A.N. Long time no see. I didn't continue this story, because I had some writers block and wanted to finish other chappies first. But to make it up to you I wrote a super long chappy especially for you guys^^ I couldn't bring some things in, though, but I hope to bring them in in the next.
Faded Memories
Chapter 7: Returning Memories
„I wonder if I remember everything soon...", said Aerith, as she and her companions sat around the Cosmo Candle and waited for Red XIII, Tifa and Cloud. „Don't worry about it, Aeri! I'm sure you'll remember everything!", reassured Yuffie and smiled brightly at her best friend. „Yeah, we just need to travel through the planet, like we did on our first journey with ya.", said Barret with a big grin on his face. In this moment Red XIII joined the group. „Red!"
„What is it, Aerith?" Aerith smiled warmly at the wolf-like animal and held her arms out. „Come here." Red XIII obeyed and went to her. He sat down in front of her and looked at her questioningly. „What is it?" Aerith pouted and opened her arms wider. „Come on! Let's hug!" Red XIII raised an eyebrow at her behavior, but obeyed and crawled on her lap and lied his head of her shoulder, while Aerith wrapped her arms around him.
They stayed like this for a while, before Aerith began to talk. „I remember you, Red. Or should I say Nanaki?" Red XIII backed away from her a bit to look into her eyes. „You even remember my real name?" The green eyed girl nodded happily „Of course!" Red XIII leaned to her again. „I'm glad."
After a while the red-furred animal looked at his companions. „Everyone...please call me Nanaki from now on, okay?" Everyone, but Yuffie nodded in agreement. „Aww, but I like calling you Red!", whined Yuffie and grinned teasingly at him, while Red XIII just glared at her. Yuffie sighed loudly. „Alright, alright! I call you Nanaki!" In this time Tifa joined the group. „Did I miss something?"
„Aerith remembered me and...I want you to call me Nanaki from now on.", informed Nanaki and Tifa nodded and sat down next to Aerith. „Well? What did ya read?", asked Cid curiously. „Yeah, will she remember everything again?", asked Cait Sith, while Tifa glance at Aerith and bit her lower lip. „Well...about this...Yes and no." Everyone went silent and stared at Tifa, urging her to continue.
„I have good and bad news..." Everyone glance at each other, wondering what the bad news could be. „Tell us the good news first!", suggested Yuffie and everyone agreed. „Aerith will remember everything in time." Everyone cheered, before Vincent interfered. „What's the bad news?" They went silent again and looked worriedly at Tifa, who looked sadly at her comrades. „...She lost her most precious memory forever..." They all gasped, because they all could guess what her most precious memory must be.
„Oh...That's indeed bad...I wonder what it is...", said Aerith thoughtfully. But before Tifa could say anything else the flower girl began to talk again. „By the way, where is Cloud?"
„I wouldn't go to him right now, if I were you. He's in a bad mood.", informed Tifa and sighed loudly. „Why's that?"
„Don't ask me."
Meanwhile...
Cloud lied in the bed he used the last time. His eyes were closed, but he was still awake and thought about what happened just now. She won't remember me...She lost all her memories of me forever...Why the hell didn't I listen to her, as she tried to stop me? I bet she knew what will happen...Cloud hit his forehead at this thought.
Then he tried to sleep. I guess I have no other choice...I have to let her go...„NO!" Cloud opened his eyes and found himself in the middle of an endless flower field. He sat up and looked around, wondering why he's here again. Then he felt a bright presence behind him and looked over his shoulder, to see his beloved flower girl standing there and looking at him worriedly.
„Please don't give up." As he looked at her, he noticed that she's a bit more transparent, than the last time he saw her. „Why not? There's no hope anymore...you won't remember me ever again...", he replied with a weak, cracking voice, while Aerith went to him and knelled down in front of him. „I told you I won't forget you. Even if I wanted to, I could NEVER forget you! Remember this!"
Cloud looked away from her. „Yeah, if only. You said it yourself. You can't remember me and now I know why. It's hopeless..." As Cloud looked at her again his eyes widened. She looked like a ghost now. „Please, Cloud...Don't lose hope. There will always be hope! Don't listen to this stupid book! The people just wrote down what happened to them, not what will happen to YOU!" Clouds eyes lit up a bit, and so did Aerith.
„You think I can change fate?" Aerith came closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him comfortingly. „I know you can." Cloud barely felt her touch, which hurt him intensely. Cloud laid his hands on her back, but they went through her. She's in reach, but she's slipping away from him, like you want grab water or air. No! Cloud didn't want it to end like this! He tried so hard to bring her back, he can't give up now!
He wanted her to remember him, even if he has to make her! Cloud believed in Aerith and he knew he can change fate! The more Cloud thought about it, the more physical Aerith became and now he felt her embrace and could hug her back. „That's right.", the flower girl said. „Don't give up."
Then he felt the flower field began to vanish. „Don't go...", mumbled Cloud against her neck, while she began to caress his neck lightly. „I'm not going anywhere. I'm always with you.", were her last words, before he woke up in Cosmo Canyon. He looked out of the window and noticed it's already morning. How long did I sleep?, he wondered, as he got up, dressed himself and met the others outside.
They sat around the Cosmo Candle again and chatted happily, but just as Cloud approached them everyone went quiet. Cloud sat down next to Aerith and looked to the ground. Everyone remained silent, not daring to say anything. They were mad at Cloud. Mad because he shooed them around half the planet, without having a break. „Guys...", began Cloud and spoke with a low voice, gaining everyone's attention.
„I'm sorry."
