Just A Little Time (Cloud, Closed)

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The blonde followed her into the woods and she was glad that they were now alone, with Sephiroth there things had gotten a little heated, that wasn’t exactly what she was planning. Although planning was perhaps the wrong word for it, Aerith was never really sure what would happen with Cloud around or how he would respond to her. She quite liked that from him, he continuously surprised her in both good and bad ways of course, things she would luckily never berate him for later either. They had run a little way until she could see the clearing, as her pace slowed, she turned around to see if they were being followed although nothing could be seen between the trees here. They were alone, it had been a while since they had been, in fact although the last time she saw him they spoke alone, Sora was there. Always being interrupted unfortunately.

“I think we’re alone.” She voiced her thoughts finally as she panted, she walked over to a fallen tree and sat down, hands cupping themselves into each other as she caught her breath, “Sorry…” She took a deep breath and looked up to Cloud, “I didn’t want it to keep going on like that, he’s stubborn…but so are you. Neither of you were going to walk away.” Aerith finally smiled and laughed a little, “Besides, you have to follow me, you’re my body guard, remember?” She hoped she could lighten the mood a little, of course she was sensitive about everything that had happened recently but she was still bold enough to ask the questions that were left unanswered.

“Let’s just rest a moment.” The Cetra knew that she’d need to explain to him her need to go back to Gaia and she wondered what he thought on that issue. Aerith knew that there were a lot of painful memories of the place and she didn’t wish to bring them back up too quickly, if at all. All she wanted to do was tell him that she was travelling back there…with Rufus of all people, both of them had their qualms with the man and she knew that’d be a touchy subject. “We haven’t spent time together alone in a long time, have we Cloud?” Speaking his name made her smile again, to be able to be with him like this gave her butterflies once more and though she knew there was always the triangle between her, Tifa and Cloud, it didn’t feel like a bitter competition.

Tifa was her friend, perhaps her best friend back then, they got on so well and had a lot in common despite their obvious differences…no, she loved them both. Her mind travelled back to their fortune from Cait Sith, she was a star and he was a star, apparently they were a match. Although she knew it was a silly game, little things like that were what she enjoyed about her journey with them, the little laughs and silly things. Aerith just wondered whether he’d fought his own demons and could open up a little, he didn’t seem so solemn as he did back then, perhaps he was making his own progress.

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The escape from Sephiroth lead both Flower Girl and fake-SOLDIER into the forests that dotted one side of Radiant Garden. There weren't many places like this when the worlds had first been connected and this world in particular was referred to as Hollow Bastion over Radiant Garden. That was thanks to both the Darkness and the Heartless reigning here. When Sora had sealed the Door to Light and separated all the world from the Darkness and each other, was life given a much needed chance to grow once more. Perhaps also due to Aerith being back amongst the living, she may have had a helping hand in regrowing the plant life on this world. She took awful good care of the flowers in her church so why wouldn't she continue that on other worlds? It might not have been true but the thought alone was enough to cause a small smile to appear on Strife's lips, continuing to run after Aerith as she led him deeper and deeper into the forest. It felt almost like they were running to their secret hidden base, like they were kids playing. Cloud never played much as a kid. He didn't like the other children in Niblehiem. By time the pair reached a clearing, the fake-SOLDIER could hear the young woman panting slightly from the journey, but Cloud himself was fine, not even breaking a sweat. As he caught sight of the Flower Girl looking over her shoulder and past himself, he too looked behind him to see if Sephiroth had given chase, but not only couldn't Cloud see him, he couldn't feel him either. Usually Sephiroth's dark presence would resonate within the Delivery Boy, such as pounding within his head or aching within his chest. But there was none of that. They were alone and therefore, they were safe. Movement came from behind the young man and Cloud turned back around to watch as Aerith sat herself down on a tree trunk, still hearing her catching her breath. He smiled at her as he remembered the day they both ran through Midgar's slums, Aerith calling out for him to slow down when she couldn't keep up and lost her breath then too. ”Funny, I thought you said you were cut out for SOLDIER.” The Delivery Boy spoke, though it was more a whisper to himself over anything else, as the memories of days gone by surfaced. A subtle shake of the head cleared away the memories and returned Strife to the present, where he once again shook his head, but this time it was at Aerith's words. ”I can't take a chance when it comes to Sephiroth. Even though he looked distracted with the information we gave him, he can strike out in a blink of an eye. I had to stay on guard, to protect you. I couldn't back away.” He explained, walking over to where Aerith sat afterwards and gently plonked himself down besides her, where he leaned forwards and rested his elbows on his knees, turning his head to watch the brown-haired girl beside him. The Flower Girl's comment about him having to follow her due to being her bodyguard made the young man laugh, his head turning to view his boots as his eyes closed, familiar memories returning to him once more. Memories he actually cherished. ”Yeah that's right, I am.” There was something about this young woman that seemed to make Cloud relax and loosen up. Ever since she made him realize that she didn't blame him for what happened in the past, the mention of Aerith or any thoughts of her always brought a sense of calm and stillness. It was nice here, nice and quite and peaceful. There was sounds of birds in the trees around them and all the noises of Radiant Garden were drowned out from the trees that grew between them. Cloud pushed his arms on his knees until he sat up, where he tiled his head upwards where he could observe the sky above them. It was cloudless and there was hardly any wind passing overhead. Did Aerith come here often, he wondered? Cloud glanced back down and looked over to the woman beside him, where he watched her silently for a moment, observing her... admiring her. She was beautiful. Much more so then he remembered. She spoke up, mentioning that they hadn't spent time together for a while. That was true... half due to Cloud putting himself in exile and half due to Aerith being in the Lifestream. The young blonde-haired man looked away, his eyes falling down to stare at his boots. ”... No, we haven't.” Cloud visibly fought himself to look back up and return his mako-glowing eyes back onto Aerith's own, where he gave her a small smile and a nod of the head. ”... But I'm glad we've got the chance to do so again.”

