Oh man, fourth chapter :]

I guess just read, I don't have much to say for it, especially at 4:40 am D8 Oh dear.

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Once Aerith managed to fall into a deep slumber, her memory flooded with events that had happened when she was alive. She often thought of the Cloud and everything he had done for her. She also thought of the darker haired man she knew earlier. Continuously, Aerith's mind flipped through scattered memories. She thought of the flowers in her church. They slowly waved back and forth in the weak breeze she imagined. Somehow, the flowers in her dream began to wilt and wither until they became a black ash. This bothered Aerith very much, as she dreamt herself trying to catch the ashes of the flowers. She watched the black ash flow through a burning door. In the doorway, flames grew higher and a pale face peered through it. The glowing greens eyes began to haunt her as they began more apparent and inched closer to Aerith sitting in the pile of grey and black ash. The face let out a sadistic grin. Aerith curled into a ball and began screaming as the church began to shake and crumble to pieces.

"Aerith…" the faint figure called out.

"N-no!" she screamed back, covering her ears.

"Aerith!" she heard a voice yelling out to her, though the face began to drift into darkness.

"Stop it! No!" Aerith yelled back out to the darkness, the room still shaking.

"Aerith!" a woman's voice now yelled.

Aerith opened her eyes to see a pair turquoise orbs staring at her with worry. Esmeralda was hovering over her with her arms on Aerith's shoulders. Esmeralda let go and sat on her back heels.

"Esmeralda?" Aerith questioned, then looking around the room, seeing Iori sitting straight upon his lounge seat.

"You were having an awful nightmare. You were screaming and trembling. I thought you were being kidnapped until we saw nobody else was here," she explained, playing with the end of one of her loose, dark curls.

Aerith apologized. "I'm sorry. I remember so much all of a sudden. How Cloud fell to me. How he'd always follow me and help me whenever I needed him… I remember now being very fond of him. And I remember this man… A sickly pale man with green eyes… They glowed unnaturally. He was very frightening."

"From what I'm aware," Iori finally chimed in, "his name was Sephiroth."

Aerith gaped and covered her mouth. "How did you know? How?"

Iori began explained the creature from the depths that he called upon to assist him in her resurrection. Aerith and Esmeralda both listened carefully as Iori spoke about what the demon had told him from the perspective of the water beast.

"I wasn't aware we had… demons…" Aerith admitted, though Esmeralda had seemed to have heard all of this before.

"We didn't until Iori came into this world," Esmeralda said, jokingly glaring at him, though Iori ignored her body language.

"I think you would refer to the beats as summons. Here," Iori responded, pulled out a small orb from his pocket. It reflected off the little light from the candles that were lit in the tent, giving off its cool blue and silver palette.

"A…materia?" Aerith questioned as she observed the orb.

"I suppose. I don't know much about these, other than you people managed to trap some into these orbs and make them into slaves," Iori said, shrugging.

"But, they weren't slaves to us…" Aerith said with some sadness to her tone.

"I don't know. This little one formed itself into this… What was it? Materia?" Iori asked, scrutinizing the small globe. "I summoned demons and monsters into this world, now I'm sending back to the bowls of which they came. But some have proven useful than harmful, I suppose. Like this one; I guess he became more of that lake's guardian than demon," Iori finished explaining.

Aerith sat quietly, soaking in all the new information. Esmeralda had actually lay back down to sleep and was breathing heavily on top of the rug the young women were sleeping on earlier. Aerith looked down to her than back up to Iori.

"Iori…" she began, feeling hesitant. "Why did you bring me back? I thought it was my time…I was…ready."

Iori thought for a moment before speaking, shifting his legs from one position to the other. "I was looking for that water demon in the lake. Once I found it, the beast was afraid to the Hell it was born from. We began negotiating why the creature should remain of the surface of the planet when it told me it was protecting something precious." Iori paused for a second before speaking again. "The demon claimed to be protecting an innocent young girl who sacrificed herself to save her friends. What a noble thing of you."

