Final Fantasy 7
By Tayla Drago
(As Yakumo jumped into the ocean to rescue Cloud from falling and drowning, she takes him to where she and the person known as Aerith lives at. Seems that they're like sisters. For Cloud started to hear a voice as he slowly wakes up and knowing it's not a dream, just who was the stranger talking to him in his sleep?)
...You all right?...Can you hear me?
Cloud: ...Yeah...
Back then...You could get by with just skinned knees...
Cloud: What do you mean by 'back then'?
What about now? Can you get up?
...What do you mean by 'that time'? ...What about now? Don't worry about me. You just worry about yourself now.
Cloud: ...I'll give it a try.
Aerith: Oh! He moved!
...How about that? Take it slow now. Little by little...
Aerith: Hello, hello?
Cloud: …I know. Hey... who are you?
Aerith: Hello, hello!
(Then the darkness fades in to show Cloud lying in the middle of a flower patch in the floor of an old church. The Flower Girl being Aerith Gainsborough from Midgar and Yakumo with her kneeling next to him. As she stood next to him. Cloud manages to sit up. He was surprise in seeing Yakumo again for he remembers saving her and now she saved him.)
Yakumo: Look, Aerith, he's coming through. Thank God you're alright.
(Aerith sees how Cloud was doing as well.)
Aerith: You okay? This is a church in the Sector 5 slums. You suddenly fell into the waters, lucky for you my little step sister Yakumo jumped in to save your life. She came to me to rest up in this here church. You really gave me quite a scare.
Yakumo: It was the only safe place we can put you in from the security people, seeing that you're doing those odd things for a reason.
(Cloud remembers that he did before that.)
Cloud: I almost drowned?
Aerith: Well, as I said Yakumo use CPR and saved you and rest in this special garden patch. You're very lucky.
Yakumo: You're lying on them.
(Cloud looks at the bottom for they were right.)
Cloud: Flower bed... is this yours?
Yakumo: More of being Aerith's since she takes good care of them.
(He stands up and brushes his clothes off.)
Cloud: Sorry about that.
Aerith: That's all right. The flowers here are quite resilient because this is a sacred place. They say you can't grow grass and flowers in Midgar. But for some reason, the flowers have no trouble blooming here. I love it here."
Yakumo: We have been coming here in doing so ever since.
(She begins to tend to her flowers as Yakumo helped Aerith watered them. Cloud remembers seeing Aerith from selling the flowers to him.)
Aerith: …So, we meet again.
Yakumo: You two know each other?
Aerith: Don't you remember me?
Cloud: Yeah, I remember...You were selling flowers
(Yakumo remembers Aerith selling some to him from yesterday.)
Aerith: Oh, I'm so happy! Thanks for buying my flowers.
(Then Cloud remembers seeing Yakumo.)
Cloud: You're the woman I saved from almost getting road killed.
Yakumo: That's me!
Cloud: So why were you spying on me…?
(Yakumo got nerves when Cloud asked her that.)
Yakumo: Oh! Because…You know…I felt the kindness you guys were doing, and others were calling you the bad guys, but you weren't! I needed to know myself. It's hard to explain, but you have Materia, right? I sort of have ESP powers to feel out and sense others of their feelings.
Cloud: I never knew there was a Materia skill like that.
Yakumo: I was born with it. I just needed to see what you guys can do and I had to save you for saving me once, I owe you.
Cloud: Owe me? (What's up with this girl?)
(Aerith then ask Cloud something.)
Aerith: Say, do you have any Materia like Yakumo has?
Cloud: Yes, some. Nowadays you can find Materia anywhere.
Aerith: But unlike Yakumo's as she said, mine is special. It's good for absolutely nothing.
Yakumo: She does. Kind of makes me jealous almost.
Cloud: ...good for nothing? You probably just don't know how to use it.
Aerith: No, I do... it just doesn't do anything. I feel safe just having it. It was my mother's...
(She looks skyward.)
Aerith: Say, I feel like talking. Do you feel up to it? After all, here we are meeting again, right?
Cloud: I don't mind
Aerith: Wait here. I've got to check my flowers. It'll be just a minute.
