Chapter Two

Birds relentlessly chirped back and forth all across the forest. It was significantly warmer than the previous day, almost summery even though it was September. This forest seemed like it was once tended to by ancients. There were tiny flowers, although visibly dying, they were still in a brighter place all together. Aerith felt a sense of peace wash over her as she walked back towards the campfire. Cloud would be waking soon.

Cloud exhaled with his breath hitching. Immediately sitting up he frantically scanned the area for a glimmer of that pink ribbon. "Tch, where did you go?" He said under his breath, as if the forest would answer. Gritting his teeth now, panic running through his body. This wasn't the morning he was expecting, how didn't he hear her leave? He must have been heavily dreaming or something.

Suddenly a twig behind him snapped and he turned quickly towards the sound.

"Right here, silly."

Aeriths smile reaching her eyes. She stood only inches from him. Sun barely peaking its way through the trees as it was starting to rise into the sky. It gave Aerith this peach aura. She was holding two small daisies in her hand. Clouds eyes softened, but his tone remained angry.

"You can't just disappear like that, we don't know this forest like we know the Sectors. Anything could be out there."

"I know! Isn't it kindof exciting?" Her tone being polar opposite of his, that was usually the case.

Another sigh escaped Clouds lips. Aeriths mood swings threw him for a loop. A small blue butterfly fluttered in-between the two. Aeriths grin spreading wildly. It was infectious. Cloud couldn't remember the last time he had seen any sort of insect other than the monsters they were fighting. The butterfly flew deeper into the forest. She watched it fade into deep green shrubbery.

Softly she started to speak, "So… what are we going to do to stop Sephiroth? If he showed us both this vision, and gave you an opportunity to save me… he must, want this." Her eyes fixated on Clouds. Crossing his arms he paced around the forest floor. "Yeah. There's an endgame for him here."

"If he wanted us to change this fate, that means he saw a future where he lost. " Cloud stirred.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Barrets voice breaking the silence. Startling both Cloud and Aerith.

Barret was running towards them, excitement on his face. Aerith winced at the shrubs he was violently pushing out of the way. "Barret!" Aerith exclaimed, tilting her head with a smile. "It's good to see you."

"Back at cha flower girl, glad Cloud managed to save ya from.. well, I don't actually know!" He scratched his head. Throwing his arms up. Sweat beading on his face, how long had he been looking? Aerith noticed he had the same tired eyes as Cloud did. What had they all gone through to be here? Her stomach twisted at the selfish decision she had made earlier.

"Don't worry about it." Clouds demeanour changing to his usual stand-offish vibe. "We were about to head to the hut." He grabbed his sword and secured it to his back.

"Yeah, you guys need to hurry. Red said he found something that Aeriths gunna want to see." Barret held up his hand with a striking thumbs up. Cheeky.

"Mmm?" A curious sound escaped from her lips, tilting her head and instinctively walking forward. Her mind running rampant with ideas.

"Let's go then!" She clapped, leading the way. Stopping on her heel so fast she kicked up a bunch of dust when she realized she didn't actually know the way.

"Er… Maybe Barret should lead." she mumbled, a little embarrassed.

Barret led on, and as she went to follow she could've sworn she saw a smirk on Clouds face.

Tifa finished cleaning the hut and packed up most of everyones gear. She figured they'd be heading back to Midgar soon. Barret promised to return back with Cloud and Aerith.

She never really grew up thinking she'd be the motherly type, and yet when she reflected on everything that's happened - that role seemed prominent. Caring for others, Marlene, everyone in Sector 7. With the help of Marle she found herself at her most compassionate for others. Especially now. Her home had been destroyed, twice. She wasn't going to let it happen a third time. A part of her ached to get back. Marle had injured her hand lifting some of the bigger chunks of debris a few weeks back, and she was already in her older years.

A pang of anger swept through her. She sat down at the table to ground herself. Red was out too, so she was alone for now.

