A.N. Heya! Here's another chappy.
Faded Memories
Chapter 3: Let's restart our journey!
Cloud awoke as his cellphone ringed. He groaned in annoyance and pulled his phone out of his pocket to answer the call. „Yeah...?", he asked sleepily, waiting for an answer. „Hi Cloud, it's Tifa.", his childhood friend greeted him happily. „What do you want, Tifa?", Cloud asked, trying not to sound annoyed. „Uhm, I just wanted to know when you'll come back, so that I know if I should make breakfast for you too."
„Hm..." Cloud thought for while, it wouldn't hurt to eat something before he helped Aerith to get her memories back. „I'm here in a few minutes.", he said plainly. „Okay, see you then." Cloud hung up and put his phone back into his pocket again. He groaned once again, he's still to lazy to stand up yet but he wanted Aerith to remember him as fast as possible. He stood up and went out of the church to Fenrir. He hoped on it and drove off to Edge.
As Cloud arrived the Seventh Heaven he went to the front door and noticed a note which said that the bar will close for a few days. Cloud just shrugged it off and entered the bar, where Tifa, Barret, Denzel and Marlene are and ate breakfast together. „Hey.", Cloud called them, to get their attention and they all immediately turned to him.
„Oh, good morning, Cloud!", Tifa greeted him and the kids immediately ran to him and hugged him tightly. „Cloud!", they yelled a bit too loud in unison. „Be quiet, you two, our guest is still sleeping.", Tifa said to them, who apologized to her.
„She's still sleeping?", Cloud wonders. „Japp. We did something yesterday and it really exhausted us.", Tifa says and began to giggle. „Wow Tifa, the last time I saw you that happy was our final battle a year ago.", Barret noticed. Cloud sat down on a chair and Tifa gave him a plate with food.
They all ate in silence but suddenly Aerith began to scream from upstairs. They all jumped up and looked to the stairs, while Cloud immediately started running and just as he was about to go upstairs he saw a flash of pink. Aerith pushed him aside and ran straight to Tifa. „TIFA!", she yelled and tackles her in a tight hug. „Tifa! Tifa, Tifa, Tifa, Tifa!", Aerith continued to call her and began to cry. „Aerith?", Tifa hugged her back once she realized what just happened. „Aerith what's wrong?", she asked her best friend with lost memories worried. „Tifa, I remember you!", the green eyed Cetra yelled excitedly, while Tifas eyes began to water too. „W-what? Really?" Tifa hugged Aerith a bit tighter and began to cry as well. „Oh my god! You remember me?"
„Yeah! After you told me what we did together yesterday, I dreamed about it, and all the other things we did together! I remember everything about you! Oh, Tifa! I missed you so much!"
„I missed you too!" The two girls began to squeal in excitement and hugged each other again, still crying, while Barret, Marlene and Denzel watched them in amusement and Cloud a bit hurt, but happy for his childhood friend. A few minutes later they calmed down and parted and Aerith looked over to Barret and the kids. „Oh? And who are you two?", she asked the kids and Marlenes eyes widened. „What? You don't remember me?", Marlene asked her and sounded very hurt that the flower girl forgot about her. „Marlene...", Barret called her softly. „She lost
her memories. She forgot almost everything.", he explained to her daughter, who immediately ran to Aerith. „How did this happen? No don't tell me! We have to help her to get her memories back!", she quickly said in one breath and hugged Aerith tightly. „I'm Marlene! Do you remember me? You helped me once! Please remember!", Marlene begged her with teary eyes while Tifa knelled next to the little girl. „Marlene, it's not that simple. She needs more time to remember, okay?", Tifa explained and ruffled the little girls head lightly. „I guess you're right..."
Aerith knelled down too to look Marlene into her eyes. „So you're Marlene? It's nice to meet you. Or should I say...It's nice to see you again?", Aerith said and smiled sweetly at her, while Marlene hugged her and started to cry. „Waaahh, Aerith! I missed you so much!"
