Yay, the third chapter. Sorry, it took a bit longer.

I hope you enjoy this.

It's rather long, but I hope that's okay.

I think I'm going to have these chapters divided into two POV's for now, at least until one side's story needs to be a chapter in itself. And, eventually, it'll all come together.

Alot of this refers back to the original FF7 game, so I'm sorry for the people who don't understand some references I've made. I like to point out the small things or idiocincracies the characters had throughout the game and use them to build up the characters indiviuality more. But, let me know if there's something you don't get, I'm more than happy to explain. Because, god knows how ridiculously obessive and researchy I've become of that stupid game Dx haha.

Review if you wish, it helps to push me to write more. Thanks so much :]

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"Yuffie, don't make me regret bringing you with me," Cloud said in a slightly bored voice. He strapped into the pilot's seat of the Gummi ship and began to flick a few switches on the dashboard of the ship. Yuffie strapped herself into the passenger seat and pulled her knees to her chest and consistently made small bounces in her seat.

"Oh, chocobo head, you won't. So, stop nagging. I promise to not piss you off…much," Yuffie replied, giving her partner a small smirk.

Cloud just sat in his seat in silence as the Gummi ship began taking off from the ground and headed out into space. Once breaking through the atmosphere, the ship lingered in space, waiting for its pilot to plot its next course. Cloud scrolled across the screen, displaying each planet within its course on a large navy blue grid. Growing green lines showed the routes that Cloud would have to take then purple dots indicating the ability for the ship to warp itself from one planet to the next in little time. Warping through space is convenient, but takes much energy from the ship and Cid recommended earlier to use the warp speed wisely.

"So, Cloudy-poo, where to first?" Yuffie asked.

"Can you not call me that?" Cloud complained, still figuring out the ship's map.

"Whatevskii's, Cloudy. Gawd, you're sensitive," Yuffie threw back in response. Giving up as usual to try and change Yuffie's ways, Cloud concentrated on a few routes they cold head to first.

"Well, I'd say we chose one of these places in normal speed. There's this heavily jungled place— "

"Ew, no thank you," Yuffie interrupted.

"Uh, okay, as I was saying," Cloud continued, "There's this place, some huge desert… uh…"

Yuffie hit her head with her palm, "Gawd, Cloud, what's next, a place completely covered in horse shi—"

"Yuffie, cut it out." His patience with her was already running thin. "Seriously, if you can't help me, I'll abandon you in that jungle and leave on my own."

Yuffie snorted in laughter. "Hey, you asked me to go with you. Beggars can't be choosers."

"Can we please just find a place to go," Cloud pleaded, shutting his eyes and making a pained expression.

"Fiiine," she whined, crossing her arms and sticking her tongue out.

Cloud eased and opened his eyes to the dashboard's maps. "Here, check this out, temperate climate with small sized towns. Humor me." Yuffie made a face acting as though she was thinking really hard. Cloud crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "I didn't mean literally."

Yuffie broke from her expression and huffed, "Then say so! Let's go!"

Cloud shook his head and plugged in the coordinates into the ship's computer. Pulling the switch to accelerate, the Gummi began to move and quickly. Yuffie gripped her seat while Cloud tried to keep his head tilted downward.

"I thought you didn't want warp speed, bird brain!" Yuffie yelled at Cloud.

Cloud shot her a look and yelled back, "This isn't warping!" Yuffie's eyes widened and looked forward.

The ship moved on it's own towards the destination on the map, shooting past the stars and other tiny planets not recorded on the map. The ship's speed began to steady and slow, the duo began to breath better. From their front window, they could see a planet moving in it's rotation slowly, giving the young travelers a better glimpse of the world's environment.

"It looks nice," Cloud commented, studying the view.

"I sure hope so," Yuffie said back, holding her stomach. "Jeez, I feel like I'm gunna hurl."

"Well, don't until we land," Cloud said, feeling slightly woozy himself.

"Whatever, get me out of here."

They landed in a wood ticket, disguising the ship from the citizens of the planet. Yuffie jumped off first, landing on her feet and running towards the thickening woods and hid behind a tree. Cloud slowly eased out of the ship, walking slowly and stumbling into the meadow's grassy area.

"Guh, I hate flying…" he said to himself as he tried focusing on the ground below him and let his stomach settle. Cloud looked around for his companion but there was no sight of her. "Yuffie?" he called out. "Yuffie?!"

