Chapter Three

[Several Days Later]

Dusty air and a smog of light orange covered what was left of Sector 7. The group had traveled back and arrived early in the morning. Marle of course greeting them with open arms.

She didn't have many major updates due to her injury, but there were plenty of small victories she joyously told the group. Tiny things like finding a couple decent pieces of wood for building supplies, or a group of men who used to cause trouble helping out. She was in high spirits, keeping everyone optimistic. Even the angel of the slums had left presents for Marle to sell at other sectors.

Tifa was teary eyed listening to her, giving Marle a tight squeeze once again. A giant yawn escaped her lips. "Ah, I feel so tired. Could we catchup after a quick rest?" It had to be not even 6am, sun barely rising. Tifa looked apologetic.

"Of course dear, I'm so happy you're back." Marles smile meeting her eyes. Tifa eyed the group quickly and gave a small wave before heading up the stairs.

They had been standing just outside of Tifa and Clouds apartment, one of the few buildings that was easier to fix up than the others. Somehow the fires and fallen pieces just barely missed it that terrible day. Minimal damage was fixable, Seventh Heaven however was a different story.

Marle had let some of her friends stay in the third apartment up top, and three residents temporarily staying with her in her personal apartment.

The requirement wasn't rent money, it was just the volunteering she needed. Or strength.

Shinra hadn't followed through yet with their "disaster relief" and urged people to leave Sector 7 entirely until further notice. That didn't stop anyone though seeing as no one trusted Shinra like before. They believed they could get a head start, and who knows when they'd even start to pay attention to this area, they were the ones to drop the plate after all.

Overall Sector 7 had about 16 people who still slept here. Either because they couldn't leave, or their house damage wasn't catastrophic. Around 9AM everyday was when people gathered in to help, mostly people who previously lived here. Or they were compassionate people, not surprisingly many of them coming from Aeriths sector.

"I should head home too… Moms gotta be worried." Her eyes looking down at her dress, pulling it out to examine the dirt. "…Aaaaand wash my clothes." She huffed.

Barret perked up, "Hey do you mind if - "

"Of course you can come see Marlene, though… I don't think she'll be awake this early." She interrupted, smiling. Barrets grin faded as he yawned as big as Tifa earlier. Not even slightly surprised by her psychic tendencies.

Cloud stepped forward, he had been quiet most of the trip back. Fading into the shadows while the group relentlessly chatted.

"You need me to come along, incase Barret falls asleep?"

"Hey listen are you tellin' me you aint tired as shit after all that?" Barrets arms crossing, defiant.

"Same as anyone, I guess."

Aerith laughed and shook her head. Banter even at this hour, she thought to herself.

"No, Barrets right! We'll be fine, you go get some rest." Aeriths arms reached out to gently push Clouds towards the stairs. "Hey, wai-"

"Besides, you'd have to travel all the way back here because my room isn't big enough for two!"

"Er." Clouds eyes immediately went to the ground and he grabbed the railing, clearly accepting. Aerith could've swore she saw his cheeks turn slightly pink.

"She's as smart as she is pretty! Get some rest boy, tomorrow will still be there. Safe travels you two." Marle chimed in, waving everyone off as she made her way towards a group of people holding supplies.

"You sure you'll be okay?" Cloud turned to Aerith once more, his voice low and soft.

Not wanting Barret to hear. Aerith picked up on his attempt at a private conversation.

"Yeah, I think I only need to rest for a little while, depending how mad Elmyra is I miiight be able to make it back later today to help out. I feel guilty that I wasn't around more, before I left…" she seemed sad for just a moment, before returning to her cheerful self. Cloud watched her eyes carefully. Studying her response like a math equation.

"If I don't see you in the next 3 days I think it's safe for you to come tell her you saved me, as well as stay for dinner. That outta do it." Aerith winked and did her signature head tilt. Her braid swinging over her shoulder.

It was incredible how vibrant and alive all of her was, as if living in the slums and being raised by scientists didn't happen. Must be a Cetra thing, Cloud concluded to himself. Comparing everyone he had ever known to her, she was sunset orange and pink in a sea of pastels and grey.

