Tifa sat on her chair looking at the ocean from her house in Costa
del Sol. Her room was decorated with seashells and driftwood that she and
her father had collected off the beach when she was just a child. The room
had always brought her such sweet memories of her childhood, now the room
mocked her.
Her father had been murdered brutally on the beach while he was out with her looking for seashells. She had left him to go and say hello to Jesse Fortwright, promising him that she would be back in a few minutes. Returning no more than five minutes later Tifa found her father lying on the beach in a pool of blood with a silver haired man bending over him.
Tifa knew that she would never forget that man. He had such strange turquoise eyes and he was so very tall. She couldn't imagine him being the one that killed her father, killers didn't look like that. Killers were fat and ugly or big and mean looking; he had been handsome and clothed in expensive leather. No, he couldn't be her father's killer. Not only that but when she ran to grab her father the man pulled her back and held her against him, as if comforting her. The mystery man left when he heard the sirens, but he gave her this look before he left; a look of I'll see you again. Shaking herself slightly, Tifa put on a long black dress and walked downstairs where her family and her father's friends were waiting.
Tifa was a young woman of 20 who had lost her mother at a very young age. She was around five and a half feet tall with burgundy eyes and long brown hair that hung down just bellow her slightly flaring hips. Tifa was a beauty, but she was very quiet around strangers causing her to seem reserved and cold.
All eyes turned to her as she descended the stairs. Her family looked at her with pity while her father's friends looked at her with interest. She hated them all, who were they to tell her that everything would be alright? Some basterd had stolen her father's life and all they could do was pity her or look at her as a possible business deal. Forcing herself to smile, she cleared her throat and nodded to everyone.
"Thank you all for coming. If you could all please take a seat my father's lawyer will read the will."
Every one sat down but Tifa, who stood next to Frank, her father's lawyer. She noticed that all of her cousins on her mother's side were there as well as all of her aunts and uncles. Her father had been an only child and his parents had died more than two years ago. Her mother, however, had come from a large family with three sisters and four brothers. They were all kind and sympathetic but Tifa never had felt like she was apart of them, it had always been just Dad and daughter.
Frank looked at Tifa who gave a slight nod before opening the folder that contained her father's will. Fitting his spectacles over his nose, the elder man began to read.
"Dear Friends and Family,
If Frank is reading you this document then that means that I have left you all. I won't proceed to get sappy, as my daughter Tifa calls it, but I will say that I am going to miss you all very much. This is a very short and to the point document that won't take up any of your time.
To my daughter I leave all my wealth and this house and its contents. To Sephiroth Valentine, I leave the contents of my lab and the globe of the world in my upstairs bedroom.
Thank you all for coming. I hope you have a good night, and Tifa, I will never stop loving you.
Sincerely,
James Lockhart"
Frank set the will down and looked at Tifa, who had a single tear streaming down her face. Quickly wiping it away she cleared her throat and said in a slightly thick voice,
"Is there a Mr. Valentine in the room?"
Tifa had never heard of him but assumed that he was one of her father's friends or associates. Two men stood and stepped forward. One had on a red cape that covered the lower half of his face while his long black hair covered everything else but his blood red eyes. The other had on a black leather coat that swept the floor and a wide brimmed cowboy hat that cast all but his mouth in shadow. Silver strands of hair hung down over his shoulders while the rest was caught in a leather hair tie at the base of his neck. Both were at least six and half feet tall and had an aura of power around them. Tifa felt a little frightened but held her ground and looked at the two men.
"I am assuming that one of you is Sephiroth Valentine?"
The one in the black leather coat said in a deep and unsettling voice,
"I am he."
Tifa swallowed and looked at the other man who had turned his blood red eyes on her. Straightening her shoulders, Tifa looked into those eyes and said,
"Who might you be?"
The man's eyes looked at her thoughtfully before he said in an equally low but much kinder voice,
"I am Vincent, Sephiroth's twin."
Tifa forced a smile onto her lips and said to the two gentlemen,
"Well, it seems that you are to inherit my father's globe. Would you like it now or would you like to take it after the party?"
The two still hadn't moved from the position they had been in when they first stepped up. Tifa felt a bit unnerved but she wasn't about to let these two strangers stand her down. Sephiroth answered in the same voice that her used before,
"We will take it now; my brother and I won't be staying long."
