Final fantasy. i dont own anything. yes, the characters are off. *shrugs*

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Putting her gloves on and taking a sparing stance she would fight the creature herself. It's not like she couldn't take care of herself. One creature was one thing but two…could she take on two? Taking one of the creatures slamming it into the ground the other took her back. *bang, click, bang* the creature dropped to the ground. It was Vincent Valentine. "Thanks Vincent," Tifa said with a smile. Not far behind Vincent came Cloud on his bike. "You're late," Vincent said in Tifa's place.

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(later in 7th Heaven)

"I heard you had some trouble in town." Barrett announced. "Damn monsters think they can take us." laughed Sid. Yuffie, being her rambunctious self exclaimed, "I bet you got 'em good." Calmly, staring out the bar Tifa explained, "If it weren't for Vincent, I don't think I would be here." "Where was Cloud?" Yuffie asked, staring at a silent Cloud. Letting out a sigh, Tifa explained, "He makes a habit of being late." "You're always late!" Yuffie angrily growled at Cloud. "Yuffie, it's ok…" started Tifa. "No it's not!" yelled Yuffie, grabbing Vincent by the hand and dragging him out the door. "I think we better get goin' " Barrett said, rising from his seat. And they place was silent and empty, except Cloud and Tifa, of course.

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"Yuffie is right you know…I'm always late. I'm useless, I can't save anyone." Cloud said, starring into her rich chocolate eyes. Putting her hand up in a jester of silence Tifa sighed, "Don't start that Cloud." "I'm going for a walk." Cloud left her there to clean the place by herself.

That fact that he loved her was deathly undeniable but why should she love back such a useless person like himself he thought. Her warm smile, clear eyes, soft skin…

Its not like she didn't love him, no he knows that she loves him, despite all his flaws.

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He walked slowly back, taking as much time as he could. He knew that Tifa would be asleep by now. What was he doing? Thinking to himself as he walked towards her room. He wanted to touch her, to caress her smooth skin to let her know that he loved her, but he couldn't. So he settled for watching her sleep, like usual. He loved to watch her sleep. It calmed him. But, he couldn't contain himself any more. Walking over to the bed, rigidly he kneeled onto the floor so as to not put any pressure on the bed and bent down and gently pressed his lips to hers. "Cloud…" the sleeping beauty mumbled.

"Awe crap!" was all he thought jumping form the bedside, "is she awake?" he whispered to himself.

But she was silent and lay still, with an even slow breath. She was asleep.

He had to laugh, "She dreams about me. I wonder what about?"

"Don't leave," mumbled a sleeping Tifa. Cloud was no longer smiling. What was he supposed to do about it? It is who he is. He comes back and then leaves again. His heart ached for her, knowing that it's him that is directly hurting her.

Before Cloud realized he was at her ear whispering, "I won't leave, not tonight." He gently laid down behind her put his arm around waist. It felt right, so right.

"Thank you Cloud," he heard. He pulled her closer and drifted of to sleep.