Chapter Two: Clear

The first two things that crossed Cloud's mind when he woke up was: One, Wake Aeris up. Two, I forgot to call Cid. He mentally cursed in his head when he thought about how he was going to be yelled at by the pilot for not telling him and things like that. He glanced at the clock, which read seven thirty.

'I wonder if he's up this early…it won't hurt if I call…'

With this thought in mind, he picked up his cell phone from the night stand and dialled Cid's cell. He didn't want to wake Shera up, if she was still sleeping, but then again, she might be the one to answer the phone anyways. After a few rings, someone picked up the phone. It was silent, so Cloud took the initiative to say hello first. There was no answer.

Cloud tried again, "Hello-"

"What the hell is your problem? First, you don't even call me, and when you do it's in the frickening morning! You idiot! I'm still sleeping!"

How wrong Cloud was, when he thought it wouldn't hurt to call. His ears hurt from the unexpected -well, not really, - yell from Cid. He had pulled the phone away from his ear when the yelling started, but it still hurt from the first word Cid said. What if he didn't have fast reflexes? Ouch…

"Well…"

"Well? You call and all you say is 'well'?"

"…I'm done delivering the item you wanted me to."

"Is everything paid for?"

"Yes."

"Fine! I'll talk to you later spiky." A click was heard as Cid hung up.

"…" Cloud sighed, hung up, and placed the phone on the night stand. He got out of the bed and to the door.

Cloud felt the cold air as soon as he stepped out into the hallway. It got pretty cold in the early mornings. He quietly walked over to Aeris' bedroom. He vaguely remembered her saying that this was her room and he could come over if he needed anything. He raised his arm to knock, but paused midway. This reminded him of those times…when he had to wake everyone up so they can continue to travel to another place.

…………

"Aeris…wake up. We have to go."

She turned to her side and mumbled, "Just a little longer okay?"

"Everyone is getting ready. You wouldn't want everyone to wait for you to get up right?" Cloud kneeled down beside the bed.

"That's true…"

"So…?" Cloud waited for a few moments, but Aeris still didn't answer him.

"Aeris!"

"Ah! Okay, okay! I'm up." She sat up and swung her legs to the side of the bed. She yawned, "I never knew you could be so forceful."

Cloud stood up. "But…"

"I'm just kidding! I don't want to make everyone wait, but I was so tried! We walked so much yesterday."

"Yeah, I know, but we need to hurry to the next town."

"Okay. Now get out so I can change! You don't want me changing in front of you right?"

Cloud blushed, "N-No!" He quickly exited the room.

…………

Cloud sighed. He was thinking about her again….how could he forget? And now there's a look-alike…well, maybe. He still wasn't sure.

'But why did she want me to wake her up? Strange…I wonder if it's okay, it's still so early.'

Cloud softly knocked on her door, seeing if she was already awake. When there was no answer, he turned the doorknob and quietly opened the door. He stepped inside and moved the door so it was only a crack from closing. As he expected, the room was bathe in a warm light. He looked over to Aeris' sleeping figure. He had to force himself to walk closer and wake her up.

'It seems so impossible…but I sense Aeris' presence even if she isn't her…'

"A-" It was then that Cloud realized he couldn't say her name out loud, not after he came to the possibility that she wasn't the Aeris he used to know. He stared at the ground in frustration. Clenching his fist, he whispered under his breath, "Why does everything have to be so complicated? And after everything started to settle down too."

'…but…' Cloud lifted his head and gaze at the sleeping girl, 'I wouldn't mind the idea of her coming back…I just wished it wasn't this complicated…'

Since he couldn't really say her name, he just shook her shoulder a bit. "Hey…you told me to wake you up right?" He kneeled down beside her bed.

Aeris stirred, and slowly opened her eyes. She stared at Cloud for a moment before shooting right up on her bed and exclaiming, "Sorry!"

Cloud was a bit surprised at her sudden actions and so he moved back a bit, which caused himself to sit on his butt. There was a moment of silence before Aeris started to giggle. Cloud just blinked blankly at her, still confused with what just happened.

Aeris finally calmed down and said, "Oh, sorry. It was just that I was saying sorry for you having the trouble to wake me up."

