There the sound was again. "Cloud! Cloud, help me!" cried the familiar voice. "I'm coming, Aeris," Cloud replied. He rushed down the dark tunnel; he saw a spot of light quickly approaching. "Aeris, I'm coming!" he replied again. Finally he was there, in a small cave lighted by torches. It was a dead end but Aeris and her attacker were there. It was not Sephiroth or anyone from ShinRa. It was a woman, with long black hair, and intense golden eyes. She wore a purple dress and no shoes. In one hand, she held Aeris's hair to keep her at bay. And the other held a dagger close to Aeris's throat. "You killed my baby, you bastard," said the woman. Cloud knew immediately who it was. "Jenova," Cloud whispered. "You killed my son," she repeated, "so I will kill the one you love."
"Cloud, I love you," whispered Aeris. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Cloud screamed.
But it did nothing. The knife had slashed Aeris's throat, leaving her slumped on the ground, in a puddle of her own blood.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Cloud awoke. What a horrible nightmare, Cloud thought. He was breathing heavy and drenched in sweat. He was surprised that Tifa hadn't woken up to see what was wrong. She and him shared a room, but not a bed. But then again, she slept through everything. Cloud got up and rushed out of the house to take a walk, he didn't even bother to put on a robe.


There she was. It was like a dream. She was sitting on a dune crying. Why was she crying? Cloud thought. He walked up to her but stopped, he was too afraid that he would awake to find himself in bed with Tifa, and not be here with Aeris. He just stood there staring and she sat there crying, oblivious to him. Finally, she noticed the stranger and turned around.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

"Cloud?"

He stood there in amazement. It was her!

"Cloud!"

Aeris ran up to Cloud and wrapped her arms around, holding him closely. He was too shocked to respond. Finally she let go, realizing he was just standing there awkwardly. She blushed when she noticed he was only in his boxers, and then even more when she realized she was only wearing her pajamas (which was close to nothing).

They stood silently for what seemed to be forever, both staring attentively into each other's eyes.

Finally Aeris broke the silence again.

"Cloud...how...when...where...I..."

Her voice was cut off by Cloud's kiss. After five minutes, he finally left go of her, but still held her at arms length. He was afraid if he let go she'd disappear. He looked deeply into her eyes. They were full of tears though she held them in.

"Aeris..."

"Oh Cloud." She couldn't hold them back any longer. Cloud took her into his arms and held her, stroking her mahogany hair.

"I love you," Cloud whispered into her ear. She looked up.

"I love you too, Cloud Strife."

They kissed again, and again, and again. Aeris felt herself losing control. As much as she wanted to be with Cloud, she couldn't do it here or now. She didn't feel right. She pushed Cloud back a bit. He looked at her, confused with her actions.

"Cloud, I can't."

She turned away.

"Aeris, I'm sorry."

He started walking away. She ran after him.

"Cloud, stop. Nothing's that matter. It's just that..."

"What Aeris, what is it?"

"Cloud, I just found you. I don't want to get caught up in the moment. And..."

"And, what?"

"What about Tifa, Cloud?"

"What about her?"

"Cloud!"

"Aeris, I love you. I want to be with you, not Tifa. She knows how I feel."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Now come on, you've got to be freezing. Let's go back to my place."

"Ok, Cloud."

They walked back together. Cloud had never been happier. He had the woman he loved back in his arms.




Cloud and Aeris walked in arm-in-arm into the villa. They seemed to be in their own little world when they heard a grumble. Aeris immediately blushed when she realized it was her stomach growling.

"Hungry, eh?"

"A little, I guess."

Neither of them had thought of food, or anything else for that matter.

"Ok, I'll go in the kitchen and whip you something up."

Aeris made a face.

"Great..."

"Hey!"

Cloud ran over to her and started tickling; she couldn't help but squeal and giggle.

"Hey what's going on?"

Tifa walked in rubbing her eyes. They had woken her. She suddenly jumped back in surprise as she noticed Aeris. Aeris looked confusedly at Cloud, she didn't think they LIVED together. Cloud just stood there, with an odd look in his eyes. One of a thief that had just been caught red handed.

"Aeris...?"

"Hi Tifa."

"You're alive?"

"Yeah, I don't really know why, but here I am. I'm sorry I didn't realize you were living with Cloud."

Tifa felt her heart breaking. She was happy to see her friend but it didn't hold a flame to the anger she felt towards her. She was making such progress with Cloud. They were living together for God's sake. How could he? Why is she alive? WHY?????

"Damn straight, you didn't realize. What the hell are you doing you bitch?"

Aeris and Cloud just stood there, in shock.

"Yeah, you stupid bitch!"

"Tifa..." Cloud started.

She turned to him.

"I'll get to you later. Now back to Little Miss Perfect over here."

She turned back towards Aeris and started slowly advancing.
Aeris just stood there.

"You fucking slut, trying to take away my Cloud. You, with your stupid flowers and I'm an Ancient, love me, are going to pay. What the? Look are you, how much are you charging Cloud, or is it free?"

"Well, look are what you're wearing, what you always wear," squeaked Aeris.

No one expected a comment, Tifa decided to act civilized.

"Well, it's what everyone else is wearing, you look horrible and out of place every day. And you are out of place. Cloud doesn't belong with you, you're not even his species, skank."

(She obviously failed at acting civilized)

Aeris never got angry, but felt hurt. She finally decided to stand up for herself.

"If everyone else was going to jump off a bridge, would you to do it?"

Tifa started to answer but Aeris cut her off.

"Oh wait, I forgot, that chest of yours can be used as a floating device!"

Now, Tifa and Cloud had the look of shock on their face. There was one on Aeris's, too. She had never insulted anyone in her life. She had never said a bad word about anyone, even Sephiroth.

She stood, expecting Tifa to react badly and accepted it.

Tifa, indeed was not pleased, and ran up to her and smacked her hard across her face. She raised her hand back again but balled her fist. She brought it forward but it never reached her target, her attempt had been intercepted.

The chick fight had first shocked Cloud, then he was amused, but when it started to get violent, Cloud immediately ran to Aeris's aid.

Cloud ran in front of Aeris, taking the blow himself. Tifa hit him hard right in face. He twisted around and fell to the ground. Aeris had luckily caught him, but his momentum had knocked her to the ground. She screamed out.

"Oh, Cloud. What have I done," Tifa whispered barely audible. She ran out the room to get her cure materia.

There was no need to. As Tifa ran back into the room, she felt a refreshing misty breeze rush towards her. Aeris had healed him. She walked back into the room to see Aeris kneeling and Cloud's head in her lap. He was sitting semi-upright but Aeris wouldn't let him get up all the way. He looked into Tifa's eyes.

Tifa started to cry.

"Cloud and Aeris, I'm so sorry."

"Tifa, it's ok. I'm the one who's sorry," said Aeris.

"No, it's my fault. Cloud and I weren't together. We were roommates, that's all. I have no right to interfere." She started to walk outside.

"Tifa, don't go."

"No, Aeris. I must. I'll be back later to get my stuff."

"Tifa..."

It was too late for Cloud to get in a word. She was already out the door.

Cloud and Aeris turned towards each other, by now they were both standing.
Aeris couldn't bring her eyes to look into Clouds; she just stood there with her head down. He walked up toward her and brought her face up to his. She turned her head away. Her eyes were tearing.

"No, Cloud. I can't. I'm sorry."

And with that, she turned towards the door and ran out.

And then Cloud was all-alone.