„Sorry for what?", asked Cid a bit angrily, while the swordsman looked up at everyone, the sorrow was more than visible in his eyes. „For everything. I know I did a lot of crap lately and I'm sorry for it. I hope you'll forgive me and I promise not to be such a jerk anymore." He turned to Tifa, who's sitting on Aeriths other side. „Tifa...I'm sorry for what I did the day before. I was just..."
„It's okay.", interrupted Tifa. „You're forgiven." Cloud smiled a tiny bit and turned to the group.
The group exchanged a few glances, before Cid spoke.
„Guess we forgive ya, too, spike." The others agreed with a nod and the blonde haired man turned to Aerith. She just smiled at him and before Cloud could say anything she spoke. „I never blamed you at all." Cloud sighed, but smiled a bit at her. He knew this sentence all too well. „Can you even blame anything?", joked Cloud, while Aerith giggled. „I don't think so."
„Figures."
„Alright, spike! Where are we going now?", asked Barret calmly and everyone's attention is back on Cloud again. „Nibelheim."
„Then let's go!", said Cait Sith, but they were stopped by Yuffie. „What about breakfast? I'm starving!"
„That's right. We didn't eat anything yet.", noticed Tifa and they all stood up. „I prepared everything. Follow me.", said Nanaki and led them inside to eat something. Once they finished eating, they left Cosmo Canyon and went to the direction of Nibelheim in their little groups again. „Tifa.", called Cloud her, as she went with Aerith behind him. She went to him and looked at him questioningly.
„What did you want to tell me yesterday?", he asked, without looking at her. „It has something to do with Aeriths memory loss.", she began, but was interrupted, as monsters attacked them. Both of them ran back to Aerith to protect her and fought against them. Once they killed all the monsters they continued their way to Nibelheim. Cloud and Tifa forgot what they were talking about by now.
As they arrived Nibelheim Cloud and Tifa went quiet for a long time. The group mused they must remember the "Nibelheim-incident" eight years ago, again. But Aerith had no idea why they're like this.
„Cloud, Tifa, what's wrong?" They just smiled a bit at Aerith. „Nothing.", they replied in unison, while the flower girl looked at them unbelievably, but shrugged it off. „I wonder what I'm going to remember now...", she said, as they went through the town. „You'll probably remember Vincent now. He joined us here.", said Nanaki, as they arrived the Shin-Ra mansion.
„Uh...it looks really gloomy...", noticed Aerith. „We have to go in there.", said Cloud and didn't even give the group time to reply and went ahead. The others followed him. Cloud led them to the basement, where a lot of gloomy monsters lived, but it was piece of cake to defeat them, when the whole group attacked them.
They entered a room with coffins. „That's where I slept for a long time.", said Vincent and pointed to the coffin in the middle of this room. „Ouh...", was all Aerith managed to say, before she saw a few flashbacks about a man, sleeping in a coffin. Someone opened it and revealed Vincent. He joined them, because he wanted to find a man called Prof. Hojo. Hojo...Aeriths head began to hurt and she would have fallen to her knees, if Cloud didn't hold her.
„Aerith, what's wrong?", he asked her worried, but Aerith couldn't hear him. She saw pictures of her as a child, being in a lab. Her mother was by her side. She looked weak...Then she saw herself in the same lab, years later. A red-furred animal was by her side and pretended to attack her. She called someone for help. It wasn't her mother. She was dead already...She saw Tifa and Barret...and someone else...a man...but she couldn't see him clearly. Her vision was blurry as she looked at him. He called her. Told her he'll save her. Who is he? But then she saw HIM again. That man in a white coat and glasses. He called her a subject...
And then she was back and found herself in Clouds arms. She looked up at him curiously and confused. „Are you alright?", asked Cloud her worried, while she thought for a while, to register what just happened. „Aerith what happened? Are you hurt?" Aerith could hear the worry and fear in Clouds voice and shook her head. „I'm okay. I just remembered something..." Her voice was weak.
„What did you remember?", asked Yuffie. „I...I remember Vincent.", she said and smiled at him brightly. „What else?", asked Barret worried, while Aerith frowned, which let everyone get even more worried. „I saw a man, he...he looked like a scientist..." Everyone gasped, as they noticed it must be Hojo she remembered.
„Who is he? I think his name was Hojo..."
„He was a scientist. He was the one, who experimented on me and Zack. He also made experiments with you and your mother, Nanaki and Se—" Cloud stopped, before he could say his name. „And Se?", asked Aerith. „It's not important. Hojo's gone, you don't have to be afraid.", added Cloud quickly. They went deeper into the basement, until they arrived the center, where a small Research area and lots of books were.
As Aerith examined the room, she suddenly felt a painful sting on her stomach and had to lean on Cloud again. „Aerith!" The flower girl leaned her head on his shoulder and held her stomach tightly. Tifa and Yuffie immediately ran to her side and hugged her comfortingly, trying to calm her down. Everyone else were clueless about Aeriths scar and didn't know what to do.
After a while Aerith calmed down. „What happened?", asked Cait Sith, while Aerith took a deep breath and looked at her friends. „Oh, it's noth—"
„Don't tell us it's nothing! 'Cause we know there IS something!", yelled Cid a bit angrily, while Aerith looked to the ground. „I saw him again."
„Who?", asked Barret, but he could guess who it was. „The silver haired man. He was here, right? And on the ship we took, as we had to wear Shin-Ra clothes too."
„That's right.", admitted Cloud and looked away from her. „Who is he?" Everyone went silent, while Aerith frowned, as she looked at her comrades. „Guys, please tell me." They all looked at Cloud, who nodded and looked to Tifa. The black haired girl got the message and began to speak. „He...His name's Sephiroth. He wanted to destroy the planet, three years ago. He summoned Meteor with the black Materia. He wanted to absorb the lifestream to become a god. That's when you summoned Holy and saved the planet."