Tifa bit her lip and nodded. Realizing that she'd completely forgotten about her other guests she said in a hurried and apologetic voice,
"Everyone, there are drinks and other refreshments in the living room. Please make yourselves at home."
The guests had raised eyebrows but they filed into the living room without too much gossip on the subject. Tifa turned back to the two gentlemen in front of her.
"If you'll follow me I'll take you back to my father's room so you can collect the globe."
If Tifa thought it odd that her father had given them his globe then she never said anything. Her father had been a man of odd tastes, but that was why Tifa loved him so much. He had allowed her to spend hours with him studying that globe or reading the history of the cetra; he had allowed her to be herself and never pressured her to do anything else.
Tifa made her way up the stairs, turning once to see if they were following. She noticed that they didn't make any noise when they walked, as a matter of fact she wouldn't have known if they were there had she not checked. Finally she reached the top of the stairs and walked to the door at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and stepped inside.
The room was painted a light blue color and had plain white curtains at the four windows. Two of the windows faced the sea while the other two faced the neighbor's garage. A light breeze filtered through the spacious room causing the curtains to flutter slightly. The scene had once brought comfort and warmth to the young woman, now she wanted nothing more than to run from the room. Mentally shaking herself from her revere, Tifa walked to the ancient globe and touched it lightly.
The two men waited patiently as she looked at the globe. A look of nostalgia passed over her features before she remembered herself and looked up.
"Here it is; my father's globe. Would you like me to call for assistance or do you prefer to take it yourself?"
Vincent flicked his piercing gaze to his brother before responding in a slightly distant voice,
"We will carry it ourselves."
Tifa shrugged and walked over to the two men, who were blocking the doorway. Before Tifa could say 'excuse me' Sephiroth stepped aside, his arm outstretched to the hallway. Quietly he said,
"Thank you for your assistance, I assure you that we will take very good care of your father's lab and his globe."
Tifa choked down tears while managing a smile. Nodding to the two of them as a way of goodbye, she walked from her father's room and back down to the living room.
Immediately her best friend, Aeris Gainsborough, rushed over and embraced her. Not unsualy one t allow people to touch her Tifa tolerated this embrace because she knew that Aeris had gone through the loss of both her parents as well. When they broke away, Aeris gave her a small smile before putting on her fake one and dragging Tifa to their group of friends.
Cid and Shera were the oldest in their ring of friends as well as the only two that were married. Cid had married Shera last May after learning that Shera was pregnant and he was the father. It really didn't matter why they married because now the couple was so obsessed with one another that it made the others want to run out of the room. Barret was the next in age and he had one little girl, Marlene. Barret had always been like an older brother to Tifa and Aeris for as long as both girls could remember. Next came Yuffie, a spunky little Wutian who had moved to Costa del Sol when she was eight. Yuffie was also the youngest causing her to be a little annoying at times but otherwise fun to be with. Then there was Cloud. Cloud was the handsome blue eyed blond that every girl dreamed of knowing but few really did. Tifa and Aeris had grown up with him, but lately Aeris had wanted to be more than friends. Tifa had liked Cloud when she was a teenager, but now she saw him as a brother and nothing more.
Everyone knew not to give Tifa a hug. Instead they talked about movies and the new play Loveless; they understood her need to forget. Cloud was going to be staying with Tifa until everyone was sure that she'd be alright. Aeris had promised to come and see her every day while the others promised at least once a week. Yuffie jokingly said that she would be over every day to see if Tifa's dad had left any materia and earned the first laugh from Tifa since her father's death.
After about two hours everyone but Cloud and Aeris had left. Cloud had already brought all of his things over and Aeris had promised to stay and help clean up. The two girls decided to go and change into something more comfortable while Cloud went and unpacked.
Aeris and Tifa ran to Tifa's room and shut the door. Once inside, Tifa let out a huge sigh of relief and looked over at Aeris.
"I thought they were never going to leave."
Aeris grinned and took off her dress while responding,
"You were great. Hey, toss me a pair of jeans and an old shirt."
Tifa tossed the clothes to Aeris before taking off her dress and pulling on a pair of khaki canvas shorts and an old white tank top. She then grabbed a rubber band and pulled her hair into a messy bun to keep her long hair off her neck. Once Aeris finished changing, the two girls walked downstairs to the living room.
It didn't take to long to clean everything up, especially when Cloud had finished unpacking and put up all the chairs and tables. Half an hour later, Aeris was hugging Tifa and Cloud goodbye and running to her car. After one last wave Aeris sped away leaving Tifa with Cloud.