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It was his words that made her look up, she sprung forwards and pushed him gently, “I heard that!” She smirked and sat back down, maybe she wasn’t cut out for SOLDIER but she felt stronger now, perhaps if was from their journey or from joining with the Lifestream. In a way she felt as though it was supposed to happen for her to get to where she was now, even if it caused others pain…even if it caused him pain. As he sat down beside her after explaining about him and Sephiroth, Aerith only nodded, she understood him more than he realised it it seemed. She hoped that he saw it that way too, at least enough to know that he could be himself with her, nothing he could do would push her away and she meant that even if it would break her heart in the process.

“Well then, as you’re here to protect me as my bodyguard, do I owe you a date for every time you do?” Aerith giggled and placed her hands on her lap, her breath was calmer now, she didn’t have to catch up or feel as though her lungs would explode. Although with him closer to her now, Aerith felt her heart beat a little faster and then slow down again, it had been a long time for the two of them to be alone like this and he agreed. She could feel him watching her and after a while she’d return the gaze and smile, glad that he could still be happy in her company even with the past memories being thrown in their faces from Sephiroth’s return.

Perhaps she spoke too soon as his head dropped at the mention of them not spending alone time for a while, still he’d speak again making Aerith smile wider. “Not just a chance, Cloud. We’ll be able to do so even more now, don’t you feel things are a little more…settled?” She hoped he did, “Even though there is a lot going on, you seem…lighter, do you feel it too?” She seemed to be full of questions, ones more specific than the last, she didn’t want to talk about Gaia, about the Lifestream overflowing onto the Planet’s surface or Rufus. All of that was pushed to the back of her mind right now, even if it was important she didn’t want to think about it at this moment, still she was naturally worried about everything.

Cloud could make her ignore that for a moment, “The sun will set in a few hours, will you stay with me until then?” Aerith’s eyes were focussing on the sky now but would soon bring her gaze back to him, “I’d just like to talk a little, no fighting, and no struggles to save the world. It’ll be a nice change actually.” Aerith grinned, although she had things on her mind still, there was no dire threat to anybody or anything. “I like it here…I don’t have the church anymore and sometimes people come into the Garden’s in Radiant Garden quite a lot. Here I can have a little peace.” Aerith turned away, “But you can still visit me here if you’d like, I’ll make that an exception.” She liked to push Cloud a tiny bit each time to try and get him to either open up or just be a little light hearted with her, sometimes it was easy and sometimes it wasn’t but she would try every time anyway.

