Aeris's face went red. "Ah well,"
"Look I know Spike doesn't talk much about what he thinking or his feeling or hell pretty much anything but trust me, the guys crazy about you."
"H-he is?"
"Of course I mean the guys never said but it kinda obvious." Cid put his are around her shoulder and lowed his voice. "Listen for a few months after we took out Sephiroth, Cloud, well he was a total wreck. Everyday he would sit in that mansion back in Nibelheim and just read books about the Ancients, Cetra or anything to do with the planet."
Aeris didn't know, the first time she had been able to see Cloud after Meteor hit was a year later, but he seemed fine.
"Then after finishing every book there he went out and tried every single way mentioned to try and bring you back, he went with out sleep for days performing these weird ancient rituals, but then somehow he got worse."
"Worse? How?"
"After he realized it was impossible he just went lost it, saying how it was all his fault. If he hadn't met you that day you'd still be alive, how weak he was when Sephiroth made him do those things back at that Temple and the City."
"I, I didn't know, but he did get better right?" Aeris felt awful, she didn't realize that Cloud felt so responsible about her death. "I mean look at him now."
"Yeah but that was only after we had no choice but to step in, Tifa even had to put anti-depressants in his food to get him out of it, we thought he might even go suicidal if it kept up." Cid sighed and patted her on the shoulder. "But don't worry about it kid, your back now right?"
Aeris nodded. "Yes somehow, I have a feeling though that Cloud had something to do with it."
Cid laughed. "No doubt there. Look I have something's I need to pick up from my house, I'll head there tonight and you can go talk to him."
"Thanks Cid."
Cid walked Aeris to the station and told her when he would be back in the morning before heading back to the landing pad. Left alone Aeris then studied each of the lift shoots thinking where Cloud would go. 'Well he wanted to eat something earlier."
She stepped in front of the restaurant shoot. "Its a long shot but maybe he went there.'
_____________________
"Yeah don't worry I'll be back soon."
Zack closed the door behind him as he left his parents house. 'Geez your disappear for a few years and they start to act all protective again.'
He started down the street and headed towards the store, even thought he doubted it would be open at this time of night it would at least give him time to think how to answer the 'where have you been all this time' questions.
It wasn't like he could just tell them that he spent years been experimented on by Hojo along with Cloud, then was shot to death on the outskirts of Midgar after becoming a mercenary and have now just come back from the Promised Land to dropped in to say 'hi'.
Zack laughed to himself and carried on when he heard someone walking up behind him, but for now he just ignored it.
After a while the stranger hadn't stopped following him and Zack was getting annoyed. "Look, I know your following me so you might as well try what ever your going to do."
The man laughed. "Ahh so I see the talents of a Soldier 1st class are true."
Zack spun round and faced him. "How did you know I was in Solider?" He looked the man over. "I've never seen you before in my life." 'Or afterlife for that matter.'
"My name is Tysall," He handed over a business card. "I own one of the company's based in this town."
"I'm happy for you really," He put the card in his pocket without even looking at it. "But you never answered my question."
Tysall laughed. "Now is not the time for questions, come to that address in the morning and I will explain everything."
Zack gave him a curious look. 'Explain everything? What's to explain? I don't trust this guy."
"I see by the look on your face you don't understand, very well I will explain a little," Tysall leaned over and lowered his voice to a whisper. "You have just returned form the Promised Land, correct?"
Zack took a step back, for some reason he trusted the guy even less now. "How did you know that?"
Tysall straightened up and laughed. "Because my friend I have been sent to help you, just come to the address on that card in the morning and all will be explained."
With that he turned round and walked back to the ally he had appeared from. Zack took out the card and looked at it. 'Global Corp? Hmm, well he 'did' know about me coming from the Promised Land, maybe I should go.'
He looked up and saw that Tysall had already disappeared out of sight. 'Hmm whether I do or not though... there's just something about that guy I don't like.'
_______________________
Aeris first guess was right, Cloud was sat out side the restaurant alone, and on his table were about a dozen empty cups of coffee.
"Couldn't sleep too huh?" Aeris startled him, which was strange, usually he would notice someone trying to sneak up on him a mile off.