Aerith blushed for a moment than spoke, "But why bring me back? How did you do it? I don't understand…"

"You're soul was released to go into the beyond, however, that demon saw what you did and vowed to preserve your body in your original state and not let natural things decay your physical body. The creature of the lake said it warded off anything that would destroy your body. Rather nice, don't you think? Anyway, the demon said you have had many visitors. The creature said you were still needed in order to fill the missing gap that you loved ones have," Iori kept explaining, flinging the bright red bang away from his face.

"And you… then did what?" Aerith asked, nearly lost for words. Her eyes were already heavy from just learning of the sacrifice the demon offered to her.

Iori let out a small grin and continued, "I have, let's say, special abilities, right? I never performed a resurrection before, just summoning and banishing. You were a test of my true powers." Iori eyes seemed to have an usual glare as he said this, his mouth grinning wider.

Aerith, however, seemed more disturbed. "So, I was just an experiment for you?!" she yelled at him. All at once, the trust she had bestowed in him had slightly vanished.

"Did you honestly think you meant something, well, to me? I don't even know who you are, Miss Aerith Gainsborough. The demon earned its stay as long as I brought you back," he explained, crossing his arms.

Aerith frowned. "I-I thought you really meant to…help."

Iori sighed, "Well, it looks good for me. I brought you back, isn't that good enough. Oh, might I add I'm helping you back home? I have other things I could be doing than this." He's tone was much harsher while he gave her a sterner look.

Aerith slammed her hand on the ground and began to yell to him. "How can you claim to do good if you don't even believe in what you're doing?! You think if you use your powers to do good than evil you're a better person, but you're just as power hungry either way! It doesn't matter how you use you're powers, as long as you can act more powerful than before!" All the yelling caused Aerith to become short of breath and pant quicker.

Iori said nothing except, "You should rest, you're body still needs to recover." He lay back down on the lounge seat and shut his eyes, not before pushing away his long bang away first.

Aerith huffed and lay back down to the rug, resting her head on her pillow. Instead of her eyes closing, however, they welled up with small tears rolling down her soft, pinked cheeks.

The following mourning, Aerith was out of the tent and washing her face up by a nearby water spigot. She borrowed a towel from an older gypsy woman and continued to clean down to her feet, which had become rather filthy from the long walk and only wearing sandals. Esmeralda was already out into town, working the pedestrians for a few extra gold coins. Iori rolled off the couch and wandered throughout the Court of Miracles until her a found a familiar face.

"There you are. I wouldn't go wandering around alone," Iori said, already carrying a cloth to wash with. Aerith paid him no mind and continued with washing her feet. Iori grunted. "If you're mad about last night, I'd remind yourself that you are a lost girl with no home. If you wish to get anywhere, you must come with me."

Aerith only gave him small eye contact and then looked back down, rinsing between her toes. Iori just huffed and began washing his face. Aerith quickly dried off her legs and slipped on her sandals and briskly walked to the tent the group rested in that night. Iori never turned to watch her leaver, only to continue the current task at the moment.

Inside, Aerith was surprised to see Esmeralda and Quasimodo waiting for her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I just went out to—"

"No need to explain," Esmeralda said smiling. "Here, Quasi and I came up with some extra money for you and Iori's journey." Quasimodo dug through his pockets and pulled out a small coin purse with a few gold pieces inside.

Oh, please, you mustn't," Aerith began to refuse, feeling terribly of all the trouble the must have gone through to get that money.

"This is nothing, doll, just a little something on the side. Please, take it," Esmeralda offered, pushing the tiny purse into Aerith's hand.

Aerith held onto the pouch quietly, her head bowed low. A small tear fell down her cheek and a tiny sniffing sound came from her.

Quasimodo touched her elbow. "What's wrong, it really wasn't a big deal to get the money."

Aerith shook her head. "I'm thankful, I really am. But, I don't know if I can leave with him," Aerith said, her voice quivering.