Aerith smiled sadly and hugged her back, she really wanted to know who this sweet little girl is but she remembered nothing...„Who is this?", asked Denzel to no one in particular. „Oh that's right, you never met her...", Tifa realized and introduced her best friend to Denzel. „This is Aerith. She's our best friend."
„Oh...Nice to meet you. I'm Denzel.", Denzel introduced himself and smiled at the flower girl. „It's nice to meet you too, Denzel.", Aerith said and smiled sweetly at the little boy in front of her. „Okay! Let's check your memories! How did we met?", Tifa asked her excitedly. „Let's see...Oh! I saved you from Don Corneo! Is that right?", she said and Tifas and Clouds eyes widened. „You mean...j-just you?", Tifa asked her totally taken aback that she still didn't remember Cloud at all. „Yeah...But...I don't remember where I knew you before...", Aerith said thoughtfully. „Y-you were with Cloud!", Tifa quickly said as she noticed Clouds hurt expression. „Cloud...? Oh you mean him?", she asked and pointed to the blonde man behind her.
„Yeah!", the black haired woman replied, hoping she'll remember now. „But...men aren't allowed in his Mansion...right?"
„That's why you dressed him as a girl!", Tifa said a bit too loud so that everyone could hear it. „What? Cloud wore a dress?", Barret yelled at started to laugh hysterically, the kids joining him, while Clouds eyes widened. „Tifa! Did you have to say this?", Cloud yelled at his childhood friend with a big, bright blush on his face. Aerith turned to him and examined him, which let Clouds blush grow. She probably imagined him in a dress...
„Hey! I still have the dress, how about Cloud..."
„NO!", Cloud yelled, interrupting her quickly. „Why not?", she asked him and began to giggle. „I WON'T wear this fucking dress EVER AGAIN!", he shouted very loud, making Aerith and the kids to back away. „But what if she remembers you when she sees you wear it? I don't think she forgot THIS sight!", Tifa said and had to bite back a laugh.
And the next moment Cloud found himself in his room, dressed in this horrible purple dress and this blond wig and the all other accessory he wore before he and Aerith went into Don Corneos mansion. I can't believe I really do this...! Why the hell did Tifa kept it...? Cloud thought as he stared at the mirror and heard a knock on his door. „Cloud are you done?", Tifa asked him from outside. „Yeah, yeah...!", he growled loudly and went to the door.
He opened it a gap to see Aerith and Tifa waiting for him. „Come on!", Tifa said and opened the door wider, revealing "Ms. Cloud". He stood there, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and glared at the girls in front of him, who immediately began to laugh hysterically as they saw him. Cloud rolled his eyes, they're laughing for 15 minutes now...„Hey! Calm down already!", he yelled in pure annoyance and the girls stopped laughing, but just as they glanced to him they immediately began to giggle again, but tried to calm down.
Cloud now really regret he promised Gaia to do everything for Aerith...As he heard someone went up the stairs he quickly entered his room and slammed the door shut. „Hey, where's that spiky ass?", Barret asked the girls, who are still in a fit of giggles and pointed to Clouds room. „Cloud, come out!", Denzel called him, who just yelled „NO!" from inside his room.
„Try to talk to him. We're downstairs, the others will come soon.", Tifa says to Aerith, still giggling and patted her lightly on her back and walked with the others downstairs. Aerith opened the door a gap and peeked in. „Cloud?" But just as she saw him she immediately covered her eyes with her hands. Cloud just changed his clothes. „Hey, didn't you ever heard anything about privacy?", Cloud asked her as he turned around with just his black boxers on. He's not mad anymore but a bit surprised that she came in. „I'm sorry...I just...wanted to cheer you up...", she said as she entered his room, still covering her eyes.
Cloud sighed quietly. „You can look. There's nothing you didn't saw already.", he said as he put his pants on. It's actually quite true...On their journey she always walked into his tend just as he changed clothes (unconsciously of course) to tell him to finally get ready.
