A/N:

Yes, I know. I suck. Well actually, college and tests and overwhelming amounts of work sucks. But I guess it's interchangeable because it all means that I haven't updated in forever. I'm trying to improve, but no promises since I don't want to seem even awfuler.

Let's get straight down to business. Thanks to my two reviewers! :

ObsessiveCompulsiveValkyrie and vLuna

Hopefully, I'll get some this time :D

Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't bother suing;I have 0 cash.


Cloud looked around his new environment nervously. He had never been down in the slums before…and if the plate of Midgar made him anxious from its energy and ferocity, the slums made him feel downright threatened. Trash was everywhere, literally littering the dark and moist ground. Graffiti scarred rooftops and sides of dilapidated buildings. Foreign, vile smells entrenched his airwaves, making him desperate to catch the next train up. The whole entire feel was different. Upper Midgar felt cold, almost sterile, but the slums seemed to catch the surface grime from above and drag it all under the plate. The sun was blocked from his view, replaced with cheap, barely working Mako electrical lighting. Just deliver the letter and get out of here.

There were unaccustomed glances from the strangers lining the streets. They seemed to glance at his SOLDIER attire with certain apathy, maybe even disgust. A huge variation than the prideful looks he'd receive above. But how would you like it, living like this in a city run by Shinra? The thought almost made him feel guilty, but Cloud pushed it aside. Who am I to question this? To question Shinra? He laughed inwardly and moved on.

Cloud diverted his eyes from the gruff alleys and structures, only to stop short at the new building in front of him. It seemed a little out of place. Maybe he didn't think there would be anything religious in a place like this, or maybe the building was simply prettier than he anticipated. But for whatever reason, he was drawn to the tall white structure in front of him, opening the doors with a sudden eagerness to escape his present environment.

…Someone lives here?

Though the outside was nice, it wasn't really reflected in the inside of the church. There were scattered pieces of broken pews, grass growing everywhere, and giant holes in the roof, like someone had crashed through. But there was still someone in the deserted church, a girl actually. Cloud moved up to her slowly, seeing that she seemed a little distracted with something on the ground. "…Hel..Hello?" His voice sounded flustered. …And this isn't even her. How am I supposed to talk to her if I can't even talk to random strangers I meet? He coughed harshly, "I'm looking for someone."

"Oh?" The girl stood up, letting the folds in her white dress fall to right above her knee. She blinked quickly which only drew attention to her bright green eyes, making Cloud's face look down. "Who are you?"

Cloud paused a bit, his voice lost once again. "…I…I erm, a messenger from SOLDIER."

"SOLDIER? …what…what's wrong?!" Her pale, calm face immediately became contorted. "Did something happen to Zack?"

"Zack?" Cloud dug for the letter, "Wait, wait….Are you a Mr. Gainsborough?"

Her eyes dropped, "…Do I look like a Mr. to you?"

"…er…No! No! Of course not, it's just that I have this letter from Zack. You did mean Zack Fair?"

"Zack! Give me that!" Her green eyes scanned the envelope and looked back up at the blond, "…Aerith… That's me!" Aerith was ripping open the envelope while looking at Cloud's face. "Is he okay?"

Cloud's blue eyes traced the distress lining her face. Her hands were practically shaking while she pulled out the letter. "…He's fine. I was just told to give this to you."

"He couldn't come?" Her voice was soft. It sounded disembodied. "He sent you? He didn't even have the guts to come here himself?"

"Aerith…" Cloud walked closer to her. What the hell did Zack say? "I'll tell him to come here and talk to you if you…"

She held up her hands, "Stop! Don't come closer!"

Cloud furrowed his eyes, "…I'm not going to hurt you."

"Oh!" Aerith covered her face, suddenly giggling, breaking her stern exterior. "I meant the flowers! I didn't want you to step on them." She bent down and pulled out a weed before turning back to Cloud. It was the first time Cloud really noticed them. There were flowers growing in Midgar, in the slums of Midgar. And they didn't seem feeble, barely surviving in the toxic environment, but they seemed to flourish with the nurturing care that Aerith provided. The small smile quickly faded when her eyes noticed the letter in her hands. "…Don't tell him to come. He doesn't want to."

