Chapter 13 : Just the Flu
3 Weeks later.
Aeris sat up in her bed so she could see out of the window, outside it was a beautiful sunny day. She could see children playing in the street and in the park next to it, the small pond there glistened as the sun light reflected off it.
Sighing she fell back into the pillows feeling frustrated that she couldn't take part in this happy day.
A week after returning from the space station incident everyone had returned to what they were doing before this all happened. Barret had returned to Corel, Cid to rocket town and Red to Cosmo canyon. Everyone else was staying in Neo Midgar for now, Reeve returned to his work and hired the Turks full time to help protect the city. Yuffie and Vincent decided to stay too, while Yuffie wanted a longer break from her father, Vincent wanted to stay to join the Turks once again now that they were involved in 'clean' work.
Reeve helped Zack to get a placement in the Neo Midgar army, with his experience in Soldier he was offered a very high position. Along with Zack after the computer equipment had been shut down in the Gongaga Laboratory the Soldier's under Jenova's control had been released from their mind control, it so happened that many travelers and towns people from all over the planet had gone missing over the past year and Jenova had used them to create her army. After the process many had lost most or all of their memory and after Reeve offered them a place in the Midgar army most took up the opportunity.
Tifa returned to the 7th Heaven along with Yuffie who decided to stay with her, although Tifa decided to make Yuffie work as long as she was staying.
Finally Cloud returned to Neo Midgar too along with Aeris, for the time been he decided to stay at his place in the 7th Heaven and return to his work there. Aeris had plans to open a flower shop near by but before she could start work on it she caught the flu. Under much protest from Aeris at first Cloud had decided to keep her at the 7th Heaven until she got better.
"Ughhhhh, if I don't do something interesting soon I'm going to go nuts." Looking around the room there wasn't anything new, it was just one of the guest rooms. On the side of her bed was a small clock that ticked quietly with each second. 'It's nearly one o'clock, I guess Cloud will be coming up soon.'
Aeris felt better thinking of been able to talk to someone, everyone had been so busy lately with things. Tifa came up every now and then to keep her company but she had a bar to run too, Aeris had asked constantly if she could help out but Cloud just kept saying the doctors' orders were bed rest and nothing else.
Down the corridor the sound of footsteps could be heard and soon enough Cloud came walking through the door with a tray of food. "You're up."
"Mmmm." The flower girl stretched her arms into the air yawning. "Have I missed anything?"
Cloud walked around the bed and sat down next to her. "Nope, just the usual." He handed her the tray and put a mug of hot chocolate on the side.
"Are these what I think they are?" Aeris grinned happily rubbing her hands together.
"Yep, Tifa made pancakes earlier. A few customers wanted them for breakfast so I asked her to save some for you." He said proudly.
"Thank you." Aeris leaned over and kissed him as a reward before tucking into the late breakfast.
"Well it looks like you've got your appetite back so I guess your feeling better."
"mmhmm, say, do you think we can go out later on?"
"You know your suppose to stay in bed."
"But, but look outside." She pointed out the window. "It's a beautiful day and I'm stuck in here."
Cloud stood up and walked over to the window, it was quite warm outside and this was one of the more quite areas of the city. "Well, I guess it won't do any harm to go for a small walk."
"Hey Aeris!" Yuffie came running into the room and jumped on the bed nearly throwing her breakfast everywhere.
Aeris quickly lifted the tray off the bed before the ninja nearly sat in it. "What?"
"Tifa gave me these, she forgot to give them to Cloud on his way up."
"Oh right, the medicine." Cloud confirmed.
Aeris quickly backed up away from the younger girl. "Don't you dare come near me with those."
"Huh? Why what's wrong with them?"
Cloud grinned walking back to the bed. "Apparently they don't taste very nice."
"Nice?" She repeated. "I nearly threw up the last time."
"They can't be that bad." Cloud reached his hand out. "Give them to me and I'll make sure she takes them."
Yuffie nodded and unhooked and small pouch from her belt and poured the contents out into his hand. "Wait a sec? It's not suppose to be a powder..."
Cloud studied the powder before he noticed what the substance was. "Wait a minute... that's.." He was cut off as a cloud of smoke covered him from head to toe.
The two girls leaned over the bed as the cloud disappeared along with the actual Cloud. Once it cleared they saw a miniature sized version of Cloud who was staring back looking fairly annoyed.
"...Shrivel." He finished in a smaller voice.
"Awww he looks so cute." Aeris smiled happily as she picked him up and pulled him too the bed.
"Urk... Yuffie. Antidote. Now." Cloud just managed to get out as Aeris smothered him.
"Ummm..." Yuffie rummaged round in the little bag on her belt. "Sorry Cloud, I only have one left."
"So."
"So, what if this happens to me?"
"Yuffie, give it to me now."
"Do you have to take it now?" Aeris lifted him on to her knees and began to mess up his hair.
"Yes. Now." He stared coldly at Yuffie.
"Sorry Cloud." The ninja hopped of off the bed and headed towards the door. "Maybe if I get some more later."
"Yuffie!" Cloud jumped out of Aeris' arms and sprinted after the girl.
Yuffie yelped and ran down the corridor away from he miniature attacker. "Come on Cloud I only have one left."
Cloud continued to run as fast as his much smaller legs would take him before out of no where he ran into some sort of wall, then he collapsed into a small pile on the floor.
Reno looked down at the small spiky haired person, after walking out of his room something had run into his leg. And after a few moments a seriously annoyed looking chibi Cloud stared back up at him.
"You know, I would ask but, I'm actually afraid I would get an answer..."
Cloud continued to stare up. "Yuffie. Where is Yuffie?"
Reno just shook his head and pointed down the corridor towards the stairs, behind the corner they could just see and pair of eyes creeping from behind.
"You." Cloud sprinted ahead but after a few steps he was suddenly lifted into the air. "Huh?"
Aeris smiled happily as she lifted the tiny Cloud up into her arms. "Where do you think your going?"
"Huh? Hey come of Aeris put me down." Cloud struggled to free himself from the Cetra's arms.
"Nope, its time to go outside like you promised." She turned round and held Cloud so his head was on her shoulder.
Around the corner at the end of the corridor Cloud could see the ninjas head poking round with a victorious grin on her face. Cloud just continued to stare coldly at her and promised his revenge while Aeris carried him off.
______________________
Tifa locked the door and walked over to the counter. After putting the key in the cash register she collapsed over the counter and sighed.
"This is too much." Lifting her head a little she could see all the tables in the room, each was covered in an assortment of plates and empty glasses. The brunette continued to stare at them for a while longer hoping they would just disappear if she concentrated hard enough. 'Go away, go away.'
After a few moments of trying to make them vanish she heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Reno soon appeared from around the corner with his usual grin.
"What are you so happy about?"
He shrugged and sat on the counter next to her. "Nothing really. It's just amusing watching Strife be tormented by everyone."
Tifa looked at him curiously. "Eh? Did I miss something?"
"Well from what I got Strife managed to shrink himself, Yuffie has something to do with causing it, and then Aeris went and kidnapped him."
Tifa just smiled and shook her head. "And I thought I was the one having an off day."
____________________
A while later. Aeris leaned back against the bench, she let the cool breeze blow against her face enjoying the fresh air. The sun was in the middle of the sky now and it was in the perfect position to light up the small park they were sat in.
"Oh stop pouting." She gave Cloud a push as they sat on the park bench. "I bought you a cure didn't I?"
Cloud sat at the other side of the park bench. "I'm not pouting, I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
He crossed his arms and smiled. "Just something's I need to do."
"Such as?" Aeris shifted along the bench closer to him.
"I never realized how nosey you are."
The flower girl leaned back pointing to herself. "Me? I'm not nosey, just.. curious."
"Uh huh, well I'm afraid that your gonna have to wait."
"Fine." She sat back on the bench and crossed her arms.
Cloud grinned and how childish she was at times but then at the same time he was curious to something about her face.
"What?" Aeris asked noticing Cloud staring.
"Your face, its.. really red."
"...?" She reached up and put her fingers on her cheeks. "I am?"
Cloud leaned over and cupped her cheek in his hand, he instantly felt his palm heat up. "You're burning up."
"But I don't feel anything.." Aeris felt her face again feeling nothing out of the ordinary.
"Let's get you back, I want the doctor to have another look at you."
"But, but.." She panicked not wanting to go back to her boring temporary bedroom. "You said we could stay outside for a while." She stared up at him trying to look her most innocent.
