The following morning, the door to Cloud's guest room opened. Cloud looked round, and found himself a little disappointed that it was Cid who entered, and not Aeris.

"Mornin' Cloud," Cid said. "Sleep well?"

"Fine thanks," Cloud answered, turning his attention back to the window and the view outside. Cid came up behind him, lighting a cigarette.

"Great view, ain't it?" He commented.

"It's beautiful," Cloud said. Like someone else round here...he thought.

"Thinkin' about that Ancient?" Cid asked. Cloud looked round, surprised. "I can read you like a book, kid. She sure is beautiful, but unfortunately taken. Engaged to that black haired guy. And she's a Princess. Way outta our league." He drew in from his cigarette and blew the smoke out the window, leaning his elbows on the windowsill.

"What do you know about Ancients Cid?" Cloud asked wistfully.

"Not much. They protect the Planet. They're beautiful."

"Cid, I'm serious."

"So was I." Cid straightened. "Cloud, all I know is they protect the Planet from harm. They hear the Planet scream when it's in danger, I think. Why don't you ask Aeris?"

"Yeah," Cloud said, staring out the window again. "Yeah, I think I'll do that."

The door opened again and Aeris looked round.

"Are you up?" She asked. Seeing both the men looking at her, she entered. "Good. I'll see to it that breakfast is brought through immediately."

"Really, I'm not hungry," Cloud assured her.

"If you're gonna get better, then you need to keep your strength up," Aeris scolded. "I'll call someone now." She exited the room, leaving Cid glaring at Cloud.

"Why didn't you ask her?!"

"I'll ask her when she comes back," Cloud told him. Cid muttered something and lit another cigarette. They didn't have to wait long for the Ancient to appear again, only a minute or two.

"The cook is doing it now," she said. She closed the door and walked over to the bed. "Mr. Highwind, you really shouldn't be smoking that in here. My father won't be happy if he finds out." Cid looked at her and crushed the cigarette on the wooden windowsill, leaving a small burn mark, before he tossed it in the trashcan nearby.

"Aeris," Cloud said, looking round at her. "What...what do the Cetra do?" Aeris looked taken aback by the question, but answered.

"We protect the Planet."

"Yes, but isn't there other things?"

"I heard you can talk to the Planet, and that it speaks to you," Cid volunteered. Aeris smiled at him.

"The Planet screams when it is in danger," she told them. "And, yes, occasionally it does speak to us."

"How about you?" Cloud asked. He seemed to take an interest in the subject. "Does it speak to you?" Aeris smiled a little, and paused before answering.

"Sometimes."

"That must be so weird," Cid said, shaking his head. He glanced out the window and across at the city. He looked down and noticed a yard below. "Hey, can we go practise out there?" He asked, pointing. Aeris stood up.

"Of course, but first you must have breakfast." The door knocked gently and Aeris looked at Cloud, who nodded. "Come in," she called. The door opened and Zack walked in. He smiled at Aeris.

"How are you?" He asked Cid and Cloud.

"Fine, thanks," Cloud answered, and Cid nodded his affirmative. Zack smiled and turned to Aeris.

"I must go out into the city soon," he told her. "Will you be all right?" Aeris smiled, taking his hand.

"I'll be fine," she reassured him. "Reno's here."

"Good." Zack kissed her cheek and left the room. Aeris turned back to the two men as the cook walked in with their breakfast.

"Turn right down the hall and keep following the corridors through. You'll find the door to the palace gardens there," she said. Smiling one last time, she and the cook left the men alone.

*******************

Aeris watched through the throne room window at the two men practising...well, just Cloud really. Cid was leaning on his spear, smoking, watching Cloud expertly twirl his sword.

"Aeris?" Reeve said from behind her. She turned back to her father. "You've been taking a lot of interest in those two men," he said.

"I'm just worried about their wellbeing," she told her father, smiling at him.

