Aeris sat on the beach watching the cool waters. But she wasn't really watching, her mind was somewhere else. She was in a deep conversation with the Planet. Tears were streaking down her face. She talked to the Planet occasionally and she usually enjoyed it, but not this time. There was only one other occurrence with that Planet that left her this way, when it told her she needed to die. The Planet has guided her through her life, and was there when no one else was, but it was also the bearer of bad news and all she could do was cry. She couldn't change her fate. The Planet had spoken. Cloud belonged with Tifa and there was someone else for her. If she would control herself she would be able to feel the disturbance in the life force but she was so engrossed with herself, she didn't.

But finally, with great resolve, Aeris dried her tears and listened on.


Cloud was sitting on his bed when his phone rang. He ran to it, eager to see if it was Aeris or Tifa. But it was neither. Yuffie had called to talk about a business proposal from the Turks. Why she called, Cloud didn't know. He was about to ask Yuffie that when the door to the villa opened. It was Aeris.

"Yuffie I'll call you back"

She didn't have time to respond when Cloud hung up the phone.

"Oh Aeris!"

Cloud quickly ran up to hug and kiss her but she stopped him.

"What is it?"

"Cloud I need to talk to you."

This can't be good, Cloud thought. But he listened on.

"I talked to the Planet and I have bad news," Aeris stated, her voice full of sorrow.

"What did the Planet say?"

"First of all, a while back there was a life force disturbance, something was resurrected..." Her voice trailed off.

"Yeah Aeris, you were."

"No, they brought me back to protect the Planet, they assume it's a danger."

"Sephiroth." Cloud didn't ask for he knew. Something inside him (probably the Jenova cells) knew.

"His soul is intact but there's no way to be sure whether or not it's sane. I'm the only one who can help him."

"Aeris, what are you talking about?" Cloud almost yelled.

"Never mind that. But there's more, lots more. Hojo's back or at least a clone is."

"No!"

"Yes, and one more thing."

"Aeris, I'm afraid to ask."

"I can't be with you."

"No!" Cloud ran up to Aeris and grabbed her never wanting to let go. Tears were starting to form in the young warriors eyes.

"Cloud, I love you, but you and I know who you belong with. Think about it, who are you living with? When I was alive, if we were truly destined to be together, we would have been then."

"But-"

"NO!" Aeris said a bit too loudly. "We have to prepare for what lies ahead. We should getting going as soon as we can."

"Where are we going?"

"The Northern Continent."

Aeris shut the door behind her.

Cloud shivered as the sound of the place. That's where she died. A tear fell from his eyes. Get a hold of yourself, he thought. He closed his eyes but soon opened them. There were no more tears. He ran out to the door to look for his love.