"I need to go alone, but I'll be back. Take care of the others." Clouds words rang in her head. Determination and caution in his expression, her stomach twisted.

She wanted Aerith to be safe, she really grew to love Aerith, she was a wonderful friend. However seeing the urgency and care Cloud took every time she was in danger was hard for her to see. Cloud cared for her, that much was clear. To get that sort of urgency out of Cloud or that level of emotion seemed like a place she wasn't able to reach.

Tifa scoffed, standing up and walking out of the hut. This is why I like keeping busy. She thought, feeling annoyed at herself.

It wasn't like her to feel bitter or spiteful, but like anyone those moments did arise from time to time. She glanced towards the sky and noticed the sun to be almost right in the centre. Noon.

"Please come back…" wind blew her raven hair wildly as she stood watching the forest.

Breaking some branches to sift through the dense forest, Aerith grabbed Barrets arm. Pulling him back with all the strength she had.

"Hey, careful! There aren't many places like this leftover… be gentle please."

Barret lowered his arm and gave the patch of branches in front of him a small push. Aerith smiled big. "Thanks."

They had been walking for around an hour. Keeping good pace until Aerith heard something.

"Wait…" Aerith paused. Cloud raised his brow at her, always slightly too curious about her clairvoyance.

"Water?" She asked in a small voice, staring at the sky; and then back to Cloud. His eyes reflecting the colour of water she envisioned. He stared longingly, waiting for her too elaborate.

She knew the general direction of the forgotten city from Midgar, and she knew she passed through a valley as well as this forest… but she never remembered seeing any body of water on the map. She closed her eyes, trying to really listen. Hoping the planet would guide her to this sound.

Her trance once again interrupted by a rustling of leaves, coming closer and closer. Barret and Cloud quickly changing to a battle stance, eyes searching the forest around them. "What the hell?" Barret said openly. He was half expecting a giant tree fairy to come jumping out of the bushes.

The rustling was suddenly loud, and a bright red orangey dog known as Red XIII gracefully landed in front of their eyes.

Barret visibly relaxed. "Shit Red, you gotta stop sneaking up on us like that."

Everyone put their weapons away and walked closer to Red, he always talked in a low monotone voice.

"Barret told me you have something to show me." Aerith bent down to be eye level with Red. This never seemed to bother him, and it was habit for Aerith to do. She reached out to cradle his face. They had a strong connection through many experiences. Both very multi-faceted beings.

"I'm glad you're safe." Red purred, and turned to eye Cloud; to say thank you without words. Cloud nodded in return. Understanding.

"Wait a sec. Where's Tifa, Red?" Barret asked, stepping forward.

"Back at the hut still, she said she'd watch and pack up the rest of our gear. I could smell you guys so I came quickly." Red responded.

Aerith slowly got up from her kneeling position and clasped her hands together.

"Let's go get her before you show me this thing, hm?" Aeriths expression warm, wanting to include Tifa with the group. Tifa had included Aerith many times before, and she would never forget that kindness.

They continued forward together.

Tifa sat on the roof of the hut almost in a dream state.

When the hut came into vision Cloud noticed Tifas composure immediately. It reminded him of Nibelheim. She had similar behaviour all those years ago. Some things don't change, he thought to himself. Feeling guilty again for her loss. He wanted good for her, she deserved that. A sigh escaping his lips as he looked to the ground. Defeat reading across his body.

Her head turned towards the group, and she jumps down - running fast towards everyone. Aerith ran as well, greeting her with a warm hug. The two stay there for a moment as the group atmosphere changing drastically.

"Hey, you're okay!" Tifa exclaims pulling Aerith away to get a good look at her. Aeriths dress had taken quite the hit over the past few days. Practically a soft brown instead of pink because of all the dirt and dust. Tifa pulled at the small hole near her thigh, patting it once. "When we get back we can wash those."

"Any injuries?" She scans her body over, and then Clouds and the others. They were all just now coming in to her vision.

