Chapter Three: Discover

"…Cloud?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Should we go back now? I think my aunt and uncle should be up by now…" Aeris trailed off.

"What…is it?"

"I forgot to tell my uncle…about me going out in the morning."

"Um…it should be okay, right?"

Aeris smiled sheepishly, "I don't know about you…"

'Huh?' "We'll know when we get back."

"O…kay."

It was when they went back to Aeris' home did Cloud know what she meant.

"What did you do?" Dajyne yelled as soon as he opened the door, grabbed Aeris inside, and let Cloud stand idly on the steps.

"Uncle-"

"Aeris! Stay inside!" With that he shut the door behind him. Cloud took a step back every time Dajyne continuously pointed at him, saying, "What, are, you, trying, to, pull."

"Um, we were just-"

"Kid! She only met you yesterday!"

'He has the wrong idea…well, not really…but it's not like I can do anything at the moment.'

"You trying to take her away or something?"

Cloud paused. Yes, indeed, he thought about how he wanted to take her to Migar so everyone will see her. But…take her away? It sounded selfish…but…

"I just want to show her…her past."

Dajyne stopped then, and took a good look at the boy's serious eyes. Suddenly the door burst opened and out came a very angry Aeris. She went over to her uncle, took him by his arm and pulled him back in the house. After a while, she came back out.

"Come inside."

"….uh…sure."

Aeris' aunt greeted them at the door. "Welcome back. It's cold in the mornings, isn't it?"

"Uh, yes." Cloud slightly nodded.

"Aeris, could you give this to Lore-san(1)? It was something I forgot to give her yesterday, so could you please?"

"Okay!" Aeris went over to her aunt and took the item that was handed to her, and then shuffle over to the door. As she pasted Cloud she whispered, "I'll be back soon."

Cloud turned around to take a look at her face but she already closed the door behind her.

"Cloud-kun(2)."

Cloud looked over to Maay.

"Come over here. I have something to say to you."

'What could that mean?'

He was lead to the sitting room. Maay gestured for him to sit down across from her, so he did. She was about to open her month to speak when her husband also came in and sat down. Cloud began to feel uneasy with the atmosphere.

"As you should know," Maay started, "Aeris has amnesia."

Cloud slowly nodded, unsure of what to say.

"So, watching over her for almost a whole year has made us two very fond of her. But we know that only this will not make her happy. It will not make her complete. We know what she wants…she wants to remember the memories she had lost."

"And so…" Dajyne continued, "If someone like you appears, her troubles and pains will start."

"…why is that?" Cloud asked, confused.

"Because if you really knew her before, she will realize that she knows nothing about it, which will cause her the pain of not remembering a thing."

'Cause her pain…? I haven't thought about that, only about how I feel…I'm so selfish. And I had no idea either…but I should've known that she's always happy on the outside even if she is feeling pain on the inside.'

The silence was heavy, but Cloud wanted to know something. "Then…what do you want me to do?"

"Just leave." Dajyne looked at him sternly.

"But! Didn't you say she wants to remember? So why can't I-"

"Yes, but the doctor said that…" He took a deep breath, "The chances of her recovering her memories are very low. Around five percent."

"Five…but you don't know if you don't try."

"Kid, stop acting like you know."

"…I…once forgot everything about myself too, and even thought that someone else's memories were mine…" Cloud stood up. "So…you wouldn't know if you don't give it a try." With that said, Cloud quickly left the house.

When the couple hear the door shut, Dajyne said, "What a kid. Full of surprises."

"Well…now that he said that…" Maay looked at her husband.

…………

"I still can't believe I said that…." Cloud mumbled to himself. He started to walk unconsciously to the shoreline again. 'But then again, there are many weird things I do when it comes to Aeris.'

He kept walking and thinking, 'I probably pissed her uncle off. Now what? He probably doesn't even want me to take Aeris to Migar, even if it's just for a while.'

Cloud sighed. Everything was still complicated. He reached the shoreline and stood there for a while, staring at the ground. He didn't feel like moving, but something seem to make him avert his gaze to the path he didn't finish following. Pink. His eyes widened, then he ran over.

"Aeris!" His breath was becoming short as he lifted her upper body gently off the ground and into his arms. "Are you okay?"

