A/N: Hello readers! I'm sorry for the long delay... I won't say how long the delay is but others who have been watching out for this story would know. I hope you all will like it! And please watch out for the next one~

"I'm going out."

A raven head appeared from under the bar counter and stared at the back of a man clad in black. It was almost 10 o'clock in the evening and a wild storm was brewing outside. Tifa stood up from arranging the glasses behind the counter and walked over to the blonde, grabbing an umbrella on the way. When she presented him the parasol, Cloud stared at it for a moment, bewildered, and then shook his head. The black-haired barmaid crossed her brows at the blonde's refusal.

What seems to be the prob— Tifa's eyes widened when she finally realized the umbrella what she picked. It was a pink, flower-printed umbrella that obviously was, without any doubt, belongs to Marlene. Hiding her blush, she returned the pink umbrella and took a manlier one among others.

"It's raining," Tifa caught herself and silently cursed for stating the obvious. What was wrong with her? She gathered her thoughts and continued. "Can't it wait til morning? You know we have to prepare for our trip to Cosmo Canyon."

"I know," Cloud replied plainly. He wasn't a man of words, but only with others, with Aria… The blonde froze. Since when did that girl become a part of his life? How about Aerith? Had he forgotten? He shook his head. No, no one could ever replace Aerith. Not even a girl who looks like her.

Tifa watched as Cloud fought with himself, thought with himself. She bit her lip in quiet longing. She knows well that Cloud wasn't a person one could easily read, nor a person who could say or share his mind. And no other human being could break that wall that he's built for 21 years. Well, there was one. But she was gone. So, normally, she would take her place right?

Tifa gazed at him, her eyes never faltering, studying him, waiting if even one measly thought would leak through, she would have that chance to strike a conversation with him. She wanted him to talk to her, spend time with her. Why couldn't they be close like he did with the flower girl? Not only with Aerith, but Aria too. Why does he only open up to them?

"Tifa?" He must've noticed her spacing out because he was facing her fully, a concerned look in his face. When he saw that she has finally come to, Cloud proceeded to the door, stopping only when his fingers was around the knob. "Don't stay up."

"Clo—!"

He was gone before she could even completely mutter his name. She stood in the darkness with a closed door and an empty bar, which were her constant companions. Along with the loud pit-pattering of the rain, a distinct, rough noise arose. Alarmed, Tifa followed him out into the rain but all she saw was a great fog of black smoke and a red light that was vanishing into the vast darkness.

"Did Cloud use Hardy Daytona? Where did he go?"

At hearing Denzel's groggy voice she turned back with a small smile. He was standing by the doorframe still in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes of sleep.

The raven-haired barmaid shook her head. "Do you want to drink milk? I'll pour you some."

Denzel nodded lightly, his head still in some cloud, and went back into the bar. Tifa followed him, but she took one last look at the road that stretched to the place where she knew he'd go. Where he'd always go. Sighing, she closed the door of the Seventh Heaven.

What was he doing? Cloud himself didn't know. Was it something in the wind that whispered while he was resting on his bed? A sweet, nostalgic voice… telling him to come, that it needed him. The blonde shook off these thoughts.

Damn. Hearing voices in the middle of the night… I must be crazy.

Cloud turned sharply at the right curve as he saw the Loveless sign. It was like his body was in auto mode. He didn't know where he's going, or even what he's doing. There was only this unknown force that was pulling him to—

All of a sudden, the blonde stomped his foot on the ground and squeezed the break handle hard, the force of action almost throwing him off the huge bike. Smoke burned out of Daytona's wheels followed by an ear-piercing screech that echoed throughout the streets of Edge. It was a good thing that it was raining. If not, he too would receive an earful from the older population of Midgar. They've had had enough of the constant commotion and silver-haired men who wants to take over the world.

Cloud let out a heavy sigh as he straightened himself. Before he was to take another action, a muffled, pretty much muted beeping noise coming from his pocket finally reached his sharp ears. He took the black flip-flop phone into his gloved hands and stared at it, entranced by the two lights that rapidly blinked on and off on its screen. One was silver and the other was pink. They were so close to one another.

Apart from his cellphone's beeping, there was also another noise that coincided with his; yet the melody was different. It was gentler, more feminine sounding. Cloud took notice of this and he turned his gaze towards the direction of the tune. In the darkness, under a dilapidated waiting shed, two pale hands holding a pink cellphone was visible. The only thing worth noting about the stranger's cellphone was that its screen was also flickering like it had gone mad. Cloud's steely blue eyes lingered for a moment on the cellphone before it moved to stare at a pair of emerald orbs.

"…C-Cloud?"

Fighting through the deluge wasn't exactly a problem for Hardy Daytona—even though at this time and age that version of transportation is practically prehistoric. No, it wasn't a big deal to push through raging storms and bellowing hurricanes! Well, that is because Cloud always traveled alone. Now, with another passenger on board, Hardy Daytona can't keep up with the extra load. Realizing their circumstance, Cloud decided that they would stop by the church so that the old bike would have its rest.

Aria sat silently on Hardy Daytona, her hands were firmly gripping the bike's slippery seat. She didn't dare touch the blonde because they had just met, and she knew Cloud treasured his privacy. But, if the bike would go any faster than the speed they were going, she will definitely fall off because the seat was soaked wet with the rain.