Cloud felt the need to defend his friend, "I'm sure Zack would want to talk to you. I'll just tell him.."

"No." Her sharp tone caught him. "You tell him…" Aerith walked closer, making her glazed eyes easier to see. "That it's only fitting." She folded the letter up and began to tear it, only vertically first, but then later into littler and littler pieces. "It should end like this…an impersonal goodbye from someone so cold."

Zack? Cold? Aerith took the light pieces of paper and let them rain down from her hands, forgotten on the ground. "Next time he writes anything to me, tell him for to make it meaningful." Her back was facing him now, and Cloud had the sudden impulse to comfort her. The blond touched her shoulder, and he felt Aerith immediately relax. "You're sweet." She turned around and wiped the thin film of tears over her eyes. "But I think I just need to be alone for awhile."

Cloud looked at her gently and smiled, "I understand."

Zack Fair whistled casually as he strolled back into SOLDIER headquarters main lobby. There was the weird fiery sensation running throughout his body; the energized surge he always felt after his routine jog around Midgar. There were a few droplets of sweat remaining on the edge of his brow, but he soon got rid of that as he entered the bathroom. "Better…much better."

The adrenaline rush from the run was slowing fading away from his veins. "I need a distraction." His heart was beginning to have that weird sensation in it again. Zack pulled at his black hair, "Ughhh, what's wrong with me?"

His energy got the best of him, and Zack soon was back in the lobby, wandering up to the reception desk. "Ugh where is Strife? I need someone to bother…" But the actual thought of where Cloud was made him only sicker. Maybe I'll go do squats…or beg Angeal for a new mission…though I bet they aren't too happy that I dropped the other one. But...I had to.

"Excuse me?"

Zack turned, half expecting Cissnei to be behind him, but the girl he saw was younger. And prettier. "Yes? Are you a tourist here?" I would have noticed her before. "I can give you an autograph of a real life SOLDIER if you want…"

"No…" Zack's smile fell, half-expecting a deafening squeal.

"Oh. Um, then how can I help you?" He scratched his black hair awkwardly, and to his surprise, the gesture made the girl laugh a little. "…Is something wrong?"

"…No…umm… I am new here, and I kind of know someone who's in SOLDIER. I thought maybe he could show me around."

Shit. Is the charm fading? But Zack could tell by her face that she was telling the truth, "Okay, tell me his name. I know everyone who's a SOLDIER. It's a very small, elite group." Zack brushed back his black bangs, "His name?"

The girl's pale face turned, letting her dark brown hair cover her eyes, "…Well you said it before."

I did? "Oh…well, mind reminding me?" Zack said, stepping closer.

The girl smiled, "Yeah…Strife. Cloud Strife."

CLOUD? Zack blinked. Is she sure? No offense to him, but she seems a little…out of his league. "Cloud? Cloud Strife?" He restricted the impending laughter. I thought she said he was in SOLDIER?

"Yeah! Do you know him?" She looked up eagerly, obviously wanting to see a familiar face.

Zack paused. Maybe this is the girl? She was really pretty, and seemed to be Cloud's age. But Cloud made it seem like a lost cause… Yeah I know him…but you'll have to give me some time to find him."

She gleamed, "Really, that's great! I have to run anyway!" The girl turned around, but quickly spun back to face the SOLDIER. "Oh…and what's your name?"

He held out his hand, happy that she was finally taken an interest in him too. "Zack Fair, soon to be 1st class SOLDIER."

The brown headed girl laughed, "Oh! Nice meeting you, Zack. My name's Tifa, Tifa Lockhart."

A/N:

I know a lot of you have been asking for a certain someone to make an appearance and here she is! The plot thickens from here on out. I hope you enjoyed! (and sorry again D:)

~Mira