"Promise I'm okay! So are the others. I-I'm sorry you had to come all this way." Aeriths hands dropped to her sides, looking uncertain.

"It's alright, you do owe me a shopping trip date; remember?" Tifa made a meek smile, trying.

"Right." Aerith responded, visibly lifting.

Tifas eyes darted back to Clouds but he was too focused on Red to notice. Tifa wondered what happened on their trip, her mind playing through scenarios.

"Hey, guys…" Tifa said facing away from the group now.

All eyes focused on her, waiting.

"I… really want to get back to Sector 7, Marles hand is injured and I know she's probably overworking it. I gotta get back and help. I'm so happy you're safe though Aerith." Still facing away and looking at something unknown.

Aerith sensed something else in her words. Worry? Guilt? Jealousy? Worthlessness? There was so much pain in her voice. She didn't have time to ask right now though. Red was pacing behind her, and she couldn't deny she was curious. What did he have to tell her?

The group kept quiet at Tifas request and walked into the hut as she led them.

Aerith observed the small cabin. It smelled of pine and woodstove. Two smells she adored. She relaxed closing her eyes. A small moan of approval seeping through her lips. When she opened her eyes again she was met with mako filled blues. Cloud was sitting adjacent to the rest, on a small chair, watching her. Sometimes he made her nervous with how curiously he'd look at her. Like she was under speculation. They were warm eyes though, gentle. Unlike the scientists she had been gawked at most of her life. He turned his focus to Red once again, clearly impatient and wanting to know the big secret like the rest of them.

Barret was even suspiciously quiet. Missing Marlene, no doubt.

Aerith realized she was the only one standing, quickly shuffled towards the big table in the centre of the room with Barret and Tifa. The wooden bench making a creaking sound as she tried to be quiet. Red was sitting in-between everyone, waiting.

"Aerith, there's a place I found while Cloud was looking for you…" Reds husky voice echoed in the room.

Everyone leaned in, peak curiosity, hanging on every word. Everyone except Aerith - who's world just went black.

Aeriths eyes washed over, like she was fighting every emotion. Her head stung, suddenly seeing nothing but fuzzy shapes and lights. Deafening everything else around her.

Her hands raised to her head as the pain intensified. Four whispers appearing out of thin air, circling her. She didn't know if the others could reach her here, this vision felt like it was a warning. She wasn't supposed to hear these next words. The walls of her mind caving in on her.

"Aerith, aerith? Please!" A voice; as she sifted in and out of this powerful nightmare.

"What's going on? Cloud we need more answers about what's happening with her!" Another voice, Tifa?

Warmth was spreading on her cheeks, and back. Something holding her.

Her eyes blinking rapidly, the pain and fuzzy vision still very present… but she was fighting it. Trying. Internally running towards consciousness again.

"Aah- " she managed to choke out. Open your eyes! she thought to herself. She could overcome this.

She pushed through enough to fully open her eyes, and after a few moments of staring at nothing she realized it was Clouds hands cupping her face. Inches from her, looking completely panicked.

"Aerith, I'm here. It's just another vision. Fight through it." He watched her eyes stare lifelessly at first, and then almost as if she came back to reality - look straight at Cloud. Relief washing over him.

"It seems… they're trying to block this out, the Whispers. Maybe, I can show you instead." Red was close, but it was like Aerith still couldn't see anything that wasn't directly in front of her.

"We agreed to defy fate, we aint stoppin' now!" Barrets encouraging words coming from some end of the room, Aerith couldn't tell right now.

She just knew Cloud was kneeling in front of her, his hands pulling away and releasing her face but moving to her shoulders, helping her stand. Had she fallen? It felt like it was just the two of them, even when realistically there were others in this small cabin. It was as if Cloud was the only one who could pull her out of the miasma.

Like the planet, like every living breathing thing there was a connection to her Cetra Blood. Something unique and special. There was a connection unexplainable with Cloud in these moments. She was grateful to not feel alone right now.

