One thing good about RedXIII was that no explanation was needed when he was around. After seeing Cloud hunched up on Barret’s shoulder, he silently nodded and shushed everyone else on the Tiny Bronco who would have made a big fuss otherwise. Tifa was very much thankful for the quiet ride towards the nearest town, Kalm. Aeris had fainted as Cloud brought down his sword on her head. Fortunately, Barret had reached Cloud and hit him hard on the head with his gun arm before he could have inflicted a severe damage on Aeris. Tifa shuddered at the memory. Barret didn’t say a word during the ride home, either. He avoided eye contact with anyone and after dumping Cloud onto the plane; he just sat on one corner and refused to speak.

Tifa was the one who held onto Aeris. She was a bit surprised at the lightness of her weight as she carried the fragile body towards the plane.

The men working near the forest had all stared at them when they came out.

“Personal problem, or should I give ya a hand?” He had asked. Barret grunted his answer no.

Yuffie almost burst into tears when she saw Cloud in his disheveled state. She had whined that it was all her fault. RedXIII quieted her down.

“You found Aeris.” He said with those meaningful intelligent eyes that always told you he knew. Tifa nodded. RedXIII turned his head away from Aeris. “What a mess.”

He must have known. Tifa didn’t ask why he thought it was a mess. She figured he’d already know. And he did, too.

Back in town, Barret helped Tifa carry both Aeris and Cloud to the inn. The innkeeper, who was already familiar with the group, widened her eyes when she saw the two people with closed eyelids. “Just make sure it’s not contagious.” She said generously.

Two beds were immediately made. Putting both under the cover, Tifa felt close to tears. “I just don’t get it… Barret.” She whispered. “How can this be happening? I just hope Aeris don’t remember that Cloud had tried to kill her with his own hands.”

Barret sighed. He hadn’t said anything during the ride. But in that silence, his mind seemed fully focused as if to think of something that would stop this maddening situation. His brows knotted together more deeply each time Tifa glanced his way. Tifa had wondered how he was taking the whole situation. “Tifa… Cloud wasn’t himself again. That’s it. It’s not such a devastating situation at hand!”

“But you saw it!” Tifa almost yelled, tears of frustration forming on the corner of her eyes. “You saw it with your own eyes! How he lifted his sword and –“

“You two mind talking outside?” A firm voice interrupted behind them. Quickly, both of them turned around to see RedXIII standing on top of the staircase. He shook his head. “Those two had a rough day tonight. They need their rest, you understand?”

Tifa flushed and wiped the tears off her eyes. “Yeah, you’re right, RedXIII.” With that, she stalked out of the room and down the stairs. RedXIII wasn’t a fool. He sighed when he glanced at Barret standing with his head hung low. “I understand how you must feel. But don’t let your frustration sprayed on Tifa just because she isn’t worried about Aeris as much as she is worrying about Cloud. She have her reasons, remember?”

Barret looked at the two figures on the bed; from pale-faced Aeris to the solemn face of Cloud. “I remember. Tifa is –“

“ –Having a hard time of her own. Let her be. Right now, we have to think about waking up the two.” RedXIII interrupted softly. Barret raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Whadd’ya mean ‘wake the two’? Ain’t they gonna wake up on their own?”

His question was answered by a slow, sad shake on the intelligent head of the animal.

“No,” RedXIII said. “We have to figure out how to wake them up from their sleep. Their soul is still lingering at the City of Ancient.”

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