Author's Note: This is the last of the "in the past" chapters. After this chapter, all the storyline will take place five years post Meteor. Okay? So this ties up that part of the story....so the plot will be a little faster from here on out. The end is near! (I hope . ) Thank you for all of your lovely reviews, you make a novice writer feel good.

Chapter 16 – Wherever, Whoever

The last thing that made sense was the shuddering of her body, and a sudden coldness enveloping her. Her eyes were shut, the comforting blackness of her eyelids letting the thoughts seep into her head.

Tiveph...so strong...I couldn't...Vincent? Am I dead? Cloud...

See. Look.

She cautiously opened an eye, only to find a small face peering over her. She opened both her eyes wide, nearly startling her little observer.

"Are you ok pretty lady?" the small girlish voice asked. Tifa could see the face entirely now, it was a little girl, with lovely wavy auburn locks and brown, no, cinnamon colored eyes.

"Where am I?" Tifa asked the girl with a gentle, soothing tone. The girl giggled.

"You look like an angel," she replied childishly, "Just like Mommy tells me." The girl couldn't be much older than seven or so, and Tifa understood she would have to be patient.

"Where is your Mommy now?" Tifa asked sweetly. The girl smiled broadly.

I wonder what my daughter would look like, if I could have one...

If she had your eyes, she'd be beautiful...

Leave my thoughts alone. Please, Surrender.

She strained to keep the ill thoughts from contorting her face, so instead she smiled broadly at the girl.

"You're not like most angels," the girl continued, a giggle in her voice, "Are you MY angel?"

"If that's what you want," she answered, giving the girl a gentle pat on the head. She outstretched her tiny hand and Tifa gladly accepted it, soon being pulled from her spot on the ground. She followed the tiny footsteps, past landscapes she didn't focus on, and people she didn't notice.

She looked up, greeted with a familiar set of green eyes. Tifa gasped.

"Aeris?" she asked shakily, her eyes capturing it all; the pink dress, the braided hair, and the smiling face.

"This is the angel Mommy talks about," the girl said, and Aeris nodded appreciatively. Tifa's eyes welled with tears, and the girl patted her hand comfortingly.

"I haven't much time," she said, her voice echoing strangely in Tifa's mind, "I just wanted to remind you, to tell you..."

Do you not remember what I promised?

"...When the bloom is past, it will bear fruit," her words seemed strained, halting, "He will try to do it on his own...you cannot..." She labored a breath. Tifa reached out towards her, but she shook her head.

It was always you...

"...forget, Tifa. Never forget what you are..." she coughed, a pained look on her face, "...The Consumed...between...Tifa...this is...the last...I can...do...Tifa..."

"Tifa!"

Frightened red eyes stared at her inches from her face. She stared back, still and faintly breathing. He stayed in their odd stalemate, both having forgotten they had muscles. She saw something strange in those eyes, caught up in the humanity of them.

Relief...is he glad that I am alive?

He finally broke the gaze, stiffly standing up, his eyes retaining their usual glaze. He extended his human hand to politely help her up. Part of his face twitched when she touched his hand, but she was too exhausted to care. Standing on her own feet was going to take quite a bit of energy.

"We owe you our gratitude," Vincent said to Sephiroth mechanically, like a rehearsed speech, "And for that, we will spare you." He was menacing, and made sure that the other man got that point. The swordsman smirked.

"Then shall we be parting ways?" he asked delicately. Vincent nodded. Tifa looked up at him with a puzzled look, and then darted her eyes over to Sephiroth. He was staring at her now, making her uneasy. Then she noticed the broken form of Tiveph, who in addition to decapitation has been maimed like an abused doll. She breathed deeply.

Home. It's time to go home. Wherever, whoever that is.

"What about you, Vincent?" she asked cautiously, not expecting an answer. He kept his gaze on Sephiroth.

"I will accompany you until I find something to occupy myself with," he whispered, catching her off guard, "I will see to your safety."

Safety? We killed it! How could we not be safe?

"I will wander around," Sephiroth broke her thoughts abruptly, "You need not worry about Strife. I will not bother him." He grinned at this, like there was some private joke in the name 'Strife'. She frowned at him.

"Goodbye Sephiroth," she said sternly, her body rigid with contempt, "Thank you."

I want to get away from this. Why can't I live simply?

You are special, Tifa. Can you not see that? Your mind holds vast potentials...

I don't care! I just want to live! I want to see him!

The general turned to leave, eyes glimmering in the hazy daybreak. Tifa watched as he went out of sight, the last bit of silver disappearing behind a hill. Vincent cleared his throat.

"If you wish to find Cloud soon," he began, calmly, "then we should leave now." She nodded, her feet responding before the rest of her body. So they walked, her a step behind, their weary forms leaving the red hills of the canyon, hoping they would have a better reason to return.

Why run back to him? His face will only be a bittersweet reminder...I am what you will see. You will not forget me...I will certainly not forget you...

She wanted to find him, and hurried her pace. Yet, she knew that he was right.

The Consumed...is that what you meant, Aeris? Oh, please let me forget...

I'm obsessed with the number three, can't you tell? Hope it's still interesting. I like symbolism too, so I hope it's not too bogged down with it.