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Cloud laughed softly at the reaction the Flower Girl gave him. He honestly hadn't expected her to hear his little comment about her not being cut out for SOLDIER and her playful shove was very her, and it was so nice to see that she was still her usual self even with everything that was going on around her these days. It especially nice to see that Aerith was acting her usual self so short a time after a confrontation with the One-Winged Angel. He doubted that she had forgiven Sephiroth for murdering her, but it was comforting to see she wasn't effected by it, at least, not on the outside. But even as Cloud looked into her eyes, those gorgeous eyes, he couldn't see any pain or conflict. She had that same smile on her lips, that same twinkle within her eye, that same mischievous air about her person. The Delivery Boy chuckled again and rubbed the back of his head with one of his gloved hands, ducking his head a fraction at the same time. ”Sorry, didn't think you'd hear that.” Mako-blue eyes peered back up and watched the woman before him for a moment. She did look stronger then before, in more ways then one. Perhaps she learnt a lot of things in the Lifestream? A sideways glance was given to the brown-haired woman when she asked if she owed a date due to Cloud being her bodyguard once more. It was so nice to be able to remember these memories at a time like now, when there were no threats or distractions to break his train of thought. Well, there was one distraction but it was far from a bad one. Cloud smiled and he rocked his body to the side ontop the tree trunk, gently shoving Aerith's shoulder with his own. ”Those were your terms and conditions Aerith, and I follow my contracts down to the last letter.” The chocobo-haired youth said, putting on a fake tone to try and make himself sound like he were being serious and professional. He stared forwards ahead of him as he spoke, but his eyes were glancing to the side in Aerith's direction, his smile growing a little wider all the while. It was funny, being around this young woman. Cloud felt so relaxed, so calm. He felt like he was a completely different person to the Cloud who stood before Sephiroth. He must have missed Aerith more then he thought, or perhaps he had forgot the influence she had over him. Resting his elbows back upon his knees, Cloud leaned forth and look out before him, his glowing eyes peering back down the path they had both used to get away from Sephiroth. If he was going to follow them, he'd have caught up by now, but there was no sign of him or anyone else for that matter. The fake-SOLDIER kept his eyes on the path before him as he listened to the words Aerith spoke. He nodded his head in agreement. This wasn't a single opportunity for the two of them to spent time together. No, there would be plenty more chances like this in the future. But he didn't want to think about the future. He wanted to think about the here and now. He wanted to be happy and cherish this time he had to spend with the Flower Girl from Midgar. ”It all started back at the end of the Geostigma Crisis. I... 'woke up' so to speak. You helped me come to terms with myself and to stop blaming myself for your death. I felt completely useless... I didn't want to be near anyone, not Denzel, Marlene... Not even Tifa. I didn't feel like I could help anyone, protect anyone.” Cloud shifted himself slightly on the tree trunk so he was facing Aerith slightly more. He reached out slowly with his right hand to take Aerith's left where he clutched it softly, securely. ”Even in death, you cared for me and sought to help me and you did. Thank you Aerith...” Cloud's voice was a little wobbly, still having trouble speaking such words, but it wasn't as difficult as it should have been. If Aerith was replaced with Tifa, then it would be a completely different situation. He couldn't put a finger on why, either. Both the woman cared and looked out for him, but Aerith... Aerith was... Perhaps it was Zack's memories still lurking about in the back of his mind? Strife didn't know and couldn't think of an answer either. He just stared at Aerith and watched her silently for a couple more seconds. ”... I do feel lighter. I don't feel alone any more and I have you and all my friends to thank.” Blinking, the young man glanced down to see he was still holding her hand, where he let it go and brought the hand that held hers up to the back of his head, where it ran through his hair slowly, embarrassingly. Holding hands? That wasn't something Cloud did. He kept his arm up for a few more seconds, hoping his upper arm was blocking his face from Aerith's view. When it felt like his face has returned to normal, the Delivery Boy lowered his arm and returned his hand to the tree trunk to help keep his balance steady. As the Flower Girl spoke up and asked if he'd stay beside her until the sun set, Cloud glanced her way to see she was looking up at the sky before she returned her attention onto him. He waited for her to be looking back at him before giving her a nod of the head. ”Of course I will.” Cloud left it at that and gave the woman beside him a smile before he too glanced back up towards the sky in time to watch a small flock of birds fly over the clearing and disappear behind the tree tops. ”You know your Church is still there, right? I've visited it a few times since the end of the Geostigma Crisis to make sure everything is as I left it. Your pool is still there and people brave the ruins of Midgar to pay their respect. I moved some of your flowers to Zack's grave and the Buster Sword into your Church. That way, I could see you both at the same time in either place.” The young man went on to explain, using his hands on the tree trunk to keep his balance as he picked his feet up off the floor and stretched his legs out before him. He glanced at her to see she had turned away from him, suggesting she could make an exception to see him here if he wanted. Cloud tilted his head and watched the woman turn back to look at him, to which he smirked and looked back down the path from earlier. ”... Then let's make a promise. If you ever want to see me again... then just come here. I'll be here, waiting for you.” ((OOC – Sorry, totally stole that from FF8 xD But it seems fitting =P))

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[OOC// haha it’s fine <3 FF8. Sorry I wrote it and then realised some actions were added within the timeframe of her doing others! Let me know if it’s a bit confusing ><]

Aerith smiled and nodded, "Well, then I wonder how much trouble I could get myself into then!" She teased him and then began to count on her fingers, "do little ones count too? What if I fall over and you help me up?" She grinned and placed her hands back on her lap, "you best be on red alert, Mr Strife!" It was fun to ignore all the serious stuff, she remembered Good Saucer and all of the other times she could squeeze In a little fun on the gloomy days. He was one that didn't complain about it and soon everyone else followed, if they concentrated on the bad things all of the time they would lose their spirit and Aerith knew they needed it to keep going. Even now, within all the routines there needed to be a sense of letting everything go and just being free, being yourself.

Her emerald eyes followed his, into the forest, was he looking for Sephiroth? It was perhaps the easiest guess of them all, or her undying intuition that was hardly deniable, she had a sense for these things always. “I’m glad I could help you, Cloud. We all wanted to and I guess I was the lucky one!” Her voice was bright and sweet, it was easy for her to be like this with him. His body finally turned to her and she fidgeted a little to face him too, it was then that he reached for her hand, Aerith’s own fingers wrapped around the blondes trying to listen to his words. It was maybe the first time he had been like this with her, he would often try to voice some feelings and then brush them off embarrassed yet she didn’t give in and constantly offered him openings to say these things to her.

He just needed a little push, otherwise, the man would live inside his head, fearing the rejection. Aerith was as open as she could be about her own, she hoped that he knew that and that she wouldn’t need to explain, he knew she cared but how much did he really know? Her eye contact faulted at the mention of her death, she wanted them all to forget, it was strange but even Cloud wasn’t treating her any differently really…she hoped. “Don’t be silly, Cloud. You came for me…I was there for you, that’s what we do, isn’t it?” Aerith tilted her head and studied his face looking for his own thoughts, he put everything down to her and their friends, “Yes that’s right! All together.”

Cloud seemed to get embarrassed and remove his hand from her own, the warmth left her skin and she missed it already, still it was big enough a gesture for him so she wouldn’t push it. Her arm reached for his and pushed it down, peering under to see his face with laughter, it subsided when he agreed to sit with her a little longer and she felt peaceful and able to not rush her thoughts. The sound of birds raised her attention back to the sky and followed them, it was so peaceful here and every second she was reminded why. He told her about the Church and how people visited there, she had sent all the children there to find Cloud and to heal themselves. Sometimes it was difficult to ignore what was going on even from within the Lifestream but she was still able to communicate with everyone and it was what helped them move on, especially Cloud.

“I’m glad, it’s pretty old now but it still stands tall, I’d like to go and see it properly one day. Of course…I’d need my bodyguard with me.” She nudged him back with her shoulder and after a while he told her he would be waiting here for her if she came, if she needed him. “Then…” Aerith began and tried to meet his gaze, he didn’t seem to be able to say the words to her directly, “…maybe I’ll come here every day just to see.” Aerith teased, wanting his attention back to her. Maybe it sounded spoilt but she felt like anything she said to draw attention from them both would ruin the moment, and they didn’t have many of these. Aerith pushed herself closer to him, pulled his arm up and wrapped it around her whilst trying to put all her weight on him to push them back. She wanted to just lie with him so he couldn’t move yet, she didn’t want to go anymore, she wanted to stay.

Cloud might understand that she would need to go and help Gaia, he knew her resolve to do this was strong, much like what he once felt. Still, she wondered whether things would be the same if she went, only time would be able to tell for that. “Cloud, I’m going back to Gaia. Rufus told me about the Lifestream overflowing around Mideel after Weapon attacked and I need to go and help it.” She held onto him as she spoke and then rested her head on his chest, “The Planet is calling me back, I think maybe that’s why…but I won’t know until I go back there.” She almost didn’t want to leave now, “I want to stay like this for a little longer but when I come back, will you be here too?” Even then she didn’t know if he would be here but she would still ask just for the reassurance, just to hear him tell her that he would be again.

