The Playground

A giant sealed steel door separated Sector 6 from Sector 7. Aerith clapped her hands when she saw it. In front of it was a disused playground.

"How about we take a break? Sound good?" she asked.

"No. I don't have time for—" but Aerith was already climbing on top of a Moogle head on the playground.

"So, Cloud… You were a SOLDIER: First Class, right? The first guy I ever loved ... was the same rank," Aerith said, her eyes growing wet.

"What's his name? I probably know him," Cloud said, bored. Aerith said something, but Cloud didn't hear it. The headache was particularly intense this time.

"Are you okay?" Aerith asked. "Wow ... your eyes."

"Oh. It's 'cause of the mako. All SOLDIERs have 'em," Cloud said, shaking his head. What name did she said again?

"Yeah… I know. Sorry, I'm bumming you out. We should go. Gotta look forward, not back."

And then the gate opened ...