Chapter 2: The Second Date/A Possible Solution

Cloud and Aeris' second date occurred a few days later. They had returned to Gold Saucer after the debacle down below. While down there, Cloud began to lose hope. Aeris, of course, was more optimistic. She promised Cloud a second date if they got out of the situation. The group decided to take two days to clear their minds and plan the next step. And it was then Aeris formally asked for the second date.

"Hey Yuffie," Cloud asked the respective girl on the morning of the date.

"Yeah?" she responded.

"Who do you like better. Tifa or Aeris?"

"After sharing a room with both of them, I'll have to say Aeris," she replied. "By a mile."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Aeris," began Yuffie, "is a sweet girl, kind to everything and everyone alive. She even put a lady bug outside our room last night instead of squashing it. Tifa, now she was mischievous. She loved passin' gas, then she'd shut the windows and fan it all around."

"I have another date with Aeris," Cloud then declared, trying to hide a grin.

"You do know she's crazy about you, right?"

"I figured," Cloud replied.

"No, seriously," Yuffie insisted. "All she talked about last night was you."

"Really?"

"Yup," replied Yuffie. "This is something really good you've got with her. Don't screw it up."

Cloud smile faded, and his facial expression seemed cross. "Why would I?"

"I'm just saying!" Yuffie defended.

As Cloud left his room to head for Aeris's, Tifa greeted him ten feet from the door.

"Hey!" she greeted.

"What's up?" asked Cloud.

"I just wanted to wish you luck on your date with Aeris," she said.

"Thanks," replied Cloud, as he began to head off.

"Hey Cloud," Tifa suddenly called.

"Yeah?" asked Cloud as he turned around to face her.

"If you never met Aeris," Tifa asked nervously, "do you think we would have dated?"

"I dunno," Cloud replied. "Maybe."

"Just asking," said Tifa.

Cloud waived good-bye and continued on his way. Tifa stood alone in that spot for nearly an hour. She couldn't believe she had just said that.

Aeris was already waiting for Cloud in front of the door to her room when he arrived. She was dressed in a white baby shirt and a pair of really comfy-looking black pants.

"Hey!" shouted the green-eyed soprano as she literally ran into his arms.

"I was looking forward to this all day," said Cloud.

"Me too," replied Aeris as she pecked him on the cheek.

"Where to?" asked Cloud.

"There's a mall in the grown-ups wing," Aeris suggested. "I could use some shopping."

"Sounds good to me," replied Cloud, lying, of course. He wasn't the least bit interested, but he really liked Aeris. He didn't want to screw it up, as Yuffie had put it.

"This one's cute!" exclaimed Aeris as she examined a white baby shirt in a girls' clothes store. "Don't you think it would look good on me?"

"Of course," Cloud replied. Of course, he really meant to say was "Can we go now?" but knew he needed to keep his cool.

"And look at these jeans!" said Aeris as she pulled them from a discount pile. "My butt would look so good in these."

This was one thing Cloud most definitely agreed with, but knew he ought not voice that.

"Are you going to try them on?" Cloud as Aeris moved over next to him.

"No," she replied with a smile as she kissed him on the mouth. "I've never bought clothes that never fit me. I know my sizes by heart."

The two walked hand in hand to the counter and Aeris paid for her clothes. Cloud let out a sigh of relief inside. He hadn't bought himself clothes in six years, and this was the reason. As they left the store, Aeris turned in Cloud's direction, and smiled.

"I have a surprise for you," she said.

"What's that?" asked Cloud.

Instead of verbally responding, Aeris pointed across the mall, towards a Game Garage.

"You're kidding," Cloud dismissed.

Aeris shook her head. "I know how boring clothes shopping can be for a guy," she observed. "It's only fair. Besides, I want to see what's out."

Cloud's eyes widened. "You serious?"

"Of course! You didn't think I don't play video games just because I'm a girl, did you?"

"No," Cloud answered, innocently lying. "Of course not."

Another Time and Place….

One the ship, even before Cloud and Aeris went on their first date, Tifa wandered the halls alone. It was late at night, and everyone else had gone to bed. But Tifa couldn't sleep. She had business to take care of. The group had mutually agreed to remain in their rooms for the night with their doors locked, to avoid another encounter with Sephiroth. But that was exactly what she was counting on. She had descended deep into the bowels of the ship. And there, she saw a brief flash of long, gray hair.

"Have you come here to die?" spoke the meditating swordsman.

"No," replied Tifa. Nevertheless, her heart was beginning to accelerate.

"Of course," Sephiroth continued, "that is no longer yours to choose."

"What if I could help you?" suggested Tifa.

"And how would that be possible?" demanded Sephiroth.

"I know the threat to your mission," Tifa stated. "A girl named Aeris. She is the last of the Ancients."

"Then I will kill you now," Sephiroth declared as he stood up and drew his sword.

"Wait!" shouted Tifa, tears threatening her mascara-stained eyes. "Why?"

"You have not told me anything I did not already know."

"I'm not finished! I'm traveling with her! I know where to find her!"

Sephiroth cautiously lower his sword. "And why are you helping me?"

"Because I want her gone as much as you do!" Tifa pleaded, ready to pass out from anxiety.

"You are in love with Cloud?"

"Yes," Tifa sobbed.

"So you will help me kill Aeris," Sephiroth declared. "And what then?"

"No one would be able to stop you," Tifa reminded him. "The world will be yours to control."

The two enemies gazed into each other's eyes, neither letting their guard down.

"So be it," Sephiroth finally said. "You will help me kill Aeris. But if Cloud interferes with what I am planning, I might have to kill him."

"He won't," insisted X2. After Aeris dies, he'll probably give up."

"And if the plot fails?"

"Then you have me," Tifa replied

"Cloud?" asked Aeris.

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of me?"

It was now two hours after they had gotten back from the Game Garage. They were in Aeris's room, cuddling together on the bed. Cloud was still in his normal attire, though he did unbutton his shirt, as he was feeling suffocated. Aeris had been wearing her baby shirt and comfy pants right up until they decided to cuddle; now she just wore the shirt. Cloud could see the reflection of her exposed buttocks in the television, and tried in vain to avoid glancing too often.

"I know you answered me once," Aeris continued, "but have you changed since we started dating?"

"Yeah," Cloud replied honestly.

"Really?" asked the soprano. "How?"

"I really like you," Cloud answered.

"And I really like you," she replied.

"Now, can I ask you something?" Cloud requested.

"Of course," welcomed Aeris.

"What do you want to see happen with us?"

Aeris closed her green eyes. "I want to see a good relationship blossom."

"Then it will happen when you're ready," Cloud said.

Aeris nodded with a smile.

After a long silence, Cloud spoke again. "Aeris, are you ready now?"

"I am," she replied.

Cloud took a deep breath. "Aeris, will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes!" she replied happily. With that, she threw her arms around his neck. When she broke the embrace, Cloud could see her eyes tearing.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm just so happy!"

"So am I," replied Cloud. "So am I."