Disclaimer: I don't own any final fantasy or the characters...though I wish I did

That Fateful Moment: The Mansion

It wasn't surprising for me that Cloud and Tifa took triple the time it took for everyone else to get to Nibelheim. Their lips were still slightly swollen and their clothes were covered with grass stains and dirt, which had told me that the two of them had been rolling around, making out on the ground. I dare not think about whatever else they could have done, I didn't want to put myself through that kind of emotional stress for yet another time today. Everyone else, I'm sure, had known what had happened, but they all chose to ignore it. Their excuse for being so late, was that they had bumped into a really tough creature and that it took sometime to kill it. However, I noticed that they had not even the slightest splatter of blood on their clothing. Nor, had they any wounds, for if the creature was really that tough, and had them on the ground, surely it wouldn't let the opportunity to strike pass. Not that I would mind...Tifa needed a new look anyway. Nonetheless we all ignored their lie and remained quite, all except for Barret who had snorted, trying to hold in his laughter, when Cloud told us the story. Cloud's arm was around Tifa's waist, and she was grasping onto Cloud like her life had depended on it. It hurt me so to see Cloud holding onto Tifa like that. My eyes began to burn as I felt them well up with tears. I turned my head, so no one would see and wiped them away. As I took in a deep breath Cloud spoke up.

"You all are probably wondering about this town and why it's still here when Tif and I had clearly stated that it was burnt down. I can honestly tell you I don't know why its here now, but I wasn't lying when I said Sephiroth had burnt it down. I can still feel the hot flames licking my body as I watched as Sephiroth lost his mind..." We all sat down as Cloud had begun his story about Nibelheim and the incident with Sephiroth five years ago. All of us found this to be quiet a fascinating story and knew that Cloud was indeed telling the truth about what he had seen. Though why the town was back to its original form; none of us had any clue. When Cloud had finished his story, he told us that he was tired and wanted to get some sleep before asking around. He began to walk up the stairs when Tifa cried out that she was going to head to bed as well. I saw as the others rolled their eyes and once again Barret tried hard not to laugh at their lie. The two of them walked up the stairs together to the second floor and out of sight. The others, however, were more interested in why Nibelheim was still around when it should have been a pile of smouldering ashes, so they went out and explored the town. I was left alone in the lobby of the inn. I sighed to myself and began to walk up the stairs towards my room as I had already explored the town, and had nothing better to do. I opened the door to my room and went over to the bed. I closed my eyes as I lay down, and to my surprise, the thoughts I began to have, were not what I thought they would be. They were of those of the crimson eyes in the window of the dark mansion. I thought about how those eyes were so hypnotic, mysterious and fearsome all at the same time. I wanted, no, needed to go back to the mansion. I needed to find out who or what was in there that had stirred my soul so. It wasn't too long before I fell asleep to the thoughts, and began to have dreams of the crimson eyed stranger.

I awoke the next morning, and looked out the window. I had seen that the sun was abnormally high in the sky and then I realised that I had overslept! I shot up out of the bed and quickly got dressed. I tried to tie my braid as fast as possible as I ran out of the room. Halfway down the hallway, I had realised that I had forgotten to shut my door in the mad rush. I ran back into the room and grabbed my key, took off out the door and properly shut it this time. I moved down the steps as quickly as I could without falling down. When I had reached the lobby I found everyone else waiting for me. Barret had almost immediately spoken up when he had seen me.

"Good mornin' sleepyhead. Have a good snooze? You were supposed to be up two hours ago." I hung my head not able to bring myself to look him in the eye. It took me a little while to get the words out.

"...I'm sorry" Barret's stern look softened as he smiled and laughed.

"Ahh, no worries Aeris, I'm just kiddin' ya," I looked up and gave Barret a small smile...I should have known he would have done something like that. "We had nothin' important to do cept go for breakfast. Sides, we're still waitin' on Cloud and Tifa."

My head shot up at the mention of the names. CLOUD AND TIFA?! I looked around and sure enough neither of the two were there. The words slowly began to sink in as the memory of yesterday flashed through my mind....Cloud and Tifa, Cloud walking up the stairs,

Tifa running towards him grabbing onto him and not letting go, just like the leech she was, the two of them walking together to their rooms. Just then I felt two people walk up behind me. "And speak of the devil!" I turned to find Cloud and Tifa standing there hand in hand. Tifa gave everyone a smile and spoke.