(She checks her flowers.)
Aerith: Just a little longer. Oh! Now that you mention it...We don't know each other's names, do we? My name is...Aerith, the flower girl. Nice to meet you.
Yakumo: And I'm her little step sister Yakumo.
(Cloud was confused about them being step sisters.)
Cloud: Step sisters…?
Yakumo: She was the one who found me abandon and took me in. What is your name any who?
Cloud: The name's Cloud. Me...? I do a little bit of everything.
Yakumo: Cloud, huh? Nice to meet you too. (What a nice name he has.)
Aerith: Oh... a jack of all trades.
Yakumo puts her hand out close to Cloud's face to feel out on what he does.
Yakumo: Like a fighter for hire and protection…Sorry, this is what I do with my powers.
Cloud: Yeah, I do whatever's needed.
(Aerith giggles.)
Cloud: What's so funny? What are you laughing at?
Aerith: Sorry... I just...
(They turn to see a mysterious figure in the doorway of the church...Cloud and Aerith are in an old church. They turn to see a mysterious figure in the doorway...)
Aerith: Sorry, bad timing on my part.
(Cloud moves toward the person for Yakumo to feel out the same as he was.)
Yakumo: Cloud?
Aerith: Cloud! Don't let it get to you!
Yakumo: I don't think that was it, Aerith.
(She steps back, behind Cloud.)
Aerith: Say, Cloud. Have you ever been a bodyguard? You do everything, right?
(Cloud smoothes his hair.)
Cloud: Yeah, that's right.
Aerith: Then, get us out of here. Take me and Yakumo home.
Cloud: OK, I'll do it... but it'll cost you.
Aerith: That's fine. But it'll be more in guarding Yakumo more. I'll pay you fully.
(Yakumo looked serious for she worries of her older step sister more than herself.)
Yakumo: Well then, let's see...How about if I go out with you once?
(Cloud makes an affirmative nod. He confronts the person for Yakumo was right as well.)
Yakumo: Someone's here.
Aerith: They are?
Cloud: I don't know who you are, but...
(Man begins to speak calling himself Reno.)
Reno: You don't know me...?...I know you.
(The screen goes white, briefly)
Cloud: Oh yeah... I know you. That uniform...
(Three Shinra guards run in.)
Reno: ...Hey, sis, this one's a little weird.
Yakumo: Cloud! This man's a…!
Reno: You already know what I am?
Cloud: Shut up! You Shinra spy!
Yakumo: So he is…!
Guard: Reno! Want him taken out?
Reno: I haven't decided yet.
(Both Yakumo and Aerith beg the men not to fight inside the church.)
Aerith: Don't fight here! You'll ruin the flowers!
Yakumo: Yes! Please don't!
(Cloud, Yakumo, and Aerith run to the back of the church.)
Aerith: The exit is back there.
Yakumo: Follow us.
(They exit. Reno walks forward, OVER the flower patch...)
Reno: They were... Mako eyes. Yeah, all right. Back to work, back to work.
(He exits.)
Reno: Oh!
(He re-enters.)
Reno: And don't step on the flowers...
(The three guards speak in unison)
"Hey Reno, you just stepped on them!"
"They're all ruined!"
"You're gonna catch holy hell!"
(The scene changes. Cloud and Aerith in the back room of the church. It is three floors high, and a large Shinra missile apparently crashed through them all, leaving gaping holes in them. They jump past the missile and climb a broken flight of stairs, reaching a break in the walkway.)
Reno: There they are, over there!
(Reno comes in with the three guards.)
Yakumo: Jump, Aerith!
Aerith: But, Yakumo!
Yakumo: Go! Cloud will lead you to safety first! I'll catch up!
(Aerith jumps ahead from Yakumo and Cloud to the other side to warn them about Reno and his men were about to get to them first.)
Aerith: Cloud... Yakumo… that one!
Yakumo: What we do now?
Cloud: I know. I see them too... Looks like they aren't going to let us go.
Yakumo: What should we do? Aerith will be alright, but what about us?
Cloud: Well we can't let them catch us, can we? Then, there's only one thing left."
