SOLDIER Adventures

A Ray of Hope

"I cannot believe you talked me into coming down here," Genesis groaned, venom dripping about in his voice. This was just gross. Why did people live down here?!

"Whatever, pretty boy," Rin sighed. She kept moving him forwards with her command and directions.

Genesis was not a fan of the under side of the plate. It was the slums, but even more nasty, in his opinion. And you have to go through the sewers or jump off the plate's edge to get there! Oh my Minerva, no, stop. Just stop right there! He couldn't take anymore! The environment, the way to get down there, the people- Ugh! He'd been there for barely five minutes and he wanted to head right back up to HQ. He just was not - I repeat - NOT in the mood for this today. Or any day for that matter.

However, Rin, having a friend under the plate, came down here quite often. She was always so chipper and loved to see the people.

"How much longer till we get there?" Genesis asked through clenched teeth.

"There it is!"

With the giant church in view, Genesis began taking longer strides and got a bit faster. Get him out of the shitty ass slum, now. Right. Now. That church had got to be much better than this place. Right? Right.

Genesis flung upon one of the giant wooden doors, and immediately set Rin down. He did what looked like a dance, but was just him squirming about from his disgust.

Choosing to ignore this, Rin turned towards the front of the church. Each floorboard creaked with every step taken; a comforting noise that Rin came to love. The dirty white columns holding up the church as plain as ever. The chandeliers with the candles, rocked ever so slightly. This was what Rin truly could call her second home. It was so welcoming, even if it was rather rundown.

The tiny, brown boots stopped right before the flowers that sprung up in the front of the church.

"Aerith," Rin chuckled softly. The young woman finally looked up. "I see you're zoned out as usual."

"I'm not zoned out. I'm just busy tending to them," said the girl. Slowly she rose up, patting off her pink dress. The soft green eyes met the vibrant mako ones and widened. "Your eyes, Rin!"

With a short nod, Rin could only chuckle once more. "Yeah. I-I'm a SOLDIER now."

"I see then."

"I promise nothing bad will happen!"

Aerith only shook her head, that braid of her's gently swaying along. She wanted to trust Rin, but she knew what ShinRa may do, be that they find out that she was a cetra. Luckily, she really did believe in Rin to not say a word.

"Is there a reason you are here specifically, Rin?"

"Yes, actually."

Raising both eyebrows, Aerith gave a soft smile as a sign to continue.

"I know you'll say no, however," Rin laughed in a nervous fashion. Aerith wasn't one for violence as far as Rin's seen. However...."I'd like just one flower to take care of and keep my room all bright! Heheh!"

"A-A flower?"

"Just one! I-I'm begging you! I won't be able to visit as much. I'll give you my necklace in return. We can always have a bit of each other."

Rin almost automatically took out a small necklace from her pocket, holding it out. It was plain, just a black string with a crystal tied onto it.

A reluctant sigh left Aerith's mouth as she took the necklace. "Fine. You only get one though. No more, okay?"

"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Aerith!! You're the best!" Rin cheered. Quickly wrapping the older girl in a hug, she let out a squeal. This immediately caught the attention of Genesis. That was one noise he had not heard her make yet. That was one noise he was not ready to hear her make.

Gently pulling a flower from the sea of them, she held it out. "Wait here. I'll get you a small vase and water so you can keep it alive all the way back."

Rin took the flower, holding it like one would a baby. Genesis walked over to her as Aerith hurried out the church.

"We came down here for a measly little flower?"

"Genesis, these flowers are special. You know very well that grass and plants don't grow in Midgar. These are miracle flowers. Aerith stays here to protect them from being destroy all the time. They mean so much to her. They mean hope. Cause even in such a dark, gloomy world, there is always - always - a ray of hope shining through. Sometimes, it's hidden away and you can't find it. But these flowers, they remind me that there will always hope."