" Cloud is sure late, huh?" The ninja girl sighed as she looked at the door, waiting for the pokerface blond soldier to walk through it. She glanced around boredly and stopped to stare at Tifa, who seemed busy wiping the glass cups and deep in her thoughts. She just didn't understand how Tifa and Aerith fall for a guy like him. I mean, yeah, he's okay and can be nice sometimes. But gosh, sometimes he can be such a jerk. No offense to Tifa and Aerith though.
Her mind wandered to the flower girl she had met earlier. Before that whole fire incident had happened. She really looked like Aerith, she thought. Really. She remembered not being able to suppress the tears the instant she saw her. I mean she really missed the flower girl. She was more like an older sister to her. Some one who would look after her. She took a glance at Tifa who was now wiping the counter and sighs. ' I shouldn't talk to Tifa about this yet.' She thought and remembered that the wedding day is just in two days. She wondered if Cloud will postpone the wedding now that Aerith, or so she thinks it is, is back.
Yuffie sighed for like the third time and looks up the door, continuing to wait for the blonde soldier to come back. ' Whatever it is, I'll just ask what he's going to do.'
Tifa lowered her eyelids as she looked towards the door too. ' Oh Cloud…I hope you're okay…please come back…' She's been noticing lately that he's acting weird. Almost as though he's thinking about something. Something that he wouldn't share with her.
" Where'd the hell that bastard go anyways?" Cid spoke up as he rubbed a bag of ice on a burn he had received from the commotion earlier. Vincent was behind him tending his own wounds.
" Calm down, Cid. Cloud will come back…you know that" Red XIII said and looks towards Barret, who was wrapping a cast around his injured arm, " Are you okay, Barret?"
" Yeah…just a mere scratch."
Tifa sighs and looks towards the door, expecting him to come through it anytime.
--- -------- ----- -----
" Aerith…"
" Hm?" The flower girl turns to him.
They had just a few more blocks to " Promised Heaven" where Cloud supposedly think the others are there waiting for him. He had been staring at Aerith for the whole time they were walking. He had been wondering if she is really the Aerith he knows or not. If she is Aerith, what is she doing here? Why doesn't she have any memory of him…or the others…or herself?
Why is she alive?
" Are you…" He stopped for a moment to think. " You said that you're traveling…to look for someone…or something. Where…Do you remember where you came from? Where you started your journey?"
Aerith held an expression of surprise for a brief moment. She then makes a thoughtful expression, placing a finger under her small chin. "Hmm…I'm sorry to say that I can't quite remember where I came from. All I remember is…water."
" …Water?"
" Yes. Water…cold but beautifully clear water. Everything was blue…and very mysterious," Aerith made a sad smile, " I was in that cold water…floating and waiting until time passes by. When I woke up, I found myself, all wet and shivering with cold, out of a small, blue lake. I had no memory of anything or myself. I didn't know where to go…I didn't have any money or items with me. I was…all alone."
Yes…she was all alone in that cold lake. But something in her heart kept her warm from the coldness. She couldn't remember what it was though.
Cloud widens his eyes at her words. Lake? Water…? Could it be…?
The flower girl returned to her normal, cheerful smile. " Anyways, I walked through a forest and arrived in a small village. I think I remember it was called ' Bone Village ' and then……Cloud?"
She stopped noticing something wrong with him. Tears were flowing from his widened, blue ocean-like eyes but he did nothing to wipe it away or stop it. He held an expression of shock on his face as he stared at the flower girl in front of him.
" Cloud?" Aerith peered into his face, with her hands folded behind her back. " Cloud? Are you okay? Cloud?"
"……ith?"
" Eh?" The flower girl held her breath in surprise as she felt herself being wrapped around with his strong, firm arms. " C…Cloud!!!?"
" Aerith!!!" The blonde soldier held her tightly in his arms as tears continued to pour from his eyes. " Aerith!!!"
Aerith recovered from her state of surprise and placed a hand on his back. " Oh Cloud…you must have lost someone very important. I can feel your sadness…your pain…I can tell that it's really hurting you. It's binding you…" She slowly separates his arms around her and wrapped his face with her warm hands, " If it is possible…I can help you, Cloud."