Aerith removed her hands and looked to him, blushing slightly at this sight. Wow...he's really well-toned..., she thought but quickly dismissed these thoughts as quickly as it came. „Uhm...", Aerith began but went quiet, while Cloud looked to her curiously. „What is it?", he asked her and turned to her. „I'm sorry for laughing...", she apologized, her head hung in shame. Clouds eyes softened, normally she would tease him about it...But he didn't mind to get an apology instead.
„Hey, it's okay.", he reassured her and scratched the back of his head. „I probably would laugh too when I see a guy like me in a dress like that..." Aerith looked at him with large hopeful eyes, which let Clouds blush appear again. „So...that means...you're not...mad?", she asked him, which looked like she would cry if he answered with "no". „I'm not mad. Don't worry.", he reassured her and gave her a small, almost unnoticeable smile, while Aerith immediately looked happy again. „Really? That's great!"
„Hey, uhm...", Cloud began to get her attention. „Hm?"
„Did you...you know...remember something?", he asked her hopefully. „Not really, sorry..."
Cloud looked away to hide his hurt expression. „But...", she added thoughtfully and earned Clouds full attention. „I guess it was kinda familiar..." Cloud quickly approached her and stared into her eyes. „Really?", he asked again to make sure he heard right, while Aerith just nodded.
Cloud almost got lost in her eyes but he quickly snapped out of his daze and looked away from her to hide his blush. „Well...that's...a start..."
„Well, I guess I give you some privacy, hm? Get dressed and come downstairs, Tifa said the others will be here any minute.", Aerith said and left the room, leaving him alone to get dressed.
As Cloud went downstairs he was greeted by the whole group. „Hey, morning, Chocobo-head!", Yuffie greeted him as she noticed him, but Cloud ignored her and past her. „What now?", he asked everyone.
„I think we should take her to Elmyra first, hm?", Tifa suggested and everyone agreed. „Okay then, let's go.", Cloud said and went to the front door. „Hey, wait! We come too!", Yuffie stopped Cloud, who turned around. „Why?", he asked them and raised an eyebrow. „'Cause we want to help Aerith too!", Barret said.
„What about the kids? We can't let them here all alone.", Cloud said. „I ask Elmyra if she would take care of them.", Tifa replied with a smile. „Yay, we're going to Elmyra!", Marlene yelled in excitement. „Who's Elmyra?", asked Denzel the little girl next to him. „She's Aerith's mother, and REALLY nice!", Marlene explained. „Than it's settled! Let's GO!", Yuffie yelled and ran out of the bar, followed by the others. „Wait.", Cloud stopped them. „What the hell's now?", Cid yelled getting impatient.
„I forgot something.", Cloud said, ignoring Cid, and went upstairs. Cloud came back moments later with a staff in his hand. „Hey, isn't that Aeriths Princessguard?", asked Tifa the blonde haired man curious. Cloud didn't reply he just walked to Aerith and handed her the staff. „Here. You might need it.", he said to her, while she examined the staff. „It's...mine?", she asked him as she took the staff.
„And you kept it that long?", Cait Sith asked. „Aww that's so cute!", Yuffie commented. „And now let's go!", she added and went ahead, followed by the others, while Cloud took his swords out of Fenrir and placed them in his holster which he wore on his back.
Once they're outside of Edge the group gathered together. „We split up.", Cloud said to everyone. „Aerith, Red XIII, you two come with me. Cid, Barret, Tifa, you're group two. Vincent, Yuffie, Cait, the last.", he said and turned his attention to the kids. „Marlene, you go with Tifa, and Denzel..."
„I'll go with you, Cloud!", Denzel decided and ran to him. „Uhm...okay.", he said with a sigh. „Hey, Cloud!", Cait Sith called him. „I think it's better I'll go with you! I ride on Red XIII, I'm still too slow, you know. This problem will solved some day."
„ Alright then. Red, is that okay with you?", Cloud asked Red XIII, who just nod and Cait Sith climbed on his back. „Sorry Vincent, but you have to go with Yuffie.", Cloud said to Vincent, who just shook his head. „Don't worry about me, I have my methods to silence Yuffie.", Vincent replied, while Yuffie pouted. „What do you mean by that?"