(He jumps across the gap and motions to be with Aerith for Yakumo to follow.)
Cloud: Yakumo! This way!
Aerith: Jump! I'll catch you!
(She shakes her head.)
Yakumo: I can't!
Cloud: All right. I'll hold them off.
Yakumo: Okay, be careful!
Aerith: Right. Make sure they don't get through!
Reno: The Ancient is getting away! Attack! Attack! Attack!
(The guard's fire at Yakumo only who falls from the walkway.)
Aerith: Oh, no!
Cloud: Yakumo!
Reno: Think we killed 'em? They shouldn't have put up a fight, I say!
(Yakumo was surrounded by the guards with Reno ganging up on her to sense danger was about to happen to her.)
Yakumo: Cloud! Aerith! Help!
(With Aerith worried about her little step sister's safety, Cloud had a job to do in saving them at all times.)
Cloud: Damn! What's that...?
Aerith: This might work. Lend me a hand, Cloud!
(He and Aerith look up to the rafters. The three guards attack Yakumo. Cloud and Aerith run to the rafters and finds four barrels. They work together and push them off, squashing each guard.)
Aerith: Thanks, Cloud. Yakumo! Quickly! Up here!
Yakumo: (They both…Save me…!)
(Yakumo runs up to the rafters. Leaving Cloud to fight off some of the guard, same with Aerith too using her staff and fire Materia skills. Being really good at fighting. The two sisters hug each other.)
Aerith: You're okay.
Yakumo: That was close. Thanks to you. And thank you, Cloud, for saving me.
(Cloud sees a way out to lead the girls to safety.)
Cloud: Yakumo. Aerith, this way.
Yakumo: Okay!
(They follow Cloud. They find a hole in the roof of the church and jump out to the outside. Cloud, Yakumo, and Aerith are sitting on the roof of the step sister's old church.)
Aerith: Ha, ha... They're looking for me again.
Yakumo: They just won't stop. Why involving me in it too?
Cloud: You mean it's not the first time they've been after you?"
Aerith: ...no.
Yakumo: Not really.
Cloud: They're the Turks.
Aerith: Hmmm...
Yakumo: Who are these Turks people?
Cloud: The Turks are an organization in Shinra. They scout for possible candidates for SOLDIER.
Aerith: This violently? I thought they were kidnapping someone.
Cloud: They're also involved in a lot of dirty stuff on the side. Spying, murder... you know.
Aerith: They look like it.
Yakumo: That they do. (Why were they after me this time?)
Cloud: But, why're they after you? There must be a reason, right?
Aerith: No, not really. I think they believe I have what it takes to be in SOLDIER!
Yakumo: But neither of us will ever join them…
Cloud: Maybe you do. You want to join?
Aerith: I don't know, as Yakumo said... But I don't want to get caught by THOSE people! Or take her away either!
Yakumo: Me too!
Cloud: Then, let's go!
(Aerith and Yakumo follow Cloud. They jump across many rooftops and pieces of debris, heading away from the church. Aerith wasn't as fast as Yakumo and Cloud were for her to catch up to them.)
Aerith: Wait... Wait, I said! Puff... wheeze...Slow... down... Don't leave me...
Yakumo: We won't.
Cloud: Funny...I thought you were cut out to be in SOLDIER?
Aerith: Oh! You're terrible!
(Cloud laughs.)
Aerith: Hey... Cloud. Were you ever in SOLDIER?
Yakumo: I know you were once one. I feel it within you.
(With that said from Yakumo, Cloud had to tell them.)
Cloud: ... I used to be. How did you guess? Besides Yakumo's powers being real.
Aerith: ...Your eyes. They have a strange glow...
Cloud: That's the sign of those who have been infused with Mako...A mark of SOLDIER. But, how did you know about that?
Aerith: ...Oh, nothing.
Cloud: Nothing...?
Yakumo: Nothing? I thought I told you already, Aerith. How can you forget?
Aerith: Right, nothing! Come on, let's go! Bodyguard!
Yakumo: Ah…Very well then…Let's go, Cloud.