Cloud closed his eyes, tears still flowing, as he enjoyed the warmness of her hands. He placed his own over hers, " Aerith…it's you. I've lost…you."
". . . . . . ."
" When I first saw you…I was really surprised…you really look like her. Exactly the same the last time I saw her. But I thought…it couldn't be…because the one I've lost was dead…she couldn't be here if she was dead. But…your story…what you told me…it's…"
He stopped, feeling something warm pressing his lips. He opened his eyes to see a finger placed on his lips and looked up to see Aerith with a sorrowful smile.
" Cloud…" She began, " You don't have to force yourself. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to…I understand. Everyone has something inside them they don't want to talk about. I understand…Cloud. So…please stop crying." She then wipes the tears flowing from his eyes. " Now…now is not the rightful time to think about it. There is not much time left…and if it is to help you…protect you…" The flower girl closed her eyes for a moment. No…not now. She opened her eyes and smiled at the blonde soldier's confused expression. " If it is to make you happy…then I will do it."
" Aerith?" Confusion ran across his mind. What is she talking about? Time? What time?
" Cloud…" Aerith started before he can speak. She stared into those beautiful sapphire eyes and smiled softly, " …I'm sorry."
--- ------- ----- ---- ---- ------
" Hey guys! He's back!!!" Yuffie shouted in joy and quickly stands up from her seat. But she soon froze after seeing someone familiar behind him.
" Cloud!!" Tifa came out from behind the bar, a smile of relief on her face. " I'm so glad you came back."
"Tifa…" Cloud spoke softly. He paused in hesitation and glanced at the person behind him. He felt his expression soften when he saw her smiling, " Everyone…there's someone…I want you all to meet."
Tears flowed from Yuffie's eyes as she jumped into that person's chest, " Aerith!!!"
" WHAT!!!?" Cid and Barret, both bellowed in surprise. Red XIII and Vincent had their eyes widen. They all stood up from their seats, making a loud clank of sound, and gathered around Cloud and the flower girl with Yuffie still hanging tightly on her chest, crying.
" Hello…" Aerith smiled as she patted Yuffie on her head. " My name is Aerith. Nice to meet you guys."
Yuffie slowly lifted her face and stepped back. She wiped her tears, " H…Hello, Ae…rith."
" Eh?" Tifa said in surprise. She turned her gaze to Cloud, " She doesn't…remember…?"
She watched Cloud shake his head and tears welled up her eyes. She walked up to the flower girl, " Is it…really you, Aerith?"
Aerith stared into her red eyes and tilted her head, searching her memory. " You must be Tifa. Tifa Lockheart, right?
" Aerith…" The tears she was holding back flowed from her ruby eyes. Without even thinking, she jumped into that person's chest, embracing her tightly as though to not let go. She cried her heart out as she spoke her name. " Aerith…Aerith!!!"
Aerith nervously placed a hand on Tifa's head, not knowing how to respond. She turned her gaze to Cloud. He just shrugged his shoulder with a nervous smile on his face.
While, Aerith was busy comforting Tifa, the other men looked at each other in confuse, still haven't completely recovered from their shock state. Cid dropped his lighted cigarette from his shock-opened mouth and didn't seem to notice. Barret held the same expression as Cid and was trying to work out the facts inside his head. Red XIII and Vincent didn't seem to surprise at all as though they knew that this was going to happen.
" Aerith! You…You're alive!!! You're…!!" Tifa cried in her chest, tears pouring from her ruby eyes. " Oh, Aerith!!!"
Aerith made a soft smile before placing a hand on the crying woman's shoulder. " Tifa…it's all right. So please don't cry."
" ... …" Tifa nods her head as she tries hard to stop her tears. But no matter how hard she tried, the fact that Aerith is standing in front of her made her happy. Really happy. And she couldn't stop the tears of joy flowing from her eyes.
Aerith smiled again. She then walks up to Cid and Barret and leaned forward, staring at the two. " You must be…Cid Highwind…" She grins at Cid and then turns to the person beside, " And Barret Wallace."
She then walks over to the man in red cape and smiles, " You must be Vincent Valentine."
