As their journey progressed, Cloud slowly felt himself opening up more, making jokes, smiling, even laughing when he was around Aeris. He enjoyed himself a lot more, and even liked the adventure he had, even though a part of him believe Aeris would not be with him when he fought against Sephiroth.
Cait Sith's words were the most haunting to Cloud, "You will find what you seek, but you will lose something dear." Cloud thought about it long and hard, he didn't want it to be Aeris, he really couldn't bear the thought of losing her. He really hoped Cait Sith was wrong, or maybe he was thinking of the wrong thing.
In the Gold Saucer that night, Aeris knocked on his hotel room door and invited him out with her so they could enjoy the Gold Saucer at night.
They were in a play together, and they both improvised in the play, trying to make it go as smoothly as possible for the audience. Cloud had walked up to Aeris during the play and kissed her hand while he was on one knee. Aeris had touched her necklace, her fingers trailing downward. She looked at him, her eyes showing that she felt a lot more for him then he was aware of until that moment.
The last adventure they encountered was a gongala ride around the outside of the Gold Saucer. The night was so lovely, the music from the Gold Saucer was quieter up in the air, and there were fireworks that played off in the background. Aeris and Cloud both looked out, watching the chocobo race, and seeing the lovely fireworks.
Cloud was sitting across from Aeris, watching her intently… how her hair fell along her collar bone, the string that was tied around her neck and hung down low on her throat, almost invitingly to her cleavage and then even up to her cherry lips. She looked out the window, staring off into the moonlit starry evening. She inhaled deeply, and smiled very happily, and her eyes came back and she looked at Cloud and into his magnetic blue eyes. She was amazed how much he looked like Zack, sounded like him, and even dressed like him… but he wasn't Zack, he was Cloud. She wanted to know more about him.
Aeris moved to the seat next to him and he looked at her somewhat confused. She waited for him to relax some, and he just continued to look at her unsure of why she moved. She placed her hand close to his and looked down until he finally moved slightly toward her hand and they started to hold hands.
"I'm searching for you…" Aeris said suddenly.
Cloud looked puzzled, as Aeris was growing very used to seeing him like. She spoke again, "I'm trying to find you…"
Cloud spoke, "But I'm right here."
Aeris leaned closer and whispered to him, "I know, I know… but what I mean is, I'm trying to find you."
Cloud put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her a little closer to him. "So then Aeris… what would you like to know about me?"
"I want to know your desires, and what you're thinking… you're so quiet all the time," Aeris told him.
Cloud looked at her, holding her hand, and he kissed her hand again. He looked deep into her eyes and moved her closer to him so they could kiss on the lips. When they kissed, he felt like he was speaking a language far more comprehensive, far stronger then any other he could think of to attempt.
Aeris moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around him, and resting her head on his shoulder. She knew this was her last chance to be this close… soon they were heading to the Temple of Ancients, where… if she was lucky, she could get the Black Materia before Sephiroth did, and then she wouldn't have to pray for Holy, but she doubted she would have that much luck. She just wanted to be close to him, this was enough for her, enough to make her life feel complete.
Cloud touched her chin, bringing his fingers under it and he brought her chin upward and looked deeply into her eyes again, "Aeris… I love you."
"Cloud?" Aeris asked in surprise for such a display of feelings.
Cloud continued, as if he didn't hear her, "If you want to meet the real me, then please… let me show you who I really am the best way I know how."
Aeris nodded, and let him kiss her, this time more passionately, and deeper, and they both shifted their weight onto the floor to be together in a way that their souls could connect… leaving all their fears and insecurities behind, at least for long enough to make love.
Once the gongala stopped, Aeris and Cloud came out together, holding hands. The woman running the machine apologized for the power outage while they were out there, and for them being stuck out there together for a few hours. Aeris and Cloud both smiled at each other, and walked together, holding hands.
Even though that night ended with them discovering Cait Sith was a traitor, they still spent the night in the same room, close to each other, holding each other tight, afraid of what would happen once they reached the Temple of the Ancients.
It hadn't gone well at the Temple of the Ancients, Cloud ended up having to be pried off of Aeris while he was beating her under Sephiroth's control after Sephiroth had taken the Black Materia from him.
That night, Aeris waited until Cloud was asleep. Her prayers were never being answered for Holy, but now it was very much important that she pray, and she needed to go to the City of the Ancients. She climbed out of bed and put her boots on. She started to leave, taking one last look back at Cloud. She walked over to him and brushed his soft hair away from his eyes and kissed his lips one last time. She whispered to him, "I love you Cloud." She turned away from him, and started to walk away and left the room, finding a way to the City of the Ancients.
While Cloud was sleeping, he suddenly dreamt of Aeris, seeing her again, and he apologized to her for what happened. She looked back at him while she was heading through the Sleeping Forest, her smile was honest and true; "I'll come back when it's over."
Then Aeris was gone, and Sephiroth landed in front of Cloud and smiled, his grin was evil, maniacal. He spoke to Cloud in the dream, but it was reality; "That girl, we'll need to stop her soon."
And stop her he did. Cloud entered the City of the Ancients and saw Aeris, silent in prayer. When he got close to her, he felt Sephiroth take over his mind, and he drew his sword to strike at Aeris. When he was close to reaching Aeris' head with his sword, he regained control of his mind, and he stood back. "What are you making me do?" he asked Sephiroth in his mind.
Aeris opened her eyes finally and looked at Cloud's scared eyes. She smiled at him and mouthed "I love you Cloud" to him. She knew Sephiroth's presence was very near.
Then, down came Sephiroth, with his blade drawn downward, ready to stab. He plunged his blade through Aeris' stomach. Aeris opened her eyes very wide, feeling the pain deeply absorb her, but her prayer was already answered. She knew she could die for the planet now, and Cloud would be able to handle Sephiroth.
"What about us? What are we supposed to do?" Cloud yelled at Sephiroth, holding Aeris' body. "Aeris is gone; Aeris will no longer, laugh, cry, or get angry…" Cloud held Aeris close… even though the life was already gone from her body. He didn't listen to Sephiroth's words, nor did he battle when Sephiroth dropped a part of Jenova.
After the battle, Cloud lifted Aeris body and carried it to the water, where he then rested her body in the water, her sweet smile still lingered on her lips, she looked like she was only asleep, her hair falling from the braid she wore it in.
She sunk to the bottom of the water, the last Ancient on the planet, and now the truly last hope to save the planet was gone. Cloud sat that night, staring out and looking at where she had been not long ago. He hated himself… he should never have brought her along. It was his fault she was dead, and he never could forgive himself.
He spoke in his head, talking to Sephiroth, "I will get you Sephiroth. I will make you pay. Killing Aeris was your worst mistake…"
He stood up, meeting his team, clenching his jaw tightly grasping the handle of his buster sword. He met with his team, asking them to come with him, to protect him from himself, but it was too late, damage was already done.
"You're perfect for each other!" Cait Sith had told them at the Temple of the Ancients. Those words now fueled him… the woman he loves was murdered by the man he hates.
"Sephiroth," he said again, "You WILL pay for this."