Flight Through Darkness

Untitled Part 2

CRACK!

Two sharp gasps.

One of pain, the other of shock.

"How dare you-"

Expecting a blow, but having received none, I open my eyes. What I see is definitely not what I expected.

Cloud stands before Tifa, breathing heavily with his right hand half-lowered his side. She's holding her hand to a red and smarting cheek, confused and furious eyes brimming over with tears. Cloud himself seems a little amazed at his own actions. He blinks, clenches and unclenches his fist rhythmically.

"Tifa-" Genesis. I'd forgotten he was here.

"Shut up and stay out of this."

A much softer voice speaks uncertainly.

"Lilly...is it true?"

"Puppy..." Angeal warns, tightening his grip on Zack's shoulders.

"......"

"Tell me."

"......"

"She's guilty."

"SHUT UP!" Sephiroth and Genesis roar in unison, the former crouching to hold me protectively, the latter turning to confront Tifa's accusation. I wince. I really don't know what to say. After all, I really did push her into that bear, didn't I? Doesn't that make me just as guilty as the bear? Even more so, actually, considering the bear was just plain dumb and enraged when it tore her apart. Angeal doesn't even need to look over at me to know my expression. He hesitates, glancing over at Zack, who's gazing at me while sniffling softly and reaches out to pat my shoulder. "I'm sure she wouldn't have...Aerith was one of her best friends, wasn't she? So...so were you." Angeal adds convincingly.

All the fury seems to drain from Tifa and she slumps against Cloud, who folds her into his arms without a word. Raising her head, Tifa pauses and whispers, "I'm sorry. It's just...she's gone. Nothing will bring her back now. I didn't mean to..." And I never meant to fling Aerith into the jaws of her death. We all do things that we don't mean to, don't we? Somewhere, I muster the strength to conjure a smile on my face, although it must appear forced to the others. "Apology accepted."

Just then a knock on the door sounds, followed by the soft shuffling of shoes. My mother steps in waveringly at first, then running to my bedside. Smiling weakly, I hold up a hand, forestalling the imminent flood of worried questions. Angeal understands at once. He straightens, giving Zack one last pat on the back before gently tugging Cloud and Tifa out of the room. Genesis shakes his head stubbornly when I gesture for him to wait outside, but Sephiroth sighs and makes room for him on the mini couch beside my bed, so I leave it at that. Mum patters in and stands looking over me, fussing and clucking like the worried mother hen she is. I meet her stream of questions and demands with calm words, Sephiroth helping to fill in the gaps that I can't remember.

The information I spout is meaningless to me, however. All I know is that it's Monday, I should be walking down the street with Aerith and Tifa and everyone else by my side with me, Mum should be working, I should be in school giggling the day away with Aerith and Tifa and Aerith.

Why Aerith?

Why didn't I do anything?

Why couldn't I do anything?

Why?

Author's Note: 

Thanks for reading! Especially to you readers from the first story To Love A One Winged Angel, I really appreciate your support(and comments XD) 

Okay, what I really wanted to ask is, is anyone getting the Crisis Core reference? You know, something to do with a certain SOMEONE's death in that movie that made so many of us fellow fans bawl our hearts out? Yeah, that scene. Btw, the reference is also mentioned(I think) in the first story as well, here and there. Too many chapters to tell where though. Figure it out, or even give me your best shot at the answer, leave it in the comments section for THIS chapter! May the best, er, reader win!