Cloud literally falls into Aeris Gainsborough's life when an AVALANCHE mission goes array, resulting in him crashing through the roof of a church where the young woman is attending her flowers. After something of an awkward introduction, Cloud assumes the position of her bodyguard and escorts her home, though not without some friendly conversation and a bit of teasing to put the two at ease along the way. Needless to say, Cloud and Aeris become fast friends.
In truth, Aeris and Cloud share a unique connection without fully realizing it. Aeris had been involved in a serious relationship with Cloud's best friend Zack up until his disappearance five years prior. Even then, she wrote him often and seemingly ignored the jolt from the Planet upon his death mere days before. Cloud had personally witnessed the murder, and just as skillfully pushed it from his memory.
"I want to meet you"
Being a young woman who is both outgoing and wise beyond her years, Aeris is able to recognize the pretense with which Cloud has guarded himself. Even if she is too heartbroken to fully make the connection and downplays her past with Zack, she has more of an intuitive understanding of the origin of this "false" Cloud than anyone else. Thus she sets off to meet the "real" Cloud.
Where Tifa -- who has also come to recognize this unintentional charade -- is shy and withdrawn, Aeris chooses to aggressively tackle the issue, being friendly and even flirtatious in a way that demands a reaction. When Cloud has sealed himself off from the world, Aeris is the only one to ask for something more than help on a job or silent companionship. She wants to interact with him; she wants him to think for himself, asking for answers that the Zack persona doesn't have ready-made. In the beginning of their journey, she's the only one who shows him definite, tangible affection in a way that's clear to even his befuddled mind. These actions coupled with their common past with Zack makes an attraction between the two inevitable.
The nature and depth of this attraction is never fully realized, but the fact stands that, romantic subtext or no, Aeris is special to Cloud. Although both Aeris and Tifa care for him deeply, Aeris presents her feelings in a way that is clear and real. It's that sort of indisputable authenticity that Cloud latches onto despite himself. There are no subliminal messages for him to interpret; if Aeris wants to say something, she says it. In fact her insistent desire to "meet him" is frank to a fault. When -- with both Tifa and Aeris' help -- the meaning of this deceptively simple request becomes clear, it is seemingly too late, and the reverse suddenly becomes Cloud's drive; when her life is tragically cut short at the hands of Sephiroth, it is Cloud who is driven to "meet" her. He understands now, and he wants her to know.
Aeris' untimely death is close to Cloud's heart, and it is an event that constantly pushes him forward. Not only does he witness her murder, but Sephiroth would have forced him to commit the terrible crime had AVALANCHE's cries not been heard. There is little doubt that this is a prospect that continues to haunt him long after the struggle against Shinra fades away. When added to the sense of unfinished business -- the need to find her and share his newfound discoveries with her -- the guilt can be too much to bear. Although he has already faced and overcome countless hardships, the loss of Aeris is one that will always be remembered with a heavy heart.
Guardian Angel
Prior to the events of Advent Children, Cloud once again finds himself turning to Aeris for guidance--almost unconsciously. He begins making extra stops at her church while on deliver runs. It is outside the heavy doors of the church that he finds Denzel, and he is convinced that Aeris is responsible for bringing the boy to him. When he is at a loss of what to do with his life and the past he can't face, he believes that she guided a suffering child to him, re-instituting a sense of purpose.
However, when Cloud contracts Geostigma, his state of mind declines again, and he returns to the church, eventually coming to live there (if briefly). As his days seem to be coming to an end, he is overcome with the sense of discontent; he has an insatiable desire to feel like he has done something with his life. He doesn't want to burden Tifa anymore, but where else can he go after all of his failures?
Aeris maintains her cheerful, playful demeanor throughout Advent Children, joking and putting Cloud at ease as she did in life. She guides him through his muddled thoughts by asking him questions instead of providing him with answers. She urges him to react to his own feelings and thoughts rather than putting words in his mouth in order to distinguish what it really is that he wants, and she shows that her spirit is with him throughout his travels. She offers him strength even when he does not realize it and ultimately summons the healing rain to ease the pain of Cloud and the rest of the Planet's children. As Tifa observes after the final battle, she has been with them all along.
Towards the end of the film when the worst of it seems to be over, Cloud is taken by surprise by the two remaining remnants of Sephiroth and fatally shot. As he falls into the Lifestream, a familiar, comforting hand rests on his forehead, prompting a surprising query.
Cloud: Mother?
It should be noted that it is not necessarily Cloud calling Aeris mother, rather the idea of what she comes to represent: that loving, nurturing force that is always there to help him get back on his feet.
In the Lifestream Aeris is nothing short of omnipresent -- if not omnipotent -- throughout Advent Children. She's the guardian angel looking after the world and people she loves. In a story driven by the importance of family, Aeris's omnipresence makes her a maternal figure for many characters, filling the vacant spot in his or her family where she's most needed. She's the kind older sister for orphans who lost everything, and the loving mother for whom Kadaj thought he was fighting. For Cloud, she's there to give him that extra push in the right direction, just as a mother would her child as he goes out into the world on his own.
Such feelings are the first that come to a delirious Cloud's mind upon feeling such a nurturing presence. Aeris laughs the instance off, joking with Zack before sending Cloud back to the world of the living. Although she cares for him deeply and wants the best for him, she thinks this one's a little "too big" for her care. In other words, Aeris sends him back to live on his own two feet.
After struggling to come to terms with his role in her death, Cloud is finally able to make peace with himself. Upon awakening in the church surrounded by friends and loved ones, Cloud sees Aeris one last time. In true Aeris fashion, she smiles, asking if he's all right before exiting with Zack in tow. Cloud is finally able to let go. He knows that she holds nothing against him and that he has people to live for in the present. However, that's not to say he has completely forgotten about Aeris; she is still close to his heart, and he knows she will always be watching over him as he moves forward.
In the final shot of the film -- after the credits roll -- we are shown a new family portrait sitting on Cloud's desk. All of AVALANCHE is gathered outside of the 7th Heaven, and a small bouquet of flowers is placed before the frame as if to include Aeris in the festivities. Even if she cannot physically be in the portrait, Cloud knows she is there in spirit. She will always be a part of his life and his family, and he is grateful for all she has done. She is truly that guiding light; she is the guardian angel looking out for him whenever he gets off track.