Vincent bowed respectfully at his address, his red eyes glowing from the light in the bar. Aerith then bent down to pat the orange-furred creature below her.
" And you must be Red XIII. Nice to meet you… all of you."
Red smiled, " Nice to meet you…uhh…Aerith."
Barret scratched his cheeks nervously, not knowing how to react. " So…you ain't got any memory, huh?"
Aerith turns to him. "...yes. Is…that bad?"
" Well…" Barret looked from Cid to Vincent, Vincent to Red XIII, and Red to Cloud. " No…not at all. Ya' must be the flower girl Marlene's been excited about."
" Marlene?" She placed a finger on her chin and tilted her head slightly.
" Recall giving a flower to a small girl?"
" . . . . !" Aerith smiles and nods her head. " Yes… She is your daughter? You must be very happy to have such a good child like her."
Barret scratched his head in embarrassment and looks away from her. Cloud walked up to her and placed both hands on her shoulder. The flower girl looked up in surprise.
" Cloud…"
" You must be tired, Aerith. Umm…would it be alright if she stay here for the night, Tifa?" He asks and turns to the owner of the bar.
Tifa slightly looked surprised for a moment but then shook her head. " O…Of course not! Aerith is welcomed anytime!! I…I'll go set the bed!!" She then ran up the stairs.
--- -------- ------ ------ -----
The darkness surrounds the town of Kalm as everyone goes in their peaceful slumber.
' Weren't you a little too harsh?' A voice whispered in the quiet streets. Her voice soft and gentle, like the waters flowing in the streams of river.
' Hm? ' Another voice responded. His voice deep and strict but with a hint of calmness in it.
' Setting the whole town in fire like that… a lot of innocent people have died…'
' Seriously…you really thought I was the one who set that fire?'
'…then who?' Gasp. ' Could it be…HER?'
'…Possible.'
'…But how? She is supposedly sealed…how can she…'
' I don't know…I really don't know…Shiva.'
' Shall we tell Ifrit and the others to be cautious? Odin can be patrolling around the area…'
' No…'
' But we cannot let HER touch her. It is our job to protect her…the Ancient. Now that the Planet revived her…this may be her only chance to go back to her normal life. If she uses her Cetra powers once again...'
' I know…I know, Shiva. But for now…all we can do is watch. Let us leave it to Cloud and the others…I'm sure she will be safe as long as she is with them.'
' I hope you're right…I am worried…'
' I know. But we cannot move unless SHE does. Besides…the Ancient wouldn't like it if we take actions without telling her.'
'I just wonder how you can be so calm in a time like this…Bahamut.'
Bahamut, in his human form, smiles. ' Because I trust in her, Shiva. So calm yourself. If the time comes…then we shall take action.'
----- --------- ---- ----- --------
Pray…Till the time comes…
Pray…
My dear child…
Pray…
To maintain peace…
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aerith opens her eyes. She was kneeling down on the wooden floor, hands clasped tightly in front of her chest. She slowly stood up and dusts herself.
' It's a quiet and peaceful night tonight…but too quiet…I hope nothing happens…' She thought with a slightly worried expression, ' It's not that I don't trust them…but…'
Pray…Yes. That is the only think she can do. She walks out the balcony and stares at the stars shining in the night sky.
' Cloud…'
It was a surprise for her to see him here. She hadn't expected to see him…not in this state. He never changed, which she felt slightly disappointed at since she had many thoughts of how he would look like with long hair, short hair, and many other hairstyles she could of think. She chuckled at the thought and looks at the stars again. But she is now happy that he is still the Cloud she knows. It was also a surprise for her to see the other AVALANCHE members as well…
' I hope I didn't upset Tifa…'
She knew that Cloud and Tifa were going to be married in just two days. It hurt her…but…
Now…
She has a more important job to do…now is not the time to be selfish. The Planet's fate depends on her…
As the last surviving Ancient…
Her last and final job as an Ancient…
But you do know that if you do this job…there is a chance that you might never come back.
' I know…'
You will never be able to see your friends again…never be able to see him again…
' I know…but…'
You will never have another chance like this…once you have finished your job…you will…
' I know, I know!!! Do you really think I want to do this!!? I don't really want to do this job!!! I want to be with everyone! With Cloud!! I want to live as a normal girl!! I don't want to be pushed around with all this responsibility!!'
