Forgive me, for I have sinned

Forgive me, for I have sinned.

When people look back on the Meteor crisis, do they see how close the group got? How the people that saved the world felt? No.

Do they see our pains. No.

Do they see our joys. Hell no.

They don’t see people at all.

But I do, I see one, one beautiful angel that may not be with us now, but she gave her life for the Planet.

Yes, I am talking about Aerith. My love, my angel.

Yes, me, Tifa, in love with the Ancient. And all of you thought I was hopelessly in love with Cloud? True, he is a nice guy. But he is in his own world. He loves that young Wutan girl. And Cid and the mysterious Vincent? Yes, they are both living together, I personally attended their ‘marriage’ last fall.

Even Nanaki found a mate.

So now, I am the only one alone, sitting here at the altar where my sweet dove took her last breaths. When she died, not only did an entire race of the Ancients die, but a big part of me died too. I dangle my feet in the cool water, the water that I am angry at for no reason.

The water didn’t kill her, it merely took her body back to the planet, where she was destined to go.

I sit here as I have ever since the end of Meteor. Yes, I do leave to go to my camp out just up the hill, but I can never seem to pull myself away from where she is ‘buried.’

It’s as if I expect her to rise out of the cool, deadly calm water, her same old smile, her same old laugh, so we might be together again.

Gods Aerith, how did I grow to love you so?

Was it the way that you laughed, or the way that you wore that innocent looking pink dress, unbuttoned just enough to tease the eyes of every man and woman. Yes, I remember, I even saw the Turks looking at you.

But nobody looked at you the way I had, the night we shared our first kiss...

It was in Costa Del Sol, and we had just watched the sun setting over the crystal waters. You know, life didn’t seem all that bad when I was with you.

We sat on the old flannel blanket love, do you remember? I still have that blanket. It still, after all these years, faintly smells of your perfume.

As the sun set we talked.

“Hey Tifa...”

“Yes Aerith?”

“I have a serious question to ask you... just don’t laugh.”

“I could never laugh at you Aerith... you’re my friend.”

“I know, I know. But, have you ever wondered what it would be like to... kiss another girl?”

Of course I had, I knew I was Bisexual when I joined up with Barret, Jesse was the only other girl that knew, and she had been straight. When I spoke, it was different, my words were tender and sweet. “Yes, Aerith... have you?”

“Yes...”

“May I ask who?”

And that is all it took. As the flaming orb sank low into the sea, and as I turned to look at Aeris, her lips touched mine.

Everything melted away in that moment, I wrapped my arms around her fragile frame to support our kiss.

It wasn’t a sloppy, scared kiss, as I had with Cloud before, but it was soft, sweet and tender. But it was also over before I knew it.

“Tifa...”

“Hmm?” I was so pleased I couldn’t even talk.

“That wasn’t weird was it?”

“Not at all, in fact, it was very...sensual.” I leaned forward again and kissed her.

As the stars sparkled in the sky, me and the last Certa sealed our fates, and our hearts, within each other.

Looking back, yes I was scared, and nervous, but so was she. But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

I stand up, its growing late, the sun is sinking in the clouds. I take the single rose I had sitting by my side and throw it into the water, where her body rests beneath the waves.

“Aerith, Happy Anniversary... I can’t believe it has been five years now. The pain is still there.”

“I know.”

I turn my head around, my hair fanning out. I stood there, shocked and stunned. There, in the evening mist and slight fog, was... could it be... my love? I take a step closer.

“Tifa, I can’t believe you remember me.”

“I will remember you as long as there is air in my lungs, and long after I become part of this Planet.”

I see a tear in her eye. I take another step, but she stops me.

“Tifa... I cannot stay long, I just wanted to let you know... that I still remember you.”

She is fading already... “Aerith, wait...tell me, will I meet you in heaven one day?”

She nods softly, “Yes, and too soon, if you ask me. Go, live your life... Cloud needs you, there are Orphans out there left from Meteor that needs you. Life your life for me.”

I nod and fall to my knees. She smiles, her brilliant ring on her left hand shines even in the apparition.

“My...love.”

Aerith turns back to me.

“I will always love you.” I say.

I wake up some time later, in my tent deep in the Ancient City. I pack up my things, Aerith is right, I need to live my life.

***