Cloud laid a hand on Tifa's shoulder before turning to go back inside. Tifa continued to stare at the street, wondering how many times her father had stood in this exact spot looking at the street wondering when she would be home.
The tears began to trickle, slowly at first but soon she was racked with sobs. Cloud heard her and ran to her side. She held herself bravely at first but soon found herself collapsed up against him. Memories of her father flew about her and refused to leave her alone. Cloud managed to pick her up and carry her to the couch where she continued to cry.
Cloud held her until she cried herself to sleep. Looking down at her tear streaked face he placed a kiss on her forehead before carrying her upstairs. He pulled the covers over her and gave her one last smile before going to the kitchen to make dinner.
He knew that it would take a long time for Tifa to heal. He would stay with her until he knew that she would be alright and then he'd move back to his place next door. Cloud sighed a deep and heavy sigh, like he was trying to unburden himself of all the grief and despair he was feeling. Tifa's father had always been a little rough on him, but Cloud had seen him as a father and Tifa as his sister.
Cloud didn't know how long he stood there but when he came back to reality he found Tifa standing next to him. When he looked down at her, her face broke into a shaky yet sincere smile.
"Tifa, are you going to be alright?"
Tifa looked into his blue eyes and nodded. She would survive, she was a fighter. All she needed to know was that her friends were by her and she could survive Armageddon. Yes, it would take some time but she would alright, although she would never be the same.
"I'll be alright, I just need to learn that he's not here anymore and that I must be the strong woman he raised me to be. It'll be much easier though with my friends near me."
Cloud nodded, understanding what she meant perfectly. The two ate a dinner in almost complete silence, but it was pleasant silence. Tifa cleaned up quickly before asking,
"Let's go for a walk on the beach, the sea always did make me feel better."
"Alright, let me grab a jacket."
Cloud and Tifa made their way outside where the sun was setting, casting the sea in a gown of soft pink and twilight. They walked for about half a mile before Tifa finally spoke.
"Cloud?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you like Aeris?"
Cloud was a little taken back by the question. He had never really thought of Aeris as anything more than a really good friend.
"Well...I like her as a friend but not like a girlfriend or anything."
"Oh..."
"Wait, what was that 'oh' for?"
"It's just that...lately she's been talking about you like she wants to be something more than friends."
Cloud swallowed and nodded his head slowly. He hated situations like this. He and Tifa had dated throughout high school, but in the end she broke it off and the two became best friends.
"I hate being in a situation like this."
"I know."
"Any thoughts on how to break it to her?"
"You could always date Yuffie for a while."
"Yuck! She's like, 17 or something!"
Tifa giggled at Cloud's outburst. Pretty soon the two were doubled over in laughter. Just the thought of Cloud kissing the jumpy Yuffie was enough to send anyone into gales of laughter.
"It was just a thought."
"It was a disturbed thought."
"[giggles] Well, you could just start saying stuff like 'Aeris, you're such a great friend,' that'll give her a hint and I'll take it from there."
"Thanks babe, you were always my favorite chick."
"No problem dude, anything for you."
The pair continued walking and talking until it well past 10. Finally, when Tifa couldn't stop yawning, they decided to call it a day.
When they reached the house, the back door was open and her father's room was lit. Cloud grabbed his sword, which was resting by the brooms in the kitchen, and made his way cautiously upstairs. Tifa followed some distance behind with her fighting glove on and her senses tuned to every sound.
The door to her father's room was open and in it was a man in a white lab coat. He seemed to be mumbling under his breath when Cloud said in a loud and angry voice,
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
The man yelped and turned sharply. Tifa recoiled, horrified at the man's appearance. He looked like a lab experiment gone bad. The left side of his face was scarred as if he'd been burned while the other side had large green patches on the cheek and on the forehead. Cloud recoiled but Tifa stepped up angrily.
"Did you murder my father? Answer me you bastard!"
The man ginned slowly and nodded. Cloud rushed towards him when suddenly the man threw down a ball that exploded. After the explosion, Tifa blinked rapidly but found that the man was gone. Disappointed Cloud let out a loud curse before walking back to Tifa.
She expected tears but none came, instead a deep hatred began burning in her stomach and her fists clenched into tight balls. Cloud laid a hand on her shoulder, but she flicked it away and went to her room. She lay awake for hours, thinking of that grotesque man, but in the end she did manage to fall asleep and it was well past 11 when she woke.