Cloud must've noticed her dilemma because he slightly turned his head to the side. "Hold on to me, Aria. We have to move faster before the weather becomes worse."

The brunette bit her lip and nodded. Slowly she reached out her fingers to Cloud's back. She encircled her arms around his waist and moved a bit closer. At the moment Aria touched his back, Cloud felt his heart beat a little faster than it normally would. For the first time in many months, he felt nervous. He swallowed hard and decided to concentrate more on the task at hand, and that is transporting them to the church quick and safe. But, even he doesn't know if he really is up for the job. The blonde rid himself of these negative thoughts and ordered his heart to be still. When he knew she was secured, Cloud sped through the downpour towards a place he knew very well. A place that would welcome them warmly. A place he calls home.

"What were you doing out there, Aria?"

Aria watched Cloud as he started a fire beside the glistening pool using some of the broken pews. There used to be a huge gap within the wall where Kadaj escaped during the last fight, but the Avalanche returned—mainly Cloud because the others were busy with their own lives—to repair the broken wall. Now, the church is closed entirely with only a couple of large windows to let in air and sunlight when the sun is overhead. It was also a good thing that they repaired it because if it rained it wouldn't leak inside the church making it a warm and dry haven for those who seek shelter from the ever-changing weather conditions.

"I was on my way home from Mechanic's Haven, and then it started to rain. Originally, I planned to go on…until it went full force on me," She giggled, to which Cloud took a moment to look up and then back down again. "So I was stuck there until you came along. Thanks for the ride, Cloud." She smiled warmly at him.

Cloud nodded in return, stood when the fire blazed, and disappeared in the darkness. Aria followed him with her eyes, checked if he had completely gone, and excitedly jumped towards the roaring fire. She sighed as the warmth of the flame thawed her fingertips.

"Here."

The brunette almost jumped in surprise when she heard Cloud's voice at her back. She looked up at him and saw an old but dry blanket at the end of his hands.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay in those wet clothes." The blonde said those words coolly, but a blush didn't escape Aria's line of vision as she studied his face. She was also blushing herself as he prompted her to take the blanket.

An awkward 'thank you' was all she managed to say. Then, there was silence. Cloud had positioned himself at a safe zone across the bonfire, opposite of the brunette. He lied down with his whole body facing the darkness. Aria took this as a go sign. Facing her own side of the darkness, Aria slowly took off her outer clothing, leaving her somewhat dry undergarments intact. She wrapped the blanket closer to her body and faced the bonfire again. Cloud's back was still facing her.

What a gentleman. She giggled silently. But I wonder…

"What about you, Cloud? What were you doing out in the dead of the night?"

No response. In fact, no sound save for a cricket that took shelter among the blossoms, playing the popular sound of its kind.

"Cloud?"

Again, no response.

Had he fallen asleep? Aria thought. Well, one way to find out.

Feeling a little bold, the brunette stood from her spot and walked over carefully towards the blonde. She tried to stealthily move to him but the floorboards creaked with her every step. After what seemed forever for Aria, she finally reached him. Crouching, Aria took a better look at Cloud. His eyes were closed, his long blonde lashes protecting them. He looked peaceful as he slumbers the night away. However, he began grimacing. His brows crossed and his teeth were chattering though his eyes remained closed. It looked like he was fighting an invisible enemy.

Is he having a bad dream? Aria's brows furrowed in concern for the blonde. She reached out for his face to wake him, but when she did her eyes widened. A fever!

Cloud's forehead was blazing! Aria didn't know what to do. She was no healer. She had no first hand knowledge in these types of situations because she had never been sick. And Clay didn't experience having a fever for her to take care of him. She was panicking!

Hey! I saw this scene in a movie before! Aria thought deeply to reclaim that particular memory. The guy was cold and sick… and the girl, to keep him warm… she took off her clothes… and with a blanket… she and the guy….

The brunette froze her thoughts. If it hadn't rained and if it wasn't cold at the moment, she would have been sweating profusely in anxiety.

She couldn't do it. Aria thought to herself. She couldn't! They had just met. To do a thing like that… no! She couldn't! She wouldn't! She firmly decided.

"It'ssss… ssssooo… c-c-cold." Cloud's teeth weren't the only one shaking now. His whole body was too!

Aria bit her lip. She shook her hands and slapped herself. C'mon, Aria! Look at him! He's freezing to death. If that is the only way to save him…. then, so be it!

Inhaling a deep, humongous breath, Aria knelt beside Cloud. She carefully took off his wet clothes…except his undergarment. Cloud flinched visibly as the cold air touched his skin, but relaxed as soon as the fire's light and warmth shone upon it. Swallowing hard, the brunette lied beside the blonde and covered the blanket on both their bodies, not letting the heat escape through convection. Aria took a look at Cloud, checking if his chattering teeth had stopped; unfortunately, it was still chattering. Blushing furiously, she took a big breath again.

For Cloud… I'm doing this for Cloud. Aria commanded her heart to stay still as she moved closer, her skin touching his. Oh boy! This will be a long night.

What do you think will happen next? XD