Tifa awoke suddenly. She tried to discover her reason for waking up so suddenly, but she could find none.

Oh, she thought, I need to tell Cloud.

Tifa quickly rose and started her daily routine. She showered and dressed. After putting on a simple white shirt and black jeans she went to the basement to do her daily morning workout. The whole time she was debating whether or not she should tell Cloud about Aerith's grey patches. In the end, she decided he deserved to know. She slowly made her way up the stairs. It was strange that Cloud was still asleep. Ever since Aerith's death he had a hard time sleeping and was never found doing so after dawn.

Tifa opened the door to find him still in bed, fast asleep.

He looks so peaceful, she thought to herself.

She slowly crept over to him and crouched down beside the futon. She memorized his face, which she already knew so well, and just watched him. She didn't know how long she was there. It felt like a minute. Eventually Cloud's brow scrunched up and his eyes fluttered open.

"Tif?" Cloud questioned.

Am I still dreaming? He reasoned.

"Hey sunshine. Time to get up. You slept half the day."

"Oh." Was all Cloud could respond with a blush.

"I need to talk to you, but I think you should get dressed first." Tifa said with a blush as she realized he was not wearing a shirt.

"Oh… okay." Cloud complied.

"What did you want to talk about Tifa?" Cloud asked as he made his way downstairs where Tifa was sitting with tea.

"Well, would you like some tea?"

Cloud nodded and Tifa poured him some. This was going to be difficult for her.

"Well, last night I was braiding Aerith's hair and then I gave her new clothes and I saw two patches of grey skin. One on her neck and one on her back. I don't know what it could be."

Cloud was stunned for a moment. Something was wrong with Aerith? His Aerith? The one who had just come back from the dead. It couldn't be true. But Tifa wouldn't lie. He had to see these patches for himself.

"I don't know what to say. Maybe we should take her to a doctor?"

"I don't know Cloud. This might be something only ShinRa can deal with. I know you don't want any help from them, but they would know best."

Cloud knew she was right. He didn't want to believe that, but he knew in his heart it was true.

"Does she know?"

Tifa looked down.

"No, I didn't have the heart to tell her."

"That's fine. I will. Don't worry, Tif. We'll make sure she is okay."

Just then Aerith came down the stairs.

"Make sure who is alright?" Aerith inquired sleepily.

"No one, hun. Do you want something to eat?" Tifa chimed with a fake smile.

"Uh, sure." Aerith said. She knew something was wrong. Tifa was wearing a very fake smile and she was always able to read Cloud easily.

After they ate they decided to go shopping to get Aerith some clothes. Cloud managed to find some pants for himself as well and Tifa and Aerith bought beautiful matching blue dresses. They matched the color of Cloud's eyes, but they didn't glow so vibrantly.

That evening everyone was tired from the long shopping day, but Cloud knew what he had to do.

"Aerith, let me put your new necklace on." Cloud offered.

Aerith nodded and moved her braid to the side.

"Aerith, have you seen this grey mark on your neck?"

"No, Cloud. What grey mark? I can't see there in the mirror."

"It's kind of scaly. Does it hurt?"

"No." Aerith replied truthfully.

"Here let me get another mirror." Tifa offered as she worked her way up the stairs.

Once she came back down she gave the second mirror to Aerith and Aerith positioned it so that she could see the back of her neck. When she saw the grey mark she gasped.

"Oh, what is it?" She cried.

"I don't know Aerith. But we'll find out." Cloud promised.

"Yeah, Aerith, I bet it's nothing." Tifa added.

Aerith wasn't so sure. In fact she was positive this was not a good sign. Her body could be decaying. Who knew the length of time this new body lasted anyways. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wished Tifa and Cloud goodnight and made her way upstairs.

Cloud and Tifa gazed at each other in worry.

"It'll be alright Cloud. It has to be."

"I hope you are right Tifa. Gods do I hope you are right." Cloud replied.

They stepped near each other and hugged. They held on to each other for a long time. Each one breathing in the scent and essence of the other. They always had each other. That was true. They would get through this together.

END OF CHAPTER VIII