Aerith couldn't sleep that night. She tossed and turned for hours.

Finally, she sat up. She took a deep breath and pushed the hair out of her face. She couldn't stop thinking about Cloud.

Aerith looked over to the windowsill. The candle was still burning. She got up and put on her robes. There was no way she would get any sleep anymore tonight. She made her way downstairs.

It was still dark, and everyone was still asleep. Aerith walked and sat down on the sofa. She shivered a little, then glanced at the fireplace beside her.

She raised her hand and pointed at it.

"Fire," she whispered, and a very small fireball escaped her finger, landing in the fireplace. A fire was roaring in a matter of seconds. Aerith stared at the flames. She still felt cold. So many memories were coming back.

Memories of him.

She was starting to have doubts now. Leon was right, it'd been too long. Nine years. Maybe Cloud just won't come back. Aerith had lit a candle for him every night, why was it taking so long for him to find the light within him?

Was he simply a memory she couldn't let go of?

Aerith lifted her legs and pressed her knees onto her chest. She hugged her legs tightly. She felt so cold. She had hoped and hoped that one day her true love would return home to her, filling the hole in her lonely heart. She wasn't so sure anymore.

Aerith couldn't hold it in. All day, everyday, she smiled through the toughest times and remained everyone to be optimistic and to not give up hope. She was always there when someone needed a shoulder to lean on, but when she was down, she felt like no one could do anything to help her. Aerith hugged her legs tighter and cried her heart and soul out. Why was fate so cruel?

"Aerith?"

She looked up. It was Yuffie. She looked worried.

"Yuffie," Aerith smiled, quickly wiping away her tears. "What are you doing up? Are you hungry?" She stood up.

Yuffie's expression didn't change.

"Aerith…" she said softly again. Aerith knew she wasn't fooled. She sat back down, her gaze on the floor.

"I knew I'd find you down here crying," Yuffie said as she sat down next to her. "You're thinking about Cloud again, aren't you?" Aerith began to cry again.

"It's been so long," she said tearfully. Yuffie moved over and tried to comfort her. "Each day that passes by, I start having doubts he'll ever come back to me." Aerith leaned her head forward, her tears falling onto her lap.

"Don't say that, Aerith," Yuffie said. "Don't ever think that way."

Aerith leaned over onto Yuffie's shoulder.

"I miss him so much, it hurts," she whispered. Yuffie wrapped her arms around her.

"I know, I know," she said, patting Aerith softly. "Don't listen to what Squall says. Cloud, Tifa and Rinoa are out there." She looked at Aerith. "They'll find us. You just have to believe in them." Aerith sat up, her eyes closed.

"It's been too long," she muttered. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes.

"Cloud will come back," Yuffie told her firmly. Aerith looked at her friend. She seemed so confident, but Aerith knew her too well. Yuffie's hopes for their safe return had faded as well, but she was one who believed in those rare miracles. Aerith gave her a small smile.

"I guess you're right," she said, nodding at her friend. Yuffie smiled.

"You better go back to bed," Aerith told her. "We've got a big day ahead." Yuffie nodded and stood up. She walked towards the stairs, then glanced back.

"You sure you're going to be alright?" she asked.

Aerith smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "I'll be fine. Just go get some sleep." Yuffie nodded again and gave her an unsure smile. Though still worried about her, she headed back to her room.

Aerith's smile disappeared instantly. She rubbed her eyes, and then glanced over to the fire. It was slowly dying down. Aerith sighed and stood up. She shivered slightly and straightened up her robes. She walked over and looked out the window. She lifted her hand and touched it. Mornings were always cold, just like how she felt. The sun was creeping up, melting away the morning frost with its warmth. Aerith wished it would do the same to the loneliness in her heart. She removed her hand from the window, leaving a hand print behind. But slowly, the cold window made it fade away. Aerith shivered again and hugged herself tightly.

