Title: The Last 100 Days

Summary: During CC. Aerith wakes one night from a vision where Zack is killed in combat. She knows time is running out, so she vows their final 100 days will be the best Lt. Zack Fair has ever gone through. ZackAerith.

This was a random bunny that bounded over to me and wouldn't leave ever since I watched the end of CC after finishing the UMD. I cried. I admit it. But I was surprised that Aerith didn't but just smiled knowingly. This might not jive with FF7 but I thought of this long before I started to delve into the plot of FF7.

Anyways, I conceded defeat and turned to write this.

Chapter 1: The Dream

SOLDIERs.

Everywhere, they're pouring from the hills all around. And the despair they bring weighs down the air. The guns are cocked at the ready, preparing to shoot once the command is given. The target is in their sights.

All at once, she's there among the SOLDIERs. Pushed around, she can hardly see past the guns, the swords, the bulk and sweat of bodies. She struggles through them, and she sees.

She sees him.

Zack.

As if she has a bird's eye view as well as this mortal view, she can see him behind a boulder, laying down someone with spiky blond hair. And then he says a few lines, but no response from the latter. Then he's getting up – her mind screams for him not to – and then he's charging at them, a savage battle cry that shocks even her.

Zack?

They're onto him, bullets scream through the air, swords clang, blood sprays but she can't tell if it's his or theirs. And she can't do anything but watch. His sword deals death to everyone who comes near him but she can see that he's slowly, ever so slowly, sinking down and down.

Till there's just three left. Slightly different from the other SOLDIER. What happened to the rest? It's as if she fast-forwarded to this part. They move towards his crumpled body slowly. Then one of them takes a gun and – she can't bear to look.

And then there's darkness. And all she can hear are the gunshots that go on forever.

And then there's only the sound of breathing that fades to nothingness. And her silent screams that echo on and on.

Aerith woke up with a start. She felt the cold sweat pouring from her temples and wetting her hair and her hands shivered. It had been so long since she had dreamed so vividly. The last time had been when she saw the death of Angeal, his dear mentor. She couldn't bear to tell Zack, leaving him to go and learn the outcome of ShinRa-born individuals.

But now, it was Zack. Her Zack. Her love. She felt for her ribbon, and clutched it to her. What was the meaning of the dream? It couldn't be true. It couldn't be...

Aerith...

She nearly dropped the ribbon. She knew the voice, the lilting powerful voice that resonated not in the room but in her mind. It was the Planet. She had no choice but to hear, being the last Cetra in existence.

The boy must die.

But why show me?

Because you are the last Cetra. It is your duty to know the future and what it holds for Gaia.

Why Zack?

The future will be changed for the better. A new hero rises from the ashes of the last. Zack's turn is almost over. He must make way for the next hero.

Her voice caught in her chest as her heart thumped painfully with the new knowledge.

How much longer?

No more than a 100 days.

The matter-of-fact voice directly contradicted the bombshell it caused.

That's not enough!

Enough for what, Aerith?

Enough...

Her mind and heart said the same thing at once.

To show him I love him.

The voice showed no sympathy.

There is no way of delaying this. It will happen, whether you try to stop it or not.

Then, she felt the voice ebbing away like a vast ocean emptying to nothingness. The last sentence was a whisper.

Make the most of it.

Aerith shivered as the consciousness left her empty. Her hands shook as she pulled the blanket over herself, clutching the ribbon with sweaty palms. Would the days after he (she gulped) died, be spent like this, clinging to the last thing she had of him? Would 100 days see her lying on her bed, eyes already cried dry, trying to hold on to vague memories?

Her heart was heavy with the new knowledge that kept her from sleeping. She tossed, turned and stared at the ceiling. She hardly felt the softness and warmth of her bed.

All night, she only had a single thought on her mind.

Make the most of it.

A/N: Loved it? Hated it? Reviews are welcomed! And I might be needing a co-writer so anyone?

Moiranne Rose