Cloud shook his head. "I've just been thinking about things,"
"I can see." Aeris sat down and pushed a few of the cups out the way. "I met Cid on the way here, he said he would pick us up in the morning."
"That's good."
"Cloud? Is something wrong?"
"No... It's nothing, just a bad dream."
Aeris took hold of her hair and tried to straighten it out. "You too huh? Well guess we can't blame it on something we ate."
Cloud smiled but it didn't last very long.
"What was it about?"
He opened his mouth to speak but then realized what the words would be. "It was nothing, really."
"It can't have been nothing if it made you stay up in the middle of the night."
He stayed silent.
"Was it about someone you know?"
He sighed and decided it would be easier just to tell her, eventually she would guess it anyway. "It was about you... back at that city."
"Oh," Aeris new exactly what he meant. "Cloud look, Cid told me some things earlier, about what you did after Meteor. The things you did to try and bring me back."
Cloud lifted and eyebrow "... I was hoping you wouldn't find out about that."
Aeris leaned over and took hold his hand. "Cloud, you can't blame yourself, it was my fault what happened."
"But I was suppose to..."
"No Cloud!" Aeris stood up and hit the table. "It's not just your job to protect me ok? I've spent most of my life living in the Slums so I know how to take care of myself."
As shocked as he was by Aeris's sudden out burst Cloud didn't look up, he didn't want her to see how weak he was. "I'm... Sorry."
Aeris walk round the side of the table and forced him to look at her. "Stop been sorry! Don't you see what thinking like this has done to you?"
Cloud continued to look away.
"What ever happened to that cocky Ex-Soldier I met on that night so long ago?" Aeris tried to get him to look at her. "The one who attacked the headquarters of the most powerful company on the planet, just to rescue me. The hero who saved an entire planet from destruction. What happened to him?"
Cloud stood up and grabbed her by shoulders tightly. "He failed that's what!"
Aeris froze, shocked by his sudden change.
"If I'm so great, if I'm the guy that can save the planet, if I'm a hero that saves the day," He paused and looked deep into her eyes, lowering his voice. "Then how come I couldn't even protect the person I loved and cared about most?"
Aeris felt a tear run down her cheek, she was lost for words.
"I don't understand you." Cloud sighed heavily. "How could you ever forgive me after what happened, even if it wasn't my job, I should have protected you Aeris."
Aeris smiled slightly, she placed her hand on his cheek. "If there was anything at all to forgive," She began to lean forward. "Then I would because, I love you." Her lips finally met his.
Cloud's grip on her shoulders loosened and his hands fell to her waist, Aeris pulled back breaking the kiss, for a moment the two just stared at each other.
"Now do you understand?"
___________________________
"So does anyone know what's actually going on?" Red XIII and Rude had been that last to join the group, just arriving back from Neo Midgar.
"Nope." Said Barret simply.
"Nothing." Added Vincent.
"Yep £%&$ all." Cid leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling.
Since the new Turk's office was in Junon, Reno had suggested that everyone should stay there until something came up, much to the disliking of Barret but Tifa had eventually managed to talk him into it.
Elena was still in the hospital back at Corel and according to the doctors it would be another week or so until she would be allowed out which, didn't seem to upset Reno at all.
Cid had decided to bring Shera over from Rocket Town so he could look after her, although he wouldn't admit been worried about her when asked.
Tifa and Reno spent most of the day trying to remove the materia from down in the reactor and sometimes Shera came down to try and figure out how to operate all of the computer equipment that had been set up there, so far though no one seemed to be getting any anywhere.
Yuffie decide to use this time to try and collect any other materia that was around. The fact of a new type of materia had been found in the reactor had given the little ninja a new hope and now she wanted to find others like it.
Vincent had recovered quickly from his attack back in the Corel Mountains and was usually helping Barret asked around the city to see if anyone had come across someone matching Sephiroth's description.
And finally Reeve had been keeping an eye on the news, lately there had been quite a few earthquakes in the Northern Creator area, the island where the Temple of the Ancients had been located, the mountains south of Wutai and the City of the Ancients. With all that's happened lately it was thought that the appearance of Sephiroth and these quakes there might be a connection.