Steadying herself with his help, she inhaled deep; allowing herself to focus. The depths of her mind seeming to give her a break. "Finally…" she said as she exhaled.

"It stopped, right?" Cloud asked, waiting for reassurance.

"We took Red outta the room. " Barret added in, sitting once again at the table. Aeriths eyes had trouble bringing him into focus, as if she could only see a few inches in front of her. Some sort of forcefield surrounding her.

She imagined they looked worried. Poor Tifa and Barret. All they want to do is return back to Sector 7, and rebuild their destroyed home.

"It's okay, it'll pass." Cloud said to the group. Aerith imagined she and Cloud would have lots of explaining to do after this about the visions. She couldn't hide this one, it was the worst one yet.

Fear engulfed her for a moment as she realized all the rest from this moment on may be this bad. Losing consciousness at any moment wasn't exactly comforting. Cloud noticed Aerith tense back up. She turned to look at the group before speaking.

"I-I'm okay now, it's passing. You guys need to head back to Midgar. Marlene and the others need you." Aerith managed to half get out, some of the words fading, but she was sure they were at least heard. She turned back to the table and rested her arms flat, putting her head down.

Barret and Tifa exchanged a look of understanding, and both motioned to go outside with Red.

"If he can't tell Aerith, maybe he can tell us." Tifa whispered, hoping Aeriths ears wouldn't catch it in her current state.

Cloud however did hear them. "I, want to hear what he has to say… can you take her?" Clouds eyes pleading. Tifa instinctively sat on the other side of Aerith, arms gently around her shoulders. She nodded off Cloud. She didn't mind getting the second hand scoop. Whatever it even was, she wasn't sure if it had anything to do with her. Tifa's mind was just swimming with Sector 7, it was hard to put much else on the already heavy plate.

Tense air around the 3, almost palpable. Just outside of the hut Cloud, Barret, and Red stood facing the forest. Red was just a smidge in front of them.

"Listen, when Aerith asked if she heard water - " Cloud was cut off mid sentence, his hand dropping back to his side.

"The Whispers are interfering again, more so than before. The fact I can't just tell Aerith without her blacking out is…" Reds forehead creased together, thinking. "Cloud, your visions seem as strong as hers… how do we know it won't happen to you when I try to say it?"

"Can you… I dunno, write it in the dirt or somethin'?" Barret guessed. Red shook his head in response, turning back towards the forest. What was he even looking at?

Red seemed to have an idea, "What is Aerith?" He stared intently at Cloud and Barret both, waiting for the obvious answer.

Wind rustled the grass blades beneath them, creating a pleasant earthy smell.

Barret raised his eyebrows, throwing his arms up.

"An ANCIENT."

Red nodded approvingly. He visibly tensed and put his head down before slowly rising and under his breath -

"What if I told you she isn't the last ancient." His words curling around "last"

Cloud and Barrets eyes widened. Stunned, the three moving their eyes to one another back and forth, and to the ground again. What did this mean? This changes things, everything. If Shinra knew there were more… they didn't need to hunt Aerith anymore, and maybe neither did Sephiroth. Clouds was reeling.

Red noticed Cloud wasn't suffering from a similar blackout that Aerith had, so he was hopeful for this next part.

"I heard the water too, while you were gone Cloud I followed it. First, a river. A long river, probably a 4 day walk for you."

"River?" Barret asked confusingly. Blinking many times.

"Yeah, and then a small lake… at the belly of the lake there's a waterfall. I only got that far, but when I looked up I saw a woman and her two children, looking down at me. I'm certain they saw me too."

"But how did you know they were Cetra?" Cloud tilted his head. Red smirked slightly at his correction, clearly remembering Aerith when she explained they didn't refer to themselves as ancients.

"There were… flowers, everywhere at the top of the waterfall and - the first time I met Aerith she.. gave something to me. I can hear things I never could before, I heard their voices like they were beside me, just for a moment. They were talking about the Planet, as if the mother was teaching them how to listen to it."