Esmeralda seemed rather shocked. "But why?"

Aerith shook her head once more. "He… I… I don't feel safe around him…"

Esmeralda placed her thumb on Aerith's chin and pulled her face up for her eyes could meet her own. "I know Iori seems like the kinda guy who's only in things for himself. But, you have to trust me. He's the only way you'll find you're way back home."

Aerith pondering then nodded. "He's just so… unkind."

Esmeralda smiled. "Yeah, he's a handful, trust me. He'll come around though. I know him."

Aerith trusted Esmeralda's word. She was the only one, besides Quasimodo at the moment, who seemed honest. And if street smart, headstrong Esmeralda says to trust him, than she must.

Moments later, Iori stepped into the tent, wearing new clothes than before. He wore a white v-necked tunic with a black buttoned vest, tucked into a pair of red slacks, held up by various belts, all having some purpose for holding spell books and items. Over the pants, he had on metal boots than came up just below his knee, engraved with intricate designs in black stain. He had his hair pulled back into a ponytail with a black ribbon, though his signature bang still fell before his eye.

"It'll be midday soon," he began, sorting out his left over belongings, "He best hurry and be on our way."

Aerith turned to him, still holding the coin purse close to her with both hands. "I'm sorry," she said to him weakly.

"I know," was all he replied back, latching on the last item to his belt, a small leather pouch to hold the silver materia. It wasn't the answer Aerith expected, but she took Esmeralda's advice to just trust him.

"Thank you for everything," Aerith said, turning herself to Esmeralda and Quasimodo. She placed the small coin pouch in her woven bag and closed the flap.

"Any time you're in town, you know where to find us," Esmeralda said back with a wink.

Quasimodo stepped forward and added, "And please do. I want to show you the bells."

Aerith smiled sweetly to him and replied, "I would love to see the bells."

The group had now thinned to a duo, just after Iori received a small lecture from Esmeralda, which he only half listened to anyway. Exiting through the main doors, they walked out the underground cave path, which felt slightly drier than before, which Aerith was pleased about. They found the doors to the outside world and entered the vacant area, the weather being cloudier than the day before.

"Funny," Aerith said quietly. Iori could barely hear her, so he decided to only half listen. "I remember you're name and you seem to appear now. Have you remember me, too?"

She stood motionless for a moment as she looked up into the sky, studying the clouds above her head. Iori continued walking without here, only waving his hand to signal her to stop stalling and pick up her feet forward.

*

A while later, Cloud had returned to being fully clothed after Belle had hung his outfit to dry in the warm sun. She offered Cloud and Yuffie to stay for dinner and though, Cloud felt slightly intrusive, Yuffie jumped at the chance to take advantage of a home cooked meal. Cloud couldn't deny the fact, he too, was extremely hungry, he just played it off much more modestly. So, while Belle cooked a meal for her guests, Cloud and Yuffie helped her clean off the table and set up a place setting for each person having a meal.

"Oh, please, you don't have to do that!" Belle laughed, watching her guests work.

"Naw, it's fine with us, right Cloudy?" Yuffie hollered with a wide grin. Cloud let out a small grin and nodded.

Once the food was ready, the three of them sat and conversed at the wooden table. They chatted about simple things, of people they knew and the towns they were from. Yuffie was going on about how she one time managed to sneak into Cid's shop just before he opened up for the day and switched around all the price tags of items so customers would complain about how expensive his items were while his ship parts would cost nearly zilch to a local mechanic. Cid apparently blamed it on the moogles above shop until Yuffie got bored with messing with the old pilot. Belle laughed loudly and even Cloud let out a few small chuckles while sipping on his water.

"So, are you two siblings by any chance?" Belle asked out of the blue.

"Ha, no way! I'd be crazier than I am now if I had to be related to chocobo head here," Yuffie said shaking her head.

Cloud let out a small snort, "At least you admit to being crazy." Yuffie pouted and stuck out her tongue.