"Well what do we know so far?" Reeve asked.
"I know that one." Cid boasted. "First we chased Cloud over here and found he'd arrived at the docks, then we saw someone who looked like Aeris and then Cloud chased her down the tunnel which leads to the reactor."
"Someone who looks like Aeris?" Red repeated.
"Yeah just like her, but she can't be the real deal. Right?" Cid questioned himself.
Around the room everyone had the same face, they all wanted it to be Aeris but, how could it be?
Cid gave up thinking and continued. "Well then we caught up to Cloud down inside the reactor and that long haired freak was there too, after beating the livin day lights out of us he then dropped Spike into that huge pool of Liferiver."
"Stream." Vincent corrected.
"Whatever, and now we're all sat here doing nothing."
"And no ones seen Sephiroth, Cloud or this Aeris look alike since?" Red wasn't convinced that the fact someone who looked like Aeris just happened to show up when Sephiroth was around too was just a coincidence.
"Nope, Tif's been down there each day but she's seen no sign of him." Cid returned his attention back to the ceiling.
"Well it looks like Reno's right," Reeve yawned and sat down on one of the desks. "Until something new happens we can't do anything."
Red nodded "Unfortunately your right."
A few moments later the phone began to ring, and Cid lazily reached over the desk and picked it up. __________________________
"Okay, meet you back here in a minute."
Cloud turned round and walked up to the receptionist to get the rooms while Aeris went to the store to buy a few potions. She had woken up a few miles from Corel and seemed fine but Cloud still wanted her to get something to heal her neck injury.
Aeris entered the store and picked up a few potions off the shelf making sure she had enough for Cloud too. 'I really don't like these, they taste awful. But then again there's nothing else, I don't have any cure materia and I'm too tired to use my powers.' She placed the bottles on the counter and paid using the gil Cloud had given her when she noticed something on the counter.
"Em excuse me."
"Hm? Is something wrong?" The attendant asked.
"What's a Class 2 Elixir?" She picked up the bottle and studied the contents.
"You mean you haven't heard of them? Where have you been for the past year?" He gave her a curious look.
Aeris suddenly realized that things will have change on the planet while she's been away, even things as simple as this. 'To things like Cloud and Tifa.' She put the bottle down and collected the potions.
"Is everything ok Miss?" The attendant asked.
"Hmm?" Aeris looked up and realized that she had drifted off for a while. "Oh yes, sorry, I've just been thinking a lot lately."
"I see, maybe you should get some rest, by the look of things you could really use." He pointed to the cut on her neck.
Aeris covered it with her hand. "Yes perhaps your right." She bowed her head and walked back to the reception area where Cloud was already waiting for her.
"Did you get them?" He pointed to the bag.
"Yep," She smiled and lifted one out. "And some for you too."
"Oh Great." Cloud's face went green. '...Ughhh I hate those things, they taste worst than Cid's cooking, if that's even possible.'
"Did you get the rooms?"
"Ah," Cloud scratched the back of his head. "Well you see, since it's so late they only have one room left."
"Oh..." Aeris put the bottle back in the bag. "Well it could be worse, we might have had to go back down to Corel."
"Good point," Cloud was nervous that she wouldn't even want to stay in the same room but Aeris didn't seem to mind at all. "Well its only about ten o'clock, are you hungry?"
Aeris yawned, she was tempted by the offer but she doubted she would be able to stay awake long enough to even find somewhere to eat. "You know, I think the only thing I could do right now is sleep for a week."
Cloud smiled, he searched around his pocket for a moment and pulled out a key. "Not a problem."
_____________________
"Oh I give up."
Tifa kicked the crystal around the materia out of frustration, it was early in the next morning and still she was no closer to obtaining it.
The light from the pool and the crystals seemed to grow brighter as the night settled in, the walls and ceiling were covered in swaying green shades of colour. "I told you it was pointless." Reno was laid down at the top of the stairs as his stared at the ceiling, watching the light show.
"Don't start!" She put her hands on her hips and stared at him. "I'm still not talking to you."
"Come on, are you still mad about that?" He sat up and smiled at her. "It was only one kiss."
Tifa's face went red. "So what, why did you even do it."
