Author's Notes: Oh my! Can it be true? The first double-digit chapter? Heh, yeah, chapter ten is finally up. I hope that this chapter is up one or two days early. But anyways, before I go on forever rambling, I present to thee, Chapter Ten! And don't worry, none of the scenes are PG-13, it's just Cloud being…reminiscent.

Sweaty and exhausted, Cloud and Aeris finally stepped over the boarder line.

Welcome to Nibelheim

They looked at each other and grinned. That three day trek was finally over. A car was too expensive to rent so they had to walk. They were both starving and in dire need of a nice warm shower. Aeris' smile grew even warmer as she saw the shining happiness in Cloud's eyes. Nibelheim was still standing, perfectly fine. He led Aeris to his mother's home, and stopped in front of the tiny house to admire it, and also to reminisce. How long had it been…?

Before he had the chance to knock, the door was wrenched open and Mrs. Strife grabbed her son and held him in a tight bear hug.

"Oh, Cloud! You're home! It's been so long!"

Cloud closed his eyes and sniffed his mother's scent of roses and lilies. He had never thought he would be able to be held like this by his mother again. Sephiroth had destroyed everything that was Cloud's, physical and abstract. But Sephiroth had also brought Cloud greater joy. Cloud now finally understood how important his family and friends were. He wasn't that lone Ex-Soldier anymore, feeding off of his friend Zack's stories and memories.

Cloud wrapped his muscular arms around his mother's tiny waist and hugged her tightly. "I missed you, Mom."

He was so caught up in the moment, he even let his mother stroke back and try and flatten out his spiky hair. He found it comforting, and he smiled.

"Ah, Mrs. Strife, nice to meet you." Aeris extended her hand and Cloud's mother happily took it.

"I'm divorced, dear child. You can call me Laura."

Aeris gave another warm smile. "Alright."

"Come on in, I have some nice hot dinner prepared. You can eat and have some nice homely conversation. Afterwards, you two can take a shower. How does that sound?"

Aeris nodded. "Lovely."

Cloud grinned from ear to ear. "That'd be great."

Laura led them inside and had them seated at the square kitchen table.

For the next three hours, Aeris and Cloud ate happily and listened to Laura explain the last five years. Much to Cloud's surprise, it had been very quiet and peaceful lately. No strange fires, no nothing. It had been like this for at least twelve years.

But as he spent more time at his mother's house, the more he began to think about Sephiroth. Was he being probed and examined now? Was he hurt? Crying? He was beginning to regret leaving young Sephiroth alone with his psycho father. Aeris could be wrong and they could return to Shinra HQ to find him dead.

After another hour of peaceful conversation, Cloud announced he was taking a bath and would then go to his old room.

As he walked into the bathroom, fluffy white towel around his waist, he glanced at the large family portrait hanging on the wall. There was Cloud, not more than five years old. He was in his father's arms, laughing and hugging him. His mother and father had their heads leaning against each other, smiling genuinely. Both blondes and both very fit. He had always thought he had gotten all of his looks from his mother, but after seeing his father again after so long…he realized that that wasn't necessarily true. From his father, came the distinct Chocobo Style spiked hair, honest blue eyes, and determined grin.

Cloud sighed and sat on the edge of the bath tub, turning on the cold and warm water. He watched it fill up and measured the temperature with his hand. When he found it suitably lukewarm, he set the towel over its hook and slid into the bath. And it was heaven.

He was so used to showers that a bath felt better than heaven. The mud that was caked on his face, arms, and legs was slowly washed off and pulled down the drain with the special drainer. It drained the dirt and grime, not the water. He sunk deep enough so that only his nose remained above water. His eyes met the bubble soap, and he would have laughed if his mouth had been above water. He rolled his eyes and dumped the bubble solution in thinking, What the heck? Why not?

After a long hour in the bubble bath, he got out and dried himself off. He got dressed into the pajamas his mother gave him and went to bed after wishing both Aeris and his mother good night.

That night, he slept well until about 3AM. When he began to smell smoke. He cracked open his eyes, hoping that his mind was just playing games. Nothing seemed to be on fire though. He carefully looked around, but no matter how many times his eyes scanned over the room, everything seemed perfectly fine. With a sigh, he closed his eyes once more, and slowly and uneasily fell asleep.

But within the hour, he was woken again, this time because of the blistering heat coming from nearby. Cloud's eyes snapped open and he jumped out of bed, searching around for the source. The room was perfectly fine, and Cloud stuck his head out of the window. And there…was his greatest nightmare.

He was reliving it. Over, and over, and over again.

The flames rose high into the air, consuming the buildings and eating away at the entire town. Cloud stared, wide eyed.

"How is this happening! Who would want to burn down Nibelheim?"

As Cloud raced out of the room, fear tugged at his heart again, not seeing his mother or Aeris. If he lost his mother again, he didn't think he would be able to bear it.

"Mom! Aeris! Where are you?" He coughed as smoke billowed in through the windows and began filling the room. When they didn't answer, he ran out of the house, still with bare feet.

"Mom!"

Everyone was screaming, trying to evacuate the town. Cloud swallowed dryly and found himself glued to the spot where he stood. "Mother…Aeris…Where are you?" He took a deep breath and darted off into the distance, praying he could save his mother this time.

The fire spread to the entrance of the town, blocking it off. Desperate, the townspeople ran through the flames. They caught fire though, and Cloud knew they were dead in five minutes.

Why is this happening…Why is this happening? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AGAIN?

Cloud could feel the anxiety creeping up on him. He ran into Shinra Mansion, the only building that wasn't on fire.

"I have to find them… I have to find my mother and Aeris!" He burst through the doors and looked around. It was empty.

A distinct melody filled the air though. It was coming from the basement. Blocking out all other noises, Cloud slowly crept to the basement stairs and walked down them carefully, each stair creaking underneath his feet.

Author's Note: Okay, this wasn't the most action-packed chapter at the start... but hey, it's up! And it had a little bit of unexplained action at the very end! By the way, if you like my stories, check out my bio and view my websites, Shadey Leaves Palace, and the review forum place. If you think they're cool, register to the forums! I'd really appreciate it, and it would motivate me to update this story more often!