Her father had been murdered brutally on the beach while he was out with her looking for seashells. She had left him to go and say hello to Jesse Fortwright, promising him that she would be back in a few minutes. Returning no more than five minutes later Tifa found her father lying on the beach in a pool of blood with a silver haired man bending over him.
Tifa knew that she would never forget that man. He had such strange turquoise eyes and he was so very tall. She couldn't imagine him being the one that killed her father, killers didn't look like that. Killers were fat and ugly or big and mean looking; he had been handsome and clothed in expensive leather. No, he couldn't be her father's killer. Not only that but when she ran to grab her father the man pulled her back and held her against him, as if comforting her. The mystery man left when he heard the sirens, but he gave her this look before he left; a look of I'll see you again. Shaking herself slightly, Tifa put on a long black dress and walked downstairs where her family and her father's friends were waiting.
Tifa was a young woman of 20 who had lost her mother at a very young age. She was around five and a half feet tall with burgundy eyes and long brown hair that hung down just bellow her slightly flaring hips. Tifa was a beauty, but she was very quiet around strangers causing her to seem reserved and cold.
All eyes turned to her as she descended the stairs. Her family looked at her with pity while her father's friends looked at her with interest. She hated them all, who were they to tell her that everything would be alright? Some basterd had stolen her father's life and all they could do was pity her or look at her as a possible business deal. Forcing herself to smile, she cleared her throat and nodded to everyone.
"Thank you all for coming. If you could all please take a seat my father's lawyer will read the will."
Every one sat down but Tifa, who stood next to Frank, her father's lawyer. She noticed that all of her cousins on her mother's side were there as well as all of her aunts and uncles. Her father had been an only child and his parents had died more than two years ago. Her mother, however, had come from a large family with three sisters and four brothers. They were all kind and sympathetic but Tifa never had felt like she was apart of them, it had always been just Dad and daughter.
Frank looked at Tifa who gave a slight nod before opening the folder that contained her father's will. Fitting his spectacles over his nose, the elder man began to read.
"Dear Friends and Family,
If Frank is reading you this document then that means that I have left you all. I won't proceed to get sappy, as my daughter Tifa calls it, but I will say that I am going to miss you all very much. This is a very short and to the point document that won't take up any of your time.
To my daughter I leave all my wealth and this house and its contents. To Sephiroth Valentine, I leave the contents of my lab and the globe of the world in my upstairs bedroom.
Thank you all for coming. I hope you have a good night, and Tifa, I will never stop loving you.
Sincerely,
James Lockhart"
Frank set the will down and looked at Tifa, who had a single tear streaming down her face. Quickly wiping it away she cleared her throat and said in a slightly thick voice,
"Is there a Mr. Valentine in the room?"
Tifa had never heard of him but assumed that he was one of her father's friends or associates. Two men stood and stepped forward. One had on a red cape that covered the lower half of his face while his long black hair covered everything else but his blood red eyes. The other had on a black leather coat that swept the floor and a wide brimmed cowboy hat that cast all but his mouth in shadow. Silver strands of hair hung down over his shoulders while the rest was caught in a leather hair tie at the base of his neck. Both were at least six and half feet tall and had an aura of power around them. Tifa felt a little frightened but held her ground and looked at the two men.
"I am assuming that one of you is Sephiroth Valentine?"
The one in the black leather coat said in a deep and unsettling voice,
"I am he."
Tifa swallowed and looked at the other man who had turned his blood red eyes on her. Straightening her shoulders, Tifa looked into those eyes and said,
"Who might you be?"
The man's eyes looked at her thoughtfully before he said in an equally low but much kinder voice,
"I am Vincent, Sephiroth's twin."
Tifa forced a smile onto her lips and said to the two gentlemen,
"Well, it seems that you are to inherit my father's globe. Would you like it now or would you like to take it after the party?"
The two still hadn't moved from the position they had been in when they first stepped up. Tifa felt a bit unnerved but she wasn't about to let these two strangers stand her down. Sephiroth answered in the same voice that her used before,
"We will take it now; my brother and I won't be staying long."
Tifa bit her lip and nodded. Realizing that she'd completely forgotten about her other guests she said in a hurried and apologetic voice,
"Everyone, there are drinks and other refreshments in the living room. Please make yourselves at home."