"We were on a date, right?" He replied simply.
"But, but..." She sighed realizing that she wasn't going to get anywhere. "Just forget it."
"Look I'm sorry ok? I didn't know you would react that way." Reno laid back down.
Tifa tried to calm herself down. 'Why am I been like this? Normally if a guy kissed me on a date like that I wouldn't mind. So what's wrong?"
"You ok?"
Tifa nodded. "Yeah I, I just don't feel like myself lately. Look it wasn't the kiss, it's just..."
"Maybe you have feeling for someone else." Reno sat up once again and stared at her.
"Someone else?" She thought about it for a moment. "But, there isn't anyone else."
"What about Strife?"
"I told you already, were just friends."
Reno didn't look convinced. "But you still live together right?"
"Yeah so?" She stared at the floor, for some reason she felt shy about the subject.
"So maybe you do feel 'that' way about him, you just don't realize it anymore."
"Hey," Tifa looked up at Reno and gave him a cocky smile. "Since when did you become an expert in relationships, or actually cared about someone else's for that matter?"
"Do I really come over that cold?" He stood up and straightened out his jacket. "Hmm well anyway, I think you're jealous."
"Jealous? How can I be jealous? And off who?"
"Aeris." Reno walked down the stairs until he was right in front of her. "You've only been acting this way since we saw Cloud chase Aeris. Before that you were fine."
"Come on that's ridiculous." She crossed her arms and refused to look at him.
"Really? I bet your scared that if it really was Aeris then Spike boy will want her, and that means you two wont be together anymore. This relationship you're 'not' in wont be anymore."
Tifa felt her eyes start to water. "That's not true."
Reno sighed and shook his head. "You know I'm right, if they get together then Strife will move out. And you'll be alone again."
Tifa finally broke down and started to cry, she didn't want to be left alone again. Ever since Sephiroth destroyed her home and murdered her father, she had no one else to go to. For months she had traveled on the roads alone, not really sure of where to go, there was nothing left for her. Since Cloud wasn't around she thought he had been killed back in Nibelheim along with everyone else.
Eventually though she came to Cosmo Canyon and met Barret, his plans of destroying Shin-Ra seemed unlikely but at the time the thought getting revenge on them was the only thing that kept her going.
And now Cloud really was her only link to her home and past, and if he left, she would be alone again.
Reno put his hand on her shoulder. "Look, I didn't mean to upset you but, at some point your going to have to move on."
Tifa snapped herself out of it and wiped her eyes. "That's easy for you to say. Cloud's the only person left, there is no one else."
Reno looked round the room and then pointed to himself. "Hey! Am I invisible here?"
Tifa looked up confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well... What's Strife got that I don't"
"Huh?"
Reno shook his head and kneeled down. "And I heard Cloud was suppose to be slow."
"You mean?" Tifa was as shocked but then again it seemed to make sense, their meeting on the Highwind, the time they spent together and the way he was actually been sincere with her unlike there previous encounters. "I, I... "
Reno leaned forward and kissed her, this time however she didn't get angry or shout at him, instead she just closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment.
________________________
Aeris opened her eyes and sat up, her body was covered in sweat. 'So much for sleeping for a week.' She knew it was a nightmare that had woken her up, a few images flashed in her mind but not enough to remember what happened.
She pulled the sheets closer feeling the cold air, her hair which was no longer tied back and it stuck to her body making her feeling even more uncomfortable. Aeris looked to her side at where Cloud was sleeping but was surprised to find that he wasn't there.
When they first entered the room and found out there was only one bed, Clouds first action was to kick together two chairs and sleep in them, letting her take the bed. But after nearly breaking his back several times, Aeris had managed to convince him to use the bed.
'But where is he?' On the floor was Cloud's armor and equipment so he hadn't left for good.
Aeris got out of bed and slipped on her boots leaving her jacket behind, she glanced at the clock which flashed 3:34am. 'Well I doubt I'm going to get anymore sleep, I might as well go for a walk, maybe that what Cloud's done too.'
In the corridor outside everything was quite, even the Gold Saucers constant tune was turned off at this time of night. She walked down the stairs when she heard a familiar voice.