„Okay, let's go. Next stop Kalm!", he said and they all went in they're own groups. „Hey, I'm talking to you!", Yuffie yelled as she followed Vincent. „What do you mean by that, Vinny?"
„Stop calling me that.", he replied rather calmly and went a bit faster.
„Hey, Cloud?", Aerith called him as the others were gone. „Hm?"
„Why did you chose me to be in your group?", she asked the blonde man beside her as they started walking. „...You two were always my first choice. I'm counting on you.", Cloud explained and took the lead, Aerith, Red XIII and Denzel behind him. „I think there's something more about that.", whispered Denzel to Red XIII and Cait Sith. „I think so too.", Cait Sith replied and if he could he would smirk widely. Suddenly Cloud stopped again, causing Aerith to ran into him. „What's wrong?", Aerith asked him as he turned to her.
„Almost forgot to give you this." Cloud gave her a few Materia: Cure, Restore, Feindeskönnen (A.N. Sorry but I don't know it's english name v.v''), Revive (A.N. not the ultimate revive Materia Cloud used to revive Aerith though), Seal, Transform, Mystify, Complete Cure, Imply, Shield and a summon Materia: Phoenix (A.N. A lot of Materia, huh?XD).„You're our healer, okay?" Cloud asked her as she put the Materia against her staff. „Okay.", she agreed, happy that she didn't have to fight. They finally started walking towards Kalm.
As they arrived Kalm about an hour later they met everyone at the Inn. „What the fucking hell took ya that long?", Cid yelled at Cloud, as his group approached them. „This way.", Cloud said and past Cid, ignoring him, while everyone followed the "ex-SOLDIER" / ex-mercenary. A few minutes later they arrived Elmyras house and Cloud knocked on the door. Elmyra answered the door moments later and looked surprised to Cloud. „Oh, hi Cloud. Long time no see.", she greeted him and smiled. „What brings you here?"
„Well...We have a surprise for you.", Cloud said and stepped aside to reveal the whole group and Aerith, who went towards her. Elmyra gasped loudly and her eyes filled with tears as the two hugged each other. „Mom!", Aerith greeted her mother happily. „But Cloud, didn't you say she's...?", Elmyra asked in confusion as they parted again. „I found a way to bring her back.", Cloud explained, while Elmyra smiled warmly at him. „Thank you."
„No problem at all. But...", he broke up, he rather didn't want to tell her the bad new...„She lost her memories.", Cloud said, looking to the ground. „But she seems to know me."
„Aerith only remembered her family and childhood at first. Then she remembered Zack and now Tifa. We still think for a plan to help her to get her memories back.", Cloud explained to Elmyra, who thought for a while. „Why don't you repeat your journey?", Elmyra suggested. „I'm sure she'll remember you when she sees what you've done together.", she reassured them.
„Hey, that's a great idea!", Yuffie yelled excitedly. „And now we don't have to hurry. Sephiroth's gone and Shin-Ra won't bother us as well.", Red XIII agreed, while Aerith suddenly gasped loudly and saw a few back flashes. She saw how Shin-Ra tracked her...and she saw...him. As Aerith regained her senses again, she suddenly felt a painful stitch on her stomach and held it tightly. „What's wrong?", Cloud asked the flower girl worried.
„N-nothing...It's nothing. My stomach just hurt a little.", she replied and tried to smile confidently at him and trying to ignore the pain. But Cloud immediately knew she's lying and so did the others. She remembered Sephiroth, but did she also remember her death? Feeling that nobody's believing her she smiled as happy as she could. „A journey's a great idea! I always wanted to see the planet!"
Noticing that Aerith didn't want to talk about it, he decided to just go with it, and talk with her later. „And it's okay with you?", Cloud asked Elmyra, who nod. „Well then, let's go!", he said, turned around and started walking. „Do you think we arrive Junon today?", Tifa asked him and raised an eyebrow. „No.", he replied and continued walking. „But we're faster when we go now."
„Guess that spiky ass's right.", Barret agreed. „But why don't we use the Shera?"
