The forest did not open right away as Cloud and others had anticipated. First of all, there were dozen people digging up the place and making hell of a noise with the small bomb they inserted into the ground before they all hid themselves and finally pressing the small remote control and blow up the area. The blowup was actually not visible to them. Just a little rumbling on the ground and it was over. Over the shouts of the gruff looking men, Cloud glanced through the blinding dust that made his eyes inch for any sign of pink robe or a glint of brown hair, but he couldn’t. His eyes settled on a fat man standing with his arms akimbo. He seemed like a person in charge of this place. Cloud walked over to him. “What are they doing?” He asked. A little bit surprised, man looked over at him. Dust covered face with fat belly. He probably worked out a lot. He had a thick red tan down till his neck and the only sign that he washed himself was his face. Other place, well, they were not so clean. The man looked at Cloud in a single, yet scrutinizing way that showed his suspicion. Why wouldn’t he be? He was not dressed normal. Plus the huge sword at his back… This time, he had changed it into Yoshiyuki, the sword he got from that weird man from the rocket town. It was intimidating.

Cloud shifted his weight on his right leg. “I doubt there’s going to be any chance for a trees to grow if there are such commotion going on around like this.” He commented. The man didn’t flinch. He wasn’t scared easily. “You from the company or what?” He asked. Cloud shook his head. “No. What are they doing?” He asked again. The man sighed and pointed to the huge dragonhead that was near the site. “That’s out latest excavation. We use the latest excavation system to make our work more efficient and more effective.” He shifted his finger towards the men working under the glaring sun with sweat pouring down their faces. “They are my men, in case you didn’t notice. They set the bomb underground and detonate them. After the massive explosion underneath the earth’s surface, you will be able to acquire the various treasures hidden beneath.” He rubbed his scrubby hands together when he glanced at Cloud again. “‘Course, we can help you dig some stuff if you want, –for a price, that is. You interested?”

Cloud shook his head. “Later. But I’m looking for a friend. She’s –“

“By ant chance wearing a pink skirt and has long brown hair?” The man interrupted. Cloud couldn’t resist his relieved smile. “Yeah, is she here right now?” His smile faded when the man shook his head.

“She came around before you guys arrived here, sayin’ she has to go into that forest. “ He pointed towards the far north where the trees had started to grow. There was a small opening among the bushes. “She went in there. Tried to stop her, but she insisted to be allowed to go in. Quite persistent, that woman.” The man coughed. Cloud turned back to his friends. “We have to follow her.” He said firmly. Tifa looked at the entrance of the forest with worried expression. “Are you sure, Cloud? That Aeris is there? That Aeris spoke to you in that dream in this very place?”

“You seem uncertain?” Cloud looked keenly across at Tifa.

Hard gaze, deep set blue eye. Tifa gulped. She sensed displeasure in them. His eyes didn’t stay long. He started to turn. “Then stay. I’m going in whatever happens. I don’t care.”

He started to walk in the other direction, towards the forest. The man standing next to Tifa yelled at him. “Hey, be careful there, son! They say a monster lives there! Kjata or something!”

Tifa turned to Barret. “I am in doubt. But I didn’t doubt Cloud. You understand, Barret, don’t you?”

Barret shrugged. “At this point, I don’t think I should be the judge.” He started to follow Cloud, whom didn’t glance back to check if they were following. “Trust your heart, Tifa. But I advise you not to hassle Cloud about it. He’s already on the edge because of Aeris.”

Tifa stared after Barret. And her eyes shifted to Cloud. Then the entrance of the forest, where Aeris is, at this very moment.

She was trouble from the beginning. And Cloud, he –he wanted to protect her from the beginning…

Tifa glared at the fat man leering at her and started to follow the guys.

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