AN: Finally, I get a chance to update this. I had a lot of fun with this chapter. Firstly, this is in Cloud's perspective in the beginning, and then switches to Tifa's at the end. There are not thoughts, but this chapter really didn't need them. Some more experimentation on my part. And as always, I apologize if you're confused. I am a weirdo. That is all I can say about that.

Chapter 15 – Aria: Aeris

"Are you going to sleep all day?" a gentle female voice whispered in his ear. Cloud's eyes popped open, and he bolted upright. He took a quick appraisal of his surroundings, but none of it made sense.

"W-where am I?" he asked no one in particular, for there appeared to be no one around.

"You are where I called you," the voice replied, "Between dreaming and waking. When you can still remember the dream, but are too awake to keep dreaming it."

He was on a bed, that was for sure, with a pale blue blanket covering his lower half. The rest of what he supposed was a room was a stark white, which assaulted his eyes in an unpleasant manner. He brought his hand up to shield his eyes, but when he did so, he saw a small flicker of color appear in one of the corner.

A flicker of... pink.

"Aeris?" he asked, hoping that the delusions of his own mind weren't playing evil tricks on him.

"Yes, Cloud?" she replied, materializing at his side. Despite the fact he knew she was an illusion, he wanted to believe she was real for an instant.

"So you did come back," he whispered, near reverently. She shook her head, tousling the curls that fell on the sides of her face.

"Even you know that I am not real," she said, without smile or frown. He sat up straighter.

"Then why am I here?" he asked, with urgency in his voice, "Am I dead? Then where is Surrender? Am I free?" She tapping a finger thoughtfully on her nose.

"I am only the face for the unsoiled parts of your mind," she spoke mirthfully, grinning from ear to ear, "Your idealistic side. What is good in you."

"So my idealism is good?" he replied, his brow furrowed. She giggled.

"Why else would Tiveph have chosen you?" she whispered, leaning in closer, "Surely you must know that."

"...I guess. But what is Surrender? Why does he keep saying we are one in the same?" he queried, running a hand nervously through his hair. She lightly touched his shoulder.

"Because he is," she said cheerfully, and then lowered her voice, "There is a darkness inside of all of us, just as there is a light." He frowned.

"You are not evil, Cloud. Nor are you perfect, just as I was in life," she continued, her expression like snow on a spring day; cold yet promising warmth, "I am no angel, just as you are no angel."

"But you are an Ancient, Aeris," he whispered reverently. She shook her head again.

"Half-Ancient. And Ancients are not perfect, Cloud. I was far from perfect," she spoke firmly, "You must let go of that silly idea. You must stop this irrational... worship."

He crossed his arms, and stared her down defiantly.

"What is it you want, then?" he asked, regaining his old mercenary look. She laughed loudly at his face, until it melted into a half pout.

"Do you not see what this fracturing is doing to you?" she spoke when she caught her breath, "Why do you hide pieces of yourself all over your mind?" He stared at her blankly.

"Do you know where Surrender came from?" she whispered, eyes downcast. He shook his head in reply, still staring.

"Any time you have ever thought of hurting someone, every look of love that went unreturned..." she recited, like reading from an ancient book, "Cloud, he is every part of you that you want to hide. All the anger towards the people of your village, your resentment at not making SOLDIER, and... your old obsession with Tifa. Tiveph just added the proper chemicals so that your brain would develop it faster."

"And what about you?" he snapped at her, but then quickly shut his mouth. She grinned.

"I'm there too, when you dream," she replied, "That little infatuation you masked with lies about Zack. It's alright, I've already forgiven you." He fiddled with his hands, and stared at the wall.

"You'll be waking up soon," she said, looking through him, "...Don't fight him, or let him consume you. Just... accept. Let go." He blinked, and soon everything was far less bright, and it was dark so dark...

Dark eyes, with red rims were staring directly at his newly opened eyes.

"Cloud?" she said, with a quiver in her voice, "Are you ok?" He labored a smile, and soon the owner of the eyes was hopping around the room.

"Hey guys! He's awake! He's ok! Come and see!" Yuffie's shrill voice echoed through the house, and he heard footsteps coming near.

"Let go," he muttered to himself, "...surrender. I think I get it now."

In the real world, earlier...

"It's a comatose state," Vincent murmured to Tifa, out of Yuffie's earshot, "Like he's dreaming and refuses to wake up." Tifa nodded solemnly, staring down at the folded hands in her lap. He let out a deep breath.

"Did you know that Sephiroth was born with brown hair?" he articulated, with words he had rolled in his head for awhile, "It was only when he was ten years old that his hair turned silver." She continued to stare at her hands. He chanced moving closer to her on the couch.

"He is the only known example of a person with a naturally occuring Emotive," he continued, staring off into the distance, "Probably because his mother is Jenova. Only people with Jenova cells have a mind that can fracture so easily. The others... Hojo, Lucrecia, Cloud... all the chemical meddlings of Tiveph. Trying to find the perfect backup for his 'angel'."

"But why do I see it? Why does Surrender take away my memories?" she whispered, worrying the hem of her pants. He lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Because you were the catalyst," he whispered into her ear, "It's always that first damaging love that does it. For Sephiroth, it was his mother, the real one. An Oedipus complex if you will." She wrinkled her nose at the thought.

"Then what should I do? Will I ever be... free?" she said as she turned to him. He half smiled at her, staring down her reddening eyes.

"Let go..." he whispered carefully, "...surrender." She paled at the words, but her eyes were slowly becoming more brown.

"What about you?" she replied, teasing a lock of his hair, "Are you free?"

"I have been forgiven," he said quietly, "And I have let go. Is there anything else you want from me?"

"To not flinch," she breathed, leaning in and breaking their unspoken barrier. For the second time in their lives, their lips met, and for the first time, they were both concious.

"Hey guys!" Yuffie burst in, waving her hands around erractically, "Whoa! Didn't need to see that!" She stared agog, with a fish-like expression.

"Your timing in impeccable," Vincent muttered. Tifa blushed.

"Umm...what is it, Yuffie?" Tifa managed to spit out. Yuffie finally closed her mouth and smirked.

"Cloud's awake! Didn't you hear me shouting before?" she said, arm crossed and lightly tapping a foot. Vincent ran a hand through his hair.

"We were otherwise occupied," he stated plainly, and carefully got up. He helped Tifa up, and gestured towards the room where Cloud was.

"C'mon! I haven't got all day!" Yuffie screeched impatiently, as she bounded ahead of them.

"Do you think we'll ever live that down?" Tifa whispered to him. He smiled.

"Not in a million years," he replied. She grinned mischieviously at him as she grabbed his arm.

"Did I ever tell you that I loved you?" she whispered as they walked.

"You just did," he answered, holding open the door for her.

Theme Song: Must Be Dreaming - Frou Frou

AN: Yes, they smooched. I couldn't help it, I was feeling romantic. That, and those two deserved a break, I've tortured them enough.