After breakfast Cloud worked on the dishes while Tifa struggled to tell Aerith what Reno had said.

"Aerith…" She started.

"Yes, Tifa?" Aerith said with very innocent looking eyes.

Man this is hard. Maybe I should have Cloud tell her. No! I can't. He's blaming himself too much and I promised I would.

"Aerith," she started again. "We contacted ShinRa about the grey patches on your skin."

"Oh. What did they say?" Aerith asked sounding surprised.

"They said your body is dying. But they can fix it! Sort of…"

"What do you mean Tifa?"

"They said your body is decaying, but they can make another one."

"But what if it happens to the new one?"

"It won't and if it does we can try again."

"But will my soul be able to handle all the transfers."

Damn! How does she know that?

"I… we don't know."

"It's sounds risky. I am going to think about it."

"Just remember… Cloud blames himself for all of this."

"Why does he blame himself? It's not Cloud's fault I died."

"I know, Aerith. I tell him that. But he doesn't believe me. Maybe if you tell him yourself?" Tifa said as she eyed the door to the kitchen pointingly.

"Yes, I'll do that Tifa. Could you give us some privacy?"

"Sure." Tifa replied as she got up from her stool and headed up the stairs.

"Good luck." She added.

Aerith waited patiently for Cloud to finish with the dishes. When he did he came out and saw Aerith by herself.

"So… did Tifa…?"

"Yes, she told me Cloud. And I want to tell you something too. Please sit down."

Aerith waited for him to do so.

"Cloud, I don't blame you for my death. My first death or this inevitable one. I don't blame you for anything."

"You are just saying that Aerith because you are a nice person. But you know deep down that it is my fault."

"NO CLOUD IT'S NOT!" Aerith yelled.

Cloud was stunned. He had never heard Aerith yell. Or even be angry. He didn't know what to do. Maybe she was right. Maybe she wasn't. But in order to get her to calm down he agreed.

"Okay, Aerith. You're right. It's not my fault." He said, but he didn't fully believe the words.

Aerith knew Cloud was probably just trying to calm her down. Her outburst even surprised her. But, she would have to accept what she got.

"Thank you, Cloud. Now when are we going to see Rufus?"

"Soon. I was thinking today even. Just to go over our options."

"Okay, I'll get Tifa."

It didn't take long for the three of them to get ready and head over to Healin Lodge. When they arrived by motorcycle, the door was open. They stepped inside led by Cloud.

"Welcome back ex-SOLDIER Cloud." Rufus greeted.

Cloud was in no mood for pleasantries.

"Okay Rufus, tell us what we need to do."

"Let me see her." Rufus said.

Cloud nodded to Aerith to tell her it was alright. Aerith stepped slowly towards Rufus while keeping her eyes glued on Cloud.

"May I?" Rufus inquired. He was asking to unzip her dress. She nodded.

"The damage seems minimal. Let's see it's been… a week or so, correct?"

"Yes." Aerith answered.

"I wouldn't worry about it for at least another few weeks. Your options are to try to repair the body you are in now or replace it altogether. There are risks with both options. If you choose to repair it a tear may occur and you may loose too much blood. And if we replace the whole body the soul will be damaged irreparably. Enough transfers and the soul will break. Souls are precious things. They are not fully expendable." Rufus explained in a calm voice.

Cloud didn't understand how he could be so calm. He supposed that ShinRa didn't have anything invested in them anyways. Why had they stolen Aerith before though?

"Of course there is a price for everything." Rufus continued.

Of course there's a catch.

"You are the last of the Centra race. It was be a pity if the race were to die out completely. All we ask is that you produce a child. We do not care who the father is as long as you are the mother. I am confident we can repair your body enough to carry the child to term. Otherwise we will not aid you and your body will die."

"Damn you Rufus!" Cloud exclaimed.

"You are going to take my child?"Aerith asked.

"No, we wouldn't dream of it. It will be like when you were a child and the Turks guarded you."

"Yes, but then you kidnapped me to perform experiments."

"I am not saying there will not be experiments, but you are welcome to be present for all of them and you are allowed to say no to any experiment. The crucial thing is that we continue the race."

"I'll… think about it." Aerith answered.

"Good. Let us know your answer in three days or less." Rufus set the terms.

"Okay."

With that the three AVALANCHE members left and went home.

END OF CHAPTER 11