„'Cause there's a problem to fix and it would last 'bout a week.", Cid replied. „That means we have to walk?", wailed Cait Sith. „Hey, you're just a stuffed cat who rides on Red and YOU have just to control it, Reeve.", Tifa snapped. „It's not that easy as you think!", replied Reeve with his own voice. „Well, I think it's great not to use this flying thing!", said Yuffie happily.
„We don't want to know what you think, Yuffie.", Vincent said and went to Cloud. „Did I ask you for your opinion?", Yuffie snapped and put her hands on her hips, while Elmyra and Aerith began to giggle quietly, they're the same like three years ago, to Elmyra of course, and Aerith just thought they're a really funny crowd. Cloud sighed in annoyance as he stood there a few meter away, waiting for them to finally get ready. He rather wanted to go with her alone, and not just because he'll be alone with her, but the fact that everyone are so damn slow! Cloud cleared his throat loudly, to get everyone's attention.
„Ready now?", he asked them in the most annoying tone which is possible to him. „Yeah, yeah! Don't get your knickers in a twist, Chocobo-head!", Yuffie replied and they all head out once they all said their good byes to Elmyra and Tifa asked her to take care of the kids, which she gladly agreed.
As they left Kalm behind for a few meter Aerith suddenly stopped and looked straight to Barret. „What's wrong?", Barret asked her as she suddenly began to cry. „Aerith?" Tifa put a hand on her shoulder. After Aerith saw a few flash backs again she ran to Barret and hugged him tightly.
„Barret! I remember you!", she yells happily, while Barret returned her friendly hug.
„Really?", he asked to make sure, while she nod hectically. „Marlene too..."
Cloud sighed quietly and looked to the ground. „Don't worry.", Tifa whispered to Cloud. „She'll remember you.", she reassured him. „I hope so...", he just murmured and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to ignore this immense pain in his heart.
„Let's get going. It's still a long way to Junon.", Vincent said. „Guys.", Cloud called them as they all wanted to head off. „We head to the Chocobo farm. We'll make it there before nightfall and rest there. Tomorrow we go to Fort Condor and the next day to Junon. Got it?", Cloud said and everyone agreed. „We split up again in out usual teams. Let's go." They split up again and left him, Aerith, Red XIII and Cait Sith behind. „Let's go.", he said to them, who nod in agreement.
During their walk they were attacked by some monsters from time to time, but Cloud and Nanaki killed them as fast as they appeared. „You two are really strong.", Aerith said in amazement as the guys killed a monster again. „That was nothing...", Nanaki replied and smiled sheepishly. „Let's get going.", said Cloud as he sheathed his sword on it's holster, which he wore on his back.
„Hey, Mr. Bodyguard!", Aerith called Cloud, who turned to her. „You take this bodyguard thing really serious, don't you?", she asked him, while he just looked at her in confusion. „What do you mean?"
„Hihi, I mean you're so overprotective of me.", she said and began to giggle. That was more than true...As they left Edge Cloud always went next to Aerith, really close, and practically protects her from everything which could harm her in any way. „Well...", Cloud didn't really knew how to explain this and went quiet. I just want to protect you...I failed once and I don't want it to happen again...„But its cute.", she said, while Cloud looked to the ground to hide his now growing blush.
„Hey, you still didn't told me how you became my bodyguard.", she reminded him.
„Well...", Cloud began as they started walking again. „As I fell through the roof of your church the Turks were after you. I was a mercenary and you asked me to become your bodyguard and your payment was a date.", he said and couldn't help but smile at this nice memory.
„A date? Reminds me of Zack.", she said and began to laugh, while Clouds face and heart fell, noticeable by Red XIII. „You offered Cloud the date, Aerith.", Red XIII said and Aerith immediately stopped laughing. „Me?"
„I wasn't there but Cloud mentioned it once.", Red XIII explained. „Oh. That's different, I guess...Did I pay you back already?", the green eyed Cetra asked Cloud curiously. „Yeah, we're even.", he replied, and went ahead, followed by the others, while Aerith stood there. Of course she can't remember the date...She can't even remember me..., he thought sadly, while his heart thumped painfully in his chest. „Oh!" Aerith ran to Cloud and stopped in front of him. „How about we go on another date, hm?", she offered while she leaned in to look into Clouds sapphire blue eyes, which widened and his heart skipped a beat. „An—another date? For what?", he asked as he backed away slightly and broke eye contact to hide his blush once again.
