-1Chapter Three

"So what were you smiling at back there Cloud?" asked Tifa.

Cloud hesitated, "Nothing Tifa, I just finally think I can forgive myself now. I think I can start to get on with my life."

"Our life." Tifa muttered.

"Just what exactly do you mean by that?"

"Nothing Cloud, lets go home, everyone is waiting for us there!"

Not everyone. Cloud thought. "Yea Tifa, lets go home."

Cloud, Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel all walked out of the church, Cloud stopped at the exit and took one last look at the bed of flowers that still remained…

Why? Aeris? I wanted to stay with you. I want to be with you. Why?

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"Get in here you son of a bitch and have a god damned drink!" Cid was shouting at Cloud. "What the hell are you so fucking sad about? I mean Jesus!"

"Damn it Cid, not in front of Marlene!" Barret shouted back.

"Oh, I didn't see ya there princess, I'm sorry. You too Denzel, now come give your old Uncle Cid a hug!"

"No way Uncle Cid, you made daddy mad!" exclaimed Marlene.

"Well I guess someone doesn't wanna free ride on the airship?"

Marlene looked at Barret for approval. He nodded, and she gave Cid a half-hearted hug.

"That's more like it; you know your Uncle Cid didn't mean it." He said.

"I know." Marlene replied.

Cloud was smiling. He was watching the events unfold and felt overwhelmed with happiness, for once. He finally realized what he had accomplished. He was truly a hero. He finally realized that Aeris was gone, but not forgotten. In fact, Aeris was all around them. In every laugh and smile, he saw Aeris. Cloud felt something he had never felt before…he felt liked he belonged. He still yearned for her love, but he realized it was not to be so.

Maybe a drink. He said to himself. "How about that drink Cid?"

"Well I don't believe my ears!" Cid said as he poured not one, not two, but three drinks for Cloud.

"Maybe just one for now old man." Cloud said as the liquor ran smoothly down his throat. "Ya know, I think we should rebuild the church. I think we owe her at least that much. What do you guys all think?"

Everyone looked at Cloud. A wave of sadness washed over them as they remembered their fallen comrade. Each of them knew that if it wasn't for her, they would have nothing. They would be nothing.

"I think that's a wonderful idea." Tifa said.

Everyone agreed and Cloud felt closer to Aeris in the process. Tifa went into the kitchen to prepare a meal for everybody and while Cid and Barret drank, Yuffie was playing with Marlene and Denzel, Red XII was curled up in the corner, while Cait Sith was mesmerized by the fiery end of his tail, and Cloud quietly walked outside. He wanted to see her again. Just one final time. He wanted to talk to her; he wanted to tell her how he felt. He could only hope to do that at a special place though. Her place. Their place. He left the city of Edge and made the trek to their church. When he arrived, he sat down next to the flowers, closing his eyes and letting the heavenly scent soothe his soul.

Aeris? Are you here?

Nothing.

Aeris…I love you. Not like I love Tifa or everyone else, I truly and deeply love you. I want you to know that. I want you to please wait for me. I have a feeling it won't be long. I no longer feel guilt over your death. I know longer feel the regret for you and Zack. I know…I know that it wasn't my fault. Why did you send me back, Aeris? I feel just as sad as I am happy right now. Almost like my last weapon, my Ultima weapon, which I used the first time. My heart is like the materia that cannot grow in that weapon. It remains, but that is all.

Cloud sighed, Okay, that was stupid, but you know what I mean. Aeris…? Aeris are you there? Please, please let me know…let me know how you feel. I have to know before I get on with my life.

Nothing.

Have you finally returned to the planet completely? Where are you Aeris…please?

Nothing.

Cloud left the church, heartbroken. Why couldn't she say something, is she gone? Can she no longer contact me? Does she…want…to talk to me?

He went back to Tifa's. When he got there, everybody was asleep. He stealthily entered and closed the door without a sound. He went upstairs, trying not to make a creak in the steps. When he made it to the top, he climbed into one of the many unoccupied beds that the children would sleep in. He lay there, staring up into the darkness. He tried not to think of her…You said you'd come back…you promised…when everything was all over…is it over for good? I'm done fighting. If I need to fight though, it will be only for you.

He heard someone approaching, but pretended to be asleep. It was Tifa. Her hair was undone and unkempt, like she had been sleeping. She was wearing nothing but a shirt too big for her and her black silk underwear, which highlighted her figure quite pleasantly. She crawled into bed with Cloud and billowed herself into his rock like chest. She began kissing him, on the neck at first and then all over. Cloud couldn't pretend anymore.

"Tifa! Tifa, what the hell are you doing?"

"What Cloud, I though you wanted to come home?" she said

"I do, I am home, but…Tifa…I didn't mean it like that. What about Vincent?"

"Oh please, he never comes around anymore! When are you ever gonna come around Cloud! When are you ever going to realize that she is gone! Aeris is gone Cloud, she isn't coming back for you!" She began crying. "What is wrong with you? How can you love her that much!"

Cloud held her in her arms, but he did not kiss her. "Tifa, look, I care for you, but I do not love you. I'm sorry, but you have to realize this. I have come to terms with my past. Why can't you?"

"Oh! You CARE for me! CARE! I thought you cared for Aeris too, look what happened to her!" Tifa immediately regretted saying that.

"You know you don't mean that. I know you've had a little wine to drink; I can smell it on you. You don't have to apologize. I already know you're sorry. I am only going to tell you this once Tifa. There was nothing ever between us, those memories that I thought I had of you Tifa, those memories are not ours. I love Aeris. I will always love Aeris and nothing will ever change that, nothing, not even you."

Tifa sat up and left Cloud alone. Alone. He had finally accepted that he would always be alone in one particular way.

Author's Notes: Well another chapter. I wanted to show the readers that Cloud is trying to move on as mush as he can but certain factors keep holding him back. I am also currently reading "The Maiden Who Travels the Planet," which explains what Aeris was doing in the Lifestream between FF VII and AC. It seems a buncha people can't get over the fact that in the Final Fantasy universe it is totally possible for Aeris to come back…true love never dies…so screw all the people who constantly shoot the possibility down on the Advent Children forums. Okay, just had to rant a little bit, anyway, please R&R!

NazMan