Aerith looked at her best friend in disbelieve, but as she saw the seriousness in her expression she gasped. „It really happened? I saved the planet?"
„You did.", replied Cait Sith and Nanaki. „But how...and why did I lose my memories?" Everyone went quiet again. „Can we talk about it later?", asked Tifa. Aerith wanted NOW answers, but as she saw everyone's sad expressions, she thought to ask them later. „Okay..."
„Guys, do you think we'll make it to Rocket Town?", asked Cloud the group. „Don't think so, spike...", said Barret thoughtfully. „Yeah, we have to go through Mt. Nibel first...", said Tifa. „Alright, then let's rest here." Everyone nodded in agreement. „You mean...The Inn here or HERE here?", asked Yuffie. „HERE here of course.", replied Cloud, while Yuffie whined. „Noo~! I don't wanna sleep in here! It's way too scary! I go to the Inn!" Yuffie went away, but then stopped and turned back to the group, her hand's outstretched to them. „Give me some money."
„No.", replied Cloud. „Either you stay here, too and sleep for free, or you go to the Inn and pay with your OWN money!"
„But I don't have money!"
„Too bad." Yuffie whined again. „Okay, then I'll stay!" The group went up again, out of the basement. „By the way...", began Cid. „The crew called me. They said the Shera's ready and we'll meet them all in Rocket Town."
„Oh noooo!", exclaimed Yuffie in horror, wile everyone, but Aerith ignored her. „What's the Shera?"
„The Shera is an airship. Yuffie hates it, because she'll get airsick.", explained Tifa. „An AIRSHIP?", exclaimed Aerith. „Oh my god, that's so exciting!" Everyone smiled, as they saw that their comrade's happy again. Aerith turned to Cloud, held his sleeve tightly and jumped up and down. „Cloud! Cloud! We'll fly on an airship!" Cloud just chuckled quietly. „I know. You surely can't remember it, but I once promised you to take you on an airship." The flower girl went silent and thought for a while. „I remember it.", she said and smiled brightly.
Everyone's eyes widened. Did she really remember Cloud? „But I can only remember the promise...I can't remember it was you, Cloud...I'm sorry..." The blonde looked at her disappointed, but tried to hide it. „It's alright.", said Cloud and smiled sadly at her, to hide his hurt. „Please give me some time! Tifa said I'm going to remember everything!" Yeah everything...everything but me. Because I guess I'm your most precious memory . But what if I'm not? That would be great and sad at once. I don't really know what I rather want...„I can't wait.", replied Cloud, he tried to think a bit positive, just like Aerith always advised him to do.
Since that dream, he knew that Aerith will vanish if he's giving up now. Tifa's eyes widened slightly, as he said this. Did he read the other page?, she wondered. They went upstairs and finally left the basement. „Oh.", began Aerith and gained everyone's attention. „It's raining." They all looked out of the window. „Well then we have lots of time to relax.", said Barret, while Yuffie looked at him in disbelieve. „What? How can you relax in this gloomy mansion?"
„Yuffie, the monsters are all in the basement, don't be afraid.", teased Tifa and giggled as Yuffie pouted. „I'm not afraid!"
„Of course not.", teased Tifa further and giggled. „No! The great Yuffie isn't afraid! Never!" Cloud just sighed. „Guys. Let's sleep. It's really late.", said Cloud. „We have to share the rooms. Cid and Barret, Vincent, Nanaki and Cait Sith, and Yuffie and..."I wanna share a room with Aerith, but it would be a bit obvious...I rather put her into a room with Yuffie. „Ae—"
„Me!", said Tifa quickly and silenced Cloud. „I wanna be in a room with our little Yuffie.", teased Tifa again and patted Yuffies head. „Hey!", protested the young ninja. „But I planned to sleep here, to make sure no monsters find the exit.", said Cloud and pointed to the basements entrance. „It's okay.", said Aerith. „I have my bodyguard with me, so I'm not afraid." She smiled at the blonde happily and also a bit teasingly. „Right...", replied the ex-SOLDIER , before the group went away in their rooms. „You'll sleep on the bed.", ordered Cloud, once they got themselves ready to sleep. „And where do YOU sleep?"
„On the floor."
„Oh no, you won't! I mean, you'll get backache." The blonde chuckled quietly. „Don't worry. I'm a former SOLDIER, I always hat to sleep on the floor."
„But...", mumbled the young Cetra, before she sighed in defeat. „Do what you want.", she said and crawled into the bed. „Will do.", replied Cloud and lied on the floor. „Good night, Cloud.", said Aerith, as she lied comfortable on the bed. „Good night." The blonde ex-SOLDIER fell fast asleep, while the flower girl remained awake, as she heard the raging storm outside. She couldn't quiet remember why, but she was afraid of thunderstorms. She turned around to face the blonde. „...Cloud?", she whispered, but Cloud didn't hear her and remained asleep. „Cloud.", she tried again, but still no reaction. The flower girl became a bit irritated, crawled off the bed and knelled down next to him.
„Cloud." As Cloud still didn't reply, she began to poke his cheek. The former SOLDIER just grumbled quietly and gently pushed her hand away, before he continued to sleep. Aerith poked him more roughly and called his name again and finally he woke up. He looked at her with a confused and sleepy expression, while she began to explain.
„I can't sleep..." Cloud sat up. „Why?" His question was quickly answered, as lightning lit the room up. Aerith tackled him and clutched onto his shirt tightly. „Are you afraid of thunderstorms?", mused Cloud, as he looked at the flower girl in slight shock. Aerith nodded, her face was still hidden in his chest, while Cloud tried to clear his thoughts to figure out what to do.