(Cloud continues across the rooftops. Aerith and Yakumo follow him, more closely. Soon Yakumo, Cloud, and Aerith hop down from the rooftops across pieces of debris. They land on a dirt road.)
Yakumo: We're back!
Aerith: Whew! Finally made it off! Now what...
(She looks around, and then scampers forward.)
"Our house is over here. Let's hurry before they get here!"
(Cloud, Yakumo, and Aerith travel through the Sector 5 slums to Aerith's small cottage. They go inside.)
Aerith: We're home, mom.
Yakumo: Sorry to worry you.
(Her mother, Elmyra, walks over.)
Yakumo: This is Cloud, Aerith's and I own bodyguard.
Elmyra: Bodyguard...? You mean you two were followed again!? Are you all right!? You're not hurt, are you!?
Yakumo: Calm down, Mom, we're alright.
Aerith: I'm all right too. I had Cloud with us.
(Elmyra nods.)
Elmyra: Thank you, Cloud.
(She goes upstairs.)
Aerith: So, what are you going to do now?
Yakumo: Yes, please tell us.
Cloud: ...Is Sector 7 far from here? I want to go to Tifa's bar.
Yakumo: Tifa?
Aerith: Is Tifa... a girl?
Cloud: Yeah.
Aerith: A girl... friend?
Cloud and Yakumo: Girlfriend?
(Yakumo didn't know why she said that in being a shocked more to Cloud.)
Aerith: Well, that's... nice. There, there, Yakumo, why do you look so shocked in hearing this? I was only playing. Let's see, Sector 7? I'll show you the way.
Cloud: You gotta be kidding. Why do you want to put yourself or Yakumo in danger again?
Yakumo: It's okay.
Aerith: I'm used to it. Yakumo tires to watch out from her surrounds when I'm not around her.
(Yakumo felt a shame to feeling caught into danger time to time.)
Cloud: Used to it!? …Well, don't know... getting help from a girl...Or girls…
Yakumo: Well, we know, Cloud…
(She makes an amusedly angry gesture.)
Aerith: A girl! What do you mean by that!? You expect me to just sit by and listen, after hearing you say something like that!?
(She calls upstairs.)
Aerith: Mom! I'm taking Cloud to Sector 7. I'll be back in a while.
(Elmyra comes downstairs.)
Elmyra: But dear... I give up. You never listen once you've made up your mind. I wish Yakumo was more like you. But if you must go, why don't you go tomorrow? It's getting late now.
Yakumo: Yeah, you're right, mom.
Aerith: She always knows what's best for our safety at times.
Elmyra: Aerith. Yakumo. Please go and make the bed.
(Aerith goes upstairs as Yakumo sets the bed for Cloud to sleep in for the night. Cloud speaks to Elmyra.)
Elmyra: That glow in your eyes... you're from SOLDIER, right?
Cloud: Yeah. Rather I used to be...
Elmyra: …I don't know how to say this, but...Would you please leave here, tonight? Without telling Aerith and Yakumo?
(Cloud goes upstairs. Aerith meets him, same with Yakumo who overheard Elmyra saying for Cloud to leave without her or her step sister to know about it.)
Yakumo: Cloud…
Cloud: You heard us?
Yakumo: Yes…
Aerith: You need to go through Sector 6 to get to Sector 7. Sector 6 is a little. It's dangerous so you'd better get some rest tonight."
(Cloud walks toward the bedroom door.)
Aerith: Cloud...
(He turns to her.)
Aerith: Good night. Good night, Yakumo.
(She goes downstairs.)
Cloud: Oh, man...
(Cloud goes to bed for Yakumo for some reason had trouble sleeping, so she had to go talk to someone besides Aerith this time, but Cloud. He dreams, we presume for her to sense out to be thinknig about her, meaning that Cloud was thinking about her.)
"...Seem pretty tired..."
Cloud: ….!?
"I haven't slept in a bed like this ...in a long time."
Cloud: ...Oh, yeah.
"Ever since that time."
(The scene fades in. Cloud is lying on a bed in a one-room house. A woman is in the room, working in the kitchen area. She stops and walks toward him talking about Yakumo out of nowhere for her quietly hear.)
