I'm sorry, life's just so busy, I'm trying though. At least it didn't take me a whole year to get this chapter out…

Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII nor its characters. I also don't own the ideas taken from Love Monster.

He was wrong, so very wrong. Cloud didn't even know what had possessed him for him to even think it was a good idea. It was everything but a good idea. Saying that it was bad or terrible would probably be an understatement at this point, but at this moment he couldn't find the words to express how much of a bad situation this was.

At first he thought it would be ok and he went to bed without a care in the world. It was only when he woke up that he could see his epic mistake. Now, instead of searching for the crow to erase his memory, he was on a train heading towards the slums.

He really wasn't thinking straight, but it was too late now. He might as well visit Aerith and if he was lucky, maybe she would help him sort out this mess. Once the train had stopped he made his way to sector five and found himself staring at the front door to her house. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to ask Aerith for help. What if she got found out as well? Even if she didn't it would probably be weird for her to enter the Shinra complex. Even if they didn't know what she was they'd probably arrest her for being a suspicious personal.

"You know that door isn't going to open itself if you stare at it like that Cloud."

He jumped a little in surprise at the sound of Aerith's voice coming from behind him. He could hear her giggling as he turned to face her properly. Her giggling almost immediately stopped when she saw the almost lost look on his face.

"Why don't you come inside and I'll make us some tea before we have a little chat."

He nodded his head and allowed her to lead him into the house. Cloud felt a bit awkward as he was settled into a chair and Aerith bustled around the kitchen for a few moments before she set a cup of tea before him. They both remained in silence for a while longer as the half phoenix settled down with her own cup of tea.

"Why don't you take a sip?" She questioned finally when she realised he wasn't going to say anything. Hesitantly he did as she said and almost immediately felt himself relax.

"Remedy?" He questioned and she nodded her head. Vaguely he wondered if that was just something you learnt from living in the slums or perhaps Aerith and Reno knew each other.

"Did someone find out?"

Cloud almost dropped his cup in surprise. He fumbled with it a little bit before setting it down carefully on the table.

"Are you a mind reader? Is that one of your abilities?"

She laughed a little. "Your expression was a dead giveaway. It's not like I have to be a mind reader to know what's wrong."

Cloud blushed and seemed to find his cup extremely interesting at that.

"Was it someone that you think you can't trust?"

"General Rhapsodos." He replied simply and Aerith looked thoughtful at that.

"He knows about me. First time we met he didn't know whether to be amazed or disgusted."

Cloud stared at the half phoenix in surprise. "You've met him?"

"Once. I didn't know Zack at the time and the General was with his father. We were both quite young and to him I was like an anomaly. Legendries are meant to be something of awe, but humans are meant to be below monsters, so how do you perceive someone who is both legendry and human? Do you treat them like their special or do you treat them like dirt?"

"You could treat them like a normal being." Cloud ground out and Aerith laughed.

"It's not his fault remember. It's something that his father instilled deep into his head. Give him some time and you might be able to change his way of thinking. Not that it matters anymore. Speaking of which, what are you going to do about your situation?"

"I need to erase his memory." Cloud went straight to the point.

Aerith frowned at that. "Are you sure you don't want him to keep his memories? He could help you and make a good ally." She pointed out.

"Do… Do you think I can trust him to not tell anyone?"

She shrugged at Cloud's question as she took a sip from her tea. "I only have little memories of the time I spent with him. I don't really know what he's like now, but I'd like to think that he's the type of person that could keep your secret a secret, since he's in a relationship with Zack and he hasn't told the others. I also like to think that Zack is a good judge of people. After all, he brought you to see me."

Cloud sighed. "I just… Don't know what yo do. It feels wrong letting someone who knows just walk around with his memories intact, and he could tell anyone."

"I know." Aerith pointed out.

"But you're different from everyone else. You're the same as me."

"Phoenixes are born from other phoenixes you know. I'm probably the last of my kind because we were hunted down when it was thought that our blood could grant immortality and our tears could heal any wound. You, on the other hand, are much more special than me."

"Because I was born from a normal crow and a normal crane." He questioned and Aerith smiled.

"Exactly. Fate chose you to be the white crow. I was born as a half phoenix on purpose."

"That doesn't change the fact that we are both the same." Cloud pointed out. "We're both just hunted for different reasons."

"Immortality, healing and granting wishes." Aerith laughed a little at that. "Makes you wonder what the planet is coming to." Cloud smiled a little at that. "Now back to your original question. In my opinion, I doubt he would put you in danger by telling other people. If he hasn't told the other two generals already, then I would think he would keep your secret safe. After all, Zack said he told those two everything. I think it's good for you to have someone to confide in as well, besides me that is. Ultimately though, it's your decision. Do you think you can trust him?"

Cloud seemed to think over her words for a long time. Aerith could see that it was a hard decision to make and finally, he stood up from his chair. "I trust him… Besides, if he does tell anyone it's not like they'd believe him right? And it's not like I can't do damage control if it backfires."

It wasn't quite what she had been getting at but hopefully Cloud would learn to trust Genesis later on. He needed someone closer and stronger than him to help him get through and the General could potentially be that person. Only time would tell, she guessed.