„Cloud?" Her voice pulled him back to reality. He looked down and saw her looking at him with large, glowing puppy-dog-eyes. Cloud began to blush immediately and was glad that it was dark (except for the lightning) and that she wasn't able to see it.
But what he didn't know is that she saw it awfully well. She smiled mentally, as she stared into his flushed and nervous face and suddenly got the urge to tease him. „Can we...", she began and pretended to be unsure, while Cloud swallowed heavily, his gaze never left her eyes. „Can we...?", he repeated and urged her to continue on. The flower girl remained silent for a while, before she spoke again. „...Hold hands?"
The blonde looked at her dumbfounded. It wasn't quiet what he expected, but better than nothing. „Um...s-sure.", he stuttered, while Aerith hugged him tightly and snuggled her face into his chest. Cloud wrapped his arms around her small frame hesitantly. His heart jumped out of joy, as he was finally able to hug her and he hoped that Aerith won't notice how fast his heart was beating.
But for Clouds misfortune the flower girl heard AND felt his fast heartbeat and began to smile. They stayed like this for a while, before Aerith pulled back.
„Let's sleep.", she said, while Cloud just nodded. He almost pulled her back to him, but he needed all his self control not to. Aerith climbed back on the bed, while Cloud lied down next to the bed. Aerith lied on her stomach and let her arm hung over the edge of the bed, while Cloud took it hesitantly. Every time lightning stroke, she tightened her grip on his hand.
Cloud remained awake, but as it went silent and he didn't get any squeezes anymore he fell fast asleep again. The flower girl was still awake and didn't notice that her bodyguard fell asleep and continue to squeeze his hand. „...Cloud?" As the blond didn't reply she squeezed his hand again, but then she noticed that it was limp. Aerith pouted angrily and pulled his hand to wake him up, but what she didn't expect was, that he pulled back in his sleep and made her fall off the bed and landing on top of him.
Cloud awoke, opened his eyes lazily and looked at Aeriths pout. „...What's wrong?", he asked sleepily, not noticing their position. „You fell asleep!", replied the Aerith, her pout grew. „I'm sorry.", he yawned and finally realized their position. Aerith giggled, as she saw Clouds shocked and flushed face, while Cloud looked away from her to hide it. „Clooouuuud?", began Aerith and stretched his name, while the blonde ex-SOLDIER looked at her with a raised eyebrow. „I think I'll sleep better, when you're lying next to me." She said this with the sweetest voice she could muster and watched amused, as Clouds blush deepened.
„...You think...?", he repeated and saw her nodding. He sighed quietly. „As you wish..." Aerith kissed his cheek, stood up and crawled back on the bed, while Cloud lied there dumbfounded with a hand on his cheek. „Cloud, are you coming?", asked the flower girl impatiently, while Cloud snapped out of his daze and lied down next to her in the bed. Aerith laid on her side, her back was facing him, while Cloud lied on his back. He was about to fall asleep again, but remained awake as he felt Aerith's wincing, as another lightning lit the room up.
Cloud didn't know what got into him, as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her against his chest and lied his head on top of hers. „Don't worry. I'm here.", he whispered into her ear. Aerith couldn't help, but feel secure in his arms. It felt like nothing can harm her. She turned around to face her bodyguard and snuggled up against him. Clouds heart began to race again, as he hugged her closer. I'm just protecting her of the weather...I'm just doing my bodyguard job..., he thought, to reason why he was doing this.
Aerith heard his fast heartbeat again, but little did she know that it was beating just for her. She mused it must be out of nervousness and closed her eyes. His beating heart was like a lullaby to her and she finally managed to sleep. But now it was Clouds turn to stay awake. He was way too nervous because of their closeness, that his heart couldn't calm down. But after a few minutes of watching his angel sleeping, and breathing in her flowery scent, he fell sound asleep as well.
Cloud awoke in the early morning, as the sunlight shone through the window and hit his face. He opened his eyes and immediately shielded them with his hand. Once his senses sharpened again, he noticed that Aerith and he were still cuddling. The blonde didn't know how long he slept and he was surprised that he slept dreamless this time...Or at least he thought so. He could clearly remember the smell of the flowers, that his head laid on something soft and a small hand caressed his head and played with his hair.
He didn't know that one can sleep in a dream, too...But he didn't really care, all that mattered was that he slept with Aerith like this the whole night. Cloud stayed in bed, because he was way too lazy to stand up and because she seemed to lay comfortable against him.
The sun rose higher and Cloud decided to finally go out of the bed, before someone walks in. He quietly stood up and stretched himself. Once he quickly dressed himself, he went to the other rooms to wake everyone up. Once the group was up and ready, he went back to wake up Aerith, but she was already awake. „Good morning!", said the little flower girl, as she noticed him. „Morning. How'd you sleep?"
„Very good." Cloud gave her one of his half smiles, before he turned around to give her some privacy. „Cloud?" He looked over his shoulder to her. „I owe you one."
„Don't worry about it.", replied Cloud modesty and was about to go, but stopped, as Aerith spoke again. „No, no. What do you want?" The blonde thought for a while and said the first thing that came in his mind. „Just another date.", he replied jokingly, but sounded completely serious. „Okay. Then we go out twice."
„Twice?", asked Cloud and raised an eyebrow. „I asked you out, as we went to the Chocobo-Farm, remember?"
„I thought it's a joke..." He really did, but he also knew that she must meant it, just like back then, as she offered him a date, as the payment for Clouds bodyguard job. „I meant it.", replied Aerith and smiled at him brightly. „Well, get ready, we'll leave soon."