Belle just giggled more. "You act like you could be. It must be nice."

"We have our moments," Cloud admitted, making Yuffie squirm.

"Hey Cloud, may I ask you a favor?" Belle asked.

Cloud nodded and replied, "Sure."

Belle sighed, "Well, this will come off rather strange, so don't take this the wrong way…" Cloud became much more serious and alert while Yuffie's 'juicy gossip' face turned on. "I was hoping you could, oh my, it's so embarrassing."

"Go on," Yuffie egged, Cloud passing her a dirty look.

"Well, I was hoping you could just pretend to be my boyfriend, just for a day or two!" Belle squealed then sinking low in her chair.

Cloud and Yuffie's eyes both widened in bewilderment. Belle blushed.

"You see, I have this problem. His name is Gaston," Belle started to explain, "He's been trying to get my to marry him for a while. He just won't leave me alone. While drying you're clothes, I thought that maybe if I helped you, maybe you could…Oh, gosh, never mind, it's a stupid idea."

Cloud sunk lower in his chair as well. "I don't know—"

"Duh, of course he can do it, can't you Cloudy!" Yuffie all of a sudden yelled. Cloud looked at her with wide eyes, but Belle still sat low in her seat.

"I'm not trying to do anything uncomfortable. I thought if maybe if he saw me with another guy, he could just give up and move on," Belle explained silently on her side of the table.

Cloud rested his forehead to his hand. He let out a sigh then said, "I guess so, though I'm not sure how this'll work out."

Yuffie slammed her hand on the table. "Don't listen to him Belle, he doesn't know, but he's got all the girls chasing after him! Right Cloud, Jesse, Tifa, Aeri—"

"Enough!" Cloud yelled at Yuffie.

Without another word, Cloud excused himself from the table and left out the door. He headed down the field to the tiny stream that flowed towards Belle's cottage. He sat down on the grassy field with a heavy thud, curling his knees to his chin and folding his arms over them, burying his head in his head into the gap.

"Cloud! Wait!" a voice carried out to him. He didn't move at all and waited for the figure to come to him. The figure was Belle as she kneeled to down to him and rested her hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize—"

"It's not you're fault," he interrupted, finally picking up his head. He wasn't crying at all, just resting, though his face looked upset. "You just remind me so much of her."

"Of who?" Belle asked, who still wasn't well informed of neither Cloud nor Yuffie's past.

Cloud didn't answer straight forward. "The only thing is the eyes. Hers were green."

Belle understood now of Cloud's pain. She didn't need a name, looking into his eyes was enough to read that whoever this girl was, she was important to him.

"I'm sorry, you really don't have to," Belle said again.

"No, it's okay. I can help," he answered, staring into the stream. "I just don't want to fail this time." Belle still looked confused, her face was asking for more. Cloud just let out a smile and said, "You're not the first person to ask me to be a body guard."

Back in the house, Yuffie sat in her chair, her face concealed in her palms. She whimpered a few times, her shouldered jittering. You idiot, Yuffie! She let out a small cry. Of all things, you had to say that! You shouldn't been stabbed not her. At least she's smart to not say dumb crap like you do everyday! A few more sobs came out. I just miss her so much, too... Seconds passed before she felt a set off arms wrap around her neck and a chin plopped on the top on her head.

"It's okay," the soft masculine voice said to her. "I over reacted."

At that moment Yuffie spun out of her chair, knocking it over to the floor, and fully grasped into Cloud and wrapped her arms tightly and sobbed hard.

"I-I…j-just m-m-miss her. S-s-so m-much…" Yuffie sniffled into Cloud's chest. He pat her head and nodded.

Yuffie never fully apologized, though she really meant to. Cloud got the idea however, and never asked for it. Bringing Yuffie to tears is a rare moment. It was enough to see that she really just wanted to have Aerith back as well, not just for Cloud's sake, but anyone who ever met her. Aerith's presence amongst friends was that irresistible.

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