Cloud looked to Barret and he was grinning. "We gotta find a way to get Aerith there."

"Yeah." Cloud agreed, wind whipping through his hair. Staring at the hut now.

"I should tell Tifa." Red walked past them and pawed at the door until Tifa opened it. She exchanged a quick glance with Barret and Cloud, worried eyes blinking quickly to them and then away. Her and Red walked in the cabin, but Aerith stepped out.

Cloud noticed her demeanour seeming normal again. Barret went in to join the others in the hut, on his way placing his hand on Aeriths shoulder. "You sure you're good?"

She smiled, "of course, just a little dizzy. I'll manage." Cheerful of a response as ever. Barret closed the door behind him.

She stood on the small porch before the few steps, a ways away from Cloud who was just standing by the opening of the forest. Her dress blowing lightly in the wind The two stared at each other from the distance. Time feeling like it had slowed again, just like in the Forgotten city.

Cloud was trying to figure out how he could tell her what Red just had, or at least hint at it. He broke the eye contact as he instinctively looked down at the ground, lost in deep thought. Aerith did a light jog over to him.

"Heya." Her presence warming him up immediately.

"Hey…" he exhaled. Crossing his arms and slightly turning from her.

"Hmm? I guess you have to tell me what I missed… that was quite the blackout." She said jokingly but her tone gave away the nerves. Unusual for her.

"I don't want that to happen again, I have to be careful of how I word it." Cloud pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Okay, well did Red find some forbidden treasure?" Her green eyes demanding to be stared into as she leaned forward, her playful stance whenever she wanted to tease Cloud.

"Uh-" he stepped back slightly, always unprepared for her closeness.

However he remembered Barrets idea. He lightly grabbed her elbow and led her over to a patch of dirt. Aerith obliging. He then kneeled down and using a twig to scribble something in the patch of earth.

Aerith excitedly watched, enjoying the idea of Cloud being creative. She stood above him waiting to make sense of the figure he was sketching in.

Dress… braided hair… "Me? Red found… me?" Aerith placed her hand on her chin. Cloud looked up at her scowling at his inability to just say what he wanted.

Cloud drew a "1" beside the sketch of Aerith. He huffed, waiting for her to guess.

"One… one Aerith. Oh! One centra." She clapped. Cloud nodded. His hand swept across the dirt erasing the previous sketch. His arms outstretched as he drew a long winding line, and as Aerith watched she guessed before he was even done the sketch. "A river!" She was enjoying this a little too much.

His hand swept again, and he repeated the same drawing as before of a girl with a braid.

Aerith now bent down beside him, staring closely as he drew her. Furrowing her brow and concentrating. She looked determined.

"Me again…" she mumbled, until Cloud drew a "x 4" beside the girl.

Aerith let out an audible gasp. "More… cet—"

Clouds hand was suddenly muffling her mouth. He was inches from her face, his expression telling her not to say it out loud.

Whispers seemed to circle and visions seemed to come when they expressed what they were thinking or feeling out loud. It was just safer not to say it, he figured. Her bright green eyes, surprised; wide and searching his for answers. She sat almost perfectly still.

Cloud stared back and once he was certain she wasn't going to speak, released her. She remained still, quiet. Her hands placed in her lap. Staring at the overcast sky once again.

"Hmmm…." Her tone was curious.

"We should go there…"

A pause.

with Red." Cloud said hesitantly.

Aerith was surprised at his willingness - to venture into unknown land when they had Sephiroth to think of. She wondered if he had a plan.

Sighing, she did agree. If anyone was going to stop him, it would be Cloud. She was already strayed from the path she knew, and there was no going back. This was a new path, and it was completely unknown. Freedom. A smile appeared on her face, followed by a nod. Her hand reached out and she placed her hand overtop of Clouds, resting it there. He made a small sound of surprise, but despite it he didn't move his hand.