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The blonde swordsman peered at the woman besides him out the corner of his eye, a small smirk appearing on his lips as he did so. ”Trouble? Well, if dressing me up as a woman and sneaking into the mansion of a notorious gang leader is your idea of 'fun', then I'm pretty sure you could get yourself into a lot of trouble.” Cloud replied as he tilted his head up a fraction and continue to watch the Flower Girl from the corner of his eye, smirk still present as he teased the girl back. A soft, quiet chuckle escaped his lips, listening to his friend beside him go on to ask about the little incidents too, how she'd owe him dates for every time he helped pick her up off the floor. He wasn't too worried about having to go on so many dates, she was fooling around at this point and it was a nice feeling to see her so relaxed and acting as she normally would. Leaning forth, the Delivery Boy gathered up a leaf from the forest floor and played with it between his fingers, his glowing eyes locked onto it. ”... I don't feel like being on 'red alert' right now... I'd rather cherish this moment.” The fake-SOLDIER sounded like he wanted to say more, but the words didn't come. He had cut himself off from saying anything else. He knew what he wanted to say but decided against it. It had only been a few minutes since he was standing toe-to-toe with the One-Winged Angel. It wasn't just something that the Delivery Boy could shake off and forget about. Believe you me, he wished for nothing more, but it was dangerous and stupid to ignore the ever looming threat that was Sephiroth. For but a second, Cloud's eyes had glanced up from his leaf and peered down the path both he and Aerith used earlier on, checking again to make sure they were both safe. They were indeed and as quick as he had glanced up had his eyes returned to the leaf between his gloved fingers. ”You all have helped me... It's taken me a long time to understand it. Barret, Cid, Vincent... Everyone has given me a helping hand and I've never thanked any of them for it...” Cloud's tone wasn't as cheerful and relaxed as it had been. His eyes weren't leaving the leaf between his fingers either, which he passed between his hands several times. ”You and Tifa have helped me the most and what have I done to acknowledge that? To return the help and care you've given me?” The fake-SOLDIER eventually released the leaf from between his fingers and watched as it softly floated back down to the forest floor, an insect shifting an inch to one side to avoid the huge shadow that was coming down towards it. He was moping and he caught himself in the act, hopefully before Aerith did, though he could feel her eyes on him and she wasn't looking anywhere else. It was in her nature to care for Cloud when he wasn't feeling to confident about himself, such as right now. To try and remedy that, Strife chuckled and pushed his hands on his knees to straight himself up, where he turned his body to look at the woman beside him, a small smile on his lips as he fought to rid himself of the bad thoughts plaguing his mind. No, this was a time to be happy, time he could and should spend with the beautiful woman sitting beside him. A nod of the head and another small smile were given to the Flower Girl as she reassured him, agreeing with his words that everyone had helped him in the past. He'd return all the affection at some point and hopefully in a way that doesn't result in him getting pushed to the absolute limit in a fight with Sephiroth, to determine the fate of Gaia. Sure, that was what he did best, but he didn't enjoy it one bit. Cloud was Gaia's protector. Perhaps not as strong as Aerith was, but it was his job to keep that world safe. Pity he was utterly useless against the Darkness the first time it struck. ”It'll be nice to see the Church again.” Cloud agreed without hesitation to Aerith's request of visiting her Church with her bodyguard. It had been a long time, that was for certain. How long? Well he couldn't really remember, but it was back before the Heartless and Darkness attacked. A friendly, returned nudge broke Clou's trail of thought and he looked at the young woman beside him as she spoke up, suggesting she'd have to come back here everyday to see if the fake-SOLDIER would keep his word. Before he had chance to reply to her, Cloud felt his arm move and he glanced down to see that Aerith had took hold of his and had wrapped it around her. Before he had chance to reply to that either, the Flower Girl pressed her body into him and used her movement to push him back off the tree trunk. With a somewhat startled 'whoa!' escaping his lips, Cloud's other arm rushed up and wrapped itself about Aerith as well, holding her close as he collapsed back into the foliage behind the tree trunk, doing his best to land first with Aerith on top of him so he didn't land on her instead and potentially hurt her. This was... weird. Last time he remembered being in a situation like this was when he were about four years old and his mum would cuddle him to show her love and affection. It was... a good kind of weird though. He could feel the Light from the Flower Girl flowing into him... he could smell the scent of her hair... feel the warmth of her body. Cloud blinked and did his best to look down at the woman in his arms, but could only see the top of her head and her arms around him. He felt his cheeks warming up but hopefully she'd not be able to see him were she to look up. His heart was pounding, feeling like it was going to burst out of his chest. It wasn't from panic though or anxiety... well, truth be told, he didn't know what to feel right now. This was only the second time he had ever held Aerith within his arms and the first time she was--. Cloud frowned and squeezed his eyes shut tight, erasing that thought from his mind before he had chance to finish thinking it. ”... I wouldn't mind staying here, waiting for you to come back to check if I keep my word. It's nice here... But... Even if I'm not here, don't forget that you'll always find me in your heart... It's... How I kept finding you when I needed help.” Watching the sky through the top of the clearing, a couple of clouds drifted by slowly in the passing breeze, which went unfelt down on the forest floor. The woman whom he held in his arms spoke up and mentioned a name belonging to a man he had not seen in the longest of times. He'd like to keep it that way if possible, but saying such a thing would only bring about a frown to the Flower Girl's face. He could see it now and it made him smile. Mention of the Lifestream overflowing at Mideel though only caused a sharp, white flash to envelop Strife's mind. He blinked and subtly shook his head, wondering why the name wasn't familiar, why he couldn't picture the place that Aerith spoke of. Little did Cloud know that he was suffering him a deadly case of mako-poisoning and proceeded to loose his subconscious entirely when the WEAPON attacked and he and Tifa fell into the Lifestream. Of course Tifa had told him everything that had happened, but he couldn't remember any of it. ”Rufus ShinRa, eh?” His tone didn't sound the most excited. ”Wonder if he's managed to clean that suit of his yet from the Geostigma Crisis?” Cloud snarked and pictured the President of ShinRa with his sleeves rolled up, bent over a washing bowl, scrubbing furiously at his stupid white suit. ”If you Planet is calling for you Aerith, then you should go and make sure everything is okay. You're the one with the most experience with the Lifestream and if it's in need of aid, you're the best one for the job... Rufus though... Watch out for him. He's a snake who uses pretty words and colourful speeches to mask his true intentions. Plus he still has the Turks under his beck and call and, well, we both know what they did.” Cloud kept his arms about Aerith, his head tilting so it rested softly upon the top of hers, feeling the softness of her hair upon his cheek. He liked it here and Cloud too was starting to loose interest of doing anything else. He kinda didn't want Aerith to leave just yet. ”I'll... stay here for as long as I can, but sooner or later, the Darkness with threaten the peace we're working so hard to achieve and I'll be called to other worlds again... Much the same as you have to look after Gaia; I have to look after worlds too. But... I do want to see you again... and I'll come here every opportunity I get.”

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Aerith giggled at the memory, thinking about back then was nice, thinking about him dressing up as a girl was even funnier though. He admitted not wanting to be on red alert and she noticed he couldn't look at her and instead was playing with a leaf he'd found on the floor. She left him to do so and assumed that he wasn't as used to being as honest with his feelings as she was, Aerith had learnt early on that she should be honest, lest life get in the way and you'd lose your chance. That wasn't meaning she wished to rush things, she of course just enjoyed times like these in equal measure although she wondered whether things would eventually settle. Her hope was that going back to Gaia would be that chance, to stop that call from the Planet that interrupted her thoughts constantly.

"We have time." She said simply to his comment, they had time to cherish this moment of course, Sephiroth would have found them by now. Yet she could sense there was something bigger in his mind this time, bigger than destroying the Planet and revenge. Her eyes darted back to him when he mentioned how both her and Tifa had helped him so much and that he felt guilty for not repaying them. She thought for a moment, a hand reached up to her chin as she thought about it. "Well, have a think about what you would like to do and you can take it from there, it has to come from you of course." Aerith dropped her hands back onto her lap, "I'll look forward to it!"

Like she'd anticipated, Cloud was startled by her pushing him off the trunk and she laughed a little at his reaction. She wasn't expecting him to wrap his other arm around her however, she felt safe in his arms and she welcomed the feeling. She stayed there for a moment as she told him she was planning to leave again with Rufus, and she could feel his heart pumping in his chest. The Cetra assumed it wasn't the fall but this feeling, perhaps it was the anticipation or the unfamiliarity, Aerith couldn't decide.

”... I wouldn't mind staying here, waiting for you to come back to check if I keep my word. It's nice here... But... Even if I'm not here, don't forget that you'll always find me in your heart... It's... How I kept finding you when I needed help.”

She kept telling him the same thing and she was sure others had also, it just didn’t seem to sink in until a lot longer after. Of course Cloud had his fights that only he could really deal with but she wanted him to lean on them too. He didn’t sound too happy about Rufus being there, Aerith wasn’t surprised although the blonde was still quite calm when voicing his opinions on the man. Aerith smiled and nodded, “He has a clean suit, maybe not a clean conscience.” She paused and listening to his next words, he was right and she still had reservations on the man, yet she felt as though he may learn something important if he came with her…she hoped at least. Ending every single cycle was a priority on her list and she was glad Cloud would allow her to try.

“It’s okay Cloud, I have a plan…just don’t worry too much. I’ve spent a lot of time around Shinra now, I can handle it.” Aerith smiled, she’d spent a good few years growing up there as a child too, in fact she knew the old building quite well. She felt him lean his head onto hers and her hands squeezed his shirt a little tighter. “I suppose we both have our own journey’s to finish then.” She murmured although it was still loud enough to be heard, she just wondered when he’d leave. “Where are you going next, Mr Strife?” She lifted her head and upper body so she could see him again although they were fairly close together, her arms pushed from either side of her and allowed her body to roll onto the grass next to him. Still she’d shift her body so she was tucked into his whilst still curled up in his arm.

“You should bring me back a souvenir, I wonder if that would be enough to make up for everything…” Her right hand reached for his own right and clasped her fingers through them, allowing her hand to be cupped in his and wrapped it over her, running her fingers over his. After a moment of her silence she finally said, “Let’s just pretend that nothing else is going on then, that might be better.” Her eyes were staring into the sky, unsure of what she wanted to do at this moment, sure she wanted to spend time with Cloud but this was…nice, there didn’t need to be anything else, did there? “I’m just glad that I got to know the real you.”

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Mako-infused eyes started up at the sky above the clearing while the fake-SOLDIER lay in the grass with the Flower Girl in his arms. There wasn't really anything going through his mind right now. He just found himself at peace, but was that because he were relaxed and enjoying the time he was spending with Aerith, or was it more of a side effect of being so close to this young woman and her influence over the lifestream was playing with the Mako and JENOVA Cells that plagued his body? Cloud wrinkled his nose and pushed such hogwash out of his mind. While it might be the case, perhaps less so of Aerith making him forget things and more so that the lifestream would want to purify Cloud's body, the young man didn't think upon it any further. He'd already been within the lifestream and he wasn't cured of the Cells or of the Mako so why would having Aerith in his arms change things now? Without my strength, the world will be defenceless against Sephiroth... But thinking such a thing caused the blonde-haired man to glance down at the brunette laying besides him and he smiled softly at her, not that she'd see it in her current position. But maybe that's not the case... Like Sora has his friends to give him power, perhaps my friends can do the same and gain their own strength to face Sephiroth... Cloud's smile turned into a frown. Why was he thinking about that long-haired freak when he has the Flower Girl in his arms? After he had voiced his thoughts of not repaying Aerith and Tifa for their support, the brown-haired woman told him to think of something, so long as it came from him personally. What does she mean by that? He wondered, and started to think about what she could have meant. A gift? A sign of affection? A date perhaps? Maybe she'd like to go back to her Church with him or perhaps she'd simply like to spend more time like this together? The fake-SOLDIER frowned and returned his mind to the present as he failed to think of anything appropriate that she could have been referring to. It might have been incredibly obvious and Strife simply wasn't catching on. What he did catch onto though was the young woman's comment of Rufus having a clean suit, but not a clean conscience. Cloud let out a smug 'heh' and then shook his head from side to side subtly, though with his head resting against Aerith's, she'd have definitely felt this. ”I'd have originally refused to help Rufus with his 'Remnant problem' to begin with. That fool Reno doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut at times, but I met them before I met ShinRa... If I didn't do something, who knows what would have happened.” Cloud frowned and sighed in disappointment as he did so. He really didn't like the idea of Aerith travelling with Rufus, but she was a grown woman and could take care of herself. She was brave and stronger, perhaps more so then Cloud himself was. She'd be okay, but the fact that she told him not to worry about things only made Strife worry about her. He couldn't stop her though, short of putting a blade between her and her destination, but that would never happen. She always did whatever she wanted anyway, regardless of whatever Cloud or anyone else said to her. A free spirit she was. As she moved off him and lay besides him, he felt her tuck herself up against him but remained laying on his arm, keeping him trapped to the floor for the time being. Cloud smiled and watched her for a moment before returning his eyes to the clearing overhead, watching and listening to the birds as they flew and sung within the trees that surrounded them. ”I don't know where I'm heading next.” He answered her question and filled his lungs with a deep breath, exhaling afterwards and just... flopping on the grass as he relaxed fully. It felt almost like he were laying in his bed back home in Seventh Heaven, apart from he wasn't in a single bed alongside Tifa's and was inside in the same 'bed' as Aerith. It still felt weird but just looking at the woman beside him and seeing how happy she was, made Cloud happy too. She must have been wanting to lay beside him like this for the longest of times, and how many times had Cloud been blind to her? ”What Sephiroth said earlier concerns me, so I'll most likely follow him. I don't trust him.” Though Cloud smiled after speaking those words and glanced down at the Flower Girl beside him. ”But don't worry too much. I've spent a lot of time around him. I'm used to him now.” He copied her own words and couldn't help but chuckle softly afterwards. Aerith asked for a souvenir from the next place Cloud visited and hinted that it might be enough to make up for the times he didn't thank her for her own help. Knew it! She wanted a gift! Perhaps he wasn't so bad with women as he first thought, but then she continued to say that pretending nothing was happening would work too. So... did she want a gift or did she want nothing? How was nothing going to make up for things? Oh, she wanted nothing to happen so she could spend more time with him! Knew it! But was there more to it then that? Did people who liked being in each others company just... lie together for a long time? Was there something more to it then this? Cloud closed his eyes and thought back to when he ordered everyone off the Highwind airship a day before he planned to assault Sephiroth's location in the Northern Crater. Everyone did go off to do their own thing... apart from Tifa. She stayed behind and stuck by Cloud's side much the same as Aerith was doing now. But... he couldn't remember anything that they did aside from cuddle a little and watch the sun both set and rise. Didn't Aerith suggest that earlier, or maybe he should offer? The hill on which Strife spotted Aerith when returning to Radiant Garden would be a great place to sit and watch the sun set together. ” … Before you return to Gaia... Would you like to watch the sun set together?”

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Even as she lay there next to him, she could feel his mind ticking over, analysing things and although she couldn’t read it like she’d love to she could only hope that she could pull him back into the real world. The real world being here right now with her, it was natural for them both to think of other things and worry about the future, that was what they’d been doing their whole lives…or at least she had. The thought of travelling with a Shinra was now hitting her, it was strange to think that after everything that she’d witnessed that she would now be travelling with the man. All she wanted however was to change the future, she wanted Rufus to see that there were more to things that just power and weapons. She knew there was a basis lying there but she wanted to build on it and perhaps having met his father in the Lifestream only fuelled it.

It was obvious to her that Cloud still disliked Shinra, maybe even hated and Aerith could relate to him on that scale. It had been Hojo who had killed her family, stolen her away and allowed her to be raised in the lab until she was a young girl. He’d have her monitored even when she escaped and had her kidnapped again to be mated with someone of another species. Rufus wasn’t involved with that directly, and if he really had funded AVALANCHE back then then perhaps he was a little easier to convince about saving the Planet. Still, until she’d find out, Aerith wouldn’t press the matter…there was no debate until Rufus proved himself as changed and really proved it too. She had some ideas for their journey and it didn’t end up with her death or kidnapping.