Her breathe was swallow and rapid. She didn't answer, and was closing her eyes. Cloud lifted her up and completely off the ground. It was then he realized that he didn't know where the doctor's clinic was. Cloud decided to go back to her house, since her aunt and uncle will know what to do. She was as light as a feather in his arms.

'Was she sick? She didn't seem like it. So why…' The run seemed to be very long and he was starting to feel sick himself. 'Why is that every time she's in trouble...I can't do a darn thing!'

When he finally reached her home, he kicked the gate open, ran to the entrance, and tried to open the unlocked door. When he did, he burst inside and said, "Aeris is sick!"

Her aunt and uncle came running from the sitting room. Dajyne faced frowned, "Put her in her room, I'll call the doctor."

Cloud went upstairs with Maay behind him. When Aeris was tucked into her bed, Maay had already got a cold towel on her forehead. "Again…"

Cloud looked over to her, "What?"

"She has been very weak since we found her. I worry about her every time she goes out, but I don't want to restrict her either. I…shouldn't have told her to deliver something for me." She sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Aeris' face gently.

"It's not like you wanted this…" Maay didn't respond, so Cloud asked, "She was always like this?"

She turned to him, "Yes. Once in a while she would fall ill. It's nothing too serious so don't worry." She smiled weakly.

'In a way…that makes sense…I guess this is also why her uncle is protective of her.'

Dajyne came into the room with the doctor. Everyone watched silently as the doctor did the usual procedures. After examining her he said, "She should be okay after she rests. Give her something warm to drink, and don't worry." The doctor smiled slightly.

"Thank you, doctor." Dajyne went outside the room to escort the doctor, who seems to come here often.

"I will go prepare some soup for her." Maay said, but received no response from Cloud. She looked at him and knew he wanted to just stay where he was, so she quietly went out of the room.

When she closed the door behind her, her husband returned and whispered, "That kid is still in there?"

"Yes. It's alright now, isn't it?"

He grunted, "Only you think so."

Maay smiled. "Let's go downstairs and make something for them."

…………

Cloud sat on a chair which he pulled next to the bed. 'I didn't know you were still going through so much…'

He leaned over and looked at her angelic face. She was sleeping as peacefully as ever, as if she was never ill. He stroked her cheek. "I'm sorry."

Aeris stared to stir so Cloud retracted his hand. She opened her eyes and when she recognized him she smiled. Then she said, "I'm sorry for having you worried."

"No…I'm just glad that you're okay."

Aeris started to sit up so Cloud helped her. After she settled she asked playfully, "Did my aunt say anything about me when I was out?"

"Nothing bad." He shrugged, trying to make it like nothing happened.

"So she did! Hey, hey, what did she say?"

"Well…about you being ill sometimes…"

"Oh that. Well, I guess it's true, even though I hate it this way…"

"It might get better."

"I guess." A silence followed.

Cloud wanted to break the silence and ask her a question so he started awkwardly, "Say…have you ever went to any other city?"

"Now that you mention it, I haven't been anywhere."

Even though Cloud knew the answer, he asked anyways, "Do you like to travel?"

"Of course! There are a lot of beautiful places in the world. It would be wonderful…"

Cloud smiled at her response, despite knowing it already. "Well…you like to, uh, come to Migar?"

Aeris eyes slightly widened. "Can I? Oh, wait…but my aunt and uncle."

"Er…ask them?"

"You have such a good suggestion! Migar's not to far from here right? You got me so excited! Why didn't I think of this before?" She hastily got out of her bed.

"Are you okay? The doctor-"

"Said that I should rest right? Yes, I'll be fine."

"At least wear some warmer clothing."

"You sound like my aunt now! And it's only been a day." She laughed and proceeded to her closet to find something.

"Oh…" Cloud felt his face become a bit warm. 'She's right…is that scary or what?'

"Okay!" She pulled a red jacket with long sleeves out and put it on.

'Of all colours…it just proves her fashion sense is still the same though…' Cloud thought with a light laugh.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Oh, uh, nothing." Cloud walked towards the door, opened it, and waited for Aeris to come outside before he closed it again.

"I still can't believe this. I'm so stupid! I just thought about how I wanted to travel but…I hadn't really thought about how I was going to do that." She finished sheepishly.

"It's okay." Cloud smiled. 'I'll take you anywhere.'