"Zack is worried," Reeve told her. "He spoke to me last night."

"Father, you know Zack," Aeris said, turning back to the window. "He worries about me being close to Reno, and I'm sure he's worried about Nanaki too!" Reeve smiled, suppressing laughter.

"Perhaps you should speak to Zack," he suggested. "Tell him everything's all right between you. That you're not going to run off with someone else."

"Okay Father," Aeris said, sighing. She knew it was an order. "When he gets back from the city." She focussed her attention on the two warriors again. She watched as Cloud span his sword blocking a blow from Cid, who had decided to join in, that could have proved fatal. As Cid's spear hit Cloud on the side where was stabbed, Aeris gasped. Cloud put a hand to his side, and Cid looked at him in concern. But as Cid put a hand on his friend's shoulder, Cloud dropped the sword and grabbed Cid's arm. He twisted it round, sending Cid to his knees. Aeris smiled, although she was still concerned. Cloud shouldn't be fighting in his condition. She stood up and walked out of the throne room.

*******************

"Cloud, was that necessary?" Cid asked, rubbing his arm. "I only hit you by accident!" Cloud just shook his head, a hint of a smile on his features.

"You deserved it," he replied. Cid stood up and grabbed his spear, but there was a playful hint in both his and Cloud's eyes.

"Gentlemen?" They turned to see Aeris standing behind them. "Cloud, you shouldn't be fighting in your condition."

"Condition?" Cloud questioned. "Aeris, I got a small scratch; I'm not dying." He put his sword under a nearby tree, where Cid had put his spear.

"But still," Aeris protested. "That cut was deeper than you think. One knock could make it worse."

"Have you been watching us?" Cid asked. Aeris blushed a little, trying to hide it.

"I was...interested. I've never seen warriors before."

"It's okay, we don't mind," Cloud told her. He picked up his sword, and frowned. He looked around the ground and then at Cid. "My Materia's gone." Cid picked up his spear and looked at his empty Materia slots.

"Mine too!" They both looked at Aeris, who looked confused.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Our Materia's gone missing!" Cid said. Aeris looked a little shocked.

"Are you sure it hasn't just fallen out?"

"Materia doesn't just fall out," Cid said.

"Are you accusing me?" Aeris asked, a little hurt.

"No, of course not!" Cid said, and Cloud shook his head vehemently.

The tree.

Aeris scanned the tree their weapons had been under carefully, ignoring the fact the Planet was talking to her again. It had been very helpful lately, and she couldn't help wondering why.

You need to be with him, that's why.

"Shut up," she muttered under her breath, but Cloud's sharp hearing caught her words. He didn't say anything to it though. "Halt!" She yelled, spying a small movement in the branches. "Come down here immediately." The figure in the tree hesitated before jumping to the ground. It was a young girl, defiantly a teenager. She looked younger than herself, and Cloud. She had a deadly looking star-shaped weapon in her hand, which held eight pieces of glowing Materia. She was holding a small, but full, pouch in her hands.

"Give our Materia back NOW!" Cid yelled. The girl sighed and dipped into her pouch. She threw Cloud and Cid their Materia back before attempting to climb the tree again.

"Not so fast," Aeris said, striding over to the girl and grabbing her. "You're not going to get away that easily! You think you can steal and get away with it?!"

"Let me go!" The girl protested, struggling against the Ancient's grip. Cid walked over and grabbed her, restraining her.

"Did you realise this is the Palace of the City of Ancients?" She asked. "I am Princess Aeris, heir to the throne. You stole from my guests. This is a serious crime." The girl didn't answer as Aeris instructed Cid to take her to the throne room, to her father. Thieves didn't get far in her beloved city, especially not when they entered the palace grounds. And especially not when they stole from people in her presense.

Especially not when they steal from the man you love?

I thought I told you to shut up," she muttered again. She didn't notice the curious look Cloud was giving her. Like he realised who she was talking to.