The guests had raised eyebrows but they filed into the living room without too much gossip on the subject. Tifa turned back to the two gentlemen in front of her.
"If you'll follow me I'll take you back to my father's room so you can collect the globe."
If Tifa thought it odd that her father had given them his globe then she never said anything. Her father had been a man of odd tastes, but that was why Tifa loved him so much. He had allowed her to spend hours with him studying that globe or reading the history of the cetra; he had allowed her to be herself and never pressured her to do anything else.
Tifa made her way up the stairs, turning once to see if they were following. She noticed that they didn't make any noise when they walked, as a matter of fact she wouldn't have known if they were there had she not checked. Finally she reached the top of the stairs and walked to the door at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob and stepped inside.
The room was painted a light blue color and had plain white curtains at the four windows. Two of the windows faced the sea while the other two faced the neighbor's garage. A light breeze filtered through the spacious room causing the curtains to flutter slightly. The scene had once brought comfort and warmth to the young woman, now she wanted nothing more than to run from the room. Mentally shaking herself from her revere, Tifa walked to the ancient globe and touched it lightly.
The two men waited patiently as she looked at the globe. A look of nostalgia passed over her features before she remembered herself and looked up.
"Here it is; my father's globe. Would you like me to call for assistance or do you prefer to take it yourself?"
Vincent flicked his piercing gaze to his brother before responding in a slightly distant voice,
"We will carry it ourselves."
Tifa shrugged and walked over to the two men, who were blocking the doorway. Before Tifa could say 'excuse me' Sephiroth stepped aside, his arm outstretched to the hallway. Quietly he said,
"Thank you for your assistance, I assure you that we will take very good care of your father's lab and his globe."
Tifa choked down tears while managing a smile. Nodding to the two of them as a way of goodbye, she walked from her father's room and back down to the living room.
Immediately her best friend, Aeris Gainsborough, rushed over and embraced her. Not unsualy one t allow people to touch her Tifa tolerated this embrace because she knew that Aeris had gone through the loss of both her parents as well. When they broke away, Aeris gave her a small smile before putting on her fake one and dragging Tifa to their group of friends.
Cid and Shera were the oldest in their ring of friends as well as the only two that were married. Cid had married Shera last May after learning that Shera was pregnant and he was the father. It really didn't matter why they married because now the couple was so obsessed with one another that it made the others want to run out of the room. Barret was the next in age and he had one little girl, Marlene. Barret had always been like an older brother to Tifa and Aeris for as long as both girls could remember. Next came Yuffie, a spunky little Wutian who had moved to Costa del Sol when she was eight. Yuffie was also the youngest causing her to be a little annoying at times but otherwise fun to be with. Then there was Cloud. Cloud was the handsome blue eyed blond that every girl dreamed of knowing but few really did. Tifa and Aeris had grown up with him, but lately Aeris had wanted to be more than friends. Tifa had liked Cloud when she was a teenager, but now she saw him as a brother and nothing more.
Everyone knew not to give Tifa a hug. Instead they talked about movies and the new play Loveless; they understood her need to forget. Cloud was going to be staying with Tifa until everyone was sure that she'd be alright. Aeris had promised to come and see her every day while the others promised at least once a week. Yuffie jokingly said that she would be over every day to see if Tifa's dad had left any materia and earned the first laugh from Tifa since her father's death.
After about two hours everyone but Cloud and Aeris had left. Cloud had already brought all of his things over and Aeris had promised to stay and help clean up. The two girls decided to go and change into something more comfortable while Cloud went and unpacked.
Aeris and Tifa ran to Tifa's room and shut the door. Once inside, Tifa let out a huge sigh of relief and looked over at Aeris.
"I thought they were never going to leave."
Aeris grinned and took off her dress while responding,
"You were great. Hey, toss me a pair of jeans and an old shirt."
Tifa tossed the clothes to Aeris before taking off her dress and pulling on a pair of khaki canvas shorts and an old white tank top. She then grabbed a rubber band and pulled her hair into a messy bun to keep her long hair off her neck. Once Aeris finished changing, the two girls walked downstairs to the living room.
It didn't take to long to clean everything up, especially when Cloud had finished unpacking and put up all the chairs and tables. Half an hour later, Aeris was hugging Tifa and Cloud goodbye and running to her car. After one last wave Aeris sped away leaving Tifa with Cloud.