Aeris ran down the stairs and almost fell but fortunately regained her balance before that happened. "Auntie! Uncle! I'm going to Migar with Cloud!"

Only a boiling pot of soup could be heard throughout the whole house, that is, until Dajyne yelled, "What?" He stormed over to Aeris, "What has gone to your mind?"

Meekly, Aeris said, "Only for a while…"

"I see!" He went pass Aeris and up to the top of the stairs where Cloud was still standing. "It's you."

Cloud didn't want to offend him, but he didn't need to lie either. "Yeah. So what's your answer?"

Dajyne stared at him. "You kid…"

"Okay." Maay answered swiftly at the bottom of the stairs.

Cloud blinked. 'That was surprisingly easy.' Cloud asked out loud, "Are you…sure?"

"What's wrong with you kid? If we said yes, it's yes! Now leave!"

"N-Now?"

"Uncle, are you okay? You know…aren't you suppose to, um, argue a bit?" Aeris looked at her uncle, genuinely worried.

"Yes, that is exactly what I should be doing." Dajyne walked down the stairs with slumped shoulders.

"So…?" Aeris watch her uncle walk pass and go to the kitchen to sit down.

"Don't worry about it. We agreed to let you go." She lowered her voice and whispered in Aeris' ear, "And find out about yourself."

Aeris eyes widen when she understood what her aunt meant. She hugged her aunt and softly said, "Thank you…"

"And spend time with your boyfriend." She added as a joke.

Aeris released her aunt to look at her. "What? No…" Her face started to heat up. "It's not like that."

Maay laugh, "Yes, yes."

The two looked at Cloud as he was coming down the stairs and laughed again. Cloud had no idea what was going on, but he didn't question. (If this was an anime, you could clearly see question marks above his head.)

"Come drink some broth first. You too, Cloud-kun."

"Yah! Auntie's soups are the best!"

…………

"So this is how you came…" Dajyne inspected Cloud's motorcycle. "Is it safe?"

"Well, so far I had no accidents."

"What if you have one now?"

"I won't."

"How do you know?"

"I'm a pretty decent driver."

"Decent? You have to be good!"

"Those two are getting along." Maay said to Aeris who looked at the bike in amazement.

"Wow…I want to ride this…" She turned to Cloud, "How do you drive this anyways?"

"I'll show you when we get on."

Before Cloud could say anymore, Dajyne whisper in his ear, "You better watch out for her, or else I will go to Migar and beat the crap of you."

Apparently, Cloud has given them his cell number and his address since Dajyne said that he couldn't be relaxed with his niece travelling. So if something happened, Cloud would be in some trouble.

Cloud simply nodded, and went over to his bike to get it ready to go.

When everything was settled, Cloud was sitting on his bike and making a phone call while Dajyne and Maay talked to Aeris about safety and coming home in a few days for the millionth time. They were still protesting about her health but Aeris insisted that she would be fine and will not pass out again.

"Hey, Tifa…sorry about that, but can you call everyone and tell them to go to the bar as soon as possible? Is it urgent? Yes….Thanks." Cloud hung up and thought, 'I wonder how their reactions would be like…'

Barret and Cid will probably start cussing, while Yuffie and Cait Sith would be jumping up and down in excitement. Red and Vincent would be surprised, but accepting. Tifa would probably be teary-eyed. And of course, there will be joy.

Cloud slightly smiled at the thought. He wanted to get back as soon as possible. Aeris' nearby voice interrupted his thoughts, "Okay, okay! I'll be back in a few days so don't worry! I can take care of myself." She jogged over to the bike and hoped onto it, grabbing on to the side of the seat. "Cloud! Start the engine!"

He was happy to go, so he did so. He drove slowly so Aeris could say a good-bye and wave before accelerating.

"You better hold on tight."

"Wha-" Before Aeris could finish, she knocked into Cloud's back and out of reaction she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Cloud couldn't help but feel his cheeks warm up a bit. Sure, she rode with him on the bike before but that was only once and they were going pretty slow so she didn't need to hold onto him.

Aeris laughed, "This is fun!"

"You never rode on a motorcycle before?"

"No! This is my first time!"

'Technically, it's not… it still sounds weird to hear her talk like this…'

Nevertheless, Cloud smiled. After all, she was here, and that's all that matter. The pain, grief, loneliness, and incompleteness…it didn't matter. No, not anymore. She was here…and that was enough.