Then why do you do it…?
Silence…
Aerith looked at the stars above and closed her eyes. Her heart was pounding into her soft chest; she could feel the cold air brushing against her warm skin. Warm. A sign that she is alive…but in anyways…it's just a fake. An illusion.
She placed a hand over the scar He had given her a year ago.
' Because…'
Knock Knock
" Aerith…are you in there?"
" Yes…Cloud." Aerith answered as soon as she calmed herself. " You can come in."
The door opened and Cloud entered, slightly with hesitation. He closed the door behind and looked around the room to find Aerith sitting on one of the beds.
" Are you…all right?" He asked, noticing the strangely tensed aura in the room.
" Yes. I'm fine…just…tired." She replied.
" Aerith…I came here to ask something." Cloud spoke. He walked over to her side and sat down on the bed beside her. He the looks straight into her face, " A…Are you…"
" Please…" Aerith interrupted, her eyes looking at him straight in his own, blue eyes.
" Eh?"
" For now…please don't ask anything. It is not for you to know…"
Cloud stared in her eyes, and then lowered his head after a moment of silence. " So…you do…remember. You were lying about losing your memory."
" I didn't say that."
" Don't lie to me, Aerith!" Cloud shouted but soon lowered his voice. Emotions of pain and sadness written across his face. " I…I can see it in you. You're lying…I can tell. Do you think I'm stupid? Aerith…why? Why did you have to lie?"
"…Because…I didn't want you involved…" Aerith spoke. She placed a hand on his cheek, " Because it isn't for you to be involved. For everyone to be…"
" Is that what you thought the day you left for the Forgotten City? When you went to pray for Holy by yourself? Because you didn't want us to be involved? Because you thought you were the only one who had to carry all that heavy responsibility?" Cloud said. He could feel his anger rising and tries in vain to refrain it from letting it out. " You're wrong, Aerith. How can you think like that?"
"…You have the right to live, Cloud." The flower girl smiles sadly. " Unlike me…you are alive. You have the right to live in happiness…without having to fight for your life anymore…"
" But you're here…alive…in front of me."
I know, I know…but…
" Aerith…?"
I don't want to see you suffer…
" Ae…rith?"
So…please leave it all to me…
--- -------- ------ -------- -----
- Hikaru
Hi there! Sorry for not updating for so long. Err…
::reads through the chapter:: I'm making it too angsty, am I? Why do I have to make poor Aerith suffer? Oh why!!! ::tears flow:: Ohhh, I'm so, so sorry, Aerith!! I didn't mean to!!! Why do I have to do this to you!!?
Because Aerith loves Cloud so much that she would do anything to make him happy. Well…that's MY view of Aerith…don't know how you think. And Cloud…well…we'll see what he'll do. And the others…as the story continues…
Hope you guys liked this chapter. I can't say much because I don't want to spoil the ending.
Ohhh!! I saw the latest picture of FF7: Advent Children!!! And waaaaaahhhh!!! Aerith…!!!! (I love you--------!!!!) Finally…but it's only her body and stuff…not her face! So disappointed!!! Come on! Show the face already!!! Oh…and I saw Tifa and Vincent…and who else? And…oh! I also saw Reno and Rude!! Well…their backs were faced so I couldn't see their faces…and a close up image of the three so-called new enemies' of Cloud!!! Loz, Yazoo, and Kadarj (Don't know if that's the correct spelling) …they almost look like Sephiroth to me…wonder why they all have silver hair.
I also heard Zack is going to be in the movie but I don't know if it's true. And I think I also saw Barret in one of the pictures…and he looked…sooooo different…and cool!!! He looked cool from my point and was surprised that he replaced his gun arm with a metal arm. ( I think it was…couldn't really see)
Either way how the movie goes…I'm still excited to watch the movie and I so hope it's going to be good!!! And Square Enix…please, please make it a Clerith!! I would be really disappointed if you guys go on undecided again! Or plainly CloTi. (Sorry fans…but I am in desperate need of Clerith!!)