a/n; Again, thanks for the reviews you guys, you're the best!

Chapter 8

Cheer up!

"Aww, Tifa! Do you really have to go?"

The little raven haired girl nodded at the brunette, a sad expression was clearly marked on her face.

The trio was standing at the Midgar gates, Tifa was just about to leave when her friends had stopped her to say goodbye. Aerith was saddened that her new friend had to go, they've only had three days to get to know each other after all, and that wasn't enough for the young flower girl. Cloud, on the other hand, was indifferent as always, he stood next to Aerith and watched as the two girls sadly said goodbye and hugged each other. Tifa then looked at Cloud and smiled slightly, he returned the smile with a faint blush and looked to the ground.

"Goodbye Cloud, it was nice seeing you again."

Cloud looked up and nodded, brushing his thumb across his nose coolly. "Yeah, you too, Tifa."

Tifa then nodded one last time to the two and climbed into the truck. She looked outside the window and smiled before the car started and drove past the gates into the vast world outside of Midgar. She was gone.

Aerith looked away, sad that her friend had left and wiped away a small tear that had shed from her eyes. She then started to walk away, not sure of what to do now, not really in the mood to do anything actually… A sigh escaped from her lips, one that was so crestfallen and bitter that Cloud was starting to get worried for the brunette. He quickened his steps, catching up to the girl and tried to reassure her with words he wasn't even sure of himself.

"Aw, come on Aerith… I'm sure she'll come back soon." Liar.

Aerith still didn't smile, she continued to walk straight on the sidewalk and sighed again. Cloud rubbed the back of his head and smiled, trying once again.

"Even if Tifa's gone, you still have me!" The young boy stuck his thumb to his chest and grinned widely for effect. Her lips twitched a bit but it still wasn't a smile. Aerith looked at him anyways and laughed half-heartedly. "Thanks for trying Cloud…"

The boy's grin disappeared and his shoulders slumped. What else could he do to cheer her up? He continued to walk in the same pace as Aerith while he thought of something, and suddenly, an idea struck him. Quickening his pace, he went ahead of Aerith and stopped walking causing her to stop as well. He looked at the girl square in the eyes, and smiled his trademark smirk.

"Hey, let's play hide-and-seek. That's your favourite game right?" Aerith looked at him weirdly and nodded slowly, what was he up to? Just at that moment, she saw him raise his hands in a defensive mode and blurt out.

"It's nothing really… I just want to play it…" His eyes then found the ground and he found himself struggling for words. "I-it's your favourite game right? So-o if we play it, you'll be happy…again." He looked up, meeting Aerith's small smile and couldn't help but feel a little happy inside. He saw Aerith nod and nodded himself before running towards the slums and yelling out to her, "you're the seeker!"

"1, 2, 3, 4…" Aerith was standing next to a bench, her eyes were closed shut and she counting the numbers out loud so that Cloud could hear her.

Cloud was running all over the place, trying his hardest to find a good hiding spot to, well… hide. He began to panic when he heard Aerith's voice close to twenty and randomly picked out a bush and jumped behind it.

"Twenty! Ready or not, here I come!"

Aerith opened her eyes and turned around, scanning the area. A sigh escaped her lips and she shook her head, laughing quietly at the yellow head that stuck out like a sore thumb from behind the bush. She quietly walked towards the bush while uttering random questions as to where Cloud was.

Cloud clamped his hand over his mouth, trying hard not to reveal where he was but when he felt something tug on his tallest spike, he couldn't help but yell out of surprise. Aerith walked through the bush, giggling slightly at the boy and shook her head.

"You're not a very good hider, Cloud. I've already found you three times!" Aerith continued to giggle, lightly teasing the younger boy and then felt something tickle at her nose. She stopped giggling, scrunched up her nose and distorted her face. Cloud couldn't help but laugh at her but when she let out that sneeze, he stopped, looked at her… and laughed some more.

"Excuse me… Hm-m, that isn't funny Cloud." She looked at the boy coldly and held her head lightly. Cloud continued to laugh, looking at the girl cheerfully.

"I'm sorry… but you looked… so funny! Bless… You, by the way..." He said all of that in-between giggles. Aerith only shook her head, grabbing Cloud lightly and sat down, still holding her head. Cloud stopped laughing, realizing that something was wrong and looked at Aerith with worry.

"Aerith… Are you okay?" The girl shook her head and looked at him through hazy eyes, her face was beginning to heat up.

"I-it's nothing…" Cloud shook his head this time and grabbed her hand, placing his free one on her forehead. She was burning.

"Liar, you're burning up… Aerith, I think you're sick. Come on, I'll bring you home."

Aerith didn't fight back, she stood up when Cloud had and leaned herself against him as he held her and began walked towards her home.

--

He brought her home, this was the first time he actually came to her house. He noticed the large garden that was full of flowers and was instantly reminded of the Church. He tore his mind off it though, and quickly walked up to the front door, banging on it loudly. He heard Aerith murmur against his shoulder and the door opened wide.

"Aerith, you don't have to ban—"

Cloud saw the lady from before, when he first met Aerith and looked at her desperately.

"Auntie… Aerith… I think she's sick!" Aerith's mom looked at Cloud with surprise and quickly took Aerith in her arms, immediately checking her forehead. She nodded, looking at Cloud and smiled at him, gently.

"You're right… Thank you, Cloud, for bringing her back…" She cradled Aerith in her arms as knelt down to see Cloud eye to eye. "I don't think Aerith's going to do anymore playing today, maybe you should go home.." She smiled again, just like how Aerith smiled and stood up.

Cloud looked at Aerith's mother and nodded. He turned around but before walking off, he looked back at Aerith and then her mom and spoke.

"Um, tell Aerith that I hope she feels better… and that I'll be coming to see her tomorrow!"

He saw Elmyra nod and finally walked away, sad that the day ended short and sad that Aerith had gotten sick.

author's notes: heh, hope you guys liked this one:3