Cloud tried to resist the look but failed in doing so. "(Sigh) Ok fine I'll make you a deal, come back with me now and if everything's ok we'll spend the whole day tomorrow outside."
Aeris eyed his curiously. "You promise?" The blond nodded and Aeris cautiously accepted his deal. "Fine, but if you trick me I'll make sure Yuffie shrinks you for a whole week."
Cloud smiled knowing she was probably serious, and the it would mean a week of been used as the flower girls cuddly toy. "No tricks."
_______________________
A few hours later Cloud had managed to bring a doctor around. Been friends with the city mayor gave him a few advantages when it came to these things.
The blond watched as the doctor ran a few more tests as the flower girl slept. After leaving the park Aeris had collapsed half way back and needed to be carried. Since then she has been asleep and all the usual methods of waking someone had failed.
A few minutes later the doctor stood up and began to put his equipment back in his case.
"Well?" Cloud walked up to him.
"I don't know." He shook his head. "I can't find anything wrong with her, the first time I was here it looked like the flu that has been going round but now..."
"Now? Will she be ok?"
The doctor looked down at the sleeping Aeris and rubbed his forehead. "Again I don't know. She doesn't have any illness at all, the only thing I can find is a raised body temperature. But even that doesn't seem serious."
"So what should we do?"
He picked up his case and looked at Cloud. "All I can recommend is you keep her cool try to keep her temperature down, maybe a few ice packs."
"That it?" Cloud wasn't exactly happy with his answers so far.
"With out any symptoms to diagnose I can't recommend anything. When she wakes up or if anything else changes call me. Apart from that we'll just have to wait."
Cloud looked back down at Aeris, she looked so peaceful sleeping. A cold thought passed through his mind, he remembered the last time he'd seen her like this. 'I won't let that happen again.'
_________________________
Smaller chapter than the others but I'm cutting them down now since I prefer them small, a lot easier to proof read and spell check. It's been a long time since I updated this story but I'm still getting to the end even if it's slowly. Thanks to those who reviewed and are still reading I should hopefully have the next chapter up much sooner.
3 Weeks later.
Aeris sat up in her bed so she could see out of the window, outside it was a beautiful sunny day. She could see children playing in the street and in the park next to it, the small pond there glistened as the sun light reflected off it.
Sighing she fell back into the pillows feeling frustrated that she couldn't take part in this happy day.
A week after returning from the space station incident everyone had returned to what they were doing before this all happened. Barret had returned to Corel, Cid to rocket town and Red to Cosmo canyon. Everyone else was staying in Neo Midgar for now, Reeve returned to his work and hired the Turks full time to help protect the city. Yuffie and Vincent decided to stay too, while Yuffie wanted a longer break from her father, Vincent wanted to stay to join the Turks once again now that they were involved in 'clean' work.
Reeve helped Zack to get a placement in the Neo Midgar army, with his experience in Soldier he was offered a very high position. Along with Zack after the computer equipment had been shut down in the Gongaga Laboratory the Soldier's under Jenova's control had been released from their mind control, it so happened that many travelers and towns people from all over the planet had gone missing over the past year and Jenova had used them to create her army. After the process many had lost most or all of their memory and after Reeve offered them a place in the Midgar army most took up the opportunity.
Tifa returned to the 7th Heaven along with Yuffie who decided to stay with her, although Tifa decided to make Yuffie work as long as she was staying.
Finally Cloud returned to Neo Midgar too along with Aeris, for the time been he decided to stay at his place in the 7th Heaven and return to his work there. Aeris had plans to open a flower shop near by but before she could start work on it she caught the flu. Under much protest from Aeris at first Cloud had decided to keep her at the 7th Heaven until she got better.
"Ughhhhh, if I don't do something interesting soon I'm going to go nuts." Looking around the room there wasn't anything new, it was just one of the guest rooms. On the side of her bed was a small clock that ticked quietly with each second. 'It's nearly one o'clock, I guess Cloud will be coming up soon.'
Aeris felt better thinking of been able to talk to someone, everyone had been so busy lately with things. Tifa came up every now and then to keep her company but she had a bar to run too, Aeris had asked constantly if she could help out but Cloud just kept saying the doctors' orders were bed rest and nothing else.
