A Moment of Love, Hope and Tears

By : Sephiroth

Aerith slid out of her room and silently walked to the end of the hallway of the Golden Saucer's Haunted Mansion. All of her friends were asleep, but she needed sometime alone to clear her head, something was bothering her and she couldn't bring herself to sleep.

She found herself on top of a small balcony that overlooked the Corel desert. It was cold and silent that evening, she was glad that the noise of the Golden Saucer was not heard from this place and the starlit sky was so beautiful and peaceful. She sat down and leaned against the wall, she felt cold inside as all her worries began to rise out from her chest. First there was Shinra and Sephiroth who were out to destroy the planet. Then there was the incident with Cait Sith earlier that evening, that he was a Shinra spy and he was holding her mother and Marlene hostage to get the Keystone from them. She let out a sigh, there was something else that bothered her, something deeper.

Earlier that evening she asked Cloud to go out with her on a date. It was fun. They were asked to perform as the leading characters in a play and the went out on a Gondola ride. That was where she confessed her feelings for Cloud. But he in return responded clodly, which made her feel stupid at the time, but she kept smiling.

She closed her eyes and rested her head on her knees. Once again the emptiness crept up to her. She was an Ancient, different from humans, the people of the planet, was she deserving of someone else's love? She hugged her knees tighter as she felt her chest burn and her eyes fill up with tears although she didn't understand why.

She should be happy, she was surrounded by friends who cared for her. She grew up with a woman who loved her dearly as if she was her own child. She has given hope and joy to the people of Midgar with her flowers. What more could she ask for? Why was she seeking her happiness form Cloud when she knew he seeks it from another...Tifa.

Cloud and Tifa were childhood friends, they grew up in Nivelheim and have found each other again in Midgar. Tifa cared for Cloud very much, she felt that everytime they were together, only Tifa would not admit it. And Cloud, underneath that cold silence, cares for Tifa just the same.

'They'd make a perfect couple.' Aerith thought, smiling to herself. 'They'll be happy together.'

Then a moment later, her smile disappeared.'Maybe I was wrong to ask Cloud for a date during a time like this...maybe I was wrong to try and get his attention so often...even when Tifa's there...I don't fit in the picture everywhere, I'm afraid that I'm just giving him a harder time...'

Aerith buried her face in her hands as tears fell uncontrollably.

'How could I have been so selfish?' She thought, 'How could I force myself unto Cloud when I know that his heart belonged to Tifa eversince they were young? ....Maybe, I should stop this before I hurt any of them further...Maybe after we visit the Ancient Temple I should go back to Midgar and continue to be the flower girl everybody knew...I can't stay on like this...I've lost everyman I've cared for...Tseng, ...Zack...and now, Cloud....'

"...I don't know love....it's not meant for me...",her soft sobs broke every word she whispered. She was hunched on the floor, trembling, crying. The darkness and coldness of the night pierced through her heart like a sword.

"Aerith!?" someone called from behind. "Are you alright?" Before she could respond she felt two warm hands on her shoulders helping her sit up.

She opened her eyes slowly and saw before her the young man who she has fallen in love with.

"Cloud..." she managed to say.

Cloud smiled. Gentle Mako eyes of blue, relieved to see she was alright, looked deeply into her emerald green eyes. "Aerith, what is it? What's wrong?" he asked.

For a moment Aerith froze, she stared blankly at the floor. "It's nothing, Cloud, you shouldn't worry about it..." she said. "Please, go back to sleep."

"I know something's wrong, Aerith." Cloud sat down beside her and leaned against the wall. "Come on, you can tell me, I want to help."

She smiled a little. Why was he making things so hard for her? Was he making it so hard for her to let him go? She pressed her fists on her lap, trying to gather the strength to tell him that she loved him...and that she was going to leave him and Tifa alone.

"Cloud, " she said softly."..I'm...I'm sorry."

"Sorry, about what?" He said, sitting up. He looked at her face, her eyes were closed, holding back her tears, her lips were trembling and she was breathing deeply. He wasn't used to see her this sad and it bothered him.

"I'm sorry, for being so agrressive on you. I knew that asking you to go on a date with me was wrong." She said slowly. Her eyes were still closed, but a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.

"Is that what this was all about?" Cloud said. He leaned back on the wall and chuckled a little, "Whew, Aerith, you had me worried there! I thought it was something big!"

No, you don't understand, Cloud...

"No, I don't find you agrressive or anything...whatever you meant by that. And I don't think that going out on a date with you was wrong either."

But, Cloud, I know I hurt you and Tifa...

"Well, truth is...I did enjoy our date." Cloud flushed a little.

I was being selfish, Cloud...I want you and Tifa to be free...

"Aerith,.." Cloud put an arm around her shoulders before she could say anything. "I like being with you. You're very kind and sensitive. I'm sorry I got you involved in this..." Cloud looked down on the floor.

No, Cloud...I forced you to get me involved...because I wanted to be with you always...I didn't realize I'd be hurting someone who loves you...whom I know you also love...

Aerith smiled. "It's alright, I'm used to the survival game." She wanted to tell him so much, but she could not find the strength.

"Um, I've been thinking about what you said in the Gondola."

Aerith looked at him, he was looking at the sky smiling. "Aerith, when all of this is over...would you like to go on a date again?"

"Why, o-of course..." Aerith stuttered a bit. She smiled and allowed Cloud to pull her closer to him. 'Maybe, I shouldn't say anything just yet.'

Cloud stared at the starlit sky and said, "I'd like to meet you too..."

End