„Just for fun!", she replied and giggled as she noticed his blush. „Don't you want to go out with me...?", Aerith asked him, while pouting and looked at him with giant puppy-dog-eyes. „N-no, no...That's not it...I just..."
„Hm?", Aerith asked him and leaned in again to look into his eyes, which let Clouds blush grow. „...Deal...", he finally said and Aeriths eyes shone brightly. „L-let's get going.", Cloud said after a moment of staring into her stunning eyes. „Okey dokey!", Aerith agreed happily and scampered next to him as they started walking again.
Cloud glanced to her once in a while, he's still hurt that she didn't know who he is, but he's glad to have her back after all.
As they arrived the Chocobo farm everyone else are already waiting for them. „Hach, finally!", Yuffie sighed in annoyance. „We already asked them if we can stay here for tonight.", Tifa informed Cloud. „And?", he asked, thinking of a plan if they said no. „We can. Oh and they still have your Chocobos.", Tifa said and went to Aerith. „You wanna see them?", she asked her best friend with a big grin on her face and held a hand to her. „Of course!", Aerith replied and took Tifas hand and started running to the studs.
„Well then let's rest. It's nightfall so we don't have other things to do.", Cloud said and went away. „Hey, where are ya going?", Barret asked Cloud, who just called back:„Train." and continued walking.
Cloud came back at night and entered the house where everyone sat on a table and ate dinner together. „Hey, Cloud! Where have you been? I was looking for you the whole time!", Aerith immediately called him as he entered the house. „I had to train a bit.", he replied and joined them on a table and sat next to Aerith. „Why's that? You're already strong enough!", Aerith said and began to giggle. „However, you missed a lot of fun! I rode on one of your Chocobos! And then..." Aerith told him everything what they all did together while Cloud was gone and he listened to every word she said intensely.
He wasn't really interested in what everyone did, he just loved her angelic voice so much and wanted to listen to it as long as he could. He rather would confess his love for her right here, right now, in front of everyone if he has to, but...now that she didn't know who he is it feels like...like three years ago. He feared he would scare her away. He feared she would reject him. And he feared to even know her true feelings...If she didn't love him back...if she never even loved him at all, his efforts would be for nothing.
Even if she would remember him, it wouldn't be enough for him when he knew she didn't love him back...The very thought of it let his heart ache in pain.
„Cloud are you okay?", Aerith asked him, pulling him back to reality. „Uhm..." He went quiet and looked into her eyes to see how worried she was about him. But then again, Cloud thought, why would she want to go on another date with him just for fun? Their first date was just because she wanted to pay him back but now...Maybe there's still a chance to win her love. Or...is it just because he an Zack look so familiar?
„I'm fine...", he replied with a sigh. It really annoyed him to know once he gained new hope he immediately destroys it again. He set about things to complicated as it really is and he knew needed to be more calm and just do was his heart is telling him. Easier said than done..., he thought and looked down to his plate with food, which is barely touched.
„Aren't you hungry?", the flower girl asked him as she noticed his plate too. „Uhm...I'm not...", he couldn't finish his sentence as his growling stomach replied for him. „I mean...", he stuttered and began to blush as he heard her giggle, while he sighed and began to eat slowly.
A few more hours later they all got ready to sleep. In his dreams Cloud was surrounded by darkness. He wondered why he's even here as he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He quickly turned around, because it felt like an enemy and just as he turned around his surroundings changed.
Now he's surrounded by flames and he felt this immense heat. Right in front of him is a figure with black clothes, long silver hair and a black wing...Clouds eyes widened as he realized who this person is...„I'll come back...", he silver haired man said. His voice was deep and would make everyone tremble in fear. „I'll come back.", he repeated. „And then...", he added and looked over his shoulder, his mako infused eyes glaring at Cloud. „I'll take everything away what you cherish most.", he finished and smirked devilishly, while Cloud immediately saw Aeriths face smiling at him.
