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Chapter 5: For a Memory
Cloud couldn't sleep. He rolled over and over in Tifa's guest room (which was right next to hers), but still couldn't sleep. He got up, and pulled on his boots. Maybe some fresh air would do him good. He strolled through the dark house trying to be as quiet as possible, and found Tifa sitting outside around a campfire. His jaw dropped open, and he stared.
She turned to him. "Hi, Cloud. You can't sleep either?"
Cloud shook his head. He didn't know what to do. Would she start crying again, or was she speaking to him now? It was different when Reno was talking, she had to participate then. Otherwise, she could ignore him all together.
"Well, come join me."
He walked over to her, and took a log across from her.
Tifa grinned, and shook her head, "I won't bite."
Without a word, Cloud took the log next to her.
"I'm sorry about before," She said. "It's just… I'm really worried about you. I know it sounds stupid to say after two years… but I am."
"It's nice to know someone cares, Tifa." He said hollowly. He stared at the pink ribbon on her arm. "Why do you wear that?"
"Oh," She whispered, "Well, Barret and I had to tell Marlene about… what happened to Aeris, and she came up with the idea. I could get you one if you like."
He shook his head, "I don't need to be reminded of Aeris, I think about her every day."
There was a long pause between them.
"Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Yes." He answered immediately.
Midgar was a really beautiful town. He and Tifa spent an hour wandering around the small dark streets, passing all of the closed stores. It was a chilly night, and Tifa looped her arm through his as they walked.
Tifa gave him a grand tour, with Cloud nodding at her statements. She deliberately avoided one road in particular that got Cloud's attention. It wasn't a side road, it was a main road, and he wondered why she didn't turn down it. "What's down there?"
Tifa gave a little cough, "Well, that road leads to Samsara, and the church. I didn't think…"
He turned to her. "You didn't think I could handle it?"
"It's not that." She said. "It's very late, and…"
Cloud stepped away from her. "And what?"
"Cloud." She said softly, "Cloud, it's been two years. You can't go on like this."
"Go on like what?"
"This!" She cried, "I'm not saying to forget her, I'm not saying that at all! I'm just saying that you have to move on, and you can move on with me! I can help you, I want to help you! Would you please just let me?"
Cloud looked to Tifa, at the tears rolling down her cheeks. He had hurt her, and he hated himself for it. But, he couldn't just turn his back on Aeris. "I'm sorry, Tifa. I have to go." And he turned and jogged down the path, leaving Tifa to crumple to the ground in tears.
Cloud always visited the church in his dreams. That was why he hardly ever slept anymore. He wanted her back, and knew it was impossible, though she promised she would return. But when? It had been two years, and he hadn't heard hide nor hair of anything about the Cetra. Or Aeris. Cloud stared up at the magnificent white structure. It was so beautiful. Arched Cathedral windows, and two red oak doors adorned it. Aeris would have loved it. He pulled open the doors with a groan that echoed inside the structure. The inside itself was dark, but he could make out pews leading up to the altar. But there were times when he would just stop and think of Aeris, and want her so badly he could hardly stand it.
She's here, I know it…
Now he was here for real. His big black boots thundered as he walked slowly down the aisle of the church, as if expecting someone, though not sure who. He was here, in Aeris's church.
He stopped, and bent low. A single flower stood rooted in the floor's tile. How could that be? He picked it, and a rush of memories came back to him.
It was years ago… when he had crashed through the roof of this very church…
"It moved!… Hello?"
And his eyes had opened… and he thought for a moment he had died, and an angel was hovering over him. And then he realized it was, but he wasn't dead... he had been given new life.
Suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder. Not in a threatening way, comforting almost. He turned around, and couldn't help but feel slight disappointment.
"I knew I'd find you here," Tifa said softly.
"Look at this," He told her, showing her the small flower.
"Cloud, she's not coming back." Tifa said sternly.
"How can you say that?" He asked. "Weren't you friends? Weren't we all friends? She promised she would."
Tifa raked her hands through her hair. "Cloud… what's the use." She threw her hands up in frustration. "I just have to accept that she's a part of your life that you will never get over. But, it's three AM. Please, come home, come to bed."
"She's coming back," He said.
"I know it's hard," Tifa said. "When my father was murdered by Sephiroth, it took me a long time to accept it. But I did accept it, and in time, you'll accept Aeris's death."
Cloud said nothing, just stared at the flower, as if it held the whereabouts of Aeris. "Do you think she's happy?" He asked.
"What?" Tifa asked, startled.
"Aeris," Cloud answered.
"Oh," Tifa whispered. "Yes, I do. Come, come to bed." She tugged on his muscular arm, and this time, he let her lead him away. "Hold me, Cloud."
Cloud wrapped his arm around Tifa, and they both headed for the doors of the church.
The flower Cloud had left behind began a transformation. It first tripled in size, and then again. Again. Again. Again. Then it sprouted legs, arms, feet. A head, big green eyes.
Aeris had returned.