To See Her Smile and Suffer

Notes and such: As stated before, I don't own Final Fantasy VII. It's purely Square Enix's. I got some opinions out of my friends Amy and Michelle, and it was generally positive. Thanks to my buddy Tollgate Keeper! Ifalna's intentions are good, I assure you. She's trying to teach him something. You'll learn soon enough. Also, it's supposed to have an ominous feel. Thanks for catching on! –Man, I can't see Cloud bawling. That would be so unlike him. Lol -

Angels Wait To Take Me Home

"Swing low sweet chariot. Coming for to carry me home." Aerith sang as she worked in her church. "I looked over Jordan and what did I see coming for to carry me home? A band of angels coming after me! Coming for to carry me home." She then heard footsteps. "Cloud!" She ran to him and he lifted her, spinning her around in the air. "That was a pretty song. You're a great singer." She smiled and they walked out together, her still humming that song. "Aerith, are you…afraid to die?" She glanced up at him, still smiling. "Well, sort of. I am curious to know what it is like but…I am in no hurry to go there." He laughed a little and placed his arm around her. "What did I say that was so amusing?" There was a slight chuckle in her voice. He just shrugged and said, "It's nothing…swing low, sweet chariot…coming for to carry me home."

When they came home, Aerith immediately went off to the kitchen to make dinner. Cloud went to the bathroom for a shower. He had just taken of his shirt when he glanced into the mirror and saw Ifalna. "W-what are you doing here…!" Ifalna sighed, staring at the ceiling. "Now, Mr.Strife, I want you to know something. If you come out of this having learnt what I wish to teach then much will be the reward but…if you learn nothing and continue to writhe in pain as you do I will leave you there." Cloud stared at himself in the mirror, his hands planted firm on the sink edge. "And what is my reward?" No reply. Ifalna had left again, just when he had asked a question. He just sighed and took his shower as planned, thinking over what Ifalna had said. Was he to once again bear the sight of Aerith dying? To see her die again…was more than he could take.

When he came out of the bathroom and cracked the bedroom door ajar he noticed Aerith was in there but she was doing something. It took a minute for him to see it but then he saw…bandages. "Geostigma…?" She had bandages from an inch below her belly button to only half an inch below her collarbone. He shut the door quickly, his back pressed against it. "Ifalna…why? Why? WHY, GOD DAMN IT, WHY!" Aerith came out, fully dressed. "Cloud! Are you all right?" She placed her hands on his shoulders staring up at him with those eyes. "I-it's…nothing…really." She stared at him and shook her head. "You don't just go yelling 'why' for no reason. What's wrong?" His lips trembled. "I don't want to…see it again." She placed a hand on his cheek and guided him to the couch. "See what again?" He choked back tears, gripping her hand tightly. "I don't want to see you die again…" Her eyes widened and she looked down. "Is this why…you've been so concerned with me and death?" He nodded solemnly, unable to look at her. "Now you are sick and I…I don't know what to do." She placed her hands on his cheeks and guided his gaze to her. "I love you, Cloud Strife and if any one is going to save me, I know it will be you." It was like his heart had stopped at this statement. "I believe in you." He let out a gasp and looked down again. "You…believe in me? After I've failed you before…" She closed her eyes. "You never failed me. I am here, am I not?" He couldn't face her now. "I saw Sephiroth…plunge his sword into your back…while you prayed for Holy." She let one tear roll and leaned against him. "Cloud…that never happened." He stood up and walked to the window. "It did happen! I remember it so perfectly…you opened your eyes and smiled at me. I was so happy to find you until…" Aerith came up behind him, placing her hands on his back and resting her forehead there as well. "If that happened…is any of this real now?"

"I…I don't know." He told the truth. He didn't know if this were real. It felt real but it didn't make sense. "You would never lie to me, Cloud. I know that to be true so…we'll wait to see what is to happen next and go from there." He turned around, and held her.

Chapter 2 End

We're getting into the really sad, drama stuff BUT there is a revelation at the end. I changed it from tragedy to angst because well…in the end it isn't such a tragedy.

- "It" as in the story. Aerith's death is a major tragedy. – I plan to end this one with in about…4 chapters and if I feel up to it, I'll write an Ending Author's Notes and maybe even a little epilogue. Here's some advice: fear not for Cloud. He'll be truly happy at the end, I assure you. Oh if you are a rabid Cloud and Aerith fan, you have noticed that in Chapter 1 I used a line from the Aerith death scene. If you can find it and tell me the EXACT thing he says in the original, I'll do one thing you want for this fan fiction. – Aside from anything completely retard/insane and if you insist on this crazy idea then I'm defaulting your prize to my friend Tollgate Keeper. Keep it reasonable people! XP -