a/n: thanks to SimpleNClean92, Beeria, and last but certainly not least, roxas-kh for the reviews.

Just to clarify:
italicized words is Cloud's imagination.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in this story, except maybe the idea. xD;;

Chapter 3

Wild Imagination

"I wonder how the sun is shining down on us..."

- insert Flowers Blooming in the Church / FFVII OST, track 12 -

"Clo-oud..."

The blonde haired boy snapped out of his reverie as he heard the sweetest voice (rather than his mother's rough one) call his name.

"Huh?! What?" He heard a soft chuckling and turned his attention to the small girl sitting beside her. He rubbed the back of his head in slight embarrassment and sheepishly smiled while looking down to the flower-covered ground beneath them. "Sorry Aerith..." Again, that amused giggle sung in the air like a set of tiny bells disturbed by the wind. A small hand gripped Cloud's shoulder and he looked up, finding himself staring at a pair of emerald green eyes. "It's okay, Cloud. You don't have to say sorry." That gentle smile played at the corners of her lips which only made his own curve up slightly in understanding.

Aerith's hand let go of Cloud's shoulder and went back to tending the flowers that were miraculously growing in the old abandoned church. Cloud watched her for awhile, then set his eyes back onto the hole that let the sun shine down on them.

"Hey Aerith..." Cloud spoke, his voice was soft, as if he was heavy in thought.

The girl looked up from her care and answered him with a soft hum of her voice. Cloud lied down upon the bed of flowers that cushioned his fall and averted his attention to Aerith, who was still tending to her flowers.

"Why do you think the sun is shining down on us? ...I mean, isn't there a plate built around Midgar, that blocks the sun out?" He closed his eyes and frowned at the thought, "isn't that why this place is so dark and gloomy?" Young Aerith brushed off her hands and sat closer beside Cloud. She hugged her knees against her chest and began looking at the hole in the ceiling, feeling the warmth of the sun's rays wash over her whole body. She tilted her head to the side in thought and then answered.

"Hmm... I don't know Cloud but whatever the reason is, I'm sure it's a good one." Cloud scrunched his lips to one side and knitted his brows together in deep thought. "Hmm…" Aerith noticed the state he was in, just by looking into his eyes, and not wanting to sit here all day thinking about the sun, she poked his forehead and stared at him with eyes full of vivacity.

"Hey Cloud, do you know what a bodyguard is?" Her voice was light and cheery, yet mystified with wonder. Cloud flinched at the poke on his forehead and sat up as soon as Aerith asked her question, he rubbed his forehead while looking at her with his big, innocent blue eyes that seemed to look puzzled.

"A body- what?" He bit his bottom lip and raised his brow at the brunette. She smiled at the lack of knowledge he held and explained while using some hand gestures for effect.

"You know, a bodyguard! Someone who protects someone else, whether they are hired to or not…" Cloud blinked, and then broke out into a fit of giggles as he watched Aerith make ridiculous hand movements. Aerith was puzzled at first but then later on joined him as she finally figured out why he was laughing.

After what seemed like forever, Cloud eased out of his laughter while rubbing his eyes and then questioned Aerith of her totally random question.

"Hahaha… I see now. What do you want with bodyguards anyways, Aerith?"

The brunette's laughter eased into a soft giggle. Her green eyes set themselves on Cloud and her laughing lips stabilized themselves into a strong grin that bared her small pearly whites.

"Mama said that every girl needed one. So…" Her voice faded, smile gone, and Cloud found that she was struggling with what to say next. He leaned towards her, and looked her right in the eye. "Hmm-m?" Aerith leaned back, surprised from the sudden closeness and felt her blood rush to the center of her cheeks. She ducked her head, her large bangs hid her blushing face and she stuttered, finding the right words to say.

"So-o... I-I was just wondering..." Aerith suddenly looked up and stared right into bright, sapphire eyes. She grabbed Cloud's hands in hers and looked at him with pleading eyes. "Willyoubemybodygaurd?" Her voice came out like a buzz, it took Cloud minutes to figure out what she had said but in the end all he could think about was the fact that Aerith was holding his hands.

With his mouth slightly agape and cheeks flushing red, Cloud gulped and stammered in response.

"Uh... Um... Uhm... W-wha...W-what do I get in re..." He took in a deep breathe, "return...?" His voice had softened to a whisper as he mentally scolded himself for talking like an idiot. But all thoughts were vanished once Aerith smiled that smile of the sun that sent unfamiliar feelings to flutter in his stomach. (a/n: wasn't that a mouthful? xD)

She let go of his hands and pointed her finger, indicating something behind him, then her expression suddenly changed from peaceful to mock surprise. "You can save us from that!" With a sly smile, Aerith stood up and ran away from Cloud, leaving him confused and clueless. She ran towards one of the ruined pews and shouted to the abandoned blonde. "How wild is your imagination, Cloud?" Her laughter filled their air with joy and Cloud stood up, catching on to Aerith, and turned around to where Aerith had pointed.

Cloud saw a large, green dragon; it was fat and had purple wings smaller than its head, it was nothing dangerous-looking but the way its eyes looked struck fear in Cloud's stomach. The young blonde countered the dragon's furious glare with his own and, hearing Aerith's laughter in the background, Cloud quickly ran back and grabbed a 'sword' from the ground. He swung it around skillfully and turned to look at Aerith, his eyes were shining with perseverance.

"Aerith! Run away, I'll protect us!" He saw Aerith nod and watched as her retreating body made it to the door.

The boy swung his sword in circles once again, giving his full attention to the dragon that was sitting there, under the sunlight. He smiled smugly, and then with a childish battle cry, he charged at the large thing that was too large to move away. It sat there, roaring and flailing it's small arms and tail as Cloud came charging at it with his sword in hand. He leapt up, holding the sword behind his head and was about to bash the brains out of the dragon when...

A scream.

It only took one sharp shriek to bring Cloud back to reality and, as he stood in the empty church, arms bent over his head, he realized who could've made that horrifying yell and his heart jump-started with fear for that person. He quickly rushed towards the door with one thing lingering in his mind.

"Aerith!"

--

author's notes: Man, aren't these idea's soo original? xD /sarcasm

Thanks for the ideas you guys, I've managed to think up a few more but sadly, it's based off of the game's story, slightly. (sweat)
Anyways, hoped you enjoyed this chapter. :)
Stay tuned for the next one!

Reviews are loved and appreciated:heart: