Sun was rising on the grassland. Aerith looked sunrise, she had grown up under the steel-sky, sky felt weird and threatening. Sunrise was powerful and radiant, but air felt clean and grass smelled fresh. Nothing but grass as far her eyes could see, thought in the distance, she could see the mountain peaks extending like giant fingers into the sky.

Boundless and terrifying freedom.

She sighted. New day had come and they had managed to escape Shinra once again. She was little worried about Red, even he had said that he would be fine.

Rust walked now, it had run most of the night, but even great chocobo stamina had it limits. So when morning had started to arrive Cloud slowed they pace. Rust was bit tired but not exhausted. It did held it's head high and step was firm, but it seemed pleased they were not running any more. Aerith was also grateful that they had slowed. Her back and backside ached, she was not used to ride. She was sitting in the saddle somewhat comfortable. Saddle was big, but it was not meant for two people.

She could feel Cloud's body against her back. After all she and her bodyguard shared the saddle. It made them be quite close one other. During they nightly escape from town she did not have time to focus anything then staying in the saddle. They have not spoken during they escape.

Now she had time. She felt Cloud body behind her and his arms each side when he hold Rust reins. Aerith thought a day before when she had been on his arms and almost kissed. Aerith's heart started pounding as she thought about it.

Aerith moved little trying to find better position. That moment Rust dropped down from small ledge, it make Aerith lose balance and she started to slide down from saddle. Cloud caught her waist and steadied her in the saddle. Aerith felt his arm around her waist, her own hand was top of his.

Aerith felt how close they were, Cloud tried to take his hand away, but she did not let loose. After a moment Cloud started move his hand on her thigh. Aerith did not resist, she let it slide across her leg. Then he bring his hand on her stomach and slide upwards. Aerith gasped and her heart started to beat faster.

Aerith pushed gently her head against his face. He kissed Aerith's neck, it send shiver through her. Aerith pressed her body against him. Her free hand began to caress his head.

Cloud let reins to fall and bring his both hands up taking Aerith breasts on his hands. Even through fabric of clothes she could feel his hands caressed her breasts. She gasped and grasped Cloud hair, her other hand also went to hands that were on her breasts. They bodies pushed strongly against one-other.

Aerith moaned and tried turn in the saddle. She started to fall from saddle, but once again Cloud got her and pulled against him.

They lips started look each other. She grasped Cloud head between her hands.

They kissed passionately with unrestrained intensity.

Aerith felt lost in emotion, in his embrace and in kiss.

Suddenly Rust did moved again and turned around restlessly. It pulled them out of the moment. Cloud looking around, his hand was on his sword.

"Cloud…?" Aerith said surprised.

Then she noticed it, something was approaching them in the distance. It was other chocobo.

After a moment when other chocobo come closer, she could notice familiar flame-fur next to it.

"Red." Aerith said, not knowing should she be relief that he was okay. Or frustrated that he had interrupted them.

Cloud dropped from saddle and helped Aerith down. For a moment she was his arms again. But now only for a moment. Cloud turned his attention back to Red. Aerith was trying to understand what has just happened and process the sensations she felt. They stayed for a while in silence, both lost in their thoughts when they looked towards Red.

Aerith licked her lips, she still felt warmth and taste of the kiss.

Soon Red and chocobo came close.

"Found you two and I got one chocobo." Fiery beast did say, when it come close. Rust moved little restlessly when Red got close, but chocobo seem to recognize him. Cloud nodded and walked next bird.

Aerith stretch little, it helped little her aching muscles.

"Where did you find that?" Aerith asked and nodded towards chocobo that Cloud was now checking.

"My guess is it was among saboteurs chocobos, there were few riderless mounts, I did find this one when I was tracking you two." Red said looking back to grassland.

"Did the Shinra troops follow you?" Aerith asked and looked around. She could not see anyone.

"Only few hounds, that I leave behind after a while."

"The saboteurs soon scattered in different directions, I think hounds and Shinra tried to chase them, but I doubt they had much luck."

"Well guess we are clear for now." Cloud said and walked towards them.

"Bird seem to be fine and it has a saddle." Cloud said and nodded to Aerith.

"Well guess I can ride with that until we get to Barret and Tifa." Aerith said and come next to new chocobo.

"You can continue?" Cloud asked.

"Yes, we need to find others." Aerith said and smiled.

"Well I know route, follow me." Red said and turned around.

Cloud helped Aerith to saddle, Cloud touch felt now different to her. It lingered little longer on her then it would be needed.

Aerith sat on the saddle, it was side-saddle that was made for women and felt better. Aerith straightened up and took reins of the chocobo.

Then she looked at Cloud, they exchanged look, things had now changed between them. Cloud was not any more just a bodyguard to her. She give him a small smile, Cloud smiled back and after a moment he went to his own chocobo.

Aerith pulled the reins and turn her bird to follow Red.

Some reason she felt her heart weighting heavy on her chest.

How this will end? She wondered.