"What do you mean you can't tell me the £$%ing room number."
Aeris ran down the stairs and saw Cid yelling at the receptionist and manager behind the counter.
"I'm sorry sir but we cannot reveal that information without the occupants permission." The manager explained.
"Then wake them up and tell them I'm here!"
"I'm sorry sir but we cannot do that either."
"What!? Then what the hell am I suppose to do?" Cid shouted, a moment later he felt a light tap on his shoulder. "Huh? Hey I'm busy here..."
"Hi." Aeris smiled as the pilot stared open mouthed.
"God dammit girl." He wrapped his arms round Aeris and hugged her. "You know when that show off Dio called and said the two of you were here I couldn't believe him but," Cid released her from his grip. "Here you are in the flesh."
"I glad your happy to see me." Aeris looked bashful.
"You kidding? You should wait till everyone else sees you, and if you thought that hug was tight just wait until Barret's gets hold of ya, hell I bet you'll even get Vincent to smile." Cid grinned.
"You think so." She smiled remembering how Vincent was.
"So where's Cloud?" Cid looked up the stairs. "He's with you right?"
Aeris shook her head. "I was hoping he was down here, his stuff is in the room but I'm not sure where he's gone."
"Huh, well can't say I'm not use to it. He does that type of thing back at Tifa's, she plays hell with him in the morning though."
"At Tifa's? Cid, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"What are Cloud and Tifa like? I mean," She tried to think if the right words. "Are they together?"
Cid scratched his head for a moment and then grinned. "Ah I get it, you got the hot's for em right?
Aeris's face went red. "Ah well,"
"Look I know Spike doesn't talk much about what he thinking or his feeling or hell pretty much anything but trust me, the guys crazy about you."
"H-he is?"
"Of course I mean the guys never said but it kinda obvious." Cid put his are around her shoulder and lowed his voice. "Listen for a few months after we took out Sephiroth, Cloud, well he was a total wreck. Everyday he would sit in that mansion back in Nibelheim and just read books about the Ancients, Cetra or anything to do with the planet."
Aeris didn't know, the first time she had been able to see Cloud after Meteor hit was a year later, but he seemed fine.
"Then after finishing every book there he went out and tried every single way mentioned to try and bring you back, he went with out sleep for days performing these weird ancient rituals, but then somehow he got worse."
"Worse? How?"
"After he realized it was impossible he just went lost it, saying how it was all his fault. If he hadn't met you that day you'd still be alive, how weak he was when Sephiroth made him do those things back at that Temple and the City."
"I, I didn't know, but he did get better right?" Aeris felt awful, she didn't realize that Cloud felt so responsible about her death. "I mean look at him now."
"Yeah but that was only after we had no choice but to step in, Tifa even had to put anti-depressants in his food to get him out of it, we thought he might even go suicidal if it kept up." Cid sighed and patted her on the shoulder. "But don't worry about it kid, your back now right?"
Aeris nodded. "Yes somehow, I have a feeling though that Cloud had something to do with it."
Cid laughed. "No doubt there. Look I have something's I need to pick up from my house, I'll head there tonight and you can go talk to him."
"Thanks Cid."
Cid walked Aeris to the station and told her when he would be back in the morning before heading back to the landing pad. Left alone Aeris then studied each of the lift shoots thinking where Cloud would go. 'Well he wanted to eat something earlier."
She stepped in front of the restaurant shoot. "Its a long shot but maybe he went there.'
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"Yeah don't worry I'll be back soon."
Zack closed the door behind him as he left his parents house. 'Geez your disappear for a few years and they start to act all protective again.'
He started down the street and headed towards the store, even thought he doubted it would be open at this time of night it would at least give him time to think how to answer the 'where have you been all this time' questions.
It wasn't like he could just tell them that he spent years been experimented on by Hojo along with Cloud, then was shot to death on the outskirts of Midgar after becoming a mercenary and have now just come back from the Promised Land to dropped in to say 'hi'.
Zack laughed to himself and carried on when he heard someone walking up behind him, but for now he just ignored it.
After a while the stranger hadn't stopped following him and Zack was getting annoyed. "Look, I know your following me so you might as well try what ever your going to do."
