To See Her Smile and Suffer

Notes and what not: I hate having to say this every chapter but I don't own Final Fantasy VII. It belongs to Square Enix. Now, major thanks to reviewer AeirthRosey. What you said convinced me to take a break from my work. Any who, if you are the type to tear up at dramatic stories then I suggest you go grab your tissue box. It never hurts to be prepared, right?

The End of Passion

Aerith sat in bed, knitting a new sweater for Cloud. She was in horrible condition but she hardly even noticed it. In fact, the only reason she lay in bed was because Cloud made her. She was graced with visitors once in a while. Tifa came when she could and the rest visited at least once. "Tifa, if something bad does happen, and God prevent it, then do me a favor." Tifa smiled, holding the ball of yarn Aerith was working with. "Sure…you name it." Aeirth paused for a moment, looking out the window. It was so lovely out today and all she could do was sit in her bed and admire it from a distance. "Make sure Cloud stays well." Tifa looked over at her, Aerith not returning her gaze. Tifa stood and opened the window. "He'll be fine. I wouldn't worry about him if I were you." Aerith then got out of bed, looking out the window. "He's so fragile, Tifa. He may not show it in front of you or the others but he could break at any moment." Tifa sighed and nodded, agreeing to do Aerith's favor.

"She'll be okay, right Cloud?" Marlene stared up at him, eyes full of hope and fear. He looked away, feeling a little awkward. He never was good with children, especially in high-tension situations. "She'll be fine, Marlene. Don't worry 'bout it." Reno said, sitting on the steps of the porch. "That Ancient has moxy. She doesn't give up easy, you know." Cloud nodded. Reno was right in that she did carry a certain level of inner strength. She was real calm under pressure. Marlene smiled, feeling a small amount of comfort from Reno's words. Tifa finally came out, looking a little uneasy. Reno stood up and walked over to her. "Well?" Tifa shook her head. "She acts like she his just fine but her appearance…is less than encouraging." Cloud walked past her, pretending that he wasn't listening. He entered Aerith's room where she still sat. "How are you feeling?" He took a seat at the foot of her bed, watching her. "All right, I guess. A bit tired but generally okay." He sighed and laid his head in her lap. He had no idea what to do. She was slowly slipping away and this time there was absolutely nothing to be done. When he looked up at her, she was asleep. He left then, to let her rest. "She's sleeping. I suggest you all take your leave."

The next morning he entered her room, carrying her morning meal. He set it on the table beside her bed and whispered, "Aerith, it is time to get up…" No answer. "Aerith, wake up." Again, he received no reply. He grew a bit frantic now. "Aerith, please get up!" As before, she gave no reply. He placed his ear against her breast. There was nothing. He had heard her up that night making some sort of noise but she did it often and told him not to mind it. Her face was still in a look of pain. She had died that night, alone and struggling in agony. He never came to her. He had failed her all over again. "If you had came, would it have made a difference?" Ifalna sat in the chair in the corner of the room. Cloud held Aerith's hand tight, tears falling like rain. "She wasn't alone, Mr.Strife. I sat at her bedside the entire time. She never asked me for help or anything. She just fought with her pain. She fought to live, Mr.Strife! She never gave up! If she can fight, even in the face of unbeatable odds, you can pick up and live life like a normal person! There is nothing threatening you! You gave up because you were weak! Learn from her strength! Become strong and live to be a proud and outstanding person!" He didn't say anything to Ifalna for sometime. He sat at her side for what seemed an eternity. "I will…I will be strong! I will live my life with her strength! I will live for her! I will live for us! Always for us!" Ifalna finally smiled. He had learned the true meaning of this. He had given up his will to live meaninglessly and now had regained it fully. He was prepared to face the world again. "Ifalna…do you think it will make her happy?" He felt a hand on his shoulder. "It will make me happy." He looked up to see Aerith's face. When he blinked, they were together in that flower field she had taken him to before. Iflana stood off to the side. He stood, looked Aerith in the eye, and smiled. "I will live." She nodded, and lightly kissed him on the lips. His world went black as it did when Ifalna started all this. He was on his way to picking up the pieces of his life. The life he was about to start anew.

END

-Because I am so nice, I shall write an epilogue! A real short one, I know. Well, to see the epilogue you have to go to which will be up soon. I'll post the day it opens on my profile. Much love to the reviewers! -