Leon sat up on his bed. What a night. He had hardly gotten any sleep. His neck hurt, and rubbed it roughly with his hand. He couldn't stop thinking about yesterday, about what he told Aerith. He knew she took it badly because that was the last conversation they had that day. Leon got up and stretched. He knew it took a lot to make Aerith upset, but once something did, her world shattered. She needed someone to help her pick up the pieces. Of course, Yuffie was always there for her, but she didn't always understand what was really going on. Leon rubbed his forehead, trying to rid himself of those tiresome thoughts.

"Coffee," he murmured to himself. "Coffee will help."

He glanced at the clock. 5:00 am. The girls and Cid were probably still asleep; he'd have the place to himself.

Leon made his way downstairs to the kitchen. The faint scent of coffee was in the air. Someone was already awake.

Aerith was sitting at the dining table, a mug of coffee in her hands, lost in her thoughts. Leon suddenly decided coffee wasn't such a good idea, and he took a step back. Unfortunately for him, the floor board he stepped on creaked loudly. Aerith heard it and looked over at him.

"Hey," she said, smiling at him. Her voice was softer than usual. Leon could tell she didn't get much sleep last night either.

He didn't reply and just looked away. Aerith smiled again.

"Would you like some coffee?"

Leon shrugged. "Sure."

Aerith nodded, set down her cup and went over to the fresh brew in the coffee machine. Leon took a seat at the table.

"There you go," she said, placing a cup of coffee in front of him. She sat back down in front of him and lifted her cup to her lips. Leon watched her for a moment, then picked up his own. He stared at it.

"Aerith," he said after a while. He looked up at her. "I'm sorry."

Aerith took a sip and looked at him from over the brim of her cup. "About what?"

"About yesterday. I know I was out of line telling you that."

"No," Aerith smiled, placing down her cup and shaking her head.

"I respect your thoughts." She looked at him. "You're ready to move on. I guess I shouldn't burden you with the past like that." She leaned back and let out a sigh.

"I'm not, though. I still want to believe Cloud will come back. And I want you to respect my thoughts, too." Leon nodded. He resumed to his coffee. Aerith watched him for a while. She picked up her mug and started fidgeting with it. She tried not to smile.

"So who is she?" she said finally.

Leon frowned. "Who's who?"

"The girl you like!" she exclaimed, slamming down her mug. "Who is she?"

Leon choked on his coffee. He cleared his throat loudly.

"I can't tell you that."

Aerith smiled and tilted her head to one side. "Oh come on, Leon. Who's the new girl of your dreams? I promise I won't tell Yuffie."

Leon felt uncomfortable by her gaze.

"Leon…" she said in singsong. She smirked. Leon looked away and took another sip of coffee. Aerith laughed softly.

"Alright, alright," she said. "Don't tell me who she is, then. But does she even know you like her?"

Leon shook his head.

"Tell me what she's like," Aerith said.

Leon took another sip. "No."

She laughed. "You're so stubborn! You won't even tell me what she's like?"

"She's special," Leon replied. "That's all." He drained his cup.

Aerith smiled. "Then why don't you just go tell her? You're one of the most popular guys in town. Every girl wants to be with you."

Leon sighed. Every girl but you.

"I don't think she feels the same way about me," he replied. He dropped his gaze. He didn't just think it; he knew she didn't feel the same way.

Aerith leaned forward on the table. "Sure she does. You're good-hearted, intelligent, sexy." She smirked at him. "You're every girl's dream." Leon blushed.

Aerith stood up and grabbed both their empty mugs. She placed them in the sink.

"Go for it," she whispered in Leon's ear.

Aerith smiled at him and dusted her hands. She glanced at the window.

"It's dawn," she said. She looked back at him. "I'm going to get dressed now, okay?" Leon nodded and he watched her run upstairs.

"How am I going to tell you?" he said quietly. "How can I tell you how I feel when you're still in love with my best friend?"

He ran his hand across his chest where the cut had been five years ago. Leon let out a sad sigh.

"Life's so cruel sometimes," he muttered to himself.