"Curiosity"

Bitter-raindrops03: Wow! My first game fic! At least of my most favorite game of all time. :D Here's chappie one. Hope you like it!

Summary: Cloud still dwells on the past and blames himself. Tifa tries to move on. But when he noticed that Tifa was acting strange, curiosity gets better of Cloud Strife. Will this rekindle their own past? Or make things worse? Three-shot. R & R.

Blah – Normal POV

Blah – thoughts

"Blah" – Talking

'Blah'- Zack and Tifa (exclusive use)

"Curiosity"

Chapter One: Secrets

'Cloud.'

'Cloud, wake up.'

Blue mako infused eyes opened.

He had that dream again.

The feelings left from the dream were still fresh both in his mind and body. Sitting up, he glanced at the figure sleeping next to him. Black silky hair sprawled on the pillows, porcelain-skinned, eyes that were matched with long lashes, and her pinkish lips formed in a frown.

The chocobo haired guy felt a pang of disappointment when he realized that it was a black haired girl next to her…Not a brunette.

Though he woke up earlier than usual, he stood up and prepared his leave to deliver packages and stuff that day.

Without a word or a good bye, he left the room silently.

--- x --- x --- x --- x --- x ---

The wind felt good, he felt as if he was free.

One of the few good things he appreciated as he rode on his Fenrir. And as he traveled, memories filled his mind.

A lot of things have really happened after the 'Geostigma' event. After he had defeated Sephiroth, things have die down a little. Cloud helped Tifa at her bar, 7th Heaven, and worked past-time as a courier in their other business, Strife Delivery Service.

Still, after those 'incidents'.

The dreams came back.

Night after night, horrifying and traumatic events came back to haunt him. Fate was really cruel to him. Just when he got rid of his longtime 'burden', just when his world began to fill with lively colors, just when he recognized that he was lucky and he had people who loved and cared for him…

All colors were sucked out, making life once again, a dull, miserable, and lonely thing.

The same thing as what happened to his heart.

He realized that as long as he was alive, he was a constant reminder of his own grave mistakes, his weakness, his foolishness, and his blindness. It was like a curse.

There was no different from being dead.

Last night, he remembered the deaths of the people he loved. The other one fought for both of their lives---for their freedom, and the other one---for love.

They died for him.

'It's not your fault Cloud. Cheer up.'

Like I can.

'It's not your fault.'

Yeah, that's why you're both dead.

'If I were still there, I'll really let you have it!'

'Zack, stop it.'

'But Aerith!'

He accelerated, wishing to block out the voices that were in his head. It was kind of annoying for him, since they just pop out randomly. Like the time when he was observing Tifa wipe the bar counter, her chest exposed more slightly. Other customers were looking at her.

'Jealous much Cloud?' a familiar pleasant voice teased. To be honest, he wasn't sure if he should be happy or annoyed at that time. The voice belonged to none other than his best friend, Zack Fair, a 1st Class soldier who told him that he was his living legacy when he died.

He also taught him to embrace his dreams and protect his honor.

But now, neither had dreams nor his honor.

In short, he failed him.

'Don't be so hard on yourself Cloud' another voice chimed in. This one was sweet, soft, and gently. Just hearing her voice made him remember of flowers. The ex-SOLDIER suddenly envisioned himself back to Aerith's Church in the slums as he watched her tend the flowers.

Unfortunately, his vision was shattered when he felt his cell phone vibrated. Still moving, he flipped it out and answered it.

"Yes?" he said in a husky voice.

"Cloud?" It was Tifa' voice, he'd recognize it from anywhere. Though, something about her tone made him worry a little. "C-cloud?" she asked again.

Why was she stuttering?

And then, it suddenly became quiet on the other line.

"Tifa?" he asked with a hint of panic in his voice. If he lost Tifa now…He just can't see the future without his beloved childhood friend. His Fenrir had stopped, and he was in the side of the road now, completely focused.

The blue-eyed guy heard some shuffling, something fell, and then he heard Tifa mutter under her breath. "Tifa?" he called again.

"Oh right", she sounded embarrassed. He kicked up his Fenrir again, seeing that everything was alright. "Vincent called awhile ago; he said that Barrett and the others wanted to see you in the bar."

"Bar? Where?"

"Here."

"When?"

"After you're done with the deliveries."

"Okay."

"Bye, then" she said and hung up. Something was definitely up, because usually, Cloud will be the first one to hang up. Plus, Tifa would usually remind him to 'Take Care' and to be home as early as before dinner so that they could spend it as a family.

I'm just…Thinking too hard…That's all.

--- x --- x --- x --- x --- x ---

He saw the sign '7th Heaven' and he pushed the bar doors open. Glancing to his left and his right, there was no Tifa on the counter. Instead, he saw Yuffie, another AVALANCHE member.