"Hi y'all!" She was holding onto Clouds hand so tightly I swear Cloud probably had lost feeling in it. "Sorry we're so late...we over slept." Barret couldn't hold it in any longer...he had been trying to ever since Cloud and Tifa had first been put into a group by themselves. He laughed aloud as he spoke.

"So...busy night you two? We could hear you all the way- OWW!" Barret cried out in pain as Red had stomped onto Barret, digging his claws through his boots and into his foot. "WHAT THE FUCK RED!! WH-" The others were now looking towards Red and Barret.

"Don't you see Aeris standing there!?" Red spoke sternly and silently, interrupting Barret. My eyes had begun to burn and fill up with tears. I hung my head low so no one could see me crying. I looked up for a split second to see Barret glance over at me. I quickly began to try and compose myself before he could make the connection.

"Oh Shit...I'm sorry Ae- OWW!" Red had once again dug his claws into Barret's foot.

"Have you no decency?! Look!" Barret once again looked up at me and seen me drying my tears, taking in a deep breath, and then smiling. "Do you think you'll make it better by letting everyone see her cry?" Red spoke up to everyone else now "Uh...yah...that was my bad...still haven't fully woken up yet so...yah...watch your feet." I looked over at Red and gave him my thanks with a nod and he nodded back. Barret looked back and forth from Red, to me. He seemed quite confused for a moment and then finally shook his head.

"SO! ..." I was trying to change the topic to help me put aside the fact that Cloud was more interested in Tifa than me. For crying out loud I think even Yuffie had a better chance to be with Cloud than I did. But to save myself the heartache, I let the matter go. I began to think about other things such as home and how mom was doing, but soon, another thought began to dominate all the others.

"What are we doing today?" I was curious to see if it was anything important and if so, I was hoping that Cloud wouldn't need me to come along. I wanted to go back to the mansion. Cloud turned to look at me. He seemed like he was deep in thought for a bit, but soon after he replied.

"Actually to tell you the truth...there's not much. I want to check out the Shinra mansion so I'm gonna head in there today." I gasped at the mention of the mansion. Tifa whined a bit trying to persuade Cloud otherwise.

"I can't believe you still want to go in there...it looks creepy. I'd rather stay out here, in the daylight than go in there. You sure you don't want to stay with me?"

"No Tifa, I want to go check it out, you'll be fine on your own for a bit." Tifa looked slightly disappointed but nevertheless, agreed with Cloud. I on the other hand desperately wanted to go inside the mansion and insisted to Cloud that I go with him. A bonus to this was that I would finally get to be alone with Cloud...no Tifa around. Cloud agreed to take me and I saw Tifa's face turn red with fury. It was then that Barret spoke up.

"Ya know, I wouldn' mind goin' to see that place myself." Cloud nodded and all three of us left that morning for the mansion. It didn't matter that Barret was there with us, I loved the expression on Tifa's face. She stood there in the middle of the street her face still blood red with fury at the fact that I had gotten Cloud to myself...well sort of. I felt a wonderful sensation come over me as I had finally put Tifa where she belonged...behind me.

We approached the gate to the mansion and looked on at the site. Barret opened the gate and walked up to the door and Cloud and I followed behind. We stood at the entrance looking around for a bit before Cloud finally opened the door. The interior was dark and dreary, which gave me the eerie feeling that something could jump out at you at any second. We stepped inside and I felt a chill run down my spine. The door, unexpectedly, slammed shut behind us and I jumped.

"Don't worry Aeris...its just the door, sides, you've got me here and I can protect you from anything that's inside this mansion." Barret gave Cloud a sharp, harsh look. "...And...Barret can to." I only smiled meekly and began to walk through the mansion, searching for those Crimson eyes.

And there's Chapter 2. Its only in Aeris point of view this time. next time there will be both. I have the third part written out already but I still need to type and proof read it so it may be a few days. I have to give credit to my boyfriend for helping me with giving me advice so I could fix it up properly. Anyway hope you liked it and thank you to Dora who was the first to review.