Through a small gap in a pair of large trees, Yuffie stumbled out and leaned against one of them, holding her stomach.

"I hate flying, you know that? I hate it," she moaned shaking her head.

Regaining his feet, Cloud stood up, his stomach settling a bit more, walked to Yuffie and bent over her while reaching his hand out, yet again. "Let's go to town, we can rest for a while."

She said nothing as she grabbed his hand and weakly pulled herself up from the ground. Cloud wrapped her arm around his shoulders with one hand while the other gripped her waist and to keep her from stumbling again. At the edge of the clearing, Cloud and Yuffie saw a small town bustling full of busy people doing their day-to-day activities. Yuffie, finally catching her own balance, released her need for Cloud's help and continued to walk into town with him next to her.

Inside the village, Cloud and Yuffie sat at a fountain in the middle of a court. Sheep slowly passed them, one smaller trying to nibble on Cloud's dark pants. He tried pulling his leg away, but the lamb pulled harder. Yuffie giggled watching Cloud struggling with such a simple creature.

"C'mon Cloudy, I thought you were tougher than that," she snorted out loud. Cloud gave her a dirty look and tried pushing the sheep's head away from him.

"I thought you were sick, Yuffie…" Cloud retorted, the sheep still not giving up.

Yuffie shrugged, "Naw, all better now. C'mon sheepy, show this dope who's the strongest!" Cloud became more agitated.

Finally, Cloud gave one last hard tug. The lamb, at that moment, opened its mouth, causing Cloud to fly backwards and crash into the fountain, creating a giant splash that hit Yuffie and several other sleep.

"Ba-hahaha! Oh man! If only Cid could see this! Hahaha!" Yuffie roared with laughter, caring not that she was also sprayed down with water from the fall.

Cloud, emerging from the fountain, climbed his way out of the water, completely soaked head to toe. He said nothing, though his face read: I'm completely miserable and embarrassed, somebody shoot me right now.

Rushing towards Yuffie and Cloud, a young woman with brown hair pulled back in a low ponytail and a blue dress with a white apron. "Oh my! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice gentle and sincere.

Cloud remained quiet as Yuffie continued to laugh. "Haha, hey Cloudy, you're hair never ceases to remain pointy, even when you're soaked! Ba-haha!" She pulled at his tallest lock of hair and yanked on it.

"Cut it out, Yuffie!" Cloud finally yelled, pushing her off, nearly knocking her into the stone pool.

"Jeez, reee-lax!" she spat back, then looked at the young woman before them. "Yeah, yeah, he'll be fine, only thing hurt is his pride." At that, Yuffie laughed again, but not as loud as before.

"Oh, I see," the young woman said, flattening out her apron. "Well, do you need help drying off? At my home, you may clean yourselves up if you want."

Cloud stood quietly, while Yuffie, again, answered for him. "That would be great! I hope it's not far, dopey over here wouldn't be able to handle walking the whole town looking like this."

"Yuffie…" Cloud growled.

The young woman smiled back, "It's not far at all, just down that street, please, follow me!"

The duo followed the young woman down a side street, avoiding the heavy traffic of the people in the village. She abruptly stopped and turned around quickly at Yuffie and Cloud. "I'm so sorry!" she blurted.

Yuffie gave her a confused look. "Sorry for what?"

The girl giggled and answered, "I never introduced myself! I'm Belle."

"I'm Yuffie Kisaragi! Jus' call me Yuffie!" she said, giving a huge grin. "And this is bird brain, Cloudy," Yuffie said, pointing over at Cloud with her thumb.

"Excuse me?" Belle asked quietly, finding his name rather odd.

Cloud gave Yuffie an angry glare and said, "My name is Cloud Strife. Cloud is just fine." He finished while gritting his teeth.

Belle smiled and let out a small giggle, "That seems a bit better, though I find both your names unusual."

Yuffie pressed her brow. "Hey, wuddya mean unus--"

"We're not from around here," Cloud interrupted, hushing Yuffie up instantly.

"Oh, well, that explains it then," Belle answered, still smiling. Yuffie let her face pout, while Cloud sighed as the group continued to walk to Belle's home.

They reached outside of town and followed a small trail that led to a cabin out in the distance of a grassy field. They walked up the path and reached her small house with a tiny porch and a wooden door. On the side of the stone cabin, a stream glittered on the sunny day, pushing a large wooden mill wheel around in a steady circle.

