Chapter 4

"There's definitely something wrong with Aerith, you saw how she looked yesterday!" said Zack angrily, pacing up and down the empty pub, Tifa sighed.

"Zack, look will you just calm down! God you're badly unsettling yourself with this! She's probably had a hard time at home or something, we don't know for sure!"

"That's it! At home! Don't you see Tifa? It's gotta be something to do with Cloud!" said Zack rushing up to Tifa, his hands slammed down on the counter, clutching the edges tightly, his fingers pressing down hard on the surface. Tifa cocked one brow and shook her head irritably. "Now you're just being paranoid. Why blame it on Cloud?" said Tifa, shrugging.

"Oh my god!" said Zack, exasperated by Tifa's comment. "I'm not bloody paranoid! I'm just worried, she seemed to act very strange yesterday and when I asked her how things were with her and Cloud, I noticed she flinched a bit. I'm telling you Tifa, it's gotta be something to do with Cloud!" said Zack. Tifa paused, opened her mouth and then shut it again. Unable to debate against Zack's answer. He grinned triumphantly.

"Ok, you've made your point. But we still don't have any proof, we don't know exactly what's going on with Aerith and Cloud," said Tifa turning away from Zack and placing a clean glass in the cupboard. Zack tapped the counter with his fingers, pondering hard.

"Look, Zack. I'll try to talk to Aerith about it later, you really ought to be going now, you wouldn't want to be late for work." said Tifa going off to deal with her first customer.

Zack sighed. "Right, fine. See ya later Teef." and he exited the pub silently.

**************

"Look, no disrespect sir, but I don't get why you worry so much about that Ancient," said Reno quietly to Tseng as he glanced at Aerith, whom was making light conversation with Tifa.

"I'm just concerned is all, Reno, she isn't as cheerful as before," said Tseng calmly.

"What's that got to do with us? Look. Forget about that damn Ancient and focus on your job, "sir"," Reno added cheekily. Tseng glared at him but remained silent. Elena dug her pointy little elbow in Reno's rib. "Shut it Reno! Don't show such disrespect towards him!" Elena snapped.

"I'm actually convinced that you love digging your skinny little elbows in my ribs!" Reno said through gritted teeth. Elena lifted her head up high, pretending not to care.

Tseng ignored them both, his only concern was Aerith, not the constant quarrel between two of his employees. He sighed heavily and buried his face in his hands.

*****

Zack strolled along the dusty pavement, his thoughts of Aerith lingered, why wouldn't she tell him what was wrong? It was damn obvious from her behaviour that something wasn't right. And the only person that Zack constantly pointed to was Cloud. Cloud, Cloud, Cloud! He was right to have his suspicions wasn't he?

I mean, who else could it be?

Zack sighed and tilted his head back, letting the cool breeze hit his face.

"Man, Cloud, what are you up to these days?" Zack mumbled to himself, he passed by Cloud and Aerith's house, Zack stopped in his tracks.

Perhaps I could pay Cloud a visit? For old times sake….and maybe to try and squeeze the truth out of what's really happening to Aerith….

Zack hesitated before giving the door a swift knock. A few minutes later it opened, and Cloud stood right in front of him.

"Hey there, Cloudy! Long time no see eh? Just thought I'd drop by and have a chat, y'know, for old times sake," Zack grinned, Cloud seemed baffled, it was quite strange for Zack to just come out from the blue like that. And on a rather peculiar day such as this.

"Uh….sure, come in," said Cloud flatly.

"So…um…how are things going for you? It's been a long time since we've last seen each other," said Zack, stirring his coffee Cloud had made for him, although he didn't seem too keen on drinking right now.

"I thought you were dead…" murmured Cloud. His face completely emotionless.

"Nah, I wasn't dead. I was just taking a bit of a break from Midgar's drama and all that, sorry I made it seem that way though," said Zack, taking one gulp from his coffee.

"Midgar's quietened down now…no more of that so-called 'drama' you're going on about."

"Are you sure? Cuz Aerith's a bit under the weather lately," Zack blurted out.

"What's she been saying to you!?" said Cloud nervously, though Zack could sense the anger in his voice.

"Nothing in particular, I've just seen how she behaved while working in that pub, she's really unhappy Cloud, haven't you noticed?" said Zack frowning.

"No…I haven't actually…."The silence was unnerving.

Zack cleared his throat. "Would you know anything about this Cloud?""No! I haven't noticed anything strange about Aerith - I think it's time you got going, Zack," said Cloud, opening the front door. Zack didn't need to be told twice.

"Well, it was nice talking with you…see ya later Cloud." said Zack awkwardly, he walked out the door, more than happy to be away from Cloud.

Weird or what! There's definitely something wrong and neither Cloud or Aerith is telling me!! Never mind Aerith, Cloud's acting strange too…he's probably the one causing Aerith to feel all miserable nowadays. My suspicions could be correct!

Zack had been too caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the van coming his way at full speed, Zack heard the loud honking of the horn and turned his head to find himself frozen with fear.

C'mon you idiot, move! MOVE!!

"ZACK!!" screamed Aerith, suddenly pushing him out of the way. The two toppled down onto the footpath, the driver of the van driving passed, yelling words of abuse.

"Yeah, yeah, keep driving, asshole!" said Zack angrily, he felt himself shaking with the shock. He looked down at Aerith, her arms still grasping tightly around him.

"Hey…are you ok?" Zack asked her, wiping the gravel off his trousers.

"Mmm? What do you mean? Of course I'm ok! It's me who should be asking you! Oh my god Zack, you could have been KILLED!" said Aerith hotly, banging her fist on his arm. "You're crazy!"

"Whoa, hey, hey! Sorry for making you worry so much! I wasn't paying attention ok? It's my mistake…," said Zack. "You saved me though, thanks so much Aerith!" he added, smiling.

"You're welcome…just try not to wander off in your own imagination again, ok Zack?" said Aerith. "I can't always be there to watch out for you, you know."

"Yeah, I know. Well, I gotta get going, see ya later Aerith." said Zack, getting up off the ground and beginning to walk across the road (again). Aerith stood awkwardly on the pavement, watching Zack's form disappear behind the tall trees. She chewed on her lip, not knowing whether to go back home or just stay right here, yet again pondering long and hard about leaving Cloud once and for all, if only it were that easy. Aerith decided to not make things complicated for herself and just go back home, even though it was the last thing she'd ever want to do.

Again, sorry for the short chapter ^^; R&R please ^w^