„Right, leader!", replied Aerith and saluted playfully, while Cloud went out of the room and down the stairs. „Let's eat something!", exclaimed Yuffie downstairs. „Yuffie, we'll wait for Cloud and Aerith first!", said Tifa sternly and in this time Cloud joined the group. „Chocobo-head! Where's Aeri?", asked Yuffie, as she saw him. „Upstairs."
„Tell her to hurry!"
„I won't tell her that!" Yuffie whined, but was quickly silenced by Cid. „Shut the hell up, brat!"
„But I'm hungry!"
„No one cares!", replied the pilot annoyed, while in this time Aerith joined them. „I care." The ninja ran to her and hugged her best friend tightly. „Aerith! My most precious friend! I knew you'd be on my side!" Aerith just giggled, before Cloud spoke. „Let's eat already. The group agreed and ate their supplies. „Ready?", asked Cloud , as they all finished eating, while everyone nodded in agreement.
„Let's go then. We'll stay together now. You all know that Mt. Nibel's dangerous because of the old Mako reactor."
„Mako...", murmured Aerith quietly. Avalanche remained silent and waited if Aerith has something else to say. „Now that you mention it...Midgar looked different. There were no slums, no plate, no reactors..."
„The town's called "Midgar Edge". Once Midgar was destroyed, because of Meteor, the people build a new town.", explained Cloud. „Oh. What about the reactors? Are they still sucking the lifestream out of the planet?"
„No.", replied Barret. „Shin-Ra and Mako doesn't exist anymore. I mean...Shin-Ra still DOES exist, but not as the fucking sucker company, that wants to destroy the planet."
„I'm glad."
„Let's go outta here! This place is scary!", whined Yuffie and they all headed out of the mansion, to Mt. Nibel. During their walk through the mountain, Aerith was deep in thought and quiet, which let the group get worried. Mako reactors doesn't exist anymore...? Shin-Ra doesn't exist as that company anymore? They build a new town next to Midgar?, thought Aerith in great confusion. You can't build a whole town within a few weeks or months...but at least 2 or 3 years...What year is this? How long was I gone? Why and how did I lose my memories? What happened to me? Why won't the others answer my questions? And who's that Sephiroth guy? Is he an enemy? The flower girl lost herself in her thoughts, while the others thought for a plan to distract her.
„Aerith, do you remember anything else?", asked Vincent and pulled her back to reality. „Huh? N-no...But I try hard to remember.", she replied and smiled at him. „Hey, Chocobo-head! When do you think we arrive Rocket Town?", asked Yuffie. „Two days, I guess."
„TWO days? Let's hurry!", exclaimed the ninja and went ahead. The others exchanged a few glances, before they shrugged and followed her.
Thanks to Yuffie (for once) they left almost half the way behind them, but it tired them all out and they had to camp early. Once everything's set, the group sat around a camp fire. Aerith never spoke to them, once they left the Shin-Ra mansion, but replied shortly, when someone's asking her something and gave them a faked smiles. Everyone got really worried about her, but she always said that she's alright. „Aerith if you have some questions, tell us.", said Nanaki.
They wouldn't tell me anyway..., thought Aerith and smiled at the red-furred animal. „I don't have any questions.", replied the flower girl. „Aerith, I promise that we're going to tell you everything you ask us.", said Cloud, who looked at his secret love worriedly. „What year is it? How many years past, since our journey?" There was a short silence, before Vincent replied. „It's been three years now."
Aeriths eyes widened in shock. „Three years?" The group nodded and remained silent. „What happened to me during these three years? Was I in a coma or something like that?" No one answered her, they all looked to the ground and Aerith got more impatient. „Answer me!" There was a short silence, before Cloud spoke. „'Something like that' happened..."
„What exactly happened?" The flower girl stared at the former SOLDIERs eyes intensely, while Cloud tried to avoid her stare, but failed. „I...", he began and Aerith still urged him to continue. „I think this is something you have to remember yourself..." Aerith just nodded. She didn't know what else to do. No one wanted to tell her what happened to her. „But why won't you tell me?"
„I'm not sure if I'm talking for everyone, but I can't talk about it." The group nodded in agreement. „And it's not our place to tell you this.", explained Tifa and Aerith understood, even though she still wanted to know what happened. „Is there anything else ya wanna know?", asked Barret the flower girl, who shook her head. „No that's all..."
„What's bothering you, Aeri?", asked Yuffie worried. „Just the fact that you won't answer my questions. But I understand you. I feel a lot of sadness around you all. Especially in Cloud." Cloud looked at her a bit startled. „I don't want you guys to be sad, so I'll try hard to remember it myself.", she said and smiled a real smile at her companions. Just as she said this the mood around the group lightened up.
After a short silence Yuffie began to yawn loudly. „Sleeping time!" The ninja went into her tent. „I guess I'm going to go to bed too.", said Aerith and went into the tent she shared with Tifa, after they said good night to everyone. „What was wrong with Aerith back then?", asked Barret the former SOLDIER. „I don't know either. I guess that's because she remembered Sephiroth and Hojo.", replied Cloud.
„Aerith has the scar. You know, the one she got from Sephiroth.", said Tifa, while everyone's looking at her. „She said it hurts whenever she's remembering Sephiroth. Yuffie and I saw it and knew exactly what happened to her. Sorry for hiding it..."
„It's alright Tifa!", said Cait Sith. „We should sleep too.", suggested Nanaki. „It's still a long way to Rocket Town."
„Red's right. You should sleep. I'll take the night shift.", said Cloud. „Please call me Nanaki."
