Hidden Identity (Book Two)-Complete

Year Five, Day Thirty-Four

Cress POV

"Are you feeling better now, dear?"

I sip the bowl of broth Mrs. Fair gave me. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble."

Apparently, I've been sick for two days with a high fever, but I don't mind. I remember everything now. Except the time between me getting kidnapped and waking up in Hojo's lab is still pretty murky. I don't care much about that, though.

"No trouble at all, dear. Please, rest up."

"I'm afraid I don't have time to rest. I have what I came for. My friends are wating for me at Cosmo Canyon, and I shouldn't worry them much longer. My boyfriend might do something rash..."

"Ah, you have a boyfriend? He mustn't care very much to let you come all this way on your own."

I laugh. "I think he cares a little too much. It took a lot of convincing to let me come alone. A had to race him, too. And promise to meet him and the others in Cosmo Canyon. He's probably worrying out of his mind right now."

"Then, you better go to him."

I buckle on my belts and clasp my cloak about my shoulders. Just as I'm about to leave, I turn and look at her sadly. "When was the last time you heard from Zack, ma'am?"

The woman looks surprised by the question. "About five years ago, it wasn't from Zack, actually. A group of people who called themselves the Turks came to the village. They made all of us leave, saying they were investigating the disappearance of my son. A very nice girl among them promised she'd find and save Zack...but I think something horrible happened to him."

"Five years ago..." I murmur. Everything seems to have happened five years ago. Everything, I think, is connected to the Nibelheim Incident. Zack was there, I know he was. For some reason, Cloud's memories are messed up. He thinks he's a SOLDIER. Does he think he's Zack? Tifa was there, too. Maybe she knows something. But wouldn't she have said something when Cloud told his story?

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Cloud POV

I continue pacing in front of the gate. I'm so worried about Cress that my mind hasn't even had the time to process everything Red's grandfather, Bugenhaggen, told us. Why isn't she here yet? Has something happened to her? Should I go look for her?

"Cloud, I know you're worried. We all are. Please, try to get some sleep," Tifa says, coming up to me and putting a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine. She's very capable of taking care of herself."

"I know she is...I just...I don't know..."

"Please, sleep. You can't do anything if you're too tired. How about if she doesn't get here by tomorrow night, we go look for her, okay?"

"Fine..."

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Aerith POV

Sitting near the huge campfire in the center of the cliff-side village of Cosmo Canyon, my mind strays to Cress. It's been about three or so days since we've seen her. Was she able to get her memory back? Does she remember everything yet? Is she coming to join us? 

If she has gotten her memories back, she'll know that I kept stuff from her like the fact that Sephiroth was her boyfriend. Will she hate me? How did she react? Does she hate herself now, too, for loving him?

Short chapter, again. Sorry!