They rode the first half of the ride in comfortable silence. When Cloud thought that Aeris needed to take a break, he stopped by some nearby rocks. She was circling around the giant rocks and even attempted to climb them a few times. Cloud was just sitting and silently resting. He lightly laughed when Aeris pouted out of frustration of not being able to climb the rock. She attempted to glare at him and silenced his laugh to a smile. Aeris smiled at him, indicating she was joking. The captivating moment was broken when Cloud's phone rang. He dug into his pockets and flipped it open. He looked at the caller id.

He pressed the answer button and said, "Tifa?"

"Everyone's here."

"…that was fast."

"You said it was urgent. It's also because no one was really busy at the moment. But come back quickly! What is it anyways?"

"It's…a surprise."

"…did I hear that right?"

"Yes, but don't be freaked out or anything. If you find something weird, don't comment about it. I'll explain it later. Tell the others too."

"Okay…are you sure you're not talking about yourself?" Cloud heard some people laugh in the background on the other line. He was on speaker.

"Later." He didn't even wait for a response before he shut the phone and placed in back in his pocket.

"Tifa? Who is that?" Aeris asked when she saw that Cloud was done talking.

"She's a friend."

"Oh really…" Aeris seemed to be in deep thought for a moment.

'This happened before…didn't it?' Cloud smiled at the memory. He glanced over to Aeris when she attempted to climb the big rock once again. He knew they should get going but he didn't want to ruin her current mood either. 'A few beatings should be alright.' He started to think about what Cid and Barret might do, but stopped when he saw that Aeris was very unstable at the edge of the rock. He stood up from his spot and went around to where she was.

"It's kind of dangerous up there." He started to worry.

"It's okay! You'll catch me if I fall right?" She laughed.

"Uh…" Cloud shook his head in defeat when he realized that he can't convince her. 'Of course.'

He climbed up the rock with ease. When he reached the platform of the rock he turned back to Aeris, who was still grabbing on to the side. She looked at him blankly and said, "You just ruined my morale."

Cloud couldn't help but smiled at her expression. He went over and extended his hand to her, which she took wordlessly after staring at it for a moment. He helped her up along the way. When she reached the top she smiled brightly.

Cloud was curious as to why she wanted to come up here, so he asked, "Why did you want to get up here?"

"For this." She whirled around in a little dance.

"To…dance?"

Aeris laughed and Cloud thought that he still liked to heard her melodic laugh very much. "Well…maybe that's a part of it. But I wanted to see this…the scenery." She gazed around, "It's a nice view up here."

The ground around them was a very dry brown, with not even a speck of greenery in sight. There weren't even flowers. Confused, Cloud asked, "How?"

Aeris faced the sky and took in a deep breath of air. "Well, this is our planet. We should enjoy everything it brings to us. If there were no soil, there will be no grass. So the soil should be regarded as good too."

Hearing her say this, Cloud remembered one of the many questions that were pricking the back of his mind, "Aeris, can you…hear the planet?"

She looked over to him and repeated, "Hear the planet?" She made a bewildered expression. "What do you mean?"

The wind was blowing quite strong at their altitude but both of them didn't seem to notice. Cloud's eyes slightly widened and did not speak for a few moments. When he did he just said, "Oh…it's nothing. Let's go down." He went to the edge and climbed down the rock.

Aeris sensed that this was not true but she didn't question it. "Okay." She followed and with the help of Cloud, she was finally on the ground.

Still disturbed by her response, Cloud said nothing. Aeris didn't even try to make a conversation, as she knew something was bothering him.

'Was it something I said? But what did I say? Is he mad? I hope not…'

While Aeris was worrying about him, Cloud had thoughts of his own, 'What does that mean? Did she forget about that too? But how can she forget? If the planet speaks to her she would know…'

They rode the rest of the way in uncomfortable silence.

…………

A/N: I decided to stop here…on a bad note. Xl please forgive me! I was going to write more…but then…well…it seemed that this was a good place to end the chapter. I know…evil cliffy….at least I would consider it to be. :P

I don't know if this is happening all too fast so review and please tell me your thoughts! Thank you :)

..Notes..

1) –san: A respectful term used for people who may be older than you.

2) –kun: Usually used for younger boys that you don't know very well. (I heard it used for girls sometimes, but I'm not sure why)