„Yeah, sure...sorry."
„It's okay." Everyone else retreated into their tents. „If you're sleepy, spike, wake me up and I relieve you.", said Barret, as he entered his tent. „Yeah."
Tifa was the only one who didn't go into the tents. „Go to sleep.", said Cloud and nodded to the tents direction. „No. I'm not sleepy. And I know that you'll never wake up Barret, when you're sleepy.", she said and smiled knowingly at him. „Guess you're right." Tifa sat down next to him and they remained awake till midnight. They never had a conversation and always remained silent. Tifa looked at Cloud and saw that he fought to keep his eyes open.
„You should sleep.", said Tifa, but suddenly yelped in surprise, as Cloud fell on top of her, snoring softly. „Geez, Cloud...I meant you should go to bed and not on top of me...", mumbled Tifa, as she pushed Cloud off of her. As Cloud hit the ground he awoke and looked around. „What happened?"
„You fell asleep and fell on top of me.", said Tifa as she sat up. „Oh...sorry..." Cloud sat up too and yawned loudly.
„I'll wake up Barret.", she said went to the tent he shared with Cid. „That's not necessary.", said Cloud, while yawning one more time, but Tifa ignored him and woke Barret up. Barret left the tent and sat opposite of Cloud. „Ya look horrible. Go to sleep, or Aerith'll get a heart attack, when she's going to see you tomorrow."
„But I...forgot my camp stuff at home." Barret and Tifa hit their foreheads. „Ya can sleep with Cid."
„No thanks." Tifa sighed, took his arm and dragged him with her. „Then you can sleep with me and Aerith."
„I...I guess I rather sleep with Cid...", said Cloud and blushed a bright red color.
„No buts!" They entered the tent quietly so that they won't wake up Aerith. „Here, I have some spare blankets.", whispered Tifa and gave him the blankets. „Thanks...", mumbled Cloud quietly, while Tifa lied down. „You'll sleep over here.", she said and pointed to the spare room between Aerith and herself. Clouds blush deepened, as he registered what Tifa just said. „Come on."
Clouds heart quickened its pace immediately and all he could do was to stare at the spare room between the two girls. But then his body moved by itself and he lied down. „Good night.", said Tifa and turned around, so that her back's facing him. „Night.", he mumbled tried to calm himself down. He looked at Aeriths peaceful, sleeping face and suddenly felt at ease. He closed his eyes and breathed in her flowery scent and fell in a peaceful sleep.
Aerith awoke, as she felt someone's lying next to her. „Tifa, is that you?", mumbled the flower girl sleepily and turned to the one next to her and almost jumped in surprise, as she saw Cloud instead of Tifa. Aerith stared at his sleeping face and smiled, as she saw how peaceful and childish he looked. „...Aerith...", mumbled Cloud in his sleep, which let Aerith get even more surprised, but then smiled again and caressed his cheek gently. Cloud began to smile slightly. Aaww, you have such a cute smile!, thought the flower girl and continued to stare and caress him, till she fell asleep as well.
In his dream, Cloud found himself again in the middle of this all too familiar flower field. He stood up and looked around, searching for a certain flower girl. „Searching for someone?", asked a soft voice behind him. The blonde man turned around quickly and looked into a pair of glowing green eyes. „Hi again.", she said and smiled brightly at him. „Hi.", he greeted back and tried to fight back a smile. „Why do you always have to appear behind me?"
„Because it's more fun!", replied Aerith and giggled. „So, what are you doing here?" The flower girl hid her arms behind her back and slowly started to walk around him. „I...guess I wanted to see you.", he replied, and turned around to keep an eye on her. „Why's that? You see me every time." Aerith began to giggle. „I know. I mean the Aerith that remembers me."
„We're the same person."
„I know that too, but...You know what I mean..." The flower girl giggled once again. „Yes, I do."
„I won't give up, Aerith! I'll try harder to help you. I know I don't deserve a happy ending, but you deserve it." Cloud looked at her in confusion, as she began to laugh. „Of course you deserve a happy ending. You saved the planet after all."
„No.", denied Cloud. „I didn't save the planet. It was you."
„I didn't do anything." The blond rolled his eyes. „Come on. You summoned Holy, you destroyed Meteor with the lifestream and I think you brought Tifa into my mind to help me to find my real self." Aerith looked at him innocently. „Aw, caught..."
„By the way...", began Cloud to change the subject. „Zack contacted me."
„Zack?"
„Yeah, he came to warn me. You know because of Sephiroth."
„How kind of him."
„Yeah..." They fell silent for a while. Cloud was deep in thought, while Aerith decided to lighten up the mood. „Cloud." He looked back at her and saw her smiling at him. „Don't worry. Everything's going to be alright."
„I have no other choice, but to believe you, huh?"
„That's right!" Aerith paused, before she added in a teasing voice. „Cloudy-boy." Cloud grumbled, as he heard this nickname. „Zack?", he just asked, while Aerith giggled and nodded. „Zack." The swordsman turned away from her, pretending to be offended. „Don't call me that.", he grumbled, while Aerith went in front of him and leaned in. „Why? It sounds cute." Cloud looked away to hide his blush. „I hate it."
„Oh, you're blushing!"
„I'm not!"
„Yes, you are! That's so cute!"
„Aerith..." The green eyed girl didn't say anything, but then she reached out and caressed his cheek. „W-what are you doing?", stuttered Cloud nervously, his blush grew. „What does it looks like?", she asked back and giggled, as Cloud rolled his eyes. „You like it, don't you? I did this last night to you, too and you didn't complain." Cloud remained quiet for a while, before he replied with a small smile. „A bit."