The man laughed. "Ahh so I see the talents of a Soldier 1st class are true."
Zack spun round and faced him. "How did you know I was in Solider?" He looked the man over. "I've never seen you before in my life." 'Or afterlife for that matter.'
"My name is Tysall," He handed over a business card. "I own one of the company's based in this town."
"I'm happy for you really," He put the card in his pocket without even looking at it. "But you never answered my question."
Tysall laughed. "Now is not the time for questions, come to that address in the morning and I will explain everything."
Zack gave him a curious look. 'Explain everything? What's to explain? I don't trust this guy."
"I see by the look on your face you don't understand, very well I will explain a little," Tysall leaned over and lowered his voice to a whisper. "You have just returned form the Promised Land, correct?"
Zack took a step back, for some reason he trusted the guy even less now. "How did you know that?"
Tysall straightened up and laughed. "Because my friend I have been sent to help you, just come to the address on that card in the morning and all will be explained."
With that he turned round and walked back to the ally he had appeared from. Zack took out the card and looked at it. 'Global Corp? Hmm, well he 'did' know about me coming from the Promised Land, maybe I should go.'
He looked up and saw that Tysall had already disappeared out of sight. 'Hmm whether I do or not though... there's just something about that guy I don't like.'
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Aeris first guess was right, Cloud was sat out side the restaurant alone, and on his table were about a dozen empty cups of coffee.
"Couldn't sleep too huh?" Aeris startled him, which was strange, usually he would notice someone trying to sneak up on him a mile off.
Cloud shook his head. "I've just been thinking about things,"
"I can see." Aeris sat down and pushed a few of the cups out the way. "I met Cid on the way here, he said he would pick us up in the morning."
"That's good."
"Cloud? Is something wrong?"
"No... It's nothing, just a bad dream."
Aeris took hold of her hair and tried to straighten it out. "You too huh? Well guess we can't blame it on something we ate."
Cloud smiled but it didn't last very long.
"What was it about?"
He opened his mouth to speak but then realized what the words would be. "It was nothing, really."
"It can't have been nothing if it made you stay up in the middle of the night."
He stayed silent.
"Was it about someone you know?"
He sighed and decided it would be easier just to tell her, eventually she would guess it anyway. "It was about you... back at that city."
"Oh," Aeris new exactly what he meant. "Cloud look, Cid told me some things earlier, about what you did after Meteor. The things you did to try and bring me back."
Cloud lifted and eyebrow "... I was hoping you wouldn't find out about that."
Aeris leaned over and took hold his hand. "Cloud, you can't blame yourself, it was my fault what happened."
"But I was suppose to..."
"No Cloud!" Aeris stood up and hit the table. "It's not just your job to protect me ok? I've spent most of my life living in the Slums so I know how to take care of myself."
As shocked as he was by Aeris's sudden out burst Cloud didn't look up, he didn't want her to see how weak he was. "I'm... Sorry."
Aeris walk round the side of the table and forced him to look at her. "Stop been sorry! Don't you see what thinking like this has done to you?"
Cloud continued to look away.
"What ever happened to that cocky Ex-Soldier I met on that night so long ago?" Aeris tried to get him to look at her. "The one who attacked the headquarters of the most powerful company on the planet, just to rescue me. The hero who saved an entire planet from destruction. What happened to him?"
Cloud stood up and grabbed her by shoulders tightly. "He failed that's what!"
Aeris froze, shocked by his sudden change.
"If I'm so great, if I'm the guy that can save the planet, if I'm a hero that saves the day," He paused and looked deep into her eyes, lowering his voice. "Then how come I couldn't even protect the person I loved and cared about most?"
Aeris felt a tear run down her cheek, she was lost for words.
"I don't understand you." Cloud sighed heavily. "How could you ever forgive me after what happened, even if it wasn't my job, I should have protected you Aeris."
Aeris smiled slightly, she placed her hand on his cheek. "If there was anything at all to forgive," She began to lean forward. "Then I would because, I love you." Her lips finally met his.
Cloud's grip on her shoulders loosened and his hands fell to her waist, Aeris pulled back breaking the kiss, for a moment the two just stared at each other.
"Now do you understand?"
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