He set up his sniper on top of a plank in the ceiling of the church. The place was... a slight mess... There was also a flower bed just before the alter. Strange place to put it. He manoeuvred the sniper to his fitting, looking through the scope making sure he'll have a good view when his target arrived.

The Church door opened. Cloud turned the sniper towards the person who came in. The person had a pink scarf covering her head, it over shadowed her face. They moved towards the alter, bending down to sniff the wild flowers growing from a hole in the floor boards of the church. Finally approaching the alter she clasps her hands together, then brings them up to the sky, raising her head a little while doing so. Cloud looked at her peculiarly. He was slightly curious to see her face. It wont hurt... I'll see it once I've killed her anyway, so why not before? He convinced himself. She parted hands holding them up, wide apart. Cloud picked up the sniper and walked quietly along the plank to move closer to her. He was going to see her.

She moved her hand to her scarf and revealed her face. Cloud looked at her in amazement! She was... So beautiful! Captivating him. He raised his sniper lens to his eye to see her closely. Green beautiful eyes. Glistening like the ocean sea. His cheeks began to heat and his mind wonder. Wow. Is she some sort of Saint? It made him wonder even more why Rufus Shinra had left her beauty in the dark to him. Or even more, why people were after her. He knew that Shinra always had good reason for killing targets. They were always threats. But what was the threat with this woman? She looked completely harmless.

"Gods! Ancient ancestors who cater the planet through the Lifestream! I come to you on this blessed and perfect day!" She smiles happily. "This perfect day you have given us! The sky, blue as truth. And grass as green as life. The air... Every day it smells as beautiful as before! Thank you!"

Cloud became bemused. For what reason should he kill her? She seems like a peaceful soul...

"And thank you..." she continued. "Thank you for the visitor you have brought me today." She looks up towards Cloud who was now in complete shock. She smiles at him warmly. "Welcome."

Shit. How did she know I was up here? I blew my cover. Rufus wont like this. He descended from the roof plank landing close to the girl. "Uh. Hello?" He said awkwardly.

She put a finger to her chin as if to observe him. She leaned in towards him. "Aah!" She smiles brightly.

Cloud looked at her suspiciously o.O

"You've come for saving?" She said.

… "No?" He answered.

She pouts =o . "Then, your here... On other business." She looks at him with concern. "I never believed someone would come for me."

"Why... Why would people come after you?" He asked. This was the perfect time to get the answers.

"What's your name?" She asked instead.

"I cant tell you that."

"I think I deserve to know my killers name! -.-"

Cloud was a little taken back by that. "I haven't killed you yet."

"Yet... huh."

Cloud felt uneasy speaking to his target. It was a first for him. "So, since I'm going to kill you anyway, will you tell me why I'm even here in the fist place?... My name is Cloud. Cloud Strife."

Her eyes lit up. "Aah! Mr Strife!" She smiled once more. This made Cloud awkward again. "Well," she turns away and walks to the flower bed, kneeling slightly to run her hands over the flowers there. "My name is Aerith Gainsborough. I am a Cetra. The last, technically. There are some bad people who are looking for me because of what I am. Some want to use me. Some... they're ambitions are unknown. But what ever the case, none are in my favour." She stood straight and turned back to Cloud. "I'd be happy just to live my life coming here. Selling my flowers along the slums to make it a brighter place. But..." She turns back towards the alter and raises her arms up high. "What ever my fate is, I have no right but to accept it. I believe in my ancestors. They would not let things happen without reason."

"So, if I was to kill you right now. You would stand, ready?" He asked.

She turns to him again. "Yes. But you will not be killing me today," she said.

Once more she had managed to surprise him. "How would you know that?"

"The Ancients would not have allowed me to call you out if it was my time to die today. Today I will live. Tomorrow... I don't know."

Cloud became confused. Why was she like this? And... Cetra. Is it possible for there to be any still alive? I thought Cetra's were a myth. Still. Hearing her story, he refused to continue with his mission. Its just not right. She has done nothing wrong and as far as he could see, she would not be the one responsible for anything that was to happen in the future. "You are unsafe here Aerith. If others truly want you, then they will come here for you like I did. Will you come with me?"

What the HELL was he saying? Come with him where? If he didn't kill her, Rufus would surely kill him (metaphorically of course =p ).

"I don't know..." She said. "Let me ask the ancients." She faced the alter again and clasped her hands together, shutting her eyes in prayer. She was speaking to the Ancients. My ancestors. What should I do? Should I go with this man? Will he save me?

Cloud looked at her curiously. Just, what was she hearing? Were there really voices speaking to her? Or was she just crazy! =]

She opened her eyes and turned to him happily. "Let's go, Cloud!"

Surprising to him, he was relieved. He was feeling something new. Some kind of protective...-drug to this new found nature in him. It felt right. Meaning. This was something missing in his life. Sure, he had Tifa. They had started to see each other for a while but, she didn't really need him.

He put a hand behind her back to escort her, but did this without actually having to touch her. They walked towards the door.. Before they got to the exit they stopped. Aerith looked at Cloud.

"What-?" She started to say but was "Shh-ed" by him. She looked at him -.-?

He thought he had heard something outside.

"Yazoo," a voice from outside said. "I'm outside the church; I have confirmation that she is inside. How are things on your part?" He paused for a response. It seemed he was on the phone.

Cloud approached the church door cautiously.

"Yeah. Well I'm about to go inside. I'll meet you at the mansion." Kadaj closed his flip phone and lift his leg from over the motorcycle. He started towards the entrance.

Cloud immediately stepped outside, shocking Kadaj with his appearance.

"Cloud Strife..." Kadaj had said, mischief leaking into his facial expression.

Cloud could NOT believe his eyes! Who was this person who had resembled so much the biggest trauma of his past! ….

TBC...