-Barret-

Hey! This is Barret speakin'. Y'all remember me? Heh, I was Cloud's roommate back at the inn. Never really wanted to tag along with these two because I have a hundred thousand babies waitin' back home; but, I had to cos' I don't really have complete, utter confidence in this confused blonde SOLDIER. Should've poisoned him when I got the chance!

Anyway, before they left the inn, I stowed away inside Aerith's pink ribbon to keep a watch on things. You might ask how a gargantuan spider like me hid in Aerith's ribbon without her noticing. Well, let's just leave the mystery as it is. As of the moment, the three of us are walking on a platform overlooking the lights of Golden Saucer. These are the times when I'm glad I was born as a spider. Why? Because the view is the shit! Damn, I'm ruining the mood. Now, I'll only be narrating the things that are happening in a suave way.

The hundred millions of stars that were outshined by the thousands of lights of Golden Saucer resurfaced when they walked past the hustle and bustle of the heart of the city. This part of the Saucer wasn't so noisy and polluted; but, there were still melodies that played through the many speakers that were distributed all over the place, and they were playing a soothing song.

All those days watching from the windows

All those years outside looking in

Aerith, who always had a fascination for small things, compliments and stares, awestruck, at the beautiful sights that surrounded her. It'd be the first time she had ever seen such wonders. I know. I watched her grow and become what she is now.

All that time never even knowing

Just how blind I've been

Then, something caught her eye. On the distal part of the Saucer, a tiny bridge that leads to a small, circular platform—which seemed to be floating surreally in the sky—snagged her attention. Standing on that platform, illuminated by a tall, lone streetlamp, was an intricately designed bench made only for two. Her usual gleaming emerald eyes shone even more brightly in excitement. She was about to share this discovery to the blonde man when she saw another couple walking towards that spot. With fierce determination, Aerith immediately took Cloud's hand and ran, while dragging the blonde, to claim the platform. After a few minutes of panting, she sat on the bench and laughed in celebration of her tiny victory.

"You didn't have to race for this spot," Cloud muttered to her as he pointed to the couple who changed their direction after seeing the madwoman zoom towards the infamous bench. Aerith didn't seem to care for her eyes' gaze roamed from the desert to the rest of Golden Saucer. Shrugging his shoulders, the blonde sat on the bench and raised his eyes to the night sky.

Now I'm here blinking in the starlight

Now I'm here suddenly I see

Aerith, still standing, stared at Cloud for a moment and later shifted her eyes to the heavens that were painted with millions of stars. She stretched her arms and breathed in the luscious fresh air. Then, a strong hand caught hers and pulled her down.

Standing here it's oh so clear

I'm where I'm meant to be

Minutes passed without them saying a word. Aerith kept glancing at the SOLDIER, pursing her lips now and then, as if she wanted to say something but there was something holding her back. Determined, the brunette fully faced him with blazing green eyes.

"Hey, Cloud."

Nonchalant as ever, the blonde turned slightly towards her without taking his eyes off the stars. "Hm?"

"Do you have a dream?"

Sighing, he answered. "Doesn't everybody?"

At that moment, after quickly answering Aerith's question without giving any thought to it, I wanted to send this dim-witted blonde to a world of pain! Damn it! The Aerith I see now looked heartbroken. It seemed to her like the question she asked him was stupid, that she was stupid enough not to know the answer. I turned to the blonde to give him a piece of my venom—which is very deadly, mind you—but as I did, I froze. After letting those words slip from his lips, he had this surprised expression. It's almost as if he regretted letting those words escape his tactless mouth. Now, he was the one who kept glancing at Aerith, seeing if she's sad—of course, you bastard! I need to keep my nerves down somehow.

"Touché~"

Then, for the first time of our journey, Cloud and I had the same expression. What the—! Our jaws were hanging in the air, our eyes wide-open. We clearly didn't anticipate this kind of response from her. She had on that same bright smile she always does…she's giggling even! Sighing, I chuckled. This is our Aerith after all. No matter what the circumstances are, she never failed to give off that refreshing smile. That's just how she is: a breath of fresh air, an overly optimistic person. But, somehow, I really want to see what's behind that smile and I hope she meets a person who thinks the same. I want somebody to look past through that façade she brings up, to the real Aerith who is crying within.

I turned to Cloud who was visibly startled at her sudden expression. Then, he began to smooth out his bangs with his fingers. Getting tensed, eh blondie? He was about to open his mouth when Aerith beat him to it.

"I'm sorry for asking a stupid question. Don't mind me—"

"I want to be a general."

Tsk. What a badass dream. But wait…did he just responded? Now, Aerith and I had the same look! Slowly, his ears and his face turned red. Is it that embarrassing? This blonde is so weird, it creeps me out!

"Thank you, Cloud."

And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

"What about you Aerith?" When Aerith glanced at the blonde, he quickly averted his gleaming blue eyes to something else. "I-I mean…your dream. What's your dream?"

Crimson tinted his ears again. I've observed him for a while now and I ain't happy at all! He's been staring at Aerith with goo-goo eyes this entire time and quickly turns away if she catches him. He's like a little boy who's having a crush on her. I won't allow it!

"I…" Aerith thought for a long time, and afterwards she giggled. Cloud watched her laugh at the end of his eyes, not wanting to be captivated by her smile. "I really haven't thought about it. Stupid, right? Everybody has a dream, and yet I…"

I knew she was lying.

Ever since I came out of my egg, Aerith and I were inseparable. I was her constant companion from when she was a child up to the present. I was there when her family, when he left her... I was there with her.

She had a dream once. It's just that, it died with them...

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

Then, unexpected tears started falling from her eyes. She touched her face and looked at the drops of water that glistened on her fingertips. Aerith's eyes widened as the tears incessantly cascaded on her palms. The blonde, too, was startled. He suddenly felt helpless; he didn't know what to do!

"Why? Why…?" Aerith started wiping off her tears but they still came, like a long awaited rain. "They're not stopping. No matter how hard I…"

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted

"Aerith…"

The brunette turned to the blonde and smiled before continuing to wipe her tears away. "I'm so sorry you had to see this Cloud. I'm so sorry…so sorry…"

A steady hand stopped Aerith from rubbing her eyes. She looked up and saw the brilliant sky in the Soldier's eyes…and she finally let go. The tears fell down ceaselessly and she allowed them to fall. Her secret frustrations, her hidden anger, her despair, her helplessness… She let them flow freely, and he was there to catch them.

"Isn't that great?" Aerith stared at him through her misty green eyes as he patted her brown head with a gentle smile. "You get to go find your own dream."

All at once everything looks different

Now that I see you