„Aaww, you have such a cute smile!" Cloud frowned, but his smile never faded. „Please, don't call me cute..."
„Nope! I'm calling you cute whenever I want!" Cloud closed his eyes. He knew that she would answer this.
Tifa awoke in the early morning. She yawned and stretched herself and looked at her two friends. Her eyes widened, though, as she looked at the position they were in. Cloud practically half laid on Aerith. His head rested on her bare shoulder, his right arm's underneath her waist, his left hand lied on her stomach and his lower half laid still on his own side. Both their shirts were lifted, but just enough to see their stomachs. Tifa tried hard not to laugh and just let them be. She also noticed that they're both smiling.
The black haired woman knew that Cloud must be dreaming about Aerith, but she couldn't guess what Aerith might be dreaming about. Maybe of flowers? Tifa stretched herself again and left the tent. „Morning, guys.", she said, as she saw that everyone's up already. „Morning.", they all replied. „Where's spike?", asked Cid. „In there.", replied Tifa and pointed to her tent. „And Aerith?", asked Yuffie, while Tifa pointed to the tent again. „In there too."
„Guys! Look at this!", called Cait Sith, who's peeking inside the tent. The others went to him and looked inside, too and grinned widely at this sight, except for Cait Sith and Vincent. Cait Sith, being a stuffed cat, can't smile and Vincent actually never smiles, but right now you could see that the corner of his lips twitched the slightest bit. „Aaww, how cute.", said Yuffie. „Let's take a photo!", said Barret. „I recorded everything.", said the black stuffed cat. „But I also can make photos for everyone."
„Do it.", said Yuffie, while Cait Sith made some photos. „I'll give them to you when we meet in person.", said Reeve with his own voice. „Let's wake them up. We have to get going.", said Tifa and the others agreed. „CLOUD! AERITH! WAKE UP!", shouted Yuffie as loud as she could. Cloud and Aerith jumped a bit at the loud noise and awoke. Cloud and Aerith looked at each other sleepily, but as they realized the position they were in, their eyes widened.
Cloud sat up immediately and turned his back to her, to hide his scarlet red face. Aerith sat up, too and covered her red face with her hands. „Come on, ya two lovebirds! Eat somethin' and let's get going!", said Cid and grinned at them. They just nodded and the others left to give them some privacy, for once. There was an awkward silence and non of them dared to say anything for a long while. „...Sorry...", said Cloud quietly. He felt he needed to apologize to her. „...It's okay.", replied Aerith, just as awkwardly as Cloud.
Then there was silence again. „...The others...are waiting for us...", said Cloud to change the subject. „Then let's get ready.", replied Aerith, glad that Cloud changed the subject, and spoke as happy as ever, like nothing happened. „We don't wanna keep them waiting for too long, right?" Cloud just nodded. „I'll go outside then.", he said and left Aerith alone in the tent.
As the others saw him, they began to laugh. „Shut up!", growled Cloud dangerously, but no one paid him any attention and kept laughing. Cloud didn't look as dangerous as ever, when he has a bright blush on his face. In this moment Aerith left the tent too. „Ready!", she said and gained everyone's attention. „Let's pack everything.", said Yuffie. „And let's get going already.", added Barret, as he and Cid packed Tifas and Aeriths tent. Once everything's set they continued their way to Rocket Town.
They went through Mt. Nibel the whole day, they were always attacked by monsters and Nibel bears, but they easily defeated them and two days later they almost arrived the Town. „Guys, let's rest here. It's already dark.", said Cloud and stopped. „I don't wanna camp again!", whined Yuffie. „Besides...", said Vincent. „Rocket Town's not far anymore. It's about two hours from here."
„I say, let's get going!", said the young ninja. „What do you think?", asked Cloud the whole group. „Yeah, let get going. Two hours won't hurt.", agreed Barret. Nanaki, Cait Sith, Cid and Vincent agreed too. „I'm in too, but...", said Tifa and looked at Aerith, who's completely exhausted. „...We'll rest.", decided Cloud, as he also saw Aeriths expression. „No, it's okay, let's get going!", protested the flower girl.
„You should rest, Aerith.", said Vincent, but the flower girl shook her head. „I don't want to be a burden to you..."
„Then I'll carry you.", said the ex-SOLDIER and knelled down in front of her, his back's facing her. „Climb on."
„But...", protested Aerith, but stopped and just did as she was told and climbed on the blondes back. Cloud stood up , while Aerith wrapped her arms around his neck. He blushed madly again, but luckily it's too dark and no one would notice it. As they continued walking Aerith fell sound asleep on his back and snuggled up against him, which let his blush grow. About two hours later they finally arrived Rocket Town. It was past midnight and everyone were exhausted. They decided to rest as long as they needed and go, when they're ready.
Everyone, except for Cid of course, went into the Inn and fell asleep immediately. Once everyone were well rested the next day, they met Cid and Shera in their house. „Where to now, leader?", joked Cid, as they began to plan where they should go next and drank some tea. „Wutai, I guess. I think it's time that Aerith remembers Yuffie.", said Cloud, while Yuffie cheered. „We'll fly in a few hours. Let's restock our items and rest for a bit more.", ordered Cloud and left the group. Tifa followed him.
„Cloud, wait!" The blonde stopped and turned to her. „Do you know where Sephiroth is?"
„No. Didn't heard anything from Zack." The black haired woman sighed in disappointment. „Too bad..." Without another word, Cloud went away into a weapon shop.
A few hours later the group met at Cids again. „Ready?", asked cloud everyone, who nodded. „Then let's go to Wutai."
