Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Yin and Yang ❯ Love and pain ( Chapter 2 )

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Aeris sat alone next to the fire, the heat drying what remained of her salty tears. Every once and awhile, she would glance at the sleeping Vincent, but quickly turned away, tears threatening to come again. Aeris felt so alone.

<Dear ancestors, why did you summon me here, telling me he wanted me back? That he couldn't live without me? He doesn't need me, or want me. Why am I here?> She waited patiently for a response, but none was heard. She sighed, and curled up in Vincent's cloak, shutting her eyes and falling asleep.

Oblivious to Aeris, Vincent was still awake. He heard Aeris sighing often, and heard her crying softly. He felt sick. He knew, knew deep in his heart, he cared deeply for Aeris. But, after that day...

***********************************Another Flashback*************************

It was a beautiful warm day. The sky was cloudless yet the sun was not too bright or hot. But Vincent didn't care. In fact, he wished for rain or storms. She wasn't here with him to enjoy the beautiful sky, so why should it even be there. Vincent looked up at it scornfully.

"I'm ready. Let's go find her."

<So, the 'leader' finally decided to take action. I should have just left on my own, damn it.> Cloud picked Vincent and Tifa to accompany him to the Sleeping Forest. Vincent was one step ahead of everyone, however.

"I've done research on this Sleeping Forest. It is located by Bone Village, where the Lunar Harp, needed to enter the Sleeping Forest, is buried. The Tiny Bronco is waiting. Let's go." With that he headed toward the sandy beach, climbing aboard the Tiny Bronco.

"Be careful with her, goddammit!!" Cid yelled after him, waving his arms wildly. Vincent waved a hand dully in response.

They had passed easily through the Sleeping Forest, and had now arrived at the City of the Ancients. Even Vincent could hear various mumbles and noises here that Aeris heard clearly. A pang went through his heart. He thought of Aeris' beautiful smile, charming laugh. He grimaced. Her missing was a real blow to his heart. Now he remembered why he said he would never fall in love again. It was too much pain.

Cloud decided as soon as they had arrived that they would rest in the beds they found in a hut. Vincent disagreed, but as usual, Cloud was the leader. Tifa persuaded him to stay and rest. Vincent lay awake, staring at the ceiling for hours, listening to the mumblings of the long gone Ancients. Finally, he fell into a restless sleep, in which he dreamt of that wonderful night with Aeris. He woke a few hours later, he woke, spotting Cloud standing up, staring.

"She's here. I feel it. So is Sephiroth." Vincent blinked quickly, then regained his composure. "Where?" Cloud walked down the short ladder and walked to where the path split in three directions.

"Down there." He pointed down the middle, straight path. Vincent followed dutifully, wishing it was him who heard Aeris' voice, wishing it was he leading them to her.

<I'm jealous. I can't believe it.> He shook his head as they reached a building that looked as though it was made of shells. The place, Vincent thought, was beautiful. He pushed past Cloud inside, running up the spiral ramp and crossing a blue path. There, stretched out before him, was a beautiful crystalline city. Vincent stopped only for a moment, then rushing down the crystal stairs, looked down at the altar. Aeris was praying. He stopped long enough, staring at her, for Cloud to rush by him.

<author's notes: writer's block..hmmm.*sings a little song* well, back to the story.I think>

"Cloud, wait!!" He yelled, running after him, Tifa in close pursuit. Cloud didn't listen, hopping from one log to another, heading closer and closer to the peaceful Aeris.

"Cloud, no!! Wait for all of us!" Tifa shouted from close behind him, running at Vincent's quick pace, jumping over the logs as Cloud raised his Buster Sword over Aeris' head. Vincent instinctively fired his gun into the air. The loud noise shook Cloud out of his controlled state. He stepped back, and before anyone could recognize it, or let alone move to stop it, Sephiroth swooped down with his long sword, stabbing it through Aeris' chest, blood staining his sword and her pink dress. Vincent's eyes widened in horror. He watched as Cloud rushed forward in slow motion, grabbing Aeris' body as it fell. Tifa grabbed for the White Materia that fell from Aeris' hair, but it fell into the water with a small splash.

"No." Vincent whispered, not hearing anything Sephiroth or Cloud said. ".no." When Jenova came down and attacked, he attacked with none of the force he usually used. He noticed Tifa kept missing, and saw tears striking her small face. Cloud was the only one who faught as usual, slicing and slashing Jenova with anger. Finally, destroyed, Vincent walked up to Aeris' lifeless body. He gently felt her hair, still soft. He brushed her cheek, still warm.

"Aeris.I love you." He whispered softly, rising and walking out, slowly, with no purpose. Tifa followed him running, sobbing. Cloud following, Aeris' body in his arms..

Vincent rolled over to look at the sleeping Aeris. Did she know that he still loved her? With all his black, monstrous heart? He suddenly felt guilty for pushing her away. But it had hurt so much, so much when she died; he swore he wouldn't love anyone again.