Chapter Four
Aeris sank deeper and deeper into the Lifestream. She had helped save the planet, twice now. In the back of her mind, she had always known she couldn't be with Cloud. Now that the greater good had been completed, it dominated her thoughts. Even though she could feel in this world, it wasn't enough. She had become an overwhelming presence in the Lifestream, but she still felt so small. Aeris came across many familiar faces here too, some friendly, and some unfriendly. She remembered seeing Professor Hojo, and how much pain that he caused to her mother. She saw Biggs, Jessie, and Wedge, and remembered how good she felt to see them. Her and Jessie even reminisced about how they both had feelings for Cloud…which made her sad. Aeris also thought of Cloud when he had slipped into the Lifestream, but how she couldn't help him because she was too deep and was too busy anyway. When she did have time to see him, Tifa had already saved Cloud and got him out. Tifa. Tifa was her best friend and her greatest rival, even though neither of them would ever admit it. She loved Tifa, but that little hint of jealously now turned to sorrow as she thought of the life her and Cloud would have together. Without her. Weddings, babies, love. She would never get any of that. She didn't want to deny any of this to Cloud either, and sent him back when Yazoo shot him. She knew she had to stop thinking this way or her thoughts would become shattered in the Lifestream. She almost wanted this to happen. Little by little, Aeris felt her heart breaking apart and began to lose herself. In her moment of despair, her father appeared.
"Aeris, come here, let me hold you." Gast said as he clutched his broken daughter into his arms.
"Dad…I…I can't even explain…I just can't live without Cloud. I know that doesn't make sense but --"
"Sweetheart, you have to know something. Your mother and I are so proud of you. Gaia is proud of you. Aeris --"
"I know all of this dad, but now that everything is over, I'm exhausted. What more can I do? I know that I have done something miraculous and good. I had to do this though. How could I not?" She cried out.
"I know sweetheart, I know. If you will just listen to your old Dad though, I might be able to help you."
"How?" she asked.
"Aeris, when was the last time you spoke to the planet?"
"Wow, not since I was alive. Ever since I came here, I've been so busy. I have had no rest. I don't want to rest though."
"Well Aeris, why don't you try speaking to the Planet now?" he asked.
Aeris looked into her father's warm and caring eyes. He made her feel so much better. "Now?" she interestingly asked.
"Yes sweetie, right now."
Aeris closed her eyes and felt Gaia inside of her.
Do not falter child, for you are the chosen one, you will not be the last remaining Cetra here in this world, and you must fulfill your true destiny and carry on the race. You are going to take me back. It has already been decided.
"What?" She asked. "Does this mean what I think it means?"
Yes.
"How?"
How? How you ask? Child, you have remained complete here because I allowed you to. You did not break as all other entering spirits have because you must remain whole. We will take care of the rest. Do you forget? This is the LIFEstream and by using the pure energy of the lifestream your physical body will be restored and your thoughts will remain intact. Do you understand?
"Are you sure? Do I deserve this?"
"Of course you deserve this Aeris." Her father said. "You must realize that you are being given an incredible chance. It will be as if not a second has passed. You must not take this for granted Aeris. Your mother wanted to tell you, but you and I never got to spend much time together anyway!"
"Oh…DADDY! Is it for real! Oh my gosh…I…I can't believe it!" Aeris said as tears of pure joy ran down her face.
Gast gripped his daughter tightly, she was shaking all over. "Excited?"
"When?" she asked.
"Soon Aeris. You must say goodbye to a few people though. Especially Zack. What's he going to do here without you?"
"Oh, I think he will get by just fine!" Aeris said as she hugged her father once more. To Gast, it was as if he was hugging his daughter for the first time. He didn't see the mature and grown up beauty she had blossomed into, he saw his sweet, little, innocent Aeris, and that was how he would always remember her when she left the Lifestream. Those would be the only thoughts of her that Gast would have.
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The smell of Tifa's eggs woke Cloud up. He looked at his cell phone. No calls. He almost expected someone to call, but he expelled the thought from his mind and got up to get some breakfast. He was surprised when he got downstairs that Tifa was the only one up. He didn't realize how early it was.
"Good morning." He said.
"OH!" Tifa screamed as she turned to look at Cloud. She started blushing and was obviously upset about the night before. "You startled me. Listen, I'm glad you're the first one up because it will give me a chance to say that I'm sorry. I felt so horrible today when I woke up…like I could feel her disapproval weighing in on me. I didn't mean what I said about her last night. I know how much she meant…means to you, and I still feel terrible about it. I didn't have the right to do that to you two. Do you forgive me?"
Cloud had enough of forgiveness. "Of course Tifa. I know you didn't mean it but…can you do me a favor?" He asked.
"Anything."
"Just try not to mention her too much anymore. I mean, I've moved on. I've accepted I won't have the life I wanted to with her, but every time I think of her, I can't help but feel sad. I feel sad and happy when I think of her, but I would rather not feel anything. "
"That's a terrible way to live." She said.
"Can you just do that for me?" Cloud asked, sternly.
"Of course." Tifa replied.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yeah?" She asked.
"Can you put some ham in those eggs?"
"Well then I'll have to go out and buy another dozen and make a whole nother batch…sure Cloud. You got it!"
"Thanks."
Author's Notes: Well I hope you all enjoy the story so far! A little action coming up and one of my favorite characters will make a huge and awesome appearance! (It's not Aeris) Anyway, I am going to continue to write as I have a pretty good feeling on where I want to take the story next. Any feedback you can give me would be much appreciated. Negative or positive. I know there are some people out there who probably think it is boring and to all of you I say just wait! Negative or positive I really want to know what other people think!
Thanks,
NazMan