Cloud laid a hand on Tifa's shoulder before turning to go back inside. Tifa continued to stare at the street, wondering how many times her father had stood in this exact spot looking at the street wondering when she would be home.
The tears began to trickle, slowly at first but soon she was racked with sobs. Cloud heard her and ran to her side. She held herself bravely at first but soon found herself collapsed up against him. Memories of her father flew about her and refused to leave her alone. Cloud managed to pick her up and carry her to the couch where she continued to cry.
Cloud held her until she cried herself to sleep. Looking down at her tear streaked face he placed a kiss on her forehead before carrying her upstairs. He pulled the covers over her and gave her one last smile before going to the kitchen to make dinner.
He knew that it would take a long time for Tifa to heal. He would stay with her until he knew that she would be alright and then he'd move back to his place next door. Cloud sighed a deep and heavy sigh, like he was trying to unburden himself of all the grief and despair he was feeling. Tifa's father had always been a little rough on him, but Cloud had seen him as a father and Tifa as his sister.
Cloud didn't know how long he stood there but when he came back to reality he found Tifa standing next to him. When he looked down at her, her face broke into a shaky yet sincere smile.
"Tifa, are you going to be alright?"
Tifa looked into his blue eyes and nodded. She would survive, she was a fighter. All she needed to know was that her friends were by her and she could survive Armageddon. Yes, it would take some time but she would alright, although she would never be the same.
"I'll be alright, I just need to learn that he's not here anymore and that I must be the strong woman he raised me to be. It'll be much easier though with my friends near me."
Cloud nodded, understanding what she meant perfectly. The two ate a dinner in almost complete silence, but it was pleasant silence. Tifa cleaned up quickly before asking,
"Let's go for a walk on the beach, the sea always did make me feel better."
"Alright, let me grab a jacket."
Cloud and Tifa made their way outside where the sun was setting, casting the sea in a gown of soft pink and twilight. They walked for about half a mile before Tifa finally spoke.
"Cloud?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you like Aeris?"
Cloud was a little taken back by the question. He had never really thought of Aeris as anything more than a really good friend.
"Well...I like her as a friend but not like a girlfriend or anything."
"Oh..."
"Wait, what was that 'oh' for?"
"It's just that...lately she's been talking about you like she wants to be something more than friends."
Cloud swallowed and nodded his head slowly. He hated situations like this. He and Tifa had dated throughout high school, but in the end she broke it off and the two became best friends.
"I hate being in a situation like this."
"I know."
"Any thoughts on how to break it to her?"
"You could always date Yuffie for a while."
"Yuck! She's like, 17 or something!"
Tifa giggled at Cloud's outburst. Pretty soon the two were doubled over in laughter. Just the thought of Cloud kissing the jumpy Yuffie was enough to send anyone into gales of laughter.
"It was just a thought."
"It was a disturbed thought."
"[giggles] Well, you could just start saying stuff like 'Aeris, you're such a great friend,' that'll give her a hint and I'll take it from there."
"Thanks babe, you were always my favorite chick."
"No problem dude, anything for you."
The pair continued walking and talking until it well past 10. Finally, when Tifa couldn't stop yawning, they decided to call it a day.
When they reached the house, the back door was open and her father's room was lit. Cloud grabbed his sword, which was resting by the brooms in the kitchen, and made his way cautiously upstairs. Tifa followed some distance behind with her fighting glove on and her senses tuned to every sound.
The door to her father's room was open and in it was a man in a white lab coat. He seemed to be mumbling under his breath when Cloud said in a loud and angry voice,
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
The man yelped and turned sharply. Tifa recoiled, horrified at the man's appearance. He looked like a lab experiment gone bad. The left side of his face was scarred as if he'd been burned while the other side had large green patches on the cheek and on the forehead. Cloud recoiled but Tifa stepped up angrily.
"Did you murder my father? Answer me you bastard!"
The man ginned slowly and nodded. Cloud rushed towards him when suddenly the man threw down a ball that exploded. After the explosion, Tifa blinked rapidly but found that the man was gone. Disappointed Cloud let out a loud curse before walking back to Tifa.
She expected tears but none came, instead a deep hatred began burning in her stomach and her fists clenched into tight balls. Cloud laid a hand on her shoulder, but she flicked it away and went to her room. She lay awake for hours, thinking of that grotesque man, but in the end she did manage to fall asleep and it was well past 11 when she woke.