The beds inside the Gongaga inn were so uncomfortable, and that didn't help the way she felt.

She crept out of her covers, a trail of long brown hair following. She softly walked to the door, not making a sound. At the door she glanced back one last time at the sleeping face of her female accomplice. The young girl lying opposite her bed slept with a troubled face, occasionally twitching and turning nervously.

The Cetra hesitated, but nevertheless walked back towards her young friend. She laid her hand on her head, and began to gently stroke her long dark hair. Tifa, I'm sorry I have to do this...I think I... Bye Tifa. She gave her hair one last stroke, then exited the room.

She wasn't sure whether she should. But something inside her told her it was ok. Perhaps it was ok, but she was nervous.

His room was only down along the hallway. It wasn't long before she reached it. She stood there for one full minute, standing outside his door, but eventually her hand reached for the knob, and turned it. It was very dark. She could only vaguely make out his sleeping form. She slowly stepped inside, quickly closing the door behind her, a bit too quickly than she intended, causing it to slam.

The young man in the bed suddenly jumped out of his covers.

"Who's there?" Demanded a frightened voice. "Sephiroth?"

"No!" the girl hissed immediately. "It's me." She waited a few moments, hearing his heavy breathing.

"...Aeris?"

"Yes," she replied. "It's me."

Aeris walked towards the window and drew the curtains open, allowing eerie moonlight to shine in.
She turned back around to face him. She could see him now, sitting up anxiously on his bed, wearing a vest and shorts. He gazed up at her with a troubled look.

"Aeris..." he breathed. "Aeris...what is it?"

She did not reply for he suddenly leapt out of the covers and stood before her.

"Aeris," he pleaded, taking her hands in his. "Aeris I'm so sorry - I'm so sorry for what happened..."

"It's ok," she assured, shaking her head. "Don't worry about it..." She pulled him close and embraced him tightly. Cloud's arms encircled her waist in return.

He found a lump forming in his throat. "Sephiroth..."

"Cloud, let me handle Sephiroth for now, ok?"

He nodded in her arms.

"Everything will be alright, you'll see." She released him from her arms and gave him a strong smile. He returned the smile, but only faintly.

She stared at him for a second, gazing into his glowing cerulean eyes, made paler tonight by the silver moonlight. Her soft features suddenly turned serious. "Do you remember our night at the gold saucer?"

"Of course."

"I said I wanted to meet you..."

The young man did not reply, instead gazed at her expectantly.

Aeris moved in closer towards Cloud, and placed her hands on his face. "...Cloud there is a way I can meet you..." Their lips were only centimetres apart. "The real you," she ended.

Cloud's body gradually collapsed onto hers.

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"Cloud. I'm leaving," she announced, as she lay in his arms.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

Aeris was silent for a minute. She hugged Cloud closer, her bare body tenderly feeling every part of his. "You will see, soon. Don't worry."

The young man nodded, feeling dreamy. "Do you really have to leave?"

Aeris smiled sadly, pulling the covers tight around them. "I must. It's my destiny. My people are waiting for me."

"I don't understand Aeris...not at all."

"It's ok Cloud... one day you will."

Cloud nodded, accepting although still feeling confounded. "Please take care of yourself," he said.

A lone tear rolled along her cheek. "Of course. Cloud... I'll come back to you..."

She reached her head up and planted a long tender kiss on his lips. She closed her eyes, summoning the magic. Cloud...tomorrow... next month or next year, you wont remember...you wont remember that I came to you this night, you wont remember the way I touched you...

you wont remember how much I loved you tonight.

But it's okay, Cloud. It's okay.

 It's okay, because I'll come back to you even if you don't promise to wait.

It's okay because I'll return to you, knowing that your heart will always be with mine...

When I release myself from you, I will be gone and you will forget this happened. But I will send you a dream. I must tell you where I am going. I must give you one last hope, before I leave.

I love you.
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