Cloud blinked, "Um…not at all…"

Aeris laughed again. When she finally quieted down she stepped off of her bed and stretched, "Good morning!" She went to the other side of the room to open the blinds. "Hmm…it's still kind of grey outside. I guess it's the fog!" She turned to Cloud, who already stood up from his sitting position. "That's what happens when you live near the ocean."

When Cloud did not respond, she said, "I should get ready. You too!" Aeris smiled. It wasn't those smiles you get from a stranger, but ones you receive from people you are familiar with.

"Uh…yeah…" Cloud exited the room.

When he got back to the room he was currently occupying, he breathed deeply and mumbled, "I can't look at her straight in the face when she does that….it's getting harder to even talk to her…"

Aeris was thinking about the same thing. "Hmm…I just met him yesterday right? Well…I guess I'll need to find out…Yes, I meant to tell him soon."

…………

Aeris said that going for a walk in the morning was nice, so they exited the house after getting ready. The air was still chilly with the fog present. They walked down the lane in silence. Cloud still didn't know why Aeris told him to wake her up, or what was with the serious expression she wore.

"Uh…" He tried to start, but failed miserably.

Nevertheless, Aeris turned towards him, "Yes?"

"You…wanted to say something to me?"

Aeris didn't answer. She turned away and just kept looking at the ground like it was the most important thing she needed to focus upon at that moment. Even though her bangs where covering her face, Cloud could feel like he could, simply put, feel her emotions. He felt her being troubled. They walked on like that for a while, until they subconsciously reached the beach. They were standing on the area where the sand and grass met.

"I…" Aeris finally looked up from the ground and stared out into the blue sea. There was a slight breeze which played with their hair. "…came to this town about a year ago. Or rather, I woke up here."

Cloud made a confused look but kept silent.

"I just remember waking up near the water…around here…The town's people were very nice and took care of me. The next time I woke up was in the clinic. My mind was blank. The only thing I could remember was…"

Cloud looked at her direction, "Was…?"

"…was my name. Aeris Gainsborough."

"I…don't understand. What are you trying to say?"

"I have…well the doctor said…" She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself. "…memory loss. I…I don't remember the past twenty-three years of my life."

Cloud felt as if lighting just struck him. Everything was so clear now. It couldn't be coincidence. They were the same person. They are one person. No, she, not they.

"So…you are the Aeris I use to know." Cloud had hope in his eyes, even if one couldn't tell.

"Well…maybe. But I can't be sure, of course."

"But! It can't be coincidence! You have the same name and face, same personality, you still like pink and flowers very much…"

Aeris stared at him the whole time he had listed the things he knew about her. Cloud noticed this and stopped. He began to feel his face heating up, so he looked away.

"A-As I was saying…it can't be a coincidence. Even if two people in this world are similar, they can't be so alike."

Aeris giggled, "I guess you're right."

"And I can prove it to you! You had-have friends that will recognize you!" Cloud turned to her again, remembering that the others could tell and reassure him, even though he was positive. And besides, he had to bring her back so everyone could see that she was here.

"Cloud…are you always like this? I had a feeling you were the quiet type." Aeris said with a hint of a smile.

"…I…um…no…yes…you're right." Cloud just realized he was acting like a child who found a lost item.

Aeris simply smiled at him. Her smile seemed like it was for him. This made Cloud's heart waver. He just wanted act on his own instincts at the moment but he had to stop himself.

'Heck, what if I did something like…hug her? That wouldn't be good. Because…because to her, right now, I am a stranger she met yesterday. But to me…I knew her for a long time. She just doesn't understand how happy...and grateful I am…to be at her side again…Yes, it will be different…our relationship. But I can't be selfish.'

Cloud gazed at her and with a hint of a smile, he thought, 'This is where it starts.'

"…..Cloud?"

'Our new relationship.'

…………

A/N: Wah…this one was half the length of the last chapter, but I thought it would be good it I ended it here…for now. :) Just so you readers can take in what was just read, hehe. You will find out how Aeris came back later, no worries. :D

Please review, it will make me very happy. XD

And yes, it IS Aeris. No doubt about that. :)