Only Time

By: Hotaru170

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or anything other than my anime and sword collection.

AUTHOR'S NOTE IMPORTANT

I want to thanks all of my wonderful (nice) reviewers! You guys are the greatest and I love you all! Now, on to the other reason for this AN, I recently got a signed review from The Scarlet Stalker.

It said and I quote, "Well, maybe it's just me, but the characters don't have a huge amount of dephts to them. AVALANCHE would never leave behind any one, even Yuffie, behind. I suggest putting a bit more thought into your next chapter. Instead of slurring it together, try to get it to flow together. Try to read some fanfiction to get some ideas.

Side note: Aeris did NOT sacrifice herself. She had no idea she was going to die. In the game, she tells Cloud she will come back. The white materia didn't need her to die, just prey."

Now, I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion but that review was uncalled for. It was very discouraging. Especially when it came from a person who hasn't even written a fic to begin with. When I asked for ideas or suggestions, I wasn't asking for your very close-minded criticism or insults. Every author puts forth their hard work and free time to write stories for the enjoyment of themselves as well as others. I have never left a flame for anyone because I know how hard I work on my fics. I know the hard work and dedication that goes into making a fic. I try to live by the rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." I do my best to encourage other authors to continue their writings.

Therefore, Scarlet Stalker, maybe you should think about what you say/write to others before you actually say/write it. Otherwise, you will live a very lonely and miserable life.

Now onto the side note that you left at the bottom of your review, all of the members of Avalanche knew the risks of going against Shinra and Sephiroth. In my opinion, I believe that Aeris knew that she would die. Not because of the white materia but because she left to pray for Holy on her own. She knew the risk of leaving by herself and she was prepared to pay the price even if it meant her life. She may have told that Cloud that she would come back but I think deep down she knew she wouldn't. It is my story and I will write it how I see fit. Do not presume to tell me that I need to read fanfiction to get ideas. Ideas are only good if they are your own or if they are given in a kind and friendly manner. I write in a way that is my own. I put quite a bit of thought into my stories and until you write a fic of your own then keep your "ideas" or "suggestions" to yourself. I do not need your approval to write. I do not think any author would appreciate a nasty review from someone like you. I read your profile.

It says and I quote again, "I love FF7 and FF9. Both very good games, despite the enormous plot holes.

Want to learn how to write? Want to read a great story?:

Sunshine in Winter

Sink to the Bottom with you

Melancholic Revelations( Good story, extremly sad)

Want to learn how not to write? Want to read a horrible story?:

The Yuffie Diaries (EVIL)

Want to just read a good story? Nothing speacial?:

Grey Sky Morning

Anything by Chocobo Andy, or Thunder Kisaragi (One shots)

Tales from the less than well equiped

Ps: I think there is someone else reviewing by the name 'Scarlet Stalker' I will stop doing it by means of someone unknown. If you ever get a review by me, note that if it's not diginified, and it's grammar is not correct, it's not me. I do not flame, but I give suggestions on how to make stories better, and let people know they're faults in a diginified way."

Can anyone say, "asshole" or "bullshit"?! Because thats exactly what your attitude portrays. I don't appreciate your comments so do all of my readers a favor and get lost! I don't wish to bore them with your idiocy anymore! Is it me or is it very convenient that you do not list any fanfics of your own or an email address?

By the way, nobody needs you to point out their faults! We are all well aware that we are in no way perfect. We don't need YOU to tell us that in your so called "diginified way" (Oh and it is spelled "dignified")!

As for the rest of you guys, I'm really sorry to bore you with that long Author's Note but I had to get that out. Now on to the story and please enjoy!

RECAP OF CHAPTER 3: As the Highwind landed a few miles outside of Wutai, Vincent led Hikaru down the loading ramp. He looked towards Wutai and said. "I'll find you, Yuffie. I promise." With those final words, Vincent turned the chocobo around and headed east over the ocean.

"Character speaking"

'Character thoughts'

Chapter 4: Yuffie's Dilemma

Yuffie had calmed down after Aeris' comforting words. Once she regained her composure, she asked Aeris. "Hey Aeris, did the planet tell you why I was still alive down here?"

Aeris smiled sadly and replied. "I am not sure why you are here Yuffie but I'm sure the planet has its reasons for keeping you here. I do not know when you will be allowed to go back to the surface of the planet. However, if you wish, I will keep you company. I could always help you train or we could just talk to help the time pass."

'I hate lying to her but perhaps its for the best.' She surmised.

'It is my child. Just keep her sane and give her some much needed company. She will need your help for her heart to heal. Her friends did leave her behind. However, it was unintentional. She will need to know that she must forgive them in order for her to keep her sanity in this place.' The planet explained to the Cetra.