Belle walked up her steps, Cloud and Yuffie following. She opened her door and said, "I'm sorry, it's very small. It's just my father and me."

"It's okay," Cloud said, who had seemed to have dried off a bit during the sunny walk to Belle's home. They entered the house, greeted by a large dining table and fireplace, where a small leather couch and chair huddled around it.

"Please, make yourselves at home, I'll go grab some towels," Belle said, hurrying up a small set of stairs and leaving the site of the two guests. Moments later, she entered back into the living room with two towels for Cloud and Yuffie.

"Here you go… Do you want you're clothes to dry, Mr. Cloud?" Belle asked, after handing him the beige colored cloth. Yuffie gave Cloud a sly look, though he ignored her and gave Belle his full attention.

"Uh, sure?" was his answer, unsure what he really wanted to do. "Oh, and it's just Cloud."

Belle smiled and nodded, then said, "Okay! There's a guest room upstairs if you want to change. Some clothes should be in a drawer up there."

Cloud nodded and walked off up the stairs while Belle and Yuffie waited for him to come back downstairs. In the meantime, Belle started some conversation with Yuffie.

"So, you're travelers then?" she began.

"Yup! Far away travelers!" Yuffie responded boldly.

Belle sat herself on the sofa chair and beamed with curiosity. "Incredible! How long have you been on your journey?"

Yuffie, choked for a moment, "Uh…a lot of, uh.. Days. Yeah, been a long time, phew. Lots and lots of days."

Belle nodded, "I can see. I wish I could go out and travel. It's so boring here. Day after day. Same thing, nothing changes." She rested her head on her palms and slouched forward.

Yuffie studied her face for a while, not saying anything. She resembled someone, but couldn't put her finger on it. She studied some more. Belle looked up at Yuffie with her large browns eyes and gave her confused look.

"Is something wrong, Miss Yuffie?" Belle asked.

"Nothing, you just remind me of someone," Yuffie said back, squinting her eyes.

Belle wriggled and looked around, seeing Cloud making his way down the steps. "Oh, Cloud!"

He came down the steps, holding up a pair of tan knickers, bare feet and shirtless. "I'm sorry, everything was too big…" he said embarrassed. He sat next to Yuffie on the larger leather sofa and handed Belle his damp clothes.

"Gawd, chocobo head! Try eating for once, you look like a stick!" Yuffie spat, blushing away from her companion. Cloud was however, rather on the thin side, though being lean, he was very muscular and defined. The pants he wore could've easily fit two on him in it.

"I'm sorry!" Belle began, unphased by Cloud's half nakedness. "My father…well, he could lose a few pounds." She giggled and ran out the door to hang dry his outfit.

"You really knew how to make a girl gag, bird---"

"Just shut up, Yuffie."

*

Iori, Aerith, Esmeralda and Quasimodo entered a coffin like doorway behind a tiny chapel in the outskirts of the large city. Threw the passageway, the walls dripped with moisture and sludge. The group marched threw thick waters full of mud and stones. They walked for a while until they reached a set off large wooden doors with worn away designs from the past. Esmeralda grabbed onto a large brass knocker and slammed it down twice. Instantly, a piece of the door flew back and revealed a set of glowing eyes.

"And the password?" the voice said in a high-pitched tone.

Esmeralda sighed and stared into the eyes closely. "It's Esmeralda, just let us in."

"Not without a password," the voice assured.

"Clopin, just let us in," she barked again.

The voice huffed. "Hmph, you're no fun anymore, Es."

"You're ever the more useless! Now let us in!"

"I'll let you and Quasi boy inside, but I'm afraid the others you've brought with you…" the eyes followed Aerith and Iori.

Iori snorted, "Mousier Trouillefou… Don't give me that."

"Oh, ho! Mousier Yagami now?" Clopin said surprised.

"Don't act like you don't remember me now…" Iori sighed, crossing his arms.

"Oh, I do now. Oh, ah-ha, how my memory forgets these things."

"Clopin!" Esmeralda, Iori and Quasimodo yelled at once. Aerith stood quiet and nervous.

"Okay, okay, I'll let you in, sheesh! But, before I do, who's you're guest?" Clopin asked curiously.

Esmeralda answered for Aerith. "She's a friend of ours. She can be trusted."

Clopin rolled his eyes. "As you say, mademoiselle."

