Yuffie helped out by using some cure material on Aerith and Tifa. Tifa's nose didn't even bother her anymore and after she cleaned off the blood she was as good as new. Aerith was tired from the whole fiasco and was asleep upstairs. The rest of AVALANCHE was downstairs.

"I can't believe my eyes! It really is her!" Yuffie exclaimed while she pointed upstairs.

"Yes, it is quite a remarkable clone." Vincent remarked.

"Holy heck, she's the splitting imagine 'cept for the hair 'o course." Cid spit out.

Everyone looked towards Cloud for an explanation. Cloud shifted uncomfortably under their gazes. He never liked being the center of attention.

"Well… as you guys may have guess this is ShinRa's doing. They cloned her from a lock of hair and channeled her spirit into the body. It is Aerith. The Aerith we all know and love. And she's not dead."

"I have never heard of such a remarkable thing in all my years…" Red trailed off in thought.

"Well, you better believe it," Tifa started, "because it's her alright!"

"Well, I'd like to stay but Sherra's waiting for me. Give Aerith my regards and come visit anytime." Cid said in farewell.

Everyone said their good byes and then Vincent, Yuffie, and Red made their exit. Only Cloud, Tifa, and Barret remained.

"I would like to say hello but it's getting late and Marlene is home alone. I'll stop by soon." Barret said before leaving. And then there were two. Unless you counted the sleeping blonde upstairs that is.

"Well…" Tifa started.

"Interesting day." Cloud finished.

They stared at each other for a moment. The feelings of relief flowed between them. Aerith was safe. She was alive and she was sleeping upstairs. Tifa walked over to Cloud and circled her arms around him. He stayed immobile at first, but then after a moment he moved his arms to encircle them around Tifa in return.

"She's safe now. It's alright." He whispered.

"I know. I am so very glad." Tifa whispered back.

When they divided their was an awkward moment where they were still close enough to feel each other's breathe on each other's faces but the moment was lost when they heard someone walking down the stairs.

"Uh… Tifa I'm Hunnnnnngry." Aerith managed through a yawn.

Tifa laughed and replied, "sure thing. I'll fix you both up something right away." Then she went to work fulfilling her promise and left the two to be alone. Her heart beat was finally slowing down.

"Aerith I think Tifa could lend you some clothes until we have a chance to get you some new ones." Cloud suggested.

"I don't know how well they will fit Aerith replied looking down and then back at Cloud, but I bet it will be better than this thing." She said while pulling the medical gown away from her body.

"Yeah." Cloud agreed. A few moments later Tifa retuned with food for all of them and they ate together mostly in silence.

After eating Cloud had gone upstairs after saying goodnight and only Tifa and Aerith were left. Tifa started picking up the dishes when Aerith started to help.

"Thanks." Tifa said with a smile.

"You did make the food after all. It's the least I can do. I was never good with cooking."

"Really? I find that hard to believe. I can teach you if you would like."

"I would like that very much. Thank you Tifa." Aerith gave a smile.

"That is the first smile I have seen on you since… well since you came back."

"It's difficult for me. Being back. It's hard to remember things and everything is so different from…"

"Being dead?" Tifa dared to say.

"Well, yes." Aerith nodded.

"Hey would you like me to braid your hair like you use to wear it? I think it's long enough."

"Yes I would like that very much. Let's finish the dishes first."

"Don't' worry about it. Just leave them and go and sit down." And Aerith did.

"Hey Tifa?"

"Yes, Aerith?"

"Are you glad I am back?"

"Of course I am Aerith. Now I won't say I wasn't skeptical in the beginning but now I am very happy to have you back."

"Oh okay. I was just checking. You and Cloud seem to have grown closer… yet you keep your distance from each other."

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed." Tifa blushed. Of course she had noticed. They had become close after Aerith's death. She helped him with his grief. But afterwards, when he started to blame himself, he distanced himself from her and she was helpless to do anything but distance him as well to protect her own heart. They both had walls up that neither wanted to let fall. It was just too frightening. Just then Tifa noticed a grey patch of flesh on Aerith's neck. She tried to rub it away thinking it was just dust, but it was the actual skin. It was as if the skin was decaying. She decided not to tell Aerith so as to not scare her. There was no reason to worry her. After all it's not like her new body was dying or anything so terrible. Maybe it was just something the new body did. She would tell Cloud though.

"Yes, I noticed it immediately. You should not be so afraid Tifa. He has strong feelings for you. I can sense it. It's the way things should be. I am supposed to be dead after all."

Tifa had no answer to that so she kept quiet while she finished Aerith's hair. She took a hand held mirror out and placed it in Aerith's hand.

"There!" Tifa exclaimed.

"It's beautiful Tifa. Thank you."

"Now let's find you some clothes. That medical gown isn't too lovely."

So they both went upstairs and found some clothes that didn't look too big on Aerith. Some even fit quite nicely. As Aerith changed though Tifa noticed another grey spot on Aerith's back. It was bigger and seemed scaly. It worried her. She would definitely have to tell Cloud soon.

END OF CHAPTER VII