“I’ll let you know what happens then, Cloud!” She smiled brightly as she was pressed against him, she couldn’t remember the last time someone held her like this. Even with Zack it was different, she’d never been like this with anyone and perhaps that was a little sad. Aerith had spent so long trapped in experimental labs and hiding out in quiet places like this cove in the woods that she had missed out on many other human interaction. It didn’t hinder her socially, although she may be a little outspoken even, but she was happy…happy to have someone that cared about her while the weight of the world was continuously on her shoulders.

Cloud said he didn’t know where he was headed, Aerith almost doubted the words as they parted from his lips but it seemed to be a common issue when they were travelling back then, they were never sure where to start first. Instead he knew that he wanted to find out what Sephiroth was planning, Aerith’s brows knitted together, she didn’t want him to follow the man. She wanted him to settle things of course, but perhaps away from him…although maybe it was the side to her that feared the One Winged ‘Angel’ that wanted them apart. He’d always be a part of their lives…and she hated that…she wanted him to just stop. It was the comment about Cloud being used to him now that made Aerith’s body relax, “Oh? Well then maybe I shouldn’t worry!”

“I would!” Aerith responded to him, and gripped his hand tighter, “I’m glad you want to.” She mused and pushed herself a little so her legs were now completely off the trunk and she was now able to see his face again. Rolling onto her stomach, Aerith leant on her elbows and began to play with the grass in front of her. “So…we’ll meet there.” She began hesitantly until she found her words, “The church I mean, one week from now we will both be there, okay?” She knew they’d promised to meet here but they had both wanted to go back to there, in that place, “Midgar…where we both first met!”

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Cloud started to wiggle his toes within boots as he returned his thoughts to thinking about what Aerith might be getting up to while she returns to Gaia, but more so, what she'd about Rufus while she was travelling with him. It sounded very much like she'd forgiven him for what his Turks did to her. Heck, technically Hojo was under Rufus' command too at the time. The world was a better place with that monster being taken care of... until he came back during the Deepground Crisis, but Vincent took charge of that. Still, Aerith was a very precious person and in many more ways then one. Strife glanced at her at that thought and watched her silently for a while as she lay beside him. She had been through so much and fought on till the very end. Even after the end, she continued to fight and help the Planet and her friends as best she could and here she was back in the flesh to continue doing her work for the Planet. You'd never think of her having such strength and commitment when looking at her. She appeared as delicate and beautiful as the flowers she sold in Midgar. She acted so carefree and was mischievous as well as comforting and caring. The Delivery Boy kept watching the woman beside him and he wondered what was going on through her head right about now. To tell you the truth, ever since she toppled both herself and Strife back off the tree trunk, Cloud had never seen her so relaxed before. She must really be enjoying herself right now if just laying her with the fake-SOLDIER was enough to keep her still. He wasn't going to lie. Cloud was enjoying this moment as well. Tifa was always so busy running the bar and tending to the children and Cloud himself was always too worried to make a move or do anything, really. But being here now with Aerith, he had forgotten about everything else that was going on out there in the world. The Heartless, Sephiroth... everything. All that was happening right now was seeing the woman laying besides him, listening to her speak and breathing, smelling the scent of her hair and feeling the Light of her heart. This was genuinely peaceful and Strife thought he could lay here all day and all night and not get bored. For the first time in Cloud's life, he felt like he didn't need to fight any more. What is this I am feeling? The young man thought to himself as he watched the woman beside him bring her legs down off the trunk and roll herself onto her stomach. Finally, the Delivery Boy's arm was free from being under Aerith, but instead of sitting bolt upright and getting to his feet, Cloud rolled onto his right and used the arm Aerith was laying on to prop his head up, allowing him to get a better look at the Flower Girl. Well, she was laying on her stomach now so all he could really see was her hair and her... -ahem-... Strife quickly diverted his eyes off of Aerith's rump before she could catch him staring and instead he focused on pulling a loose blade of grass out of her hair, twisting it between gloved finger and thumb afterwards. She started to speak up, suggesting that the pair of them meet up again, this time in her Church back in Midgar, back where they met for the first time. Cloud smiled at the memories that returned to him. ”Yes, I'll be waiting for you there Aerith... It will be good to see you again. Just... don't bring Rufus with you, okay?” He said with a small chuckle and finally the young man pushed himself up off the grass till he was sitting up. Leaning back on his hands, Cloud turned his mako-blue eyes back up to the sky and watched the sight above silently, but his head quickly found itself look back down at Aerith. There was something very special about this young woman that Cloud cherished and he didn't want to see her go yet. He wanted to stay here for a little bit longer.