Clouds eyes widened even more as he saw Aeriths death once again...„NO!", he yelled and awoke with a start. He panted heavily and looked around. He sighed in relieve as he realized it was just a dream. But it felt too real...He'll come back..., Cloud thought. He'll come back to kill her once again...
But he never would let this happen again! Cloud got out of his bed and left the room he shared with the guys to look for the girls, just in case...He opened the door to the room the girls shared and peeked in. Tifa's sleeping peacefully, and so did Yuffie with her leg hanging off the edge of her bed and her blanket only covered her waist. He looked to the third bed and his eyes widened.
Aerith isn't here! Cloud panicked and looked around hectically, but there's no sign of her. He quickly closed the door and started to search everywhere for his flower girl, fearing the worst...
She's not here...!, he thought and then an idea struck him. Please be there!, he hoped and ran to the Chocobo studs.
He entered it and sighed in relieve as he saw Aerith patting his golden Chocobo. „What are you doing here?", Cloud asked her with a soft voice, not wanting to scare her and trying to forget the panic he felt before. Aerith turned to him with a smile on her face. „I should ask you the same.", she teased and started to giggle, while Cloud approached her.
„I couldn't sleep, so I thought "Hey, why don't you keep Clouds Chocobos company?" and here I am. You?", Aerith explained and continued patting the Chocobo. „I...couldn't sleep either and...wanted to make sure everyone's alright.", he half lied but Aerith didn't seem to notice. „Oh...I guess I worried you, hm?", she asked him, while Cloud just nod.
Cloud couldn't help but stare at her again. The moonlight, which shines through the window behind her let her look more beautiful than ever. And just to see her smile at him again, and laugh let his heart flutter and his cheeks heat up.
The golden Chocobo nudged Cloud lightly and began to wark happily, pulling him back to reality. „It seems he missed you, Cloud.", Aerith noticed and began to giggle again, while Cloud patted his Chocobo lightly on his head. „Seems so...I wasn't here for a long while...", he replied.
„By the way, what's his name?", Aerith asked him and tilted her head in curiosity. „It's Choco.", he replied plainly. „Choco?", the flower girl repeated and began to giggle. „It's cute, but a bit too obvious, don't you think?"
„You named him so.", he said and Aerith stopped laughing. „Really?"
„Yeah, you named all my Chocobos. Like this one..." He pointed to the yellow one. „His name's Cho. The blue one's name's Choci. The green one's Chi. And the black one's Chiu.", he explained to the flower girl and held back a chuckle at how Aerith named his Chocobos. „Japp, it was defiantly me who named them.", she agreed and began to giggle. „But I think Choco suits better to the black one. I mean, he doesn't look like chocolate, but nearer than the gold one.", she said happily and Cloud just nod in agreement.
„We should sleep now. We have to be well rested, tomorrow will be a hard day.", Cloud said, while Aerith leaned in to look into Clouds eyes. He backed away a bit. „W-what is it?", he asked her as she examined him for a while. „You know, your eyes are really pretty.", she said and smiled warmly at him, her own eyes began to sparkle. Not as pretty as yours..., he thought and began to blush again, hoping Aerith wouldn't notice...
„Hihi, let's go!", she said, took his hand and dragged him with her out of the studs and into the house, giggling, while Clouds blush grow even more.
„Good night, Mr. Bodyguard.", Aerith said as she entered her, Tifas and Yuffies room. „Good night...", he replied as she closed the door and walked to his own room to hopefully get a peaceful, or even a dreamless sleep...
A.N.: Okay, here's the 3rd chappy^^
I really hope you all liked it, and as you read Sephiroth will come back to kill Aerith once gain. We we all know that Cloud can't revive her a second time.
Well I guess I let Aerith remember to much for this chapter...but I wanted her to remember her friends one by one like in the original game. But why couldn't she remember Cloud? You'll see later. MUCH laterXDDD
PLEASE REVIEW! ;3