"My, how you've grown."
"I'll bet the girls never leave you alone."
Cloud: …Not really.
(She paces a bit.)
"...I'm worried about you."
"There are a lot of temptations in the city..."
"I'd feel a lot better if you just settled down and had a nice girlfriend."
Cloud: ...I'm all right.
"You should have..."
"An older girlfriend, one that'll take care of you."
"I think that would be the perfect type for you."
Cloud: I'm not interested.
(The scene fades back in. Cloud is lying on a bed on the second floor of Aerith's house, and the other being Yakumo's to go near the door where Cloud was staying in. Aerith is in the next room.)
Cloud: ...I must've fallen asleep.
(He gets up.)
Cloud: Sector 7's past Sector 6... I should be all right by myself...
(He sneaks past Aerith's room and goes downstairs. He was about to exit the house, leaving Aerith behind. However Yakumo was standing near the door to see Cloud was leaving them without at least saying good-bye to them.)
Cloud: Ah! Yakumo?
Yakumo: Oh! Cloud! Sorry, I didn't know you were awake.
Cloud: …What are you doing awake?
(Yakumo was feeling upset to tell him.)
Yakumo: I couldn't sleep, thought I can talk to you to help me go back to sleep. You know…?
Cloud: Is it because about of me leaving?
Yakumo: It's more than that. Please? Can we talk?
(Cloud takes Yakumo back to the other room for them to talk to each other along in one room.)
Yakumo: Listen, what I did in having powers in knowing who you are and spying on you…I didn't mean it. I just needed who you people were; now I do. You guys are trying to stop SOLIDERS and to bring safety in our world. I know everything. But with you, with Aerith hiring you to protect her and me a lot…I hope I'm not bothering you. Because I had to save you for saving me first. It just what I am…Please don't hate me!
(With Yakumo flinching thinking that Cloud would do something to her, he walks over to patting her o the head to saying this to her instead.)
Cloud: I don't hate you. Why would I?
Yakumo: Really?
Cloud: … For some reason, I feel like I can trust you more. You step-sister seem to care about your safety more than herself. I can see why. Thank you for saving me.
Yakumo: And thank you too.
(The two stare at each other to pack her things to leave a note to Elmyra and Aerith to tell them not to worry about them, for she wanted to go with Cloud. Since Aerith might be following them later on.)
Cloud: What are you doing?
Yakumo: Please. Take me with you. I want to help you out some more and your friends. I'll pay you a lot for protecting me-!
(Cloud stops Yakumo from there.)
Cloud: I…I don't need payment from you, that much…
Yakumo: Huh?
Cloud: Your powers are great. What else do your EPS-like Materia can do?
Yakumo: Well…I can sense things out from someone's feelings, watch on what they're thinking, feel out someone's other powers of Materia, can make a powerful defense spell because I learn that own my own, plus to healing people pretty well like Aerith, and upgrade weapons. Like shields, armor, weapons, and a bit of magic.
(On Yakumo just said about her powers in doing other things were true, for Cloud to believe that already. Just like that almost so quickly since they just met.)
Cloud: In that case…You'll follow a few rules as payment if you go with me.
Yakumo: Really? What might these rules be?
Cloud: Heal others, protect, upgrade to our powers and items we need to use, and stay close to me at all times. If anything seems to be dangerous, run away and hide. Do as I say. When I tell you to do something to keep away from a battle I might have to face, you do that.
(Yakumo understood those conditions from Cloud if she was willing to go with him.)
Yakumo: Very well, I can do that. Thank you again, Cloud.
(Cloud stood around looking shy for him to leave Yakumo's home to go with her quietly out of the house together.)
Cloud: Then I'm in your hands. Let's get going.
Yakumo: Okay, see you later, Mom. And, Cloud, if Aerith shows up, this was her decision to tag along. So don't blame her.
(A little heads up for Cloud to know 'if' Aerith does show up. As the two leave, they make their way around the area for some of people were still working or at home sleeping through the late night. And what did they know for Yakumo being right, she was. Aerith appears after following them to sneaking out of her home as well.)
Cloud: Aerith?