"If you say so." Was all Cloud could manage, admittedly he was very tired. He gave her one more once over before heading up the stairs. A part of him still nervous she would try to leave, but he needed to trust her. He watched from the balcony as Aerith and Barret faded from his view. It was frustrating this new reality, that every time he saw her could be the last.

Barret and Aerith had been walking through Aeriths "shortcut". It was hard not to notice the contrast between the other Sectors and the one they just came from. Though all part of the slums, Sector 7 would take well over a year to be rebuilt to a habitable state. It was still early, but the sun rising casted a beautiful yellow and pink glow over everything it could touch. Giving the two hope for the day.

"So, I'm glad I got this chance to speak with ya…" Barret started, slowing his pace a little. Aerith turned and mirrored his adjustment. He was looking at the ground, clearly thinking through something.

"Since you're an ancient I feel like I can ask you this sorta thing."

"Mmm? Go for it!"

The two of them still kept on while Aerith walked a little bit ahead. Kicking the odd rock with her combat boots clumsily.

"Well it's about Marlene. I mean I don't get to be around her as much as I'd like, just the cards I've been dealt. Anyways, she uh… sometimes she does things that don't seem… er, human?"

"It's like she understands things on a deeper level, yknow? And sometimes she gets a little spacey like she's… seeing somethin." Aerith turned now to look at his expression. He seemed genuinely curious, and it made her feel relief that it was just an innocent question. Clearly knowing more about it than she let on.

"She is very special, I knew that the moment I met her." A neutral response was best here, Aerith figured.

Barret looked forward, not meeting Aeriths eyes. Possibly unhappy with that answer.

Aerith stopped walking to give him her full attention, picking up on his body language.

"You do the best you can, and she is so clearly a very happy little girl. She loves you with everything she's got, I wonder where she learned that from hm?… " a cheeky smile appeared on her lips.

"We don't give kids enough credit sometimes. They understand more than we could ever know." Her finger tapped her forehead playfully.

Turning back around since they were at the entrance of Sector 5, she picked up the pace again, despite not wanting to face Elmyra she knew Barret wanted to be with his daughter.

"Come on we're so close!" She waved her arms excitedly. Barret started his slow jog towards her, content with the conclusion of his question.

"Aerith? Gosh it's so early for you to be out here. " a silky voice said from a distance.

Aerith was happy for the interruption, as her eyes found Mrs. Folia. She was wearing a yellow and green floral pattern dress. She always dressed very stylish, but professional.

"I hadn't seen you for quite a while, I was beginning to worry about you. Oh? Your dress!?" Her arms reached out in panic. Brown eyes wide.

Aerith giggled, finding her energy so cute. "Ah, nothing a good wash and some sewing needles can't fix!" Her voice sang as she twirled around.

Mrs. Folia's eyebrows furrowed in worry but relaxed after a moment. She knew Aerith could take care of herself. She also knew not to ask more questions, something she learned from working at the Honey Bee Inn. People were and always will be mysterious, and if they wanted to share something private they would. She didn't push.

"Well i'm happy you're home! If it's not too much trouble… we'd love another batch of flowers sometime this week." Her hands clasping together.

"You got it!" She held a thumbs up, eyes closed with a giant smile.

It was hard to admit but, she was over the moon that Cloud stopped her. A second chance. Everything seeming colourful again in her world, and more Cetras? She hadn't got a proper moment to think about it, seeming as she was the most talkative one on their trip back. This was her first few seconds she had to just revel in possibility.

Noticing Aerith seemed to have gone into her own mind, turned to face Barret.

"Didn't wanna interrupt?" She teased. Clearly noting his presence all along.

Barrets entire tough guy exterior seemed to melt away in this instant. Caught off guard by this entire situation.

"Flower girl sure knows a lot of people huh?" Was all he could think of, eyes not meeting hers. Cloud wasn't the only one who wasn't great at talking to women it seemed.

Aerith noticed the interaction despite being a bit dazed. Marlene and Elmyra could wait a few more minutes, she concluded.