Soon, the large set of decaying doors began to slowly open, a glimmer of light breaking through the crack of the doors. Aerith squinted to get a better look, until the doors we're finally fully open. Her mouth grew wider as well as did her eyes.

"It's…amazing…" she said under her breath.

"This…" Iori began.

"…Is the Court of Miracles," Esmeralda finished, smiling and nudging to Aerith.

The group wandered inside and found themselves a tent to settle down at and rest. Aerith looked at the fabric, lightly touching it while her bright green eyes soaked in every sight. Esmeralda lounged out on a elegantly woven rug, while Iori lay down on a velvet cushion on his back, shutting his dark eyes. Quasimodo found a small wooden chair to rest on; Aerith remained standing in bewilderment.

"Everything here is beautiful," she said excitedly. Esmeralda just smiled at her while she began folding fabric and sorting out beads.

"So, Aerith, what's you're story?" Esmeralda said, putting away her crafts.

Aerith at first said nothing, searching her memory for something to say. "Well, I used to sell flowers… on the corner of a street…" she began, the yellow and white daffodils surrounding her thoughts. "And… hmm… There was a man I was very found of… He left. He never came back." Soon she began to feel her heart ache. "I don't think he will ever come back."

Esmeralda gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Aerith, realizing her tone, smiled to change the situation. "I'm sure it's alright. I just remember… Yes, my church! He and I… we would visit the church… And pulled out the flowers to sell. He made my wagon…" she giggled for a moment. "It was ugly."

Esmeralda smiled. "Go on." Quasimodo was also listening intently. Iori, though his eyes were still shut, his ears perked up a little more.

"Well," Aerith continued, "After the man left… Another fell through the church roof one day… I was so frightened… His name was… was…" She couldn't remember his name. She felt sad. Aerith thought very highly of him, thought she couldn't remember why. "He was very quiet. At first, I thought he was stuck up…But I realized… he was just a little shy… I wish I remembered more of him… I just know…He did something…good for everyone...yet, terrible."

The room was quite for a moment until Esmeralda spoke up again. "Why is it your memory is so cloudy?"

"Cloudy?" Aerith pondered the word. "Clouded… memories… Cloudy… Cloud!" Aerith yelled then covering her mouth. "Cloud was his name… I remember his name. He fought a great battle… He was always searching. Cloud… I remember you now…"

"So, this fella's name was Cloud. Is that it?" Quasi asked, now sitting at the edge of his wooden seat.

"I remember Cloud falling now. He said he would always protect me. But somehow… He… I… I don't know."

"You died," Iori finally said, slowly opening his eyes and sitting up straight. "Cloud failed to protect you and you died because of it."

Everyone fell silent. Quasimodo and Esmeralda were shocked and afraid at the same time. Aerith looked at Iori with fear and hurt.

"But I—He wouldn't—It wasn't like that!" Aerith yelled back, not remembering the moment of when she died, just emotions she felt. They were so clear. Her emotions we not of anger or vengeance but of sadness and guilt. "He tried to save me…But couldn't…" Aerith said, her voice trembling. "I never said goodbye."

"Maybe… You knew it wasn't really goodbye?" Quasi interrupted, suggesting on Aerith's fogged memories.

Iori shrugged, "He may be right. He may be wrong. What would you say, Aerith?"

She stood again, quietly pondering her thoughts. "Somehow… He said to me… He wanted to be forgiven… Yeah, forgiven."

The group looked at her, still looking for answers. Aerith brought her hands up to her chest and folded them, overlapping each other, in a prayer stance.

"I want to find Cloud," Aerith finally answered. Her face was determined, but her eyes were smiling. "Yes, I must find Cloud."

Iori rolling over onto his back again, closed his eyes and said, "Not until morning. Tonight, we sleep here." He yawned and placed his palms behind his head and crossing his legs, already falling into a deep slumber.

Esmeralda smiled and nodded, "Guess you better rest up then. You have quite the journey ahead of you." She then grabbed some blankets and folded them into a pillow and placed them on the giant rug below them to sleep on.

"Good night, everyone," Quasi said, leaving the tent.

"But, where are you going?" Aerith said, concerned."

"To the bell tower… That is my home. Don't worry; I'll be back tomorrow before you leave," he said, smiling and waving to her.

Aerith smiled back and waved, then turned to her make shift bed and rest her head on the pillow Esmeralda had made for her. She closed her emerald eyes, but had a harder time falling asleep. All she could think about was the man that fell through her roof at the church.

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