'I understand. I will help her anyway that I can.' Aeris swore to herself and the planet. 'Although, I do have a question.' 'How long is one cycle?' She asked.

'One cycle would be considered the equivalent of three months. Its the same as one season in the terms of the surface dwellers.' The planet answered before retreating from Aeris' mind.

Yuffie smiled sadly and said. "I'm glad that you will stay with me Aeris. I don't know what I would have done if I had to be here by myself." 'I miss you Vincent. Maybe we will meet again someday, if you are still alive.' She thought bitterly.

Aeris saw the bitterness building in Yuffie's eyes and said. "Don't worry Yuffie. You won't be stuck down here forever."

"Its not that, Aeris. Well, its just that..." Yuffie trailed off. 'Perhaps, I should tell her about the confessions between Vincent and I. Its not like I have anything better to do than train or talk so I might as well start there.'

She looked down at her feet nervously and said. "I don't really know how to say it but I can only try. Okay here it goes."

"After Vincent and I were left on that ledge all by ourselves, I had something that I wanted to tell him before I died. I originally wanted to wait until we were out of the crater and all the danger of Sephiroth and Shinra had passed but that didn't quite work out like I was hoping it would as you can see." She pointed to her surroundings as she explained.

"I couldn't let myself die before I told him. I told him that it wasn't his fault about Lucrecia and that she chose her own path. It led to the destruction of herself and her unborn son. I didn't think he would listen to me at first. I thought he was going to tell me to shut up and to mind my own business but he didn't. He finally listened to logic and realized that it really wasn't his fault at all. I was so scared to tell him the next thing but I thought that I was going to die so I finally blurted it out. I was so upset and said that now I had to watch the man I loved die with me." She stopped for a moment to swallow the lump that had gathered in the back of her throat.

Aeris gasped in shock. She had suspected that Yuffie might have had a crush on Vincent before she left to the Ancient City. 'I never suspected that she was in love with him.' She thought completely baffled.

Yuffie continued on. "I didn't realize that I he had heard me at first. When I did realize it, I had never been so afraid in my life. Here I was about to die and I laid out my heart to the man I loved. I thought he was going to say something like he couldn't love a brat like me. Then he said the words that I longed to hear from him. He said he loved me and that he was sorry he didn't tell me sooner. He said he was afraid that I wouldn't have felt the same. I don't know what to do Aeris."

Tears were streaming down her face again. She looked up and begged. "Please tell me what to do Aeris?" "I wouldn't be able to handle it if I remain alive while he might be dead." She cried.

Aeris was crying again and grabbed the young shinobi in another hug. She said soothingly. "Shhhhh, its ok Yuffie. Please don't cry. It breaks my heart to see you so sad." She leaned back from the hug. "Yuffie, please, look at me." She gently implored.

Yuffie looked up hesitantly into the green eyes of the flower girl.

Aeris smiled down a Yuffie and said. "Vincent is not dead. You would know it in your heart if he were. If you look deep down into the depths of your heart, then you will know. Trust me, I would have known if he was dead as well. I knew you were alive. I could feel your presence in the lifestream. It would have been the same with Vincent. I would have felt him merge with the lifestream if he was dead. Have faith in your heart and your love. It will never lead you astray."

Yuffie smiled through her tears and said. "Thank you, Aeris. I don't know what I would do without you." She smirked playfully and added. "Leave it to you to quote something directly from a sappy romance novel."

Aeris laughed and asked jokingly. "Well, it worked, didn't it?"

Yuffie giggled and answered. "That it did."

Yuffie and Aeris spent two weeks just laughing and joking around. When they started running out of things to talk about, Aeris would help Yuffie train.

They spent the first month in good spirits and comforting companionship. Yuffie was adapting well to the strain of living in the lifestream. Most humans or creatures would not have been able to handle the changes that being in the lifestream for a long period of time would inflict. Yuffie was not aware of the changes that were taking place both bodily and mentally.

Aeris continued to watch Yuffie's progress in her training. It was nothing short of astounding in both, magical attacks and physical attacks.

It was only a matter of time before Yuffie would realize the inhuman progress of her training. Then the planet would have no choice but to explain to Yuffie the reason for her presence in the lifestream. She would need to know about the changes that have and will take place in her. She would no longer be entirely human but something much more complex and powerful. She would be reborn a guardian of humanity and life in general. She would be the only one of her kind. There was another before her many many years ago. It was one of the young shinobi's very own distant ancestors.

To be continued...

I'm really sorry this was kinda short but I'll try to make the next chapter longer. Please leave a review if you enjoyed it. Ja ne!

--Jennifer (Hotaru170)