Cloud was somewhat confused. He scanned the room, searching for the familiar long haired female bartender---but there was none. Alarmed, he turned to his vampire friend.

"Valentine", he began in a tight voice, "Where's Tifa?"

Vincent Valentine looked at his friend. He guided Cloud towards the counter and they both sat down next to the other AVALANCHE members.

"She's went somewhere, though she didn't specify. She took the kids with her", he replied. With a smile, Yuffie slid down two mugs of root beer. They both thanked her with a nod. Vincent took a sip and observed Cloud.

On the other hand, Cloud didn't drink yet. He was waiting for Barrett to explain why he had called him out here in silence.

"Cloud", Barrett Wallace began, "How's life?" The big guy grinned at him. Cloud winced. He expected that it was somewhat important, but he didn't expect this at all.

Where is he trying to get at? He thought to himself. "Everything's fine."

"How about the kids? Denzel? Especially Marlene?" Barrett took another swig and gestured Yuffie another round. His root beer left untouched, Cloud answered.

"They're both fine. They're with Tifa right now."

"And Tifa?"

The chocobo haired guy stopped. The truth was, the past few weeks they both got into little arguments, but these days…Tifa just gave up and filled those moments with silence, painful silence. "She's…Fine."

"Look Cloud", Caith Sith interrupted, "We just want you to…Move on". With those words, his grip on his mug tightened. "I. Can't. Do. That", he answered in a pained voice.

"You say that you made a lot of mistakes blah blah blah", Cid said---obviously drunk, "but what about those people surrounding you? Think they're not affected?"

"They're not my problem", Cloud coldly replied. Vincent took a quick sip and sighed.

"Then Tifa is not your problem as well?" The ex-SOLDIER stiffened and immediately regretted what he said. "You know Aerith, Zack, and she wants you to move on right? They kept on telling you that it's 'not your fault'".

Cloud remained silent, he always hated these topics. "Look at this way Cloud", Barrett explained, "Is it fine for you to have another man with Teef? That another man, aside from you, will be living in here as well?"

"As long as she's happy---"Cloud began but was interrupted. "Don't give me that happiness crap! Are you fine with another man touching her and claiming that she's his?"

He tried to imagine it. And it hurt, a lot.

"What if they all get married? For example…To…That redhead Turk guy or the bald one!" Barrett babbled, and then he gave a little laugh. "Imagine their babies! Poor little Teef, what a pretty thing she is!"

He tried to imagine it again, and it…kind of…irritated him. But then, half of his heart still belonged to a certain flower-loving woman.

"See?" the big guy chuckled. "Now, we'll you try to move on?"

"I'll…think about it" he stood up. "By the way, why only tell me this now?"

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Cid answered for Barrett.

"Didn't you know Cloud? Drunken words are sober thoughts."

--- x --- x --- x --- x ---x ---

Darkness claimed the sky. Stars twinkled above and the moon shone radiantly, guiding people to find their ways in this obscurity.

Today was…A long day. Sulkily, he went to his room, expecting a female figure already in bed. To his surprise, there was only one pillow in his bed, made for one person only. Puzzled, he opened his cabinet and saw only his uniform and other clothes.

To his relief, Tifa knocked softly on his already opened door.

"Cloud?"

He turned towards the girl. She knew what was going in his mind, so he didn't bother asking.

"I'm….moving to the guest bedroom", she justified, "T-there's no special r-reason or anything…"

But deep inside, they both knew the reason.

"I just don't…", she exhaled sharply, "I just don't want to disturb you or anything…Seeing…Yeah…" The usual tough girl shuffled her feet nervously and averted her gaze towards the floor.

An air of tension and awkwardness hung by them.

Frowning, she sneaked one more glance at the melancholic man that was standing before her.

"So…Good night…", she whispered. Tifa was already making her way back to her room when she heard him say in a hushed voice, so faint that you can barely hear it.

"Good night."

--- x --- x --- x --- x --- x ---

Cloud lied down on his bed, his eyes still open.

He closed them and tried to sleep. But the feeling was so different, it was alien to him.

The bed was cold with no one lying down next to him.

He felt very much alone.

Transferring his thoughts to other topics, he focused on how Tifa acted this day. He didn't like it as well, she was all nervous and frightened around him. Not to mention awkward.

What did I do?

'You did nothing Cloud' a sweet voice answered.

'Now, go to sleep'

Despite the confusion his heart was feeling at that moment, how he felt he was torn into two, that nothing he did was ever right, he was sure of one thing.

Tifa had her own secrets.

Bitter-raindrops03: Here you go! I didn't like this chapter. Since it's the beginning, I liked the second chapter much much better! HAHAHAHA! I know…Cloud is so EMO in this one. But bear with me. Well, I hoped you liked it!

Read and review!

CHEESY LINE FOR THE DAY: Don't stop smiling, that's how I liked you.

COURTESY OF MY FRIEND: Tora-chan. XD