Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A month later Aerith sat on the edge of the cliff overlooking the torn down castle. Cloud hadn't come back yet. She worried about him, knowing the battle was over by now and that either Cloud or Sephiroth had won. She didn't think he had died, her heart knew he hadn't died but she wondered if he would ever come back.

Waiting again as she had not too long ago after she had come back to earth.

Tifa and her had made up in the last month and they had spent many of their days together. Yuffie had forgiven Tifa as well. Yuffie was as flamboyant as ever and she had noticed Leon watching Yuffie out of the corner of his eye. There was hope for Yuffie after all.

But every evening she had come down here. And she had watched the sun set. And she had wondered if Cloud was watching the same sunset.

"Out here again?"

"Yeah." She answered as Yuffie flopped down next to her. "Well?"

"What?"
"If you know I'm here all the time you wouldn't have come without a reason." Aerith answered.

"Well…" She said grinning mischievously and winked, "Leon asked me out."

"How exiting!" Aerith squealed and hugged her friend.

"Hey lay off! If I knew you'd do that I wouldn't have come down."

"Not that you could keep the secret."

"…I could try." Yuffie answered forcefully.

Aerith only smiled.

"This place is nice to come to. I never noticed how silence could be so appealing." Yuffie said

after a few moments.

"I like it."

"You come here to think of him though, don't you?"

"Yeah… Somehow here I feel close to him."

"Because this is where he left?"

"No. Just because."

"Oh…"

"I like to watch the sunset. When the sun sets I feel like he's out there watching the same one and somehow that brings us closer."
"I wonder where he is?" Aerith speculated.

"Oh forget this." Yuffie said standing up. "The company and quiet is nice but…talking about Cloud just makes me get goosebumps! Besides Leon's waiting for me!" She finished giggling and running off.

Aerith sighed. It was a miracle Yuffie had stayed as long as she had. Yuffie was her best friend, but her best friend didn't have much toleration for quiet and peace. She didn't mind being alone however. There were just times when being alone was just all she needed. She looking at the bright sinking sun and hummed a soft tune. Cloud would come back someday. She thought of the day she had dreamed… and how she barley remembered much of it. A blur of sights, the church, small uttered unremembered words. She thought of Cloud fighting for his life and she could do nothing to help. She could only watch in her mind's blinding eye the battle continue… She snapped out of her thoughts hearing the sound of feet behind her.

"Yuffie just left you missed her." Aerith said not turning around, she speculated it was Leon, "And yes, I brought my staff, it's over there." She said pointing, "So don't go on your lectures. I can take care of myself.

"I didn't come here looking for Yuffie."

"Wha-!" She said spinning around. She then found herself hurtling herself in his arms… Cloud's arms.

"You're back!" She cried looking up at him in tears.

"Of course. I'm your bodyguard remember?"

She smiled at the words.

"I can take care of myself."

He only half smiled. But that was more than he had for a long time.

She looked him up and down. He looked… different. Taller, stronger, more confident. His Mako blue eyes shown bright, deepened by the experiences of late. But they were now content and he was ready to move on.

"I've been waiting for you." She said.

"I know." He answered.

"Why did it take so long?"

His face dropped a bit.

"If you want to tell me."

"I defeated Sephiroth. And had to take shelter for a while in a town to recover. I… had to stay for a little while… And then I've been making my way back to you."

She frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just… I saw everything happening as it took place… I don't know how, but I did! And Tifa helped you. She's your light. She was there. She helped you. I wasn't…. You should be with her."

Cloud stared at her blankly.

"Don't stare at me like that!" She said finding that her happy tears where coming out sadly, "I love you Cloud. You know I do… But Tifa love you too. And you love her."

"But…"

Aerith held a finger to his lips, "It's alright you don't have to explain it to me."

"Aerith… Aerith…no." He whispered wipping away her tears, "No. I love you, you're my light."

She looked at him… wondering if it were true. He had just acted so strange after he came back, always running off, Tifa looking for him, her being there to help him. What kind of love was she when she wasn't there to help him?

"But Tifa… she gave you her light."

"But I took yours." He answered.

"But I didn't…"

"You don't remember?"

The words struck her and she remembered… Take Tifa's light. She's there. She can help you. She must be your light… why won't you take it???? Silence. If you won't take her light take mine!

"I… but… I… remember… I prayed… but you heard that… and then you?" She stammered incoherently.

"I'm back for good, Aerith. I'm never leaving you again. I promise. Sephiroth is gone forever, and you and I are here forever." He said and brought her closer.

Aerith tipped her head up. And smiled. All doubts vanished. Slowly he bent his face down to her and kissed her.

(A/N: So that's then end. Tell me what you think! The love triangle came out a bit stronger than I had intended. And although this was how I wanted it to end I wasn't sure if the way Aerith gave her light was very good… Sorry for the slight OOC. Please comment!)