„Wait a minute!", said Aerith quickly, before anyone could move. „I have a question. Where is the rocket?" Everyone turned to Cid, to tell him he has to tell her. „The rocket...is gone. Up there.", he explained and pointed to upwards. „...The sky?"
„Higher."
„The space? But I thought, the rocket can't fly at all..."
„It's a long story." The group was about to go out, but Aerith stopped them once again. „Oh, I almost forgot something."
„And what?", asked Nanaki her curiously. „Thiiiis!" She quickly ran to Cid and hugged him before he could even protest. „I remember our cursing pilot."
„Good to hear.", said Cid and patted her head. „Oh!" Aerith let him go and turned to Vincent. „Do you want a hug too?", asked the flower girl and held her arms out at him. „...Do I have another choice?", asked Vincent, jokingly, but sounded as serious as ever. „Nope!", replied Aerith and hugged him too. Then they finally went to Cids airship and entered it. „OH MY GOD!", exclaimed Aerith excitedly, as they flew to the western continent.
„That's so beautiful! Flying's so great! This airship is AMAZING!" Aerith ran from one point to another. Her eyes shone and glittered brightly, as she examined Cids ship. „I'm gonna like our little flower girl more and more.", said Cid as he watched Aerith in amusement. „She has a good sense of taste."
„Aerith, don't run around like this, or you'll hurt yourself!", warned Tifa almost motherly. „It's okay. I'm just looking around a bit.", were her last words, before she left the group to look around the ship. „Aerith's like a child that got a new toy.", said Barret and chuckled, while Tifa, Yuffie, Nanaki, Cait Sith and Cid joined his laughter. „I hate this ship!", yelled Yuffie and leaned on a wall, her face was pale, and she tried hard not to retch.
„Shut up, brat! And don't ruin the ground, or I'll kick your fucking damn ass!", yelled Cid back. „Guys!", called Cloud to gain everyone's attention. „I need to tell you something really important!" The group looked at their blonde leader. „Sephiroth's really back on this planet."
„You sure?", asked Cait Sith in slight shock, while Cloud nodded. „Yeah. Zacks spirit told me." The group (except for Tifa) looked at him, like he lost his mind. „I'm serious!" They all remained silent, until Barret spoke again. „Ya kiddin'?" Cloud just shook his head. „No! I hope that Zack's going to find out where Sephiroth is right now. Until then...We have to be careful and protect Aerith. Got it?" Everyone nodded and in this time the flower girl came back and pulled on Clouds arm. „Cloud! You have to see this!" The swordsman let her pull him with her, while the others looked after them.
A few hours later they arrived Wutai and landed. Aerith was the first one, who left the ship, the others followed her closely. „Wow!", exclaimed the green eyed girl excitedly. „Finally!", exclaimed Yuffie, just as excitedly as Aerith. „Solid ground under our feet!" Aerith began to giggle, at Yuffies outburst. They went into the town and looked around. Nothing really changed in this town. The destroyed houses were rebuilt and almost everything looked like the Meteor never almost destroyed the planet.
„Aerith, ya remember somethin'?", asked Barret, while the flower girl looked around and hummed thoughtfully. „And?", urged Yuffie, who got a slap on her head from Tifa. „Stop forcing her!" After a moment of silence the flower girl turned to the ninja and glared mockingly at her. „Yuffie! You stole all our Materia?" Then the whole group turned to the ninja abruptly and glared at her.
„I didn't steal anything! I swear!" Everyone checked their belongings. „Yuffie's right...", said Tifa. „Told you!"
„But why did Aerith say that you stole everything again?", asked Nanaki, before everyone's eyes widened as it hit them. „You remember me!", cheered Yuffie and tackled the poor flower girl into a bone breaking hug. „I do. I just wanted to scare you.", replied Aerith teasingly and grinned at her friend. „You meanie!", said Yuffie in mock anger, but hugged her even tighter and even began to cry.
„We have to celebrate!", exclaimed the young girl. „Just because she remembers you?", asked Cait Sith and if he could he would raise an eyebrow. „Of course! I mean...No, we have to celebrate that Aerith's back!"
„That's actually a good idea.", said Tifa. „We were such in a hurry lately, that we couldn't even celebrate Aeriths return."
„Then let's do it.", agreed Barret, before they all looked at Cloud. „You're in?", asked Nanaki, while Cloud just nodded. „Do what you want."
„Hey, how about we'll fly back to Midgar...I mean Edge and celebrate in the bar?", asked Tifa, while everyone agreed immediately. „But let's rest for a while. I'm sure Aerith wants to look around a bit more, right?"
„Sounds like Tifa's the leader now.", commented the stuffed cat, before the group split up again. Everyone's doing their own thing and at last Tifa, Aerith, Yuffie and Cloud were left over. „What are YOU going to do, Cloud?", asked Aerith and went to the blonde. „I don't know..."
„Then come with us." She held a hand out to him and smiled. Cloud looked away from her to hide his blush, he still wasn't used of seeing her smile at him, after three years of loneliness. He took her hand hesitantly and blushed even more. Tifa and Yuffie watched them amusedly. The flower girl dragged him to the girls. „So, where are we going to go?"
„Just follow the great Yuffie.", said the ninja and led the way.
Once they spent the rest of the day in Wutai, the group gathered in front of the Shera. „Ready?" Everyone replied Cloud with a nod, before they entered the airship and flew back to Midgar Edge.
A.N. Sooo~ that's it. I hope you liked my super long chappy. I don't know when I'm gonna update the next one, though. Still have to think about certain things, like Sephi's localization and something like that. But I have already an idea what happens in the beginning^^
PLEASE REVIEW :3