Aeris had quickly dressed after her shower, like she always did, and swiftly went into her room. It was difficult to be in such closed quarters with Sephiroth, with all the unspoken feelings and rising tension. She lay down in her bed as she heard the water starting to run. He always took his shower after she went to bed, probably not wanting to be indecent.

She was drifting off into sleep when she felt eyes upon her. Not wanting to alarm who and whatever was outside, she slowly rolled over to her side and opened her eyes. She instantly was looking into the yellow eyes of a lunatic. She sat up and screamed.

In no less than two seconds, Sephiroth rushed into her room from the bathroom. He had stopped his shower short when he heard the scream and threw on boxers. He was still dripping wet with shampoo left in his hair. He looked at her to see what was the matter. She was pointing at the window and he quickly turned to see someone running away. He ran towards the window and opened it in one swift move. Just as he lifted his leg to hop out, he heard her whimpering.

"Sephiroth..."

"Aeris, I must follow hi-

"Please don't leave me." Her voice was pleading. He couldn't leave her there.

He walked over to her and held out his arms. She flew out of the bed and embraced him. She held on to him so tightly, like if letting go would be the end of the world, it almost knocked the air of him. He held her in a tight embrace, neither taking notice of the fact that he was still dripping. She was trying to hold back tears, while he stroked her hair and whispered soothingly in her ear in an effort to calm her.

Finally, she got a hold of herself. Her sobs were stiffened into intermittent sniffles. He pulled to her chin up to gaze into her eyes.

"Aeris..."

"Don't leave me. Ever..."

"I..."

He couldn't even think of leaving her there, shivering alone. She looked up to him with her glassy eyes. They've never looked greener. He lightly held her chin and lifted it. He leaned into her and she, unconsciously, went up upon her toes. They both looked into each other's eyes meaningfully before closing them to kiss. Only the first second was awkward. Then they fully embraced their emotions.

At first, the kiss was light, sweet, and innocent, but soon neither was holding back. All that pent-up emotion was flowing out, like lava escaping from its dormancy inside a volcano; it seemed to be unstoppable.

Aeris moaned softly as they went backwards toward the bed. Before continuing, Sephiroth pulled back and looked into Aeris's eyes. She was on her back, looking up at him. The gaze seemed to last an eternity, but actually only lasted mere seconds. They lost each other in their eyes. They seemed to have their own private little conversation.

Aeris found herself telling Sephiroth never to stop when he started kissing her neck and arms, while her mind was screaming for her to stop this madness.

She still didn't tell him to stop when his kisses moved from her neck to her shoulders and when he started removing the straps of her nightgown. She just kept a contented smile of her face while her thoughts raged inside.

Stop.

Stop!

STOP!!!!!!

"STOP!!!!!!!!" Aeris found herself screaming aloud. It disrupted the peaceful silence that had occupied the room.

The noise had surprised Sephiroth immensely and he nearly fell off the bed. He looked up at her to see surprise written all over her face. He couldn't look into her eyes, which were teary and glassy.

He quickly gathered his things, which wasn't much at all, he was only in his boxers. All he could think about what that he nearly raped her and all she could think was what the hell was wrong with her.

Neither could say a word.
And that's the way it went on for about a week, until Aeris couldn't stand the silence.
She walked up to his door, adjacent to hers, and knocked.

"What"

"Please let me in, I can stand this anymore."

"I'm only doing what you want me to."

"This isn't what I want."

"Then what DO you want me to do?"

"Sephiroth..." Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"Please leave me alone."

She tried to blink away the tears.

"No." she answered. Her voice was breaking.

There was a pause. The tension was so thick, it was suffocating.

"Continue," Sephiroth said finally.

"We need to finish our mission. The Planet is urging us to continue."

"I know. I can hear it too."

Aeris wasn't surprised. The Cetra cells in him gave him more than just another chance at life.

"We're going to need allies."

"You mean Cloud and his group of misfits."

"Yes. I'm going to head to Rocket Town and speak to Cid. Then we're going to rally the rest of the gang and come back here."

"Good plan, I'll prepare for our departure."

"Sephiroth, I'm going alone."

There was a look of hurt across Sephiroth's face. It quickly vanished.

Aeris continued, "They won't be happy to see you arrive with me. It'll be easier if I'm alone."

"Fine." He tried to speak without showing his emotions, Aeris could sense the hurt. How she longed to run to him and hold him in her arms.

"I must be going, I'll talk to you soon."

"Bye."

Aeris shut the door behind her and grabbed her already packed bags. She walked to the shed and bridled her golden chocobo. The other warked at her. Aeris had never ventured away by herself. They always went together.

"Don't worry, Boomer." Aeris cooed to Sephiroth's chocobo.

She jumped up onto Jasmine. "Come on girl."