Down the corridor the sound of footsteps could be heard and soon enough Cloud came walking through the door with a tray of food. "You're up."
"Mmmm." The flower girl stretched her arms into the air yawning. "Have I missed anything?"
Cloud walked around the bed and sat down next to her. "Nope, just the usual." He handed her the tray and put a mug of hot chocolate on the side.
"Are these what I think they are?" Aeris grinned happily rubbing her hands together.
"Yep, Tifa made pancakes earlier. A few customers wanted them for breakfast so I asked her to save some for you." He said proudly.
"Thank you." Aeris leaned over and kissed him as a reward before tucking into the late breakfast.
"Well it looks like you've got your appetite back so I guess your feeling better."
"mmhmm, say, do you think we can go out later on?"
"You know your suppose to stay in bed."
"But, but look outside." She pointed out the window. "It's a beautiful day and I'm stuck in here."
Cloud stood up and walked over to the window, it was quite warm outside and this was one of the more quite areas of the city. "Well, I guess it won't do any harm to go for a small walk."
"Hey Aeris!" Yuffie came running into the room and jumped on the bed nearly throwing her breakfast everywhere.
Aeris quickly lifted the tray off the bed before the ninja nearly sat in it. "What?"
"Tifa gave me these, she forgot to give them to Cloud on his way up."
"Oh right, the medicine." Cloud confirmed.
Aeris quickly backed up away from the younger girl. "Don't you dare come near me with those."
"Huh? Why what's wrong with them?"
Cloud grinned walking back to the bed. "Apparently they don't taste very nice."
"Nice?" She repeated. "I nearly threw up the last time."
"They can't be that bad." Cloud reached his hand out. "Give them to me and I'll make sure she takes them."
Yuffie nodded and unhooked and small pouch from her belt and poured the contents out into his hand. "Wait a sec? It's not suppose to be a powder..."
Cloud studied the powder before he noticed what the substance was. "Wait a minute... that's.." He was cut off as a cloud of smoke covered him from head to toe.
The two girls leaned over the bed as the cloud disappeared along with the actual Cloud. Once it cleared they saw a miniature sized version of Cloud who was staring back looking fairly annoyed.
"...Shrivel." He finished in a smaller voice.
"Awww he looks so cute." Aeris smiled happily as she picked him up and pulled him too the bed.
"Urk... Yuffie. Antidote. Now." Cloud just managed to get out as Aeris smothered him.
"Ummm..." Yuffie rummaged round in the little bag on her belt. "Sorry Cloud, I only have one left."
"So."
"So, what if this happens to me?"
"Yuffie, give it to me now."
"Do you have to take it now?" Aeris lifted him on to her knees and began to mess up his hair.
"Yes. Now." He stared coldly at Yuffie.
"Sorry Cloud." The ninja hopped of off the bed and headed towards the door. "Maybe if I get some more later."
"Yuffie!" Cloud jumped out of Aeris' arms and sprinted after the girl.
Yuffie yelped and ran down the corridor away from he miniature attacker. "Come on Cloud I only have one left."
Cloud continued to run as fast as his much smaller legs would take him before out of no where he ran into some sort of wall, then he collapsed into a small pile on the floor.
Reno looked down at the small spiky haired person, after walking out of his room something had run into his leg. And after a few moments a seriously annoyed looking chibi Cloud stared back up at him.
"You know, I would ask but, I'm actually afraid I would get an answer..."
Cloud continued to stare up. "Yuffie. Where is Yuffie?"
Reno just shook his head and pointed down the corridor towards the stairs, behind the corner they could just see and pair of eyes creeping from behind.
"You." Cloud sprinted ahead but after a few steps he was suddenly lifted into the air. "Huh?"
Aeris smiled happily as she lifted the tiny Cloud up into her arms. "Where do you think your going?"
"Huh? Hey come of Aeris put me down." Cloud struggled to free himself from the Cetra's arms.
"Nope, its time to go outside like you promised." She turned round and held Cloud so his head was on her shoulder.
Around the corner at the end of the corridor Cloud could see the ninjas head poking round with a victorious grin on her face. Cloud just continued to stare coldly at her and promised his revenge while Aeris carried him off.
______________________
Tifa locked the door and walked over to the counter. After putting the key in the cash register she collapsed over the counter and sighed.
