-Aerith-

I spent the whole day sorting provisions for the animals while I'm away. They seem to suspect that I'm leaving them because they began following me everywhere I go. Even the least compassionate Boco nips and brushes his beak against my face every now and then. The way they looked at me as I fed them made my heart heavy. I didn't want to leave them but what can I do? I need to be true to my word and I know this journey will grant me peace.

"Die!"

I rolled my eyes at hearing the sound of an immature adult bickering about newly found things. I was busy working, making sure the inn was in tiptop shape before leaving; on the other hand, Cloud Strife, the turtle that's slowly coming out of his shell, spent his entire day on his new hobby—murdering defenceless insects. I knew that there was a first time for everything, but does he need to take those things that seriously? Though it was a bit shocking and unnerving, I can't help but think of him as a little child who needed to learn more about the world around him… despite his manly statuesque.

Well, better leave him alone. I sighed as I took a glance at whatever it is he's doing—or killing. I do hope he doesn't hurt himself.

I smiled and decided to return to my chores but, after taking a few steps toward the back door that leads to the kitchen, I turned back and stared at him from behind. Watching Cloud doing what he does best made me think of him. Did he act like this too? Did the institution lock him away from the world like they did with the blonde? Opening the lock to my secret memories, I discovered that he wasn't like Cloud. He knew of insects, the blue sky, peace, the wide sea… he knew of many things. My eyes deepened in colour as I realized that he was more fortunate than the blonde who never knew nor experienced any of those things. Looking at Cloud's back, I suddenly felt the urge to embrace his small, fragile being. I want to teach him everything about life out of the corners of the institution. He would've wanted it.

Zack would've wanted it.

-Cloud-

I killed 20 bugs today. It was a feat no SOLDIER of the institution could attain! Aerith said they were generally harmless, but the little monsters just keep on bothering me with their many eyes and many legs. Though I began to really consider them as innocuous, there is one in particular I still couldn't face… the Spider. Just thinking about it brings chill to my spine. My first encounter with them was when I went to the shed to get the materials for the last hole of the roof. When I was about to leave, their little black bodies slowly descended from the ceiling of the shed using a silky microscopic thread. They fell like dark rain on the ground! Out of shock, I ran out, crushing them on the way—the dirty bastards. From that moment on I entrusted Aerith to get the supplies for me in the shed. When I told her that horrifying story, she looked at me queerly and shrugged nonchalantly. It was a good decision that she shut her pretty little mouth up. I hate it when people stare at me thinking they're all high and mighty. I've already been there and I never want to go back.

"Cloud, dinner!"

"Comin!" I shouted back and left the dead insects lying on the ground. 20… pretty damn good if I do say so myself.

I entered the kitchen through the back door and washed my bloodstained hands before settling myself in the table. When I first stepped into the dining room, an unexplainable aroma filled my lungs, which hurried me to sit down. Before my eyes were all kinds of food with different colours and types.

"Wha—?"

Aerith rested her cheek on her palm and beamed at me proudly. "I thought you should taste my recipes. They say I'm the best cook around."

"You're the only cook around," I retorted as I stuffed my mouth with a spoonful.

I stole a glance at her after hearing her laugh her heart out. She giggled like she always does, but there was a strange sparkle in her eyes that made me ogle at her intently. Thinking about it, she's been acting strange since this morning. When she's with me, she constantly smiles and when I catch her looking at me, her eyes were dark like she was disheartened. Of what, I didn't care to know. But now, her eyes were unusually light and green, the flowery aroma that always surrounded her was intense, and her smile was the brightest of them all. Then, my face began to grow hot. Why the hell does it do that?

"Are you okay, Cloud?"

I looked at her directly in the eyes and froze. Shit. Why did her eyes grow large all of a sudden? I stood up before I began to humiliate myself—which I already did.

"Thanks for the meal. I'm gonna sleep now."

I sidestepped from the table and went straight up the staircase. Along the hallway, I punched the wall.

"Did I have to excuse myself?"

I slammed my door without looking back. This mission is going to be way harder than I thought.

-Aerith-

I took the remaining dishes to the kitchen and washed them before setting them up in the cupboard. Even though Cloud went to sleep early he ate almost 3/4th of the meal I prepared for him. I giggled again as I remembered the sarcastic comment he made moments ago. Maybe he didn't realize he made a joke thus him storming off. He's really weird, but that is what's nice about him. If only he'd let go of his stiffness and grumpiness, he'd be a cheery person. Following him all day made his traits and gestures exposed to me. I didn't know until now that he was an open book that was very easy to read. He is very expressive; most of his emotions are shown in his cerulean blue eyes. I decided tomorrow I'd learn more about him.

One must know his captor well to grab his heart, I mused as I switched off my bedside lamp.

Before closing my eyes, there was something that was bothering me since this morning, which I couldn't put my finger on until I remembered that incident on the shed. I sat on my bed and looked up the ceiling.

"Did I mention to him that Barret is staying in his room?"

"AAAAAAAAAHH!"

And instead of the crashing waves, that lulled me sleep…