Author's Note:
Hojo: Now, with this device, I shall take over the world!
Reno: What's this button do?
Hojo: Makes me take over the world.
Reno: Uh huh. And what's this button do?
Hojo: Makes me take over the world in half a second less time.
Reno: And this button?
Hojo: Self destruct button.
Reno: Cool!
Hojo: No!
::Reno pushes the button::
::BANG::
Hojo: I despise you so much.
Reno: You're just saying that because you look like Reeve.
Hojo: ... I am suddenly desiring to be dead again. Tyramir doesn't own the rights to Final Fantasy.
Chapter Fourteen
Feelings
The group went their separate ways. Barret, Marlene, Red XIII, and Yuffie traveled together as far as Junon, where Yuffie boarded a ship to Wutai. Barret, Marlene and Red XIII left for the West Continent, heading to their respective homes for some rest. Rude and Tifa picked up their things and headed out into the countryside, determined to make the best of their time, despite having nowhere to go. Tifa had declared that a camping trip for them was in order, where they could get away from it all for a little while. She hadn't said it, but it was implied that she wanted to be alone with Rude, so Aeris picked up the hint and decided not to ask if she could come along. Cloud steadfastly refused to event suggest the idea as well, but Aeris feared it was more because of his dislike for the Turk.
So Aeris was left alone with Cloud and Shera in Kalm, none of them having anywhere of their own to go. Aeris wanted to spend the time with Cloud, but he was being distant, as if something were bothering him. And she decided that she was going to make him come to her. He needed to sort things out on his own. She was not going to press the issue.
Deciding instead to spend the day with Shera, she ended up in a small hotel room that housed the woman who had formerly been Cid's faithful companion, sitting at a table, while Shera prepared some tea.
"I hope you don't mind me dropping in on your like this," the Cetra said.
"No, not at all," came Shera's response, a note of happiness coming out. It didn't sound right. It was definitely forced. Cid was dead, and she was trying to make the best of it. "I prefer the company, actually. I've been lonesome, and... it's nice to talk to someone."
The woman poured two cups and brought them to the table, setting one down in front of Aeris, who picked it up and sipped appreciatively. She wasn't a particular fan of tea, but if this is what Shera wanted to drink, then she would be content to have one cup.
They chatted aimlessly, making up small talk, staying away from dangerous topics, like Cid, or Sephiroth, or Jenova, or saving the world. They spoke instead of clothes and fashion, which neither really knew all too well, of Cloud, 'He's such a nice boy, but a little confused,' Shera would say, of Barret, 'He needs to settle down, and actually raise Marlene,' of Vincent, 'I do hope he's all right. He liked him.' She never spoke Cid's name, but instead always emphasized pronouns when she mentioned him. Aeris wasn't sure if that was a good sign or not.
Finally, Shera set her cup down on the table and sighed. "I don't even like tea. I only prepare it because he liked it. And I keep expecting him to show up, bursting through the door, yelling and swearing and demanding for attention. Is that wrong?"
Aeris immediately shook her head. "No, it's not wrong. You miss him. We all do, but you most of all. I understand. I'm sure everyone does. It's okay to expect him to come back. He's returned to the Planet by now, and I'm sure he's content."
"What's it like?"
"What's what like?"
"Dying."
Aeris nearly winced at the question. She should have expected it. Someone was bound to ask it eventually. She wanted to answer truthfully, say that she had never really died, just left her body behind and reformed at the site of Meteor's destruction. Instead, she uttered, "Peaceful. Just... warm."
The words worked. Shera nodded thoughtfully, as if the answer had been the one she was looking for. They both were quiet then, each thinking on different matters, their own private domains now locked up tight. Aeris said her apologies, and left shortly afterwards.
Out in the hallway of the inn, she found Cloud. He was pacing, a look of frustration on his face. Something was clearly bothering him, but she didn't know what. She stopped, putting herself into his path, and waited for him to notice her. He had been trying to talk to her for the past day, and she had let him use that time to ready himself. Well, enough was enough.
He nearly walked into her before he stopped, looking at her, a surprised look on his face, almost like it said, Where did you come from? The initial response flickered away, but was replaced by one of uncertainty. He looked like he was about to say something, then stopped, his jaw clenching.
"Was there something?" she asked, a playful smile tugging her lips.
"I... uh... hey."
She responded playfully, "Hey? That's all? You've been beating yourself up, trying to work up the nerve to talk to me for the past day, and that's your grand speech? 'Hey'?" She had to stop herself from letting out a small giggle.
He flinched visibly, and she wished she hadn't said anything. He really was more sensitive than most people gave him credit for. Give him a sword and a group of enemies to dispatch, and he would perform marvelously. Put him alone with a girl he liked? He'd always lose.
She smiled at the thought. A girl he liked. Had she really just thought that? She knew he liked her. And she most definitely liked him. Maybe even loved. His mixture of strength and weakness, of steely determination and absolute weakness, his unwavering loyalty to his friends and the little boy in him that just wanted to run away from it all... all of these drew Aeris to him. So much like Zack, and yet nothing like him at all. She admired him for both.
"You once said..." he started, slowly at first, but his tone picking up more strength, "... that you were searching for me."
She blushed, recalling the moment. It had been a poetic moment, their ride on the gondola at Gold Saucer. One could almost say magical, even, if one were inclined to make such naive comments. She nodded in response, not sure of what to say.
"I didn't understand what you meant then. But I think I know what you meant now. You said Zack told you the truth in the Lifestream. But... it's not enough. So here goes. My name is Cloud Strife. I was born in Nibelheim, and when I reached the age, I left my village to join Soldier. But I was rejected because I wasn't strong enough. So I became a regular Shinra troop instead. I went on a mission with Sephiroth and Zack to my home town, where Sephiroth discovered his past and struck out against the world. When Zack couldn't defeat him, I took up his sword and did it myself. Afterwards, wounded as we were, the two of us were captured by Shinra and then subjected to tests. We were made into psuedo-Sephiroth clones, infected with his and Jenova's DNA. Zack escaped, and he freed me and brought me with him. We became mercenaries, but eventually Shinra found us. Zack was killed, and in a confused state... my mind was being subverted by Jenova... I took up his sword and his identity. My memories were changed around. I lied to you, Aeris. Maybe not on purpose, but I lied.
"But I'm not lying when I say this to you. I love you, Aeris Gainsborough. And I want to be with you."
Her heart skipped a beat. She didn't say anything. Only gave him her best smile, then leaned in close and kissed him once on the lips. It wasn't the kiss of a friend, nor was it filled with the fiery passion of a lover's. But it was warm, tender. Meant more to reassure than to excite. She let it linger for a few moments, then pulled back. She took his hand in both of hers, and softly said, "And I you, Cloud."
Author's Note:
I'm really pouring on the romantic stuff. I'm not trying to turn this into a romantic fic, I swear. I just need to set ground work, and a lot of the stuff I'm doing right now is just that. Events will be picking up eventually. Next chapter, actually. Barret, Red XIII and Marlene are up next.