The flower girl suddenly tended to some shrubs and bushes alongside the orphanage. Busying herself and kneeling down, pretending to be overcome with shock at their current state while the two became acquainted. She wasn't a great actress, but it was the effort that counts.

Tifa had slept for about 4 hours, bringing her day to start at around 8:45AM. Tonight would be when she gets the good sleep, so why not start? She headed over to the place that called to her.

Seventh heaven had been slightly rebuilt, the walls and part of the roof shaped back together with some of the older materials that were salvageable. Along with some help from other sectors who supplied some stronger pieces of wood and brick. Protecting it from the rain getting inside was the first priority on the ever growing list of issues.

It was already flawed before the fires. Tifa had done her best to decorate and create a rustic and warm environment. Parts of the roof still incomplete, sun sparkling through the holes. This place would never be what it was; and unlikely something better, but it still had a magic to it that Tifa believed in.

She examined its state since she was last here, and it really wasn't much different. A long heavy sigh as she accepted her endless project.

Tifa hadn't said much to the group since rescuing Aerith. She was focused on rebuilding her home, if it were even possible. Cloud picked up on it but tended to avoid confrontation with her, except today he was feeling brave. She wasn't at her apartment though, so he went directly to the bar.

Wincing at the bright sun, he walked up the busted stairs and slowed his pace entirely; stopping in the door frame. What did he even plan to say to her?

The air was heavy, animosity? No this was… something else. Tifa noticed him and let go of the rock she was moving, dusting her hands off.

"Oh, hey." She said, sheepish.

"I guess we both only got a few hours in. Tonight I might sleep like a dead person." Her voice unnaturally casual.

It felt like eggshells here, and Cloud didn't excel at social queues. He wasn't a people person to begin with, even though this was Tifa. This shouldn't be so hard. The 5 years separation felt like it did more harm than good sometimes.

Cloud remained in the doorway, keeping distance. Unsure of where to start.

"You doin' okay?" Was all he managed. A neutral response he used often. The difference was he did want to know.

She walked towards the door, her expression soft. "Yeah, what about you?" Tifa was good at redirecting the conversation.

"Tifa." Cloud stepped forward, one hand raising but pausing mid air. His eyes narrowed as he sifted through possible questions in his mind.

"If you're looking for something to do today, I could use a hand here." She walked away from him and back to the same rock she had been previously holding. Completely unfazed by his vocalization of her name.

Cloud decided to drop his attempt, and quickly grabbed the large rock.

"Just put it right outside! Thanks so much, I tried to move that one before we left and it weighs a ton." Her hands resting on her hips. Amber eyes honest. Cloud bet she gave it a few tries, she was stubborn as all hell.

"Tch, it's not so bad."

The air between them didn't feel any different, but like many things this would just be one of those "swept under the metaphorical carpet" things.

They spent the entire afternoon moving rubble just outside, and sorting through what was worth keeping. Unfortunately almost nothing made it in the "keep" pile. Conversation between Tifa and Cloud stayed surface level, easy. He was thankful for the quiet moments as he replayed Reds findings in his mind. He wanted to mention some of it to Tifa but the timing seemed off. Better give it a few days. Cloud grabbed a steel rod that was leaning near the once bar. His breath hitched as he saw a soft pastel yellow flower. Withered and crushed, but somehow still kept its colour. Deformed, yet identifiable.

"The flowers are stronger than they look." Aeriths soft voice echoing.

These words had a whole new meaning to them, he thought as he picked it up.

Sighing as he figured Aerith wouldn't be coming today. He knew Elmyra enough to know she'd be stuck at home for at least a week after this stunt. Silly the idea of her being grounded, given she was an adult. However Aeriths circumstances were different then your average human.

He understood the need to keep her safe, and at least in his vicinity.

3 days would be enough time to come up with a plan on how to explore Reds findings, and tell the group.

Thanks so much for the two lovely humans who left me a review! I was so excited to get the email, even the follows / favs are so exciting!

^_^ Loving writing this, I plan to make it a long one that's for certain. I hope the line breaks make sense, to me they just identify a scene change. I sort of see what I'm writing like we'd see in the remake where it bounces around. Anyways,

Much love, claire :)