Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Yin and Yang ❯ Dealing With Death ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two

Aeris sat alone next to the fire, the heat drying what remained of her salty tears. Every once and a while she would glance at the sleeping Vincent, but quickly turned away, tears threatening to come again. Aeris never felt so alone. 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. . .

~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." 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, the monsters being weak and obnoxious, and had now arrived at the City of the Ancients. Even Vincent could hear the various mumbles and noises of the Ancients here that Aeris heard clearly everywhere. 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, than 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 were him who heard Aeris' voice, wishing it were he leading them to her. <I> 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.

"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, shaking his head. Vincent sighed in relief. Relief was soon shattered. Before anyone could realize or stop it, Sephiroth swooped down with his long sword, stabbing it through Aeris' chest, blood staining his sword and her pink dress. Vincent's crimson 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 a third of the force he usually used. He noticed Tifa kept missing, and saw tears striking her small face. Cloud was the only one who fought 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. He placed his hands over her emerald eyes and closed them softly. "Aeris. I love you." He whispered softly, rising and walking out, slowly, with no purpose. Tifa followed him running, sobbing. Cloud followed, Aeris' limp body in his arms.

Vincent rolled over to look at the sleeping Aeris. Did she know that he still loved her? With all of his monstrous black 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.

End.