"This is too much." Lifting her head a little she could see all the tables in the room, each was covered in an assortment of plates and empty glasses. The brunette continued to stare at them for a while longer hoping they would just disappear if she concentrated hard enough. 'Go away, go away.'
After a few moments of trying to make them vanish she heard footsteps coming from the stairs. Reno soon appeared from around the corner with his usual grin.
"What are you so happy about?"
He shrugged and sat on the counter next to her. "Nothing really. It's just amusing watching Strife be tormented by everyone."
Tifa looked at him curiously. "Eh? Did I miss something?"
"Well from what I got Strife managed to shrink himself, Yuffie has something to do with causing it, and then Aeris went and kidnapped him."
Tifa just smiled and shook her head. "And I thought I was the one having an off day."
____________________
A while later. Aeris leaned back against the bench, she let the cool breeze blow against her face enjoying the fresh air. The sun was in the middle of the sky now and it was in the perfect position to light up the small park they were sat in.
"Oh stop pouting." She gave Cloud a push as they sat on the park bench. "I bought you a cure didn't I?"
Cloud sat at the other side of the park bench. "I'm not pouting, I'm just thinking."
"About what?"
He crossed his arms and smiled. "Just something's I need to do."
"Such as?" Aeris shifted along the bench closer to him.
"I never realized how nosey you are."
The flower girl leaned back pointing to herself. "Me? I'm not nosey, just.. curious."
"Uh huh, well I'm afraid that your gonna have to wait."
"Fine." She sat back on the bench and crossed her arms.
Cloud grinned and how childish she was at times but then at the same time he was curious to something about her face.
"What?" Aeris asked noticing Cloud staring.
"Your face, its.. really red."
"...?" She reached up and put her fingers on her cheeks. "I am?"
Cloud leaned over and cupped her cheek in his hand, he instantly felt his palm heat up. "You're burning up."
"But I don't feel anything.." Aeris felt her face again feeling nothing out of the ordinary.
"Let's get you back, I want the doctor to have another look at you."
"But, but.." She panicked not wanting to go back to her boring temporary bedroom. "You said we could stay outside for a while." She stared up at him trying to look her most innocent.
Cloud tried to resist the look but failed in doing so. "(Sigh) Ok fine I'll make you a deal, come back with me now and if everything's ok we'll spend the whole day tomorrow outside."
Aeris eyed his curiously. "You promise?" The blond nodded and Aeris cautiously accepted his deal. "Fine, but if you trick me I'll make sure Yuffie shrinks you for a whole week."
Cloud smiled knowing she was probably serious, and the it would mean a week of been used as the flower girls cuddly toy. "No tricks."
_______________________
A few hours later Cloud had managed to bring a doctor around. Been friends with the city mayor gave him a few advantages when it came to these things.
The blond watched as the doctor ran a few more tests as the flower girl slept. After leaving the park Aeris had collapsed half way back and needed to be carried. Since then she has been asleep and all the usual methods of waking someone had failed.
A few minutes later the doctor stood up and began to put his equipment back in his case.
"Well?" Cloud walked up to him.
"I don't know." He shook his head. "I can't find anything wrong with her, the first time I was here it looked like the flu that has been going round but now..."
"Now? Will she be ok?"
The doctor looked down at the sleeping Aeris and rubbed his forehead. "Again I don't know. She doesn't have any illness at all, the only thing I can find is a raised body temperature. But even that doesn't seem serious."
"So what should we do?"
He picked up his case and looked at Cloud. "All I can recommend is you keep her cool try to keep her temperature down, maybe a few ice packs."
"That it?" Cloud wasn't exactly happy with his answers so far.
"With out any symptoms to diagnose I can't recommend anything. When she wakes up or if anything else changes call me. Apart from that we'll just have to wait."
Cloud looked back down at Aeris, she looked so peaceful sleeping. A cold thought passed through his mind, he remembered the last time he'd seen her like this. 'I won't let that happen again.'
_________________________
Smaller chapter than the others but I'm cutting them down now since I prefer them small, a lot easier to proof read and spell check. It's been a long time since I updated this story but I'm still getting to the end even if it's slowly. Thanks to those who reviewed and are still reading I should hopefully have the next chapter up much sooner.