Yakumo: I warned you, didn't I?
Aerith: You two are up bright and early. At least you're guarding Yakumo the most for me to watch.
Cloud: How could I ask you to go along when I knew it would be dangerous? Yakumo would be worried about you.
Yakumo: Aerith, he's right. You better head back to watch over Mom.
Aerith: Are you done? Both of you?
(Cloud smooths his hair.)
Cloud: You have to go through the slum in Sector 6 to get to Tifa's 7th Heaven. I'll take you there. Come on! Just stay close like Yakumo is.
Yakumo: It's better since I'll warn Cloud quickly of the danger in time. Just be careful when we travel.
Aerith: I'll be fine, really. Lead us, Cloud.
(Aerith runs out. Cloud and Yakumo follow. They cross a highway that has been more or less demolished until they reach an old playground.)
Yakumo: This must be it, right?
Aerith: Yes. The gate to Sector 7's in there.
Cloud: Thanks. I guess this is goodbye. You gonna be all right going home? Your sister is in good hands, she wanted to go with me.
Aerith: Oh no! 'Whatever will I do!?' ...isn't that what you want me to say?
Cloud: I can take you to Sector 7
Aerith: I could do that. But won't I be in your way?
Yakumo: Of course you wouldn't, Aerith.
Cloud: What do you mean in the way?
Aerith: Nothing!
(Aerith puts her hands behind her back and looks up at Cloud.)
Yakumo: What's on your mind now, Aerith? You want to say something; I can see it in your eyes.
Aerith: Can we take a break?
Yakumo: (There is something on her mind. I just know it.)
(She walks to a large, Moogle-shaped children's slide.)
Aerith: I can't believe it's still here.
(She climbs to the top)
Aerith: Yakumo. Cloud. Get over here!
(Both Yakumo and Cloud climb up and sits beside Aerith.)
Yakumo: Like in the old days we use to play here.
Aerith: Good times back then, Yakumo, such good times. Say, Cloud, what rank were you?
Cloud: Rank?
Yakumo: What rank?
Aerith: You know, in SOLDIER.
Cloud: Oh, I was...
(The area goes into solid white, briefly for Yakumo to feel that one out for a few seconds.)
Cloud: First Class.
Yakumo: First class back then? Amazing…
Cloud: Wasn't that great.
Aerith: Just the same as him.
Cloud: The same as whom?
Aerith: My first boyfriend. Probably the only one I really loved.
Yakumo: Oh, I remember him.
Cloud: You were... serious?
(Yakumo remembers who it was, for it was Aerith's boyfriend.)
Aerith: No. But I liked him for a while.
Cloud: I probably knew him. What was his name?
(Aerith shakes her head.)
Aerith: It doesn't really matter.
Yakumo: Soon or later, Aerith, you're going to have to tell him.
(A huge gate opens in the back. A large carriage drawn by a Chocobo comes out. A woman is riding in the back.)
Cloud: Huh? Hey, back there...
(He stands up to see Tifa and for Yakumo to feel out that that was really her in the carriage.)
Cloud: Tifa!?
Yakumo: That's her!?
(The carriage drives out and the gate closes.)
Aerith: That girl in the cart was Tifa? Where was she going? She looked kind of odd...
(She hops down and chases the cart.)
Yakumo: Aerith! Where are you going!?
Cloud: Wait! Yakumo and I can go on alone! You go home!
(She doesn't listen. She chases the carriage. Cloud shakes his head and goes after her with Yakumo to follow him.)
Yakumo: Cloud, we better go get my sister.
Cloud: Just stay with me.
(Yakumo smiles.)
Yakumo: Okay, right behind you.
As Yakumo begins her journey to aiding Cloud along with Aerith tagging along to helping them out too, seems that the three found Tifa. Only she's being taken inside a carriage to somewhere business like on the south side of the area. Seems to be important business people, but of what? For that the three must find out on what they're going into in saving Cloud's childhood friend and why she was taken to whenever she was going to. From the looks of the place it looked really business to be in a very dangerous area. Yakumo can only hope to helping out Cloud to saving her close friend and keeping her step sister safe more than herself to be worried about.