It Started With A Kiss

Chapter One – Encounter

"Nice ass," Slurred the drunken man, staring at the full cleavage of the pretty brunette.

The eighteen year old threw the man who was ogling her boobs a disgusted look, offended by his remark as she grabbed the empty beer mug before him and made her way to the sink. He was lucky that she bit her tongue and walked away, he was also fortunate that she was an employee at the bar; otherwise she would have kicked his ass to demonstrate where the behind on a human body should be.

Turning on the taps, she commenced washing the dirty pile of dishes, attempting to remove the feeling of disgust out of her system. She knew she should be used to the atmosphere of Seventh Heaven by now, but it seemed no matter how long she'd been working here, the disrespect of customers never failed to alarm her.

"Move over for a second," called Yuffie who slid in between Tifa and the shelf, reaching for the bottle of Chartreuse.

Obtaining the liquor, the petite girl poured some of the contents into a small glass before throwing her workmate a small, childish grin. Just as Tifa was about to speak, the musical chime of the bell sounded as the bar door opened, revealing another customer.

"He's all yours," Yuffie stated her eyes fixed onto the table she was to get back to.

Tifa examined the man in which Yuffie had set her eyes on before she gave a soft chuckle.

"The poor guy," She mumbled audibly knowing what the man's fate was after he was intoxicated.

"You mean poor me." Yuffie corrected. "The guy's been chatting me up for almost an hour now. I'm just giving him what he's asking for." Yuffie assured. "I mean look at the guy, he's wearing an expensive suit, and practically throwing his gil away like there's no tomorrow, thinking he owns the world. That gil will do me good. Besides, he's hinted that he's got quite a bit of materia stashed away." The short haired girl informed, giving the brunette a quick wink before trailing towards her target.

Shaking her head in dismay, Tifa fixed her eyes back to the customer who had just walked in. Her breath caught as she really looked at him. He wasn't hard to find due to the bright blonde spiky hair, and his dressy attire. But it wasn't his clothing that made Tifa hold her breath; it was the view of his perfectly sculpted chin, and his side profile that intrigued her. Wiping her hands dry, she noted that the man had chosen a secluded area to sit in. He had located himself at the vacant table to the right corner of the bar, where there were few people. Picking up a menu, Tifa pulled a notepad and pen from her back pocket, ready to serve the man.

- - - - - - - - -

Blue eyes scanned the outdoor environment through the window. The sky was dark; the street lights glowed brightly, as shadows past. He gave a weak sigh as his mind drifted back to the afternoon conversation which had caused him to be so dejected.

"What do you think of Aeris?" Zack questioned, taking a drink from his milkshake.

The blonde arched an eyebrow, giving a slight shrug of his shoulders to hide his emotions.

"She's alright." He responded nonchalantly, but a little too quietly.

His mate grinned, flashing his white, straight teeth.

"She's more than alright huh?" Inquired Zack, watching Cloud's emotionless expression. "You alright there?"

Cloud placed his drink back down onto the table, a sudden feeling of uneasiness rushed over him. He knew something was wrong since Zack was winding his way around the issue, but he couldn't find the courage to ask, afraid of what he might hear.

"I like her," Zack whispered, as Cloud's head cocked up. "And she agreed."

- - - - - - - - -

"Excuse me sir," came a feminine voice, snapping the blonde out of his reverie.

Cloud shifted to face the source that was calling him to discover a pretty, dark haired girl standing before him. A genuine smile that reached her eyes was smeared onto her face as she placed a menu down onto the table. She began to walk away, halting at Cloud's voice.

"Wait," He called, regaining her attention.

She arched a perfectly shaped brow at him. "You are ready to order?" She queried as he handed her back the menu.

"Just a beer." Cloud stated. "A large mug of beer," he observed her reaction, but all she did was nod in reply before leaving.

- - - - - - - - -

Brown eyes scanned the table in the right corner of the bar numerous times, watching the blonde intoxicate himself.

"What you looking at?" Yuffie interrogated, peering off in the same direction as Tifa.

The brunette's cheeks flushed a bright red, as she shifted away "N-nothing," she stuttered, as customers commenced leaving.

"Oh he's a nice one," came Yuffie's remark, just spotting the blonde. "I thought you only went for the dark haired ones." She assumed, her head jerking up to look at the clock. "I've gotta go," she gasped, hastily packing away the clean mugs. "You'll be alright to lock up alone?" She added.

Tifa inspected the bar which was almost empty. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

Yuffie smiled, giving her friend a quick embrace. "Get in his pants already," she whispered into the brunette's ear. "Could be your only chance," she finished before dashing away.

The clock stroke twelve as the last of the customers exited. Tifa wiped down thefinal tabletop, her eyes scanning the empty bar only to realize it wasn't entirely empty. The blonde haired man was still in his chair, his arms on the table as his head rested atop them. Tip-toeing silently across the room, she stood before him, hesitating for a moment, before tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Excuse me," she said in a faint voice but it appeared he had heard her as he lifted his head. "I'm closing up." Tifa notified as he almost instantly stood.

She didn't understand how a person as drunk as he was able to react so quickly, but the moment he took a step, she already knew he needed a taxi home. Despite that fact, she watched dazedly as he exited the bar, in an inebriated fashion. Within minutes after locking up, Tifa was outside, ready to go home.

The crisp night air made contact with her warm skin as she strode down the pathway and into the parking lot in a slow manner. Although she didn't own a vehicle, crossing through the parking area was a quicker way to get back to her destination. The jingle of keys colliding to the floor caught her attention as her eyes averted to the stationary motorcycle up ahead. Her eyes adjusted to the dark, seeing the outline of a familiar figure. As she neared the form, she realized it was the blonde she had served earlier in the bar.

He's not really thinking of riding home is he? She thought, watching him retrieve his keys in a rather clumsy technique. Her thought was answered as he prepared to mount the motorcycle. Although she didn't want to get involved, Tifa found herself already reaching out for the spiky headed man.

"Let me call you a taxi, it's clear you can't ride home." She requested, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket.

As she began pushing buttons, something unexpected occurred. First the blonde was motionless, but the next, he pulled her into his arms, his hands placed over her head protectively.

"Why did you accept him?" Cloud breathed into the silky hair of whom he thought was Aeris'. "Don't you understand that I love you?" He questioned. "I thought you said you understood my words."

Unable to react, Tifa remained frozen in position. As sense came back to her, she attempted to push the stranger away, but it caused his arms to lock tighter around her, forcing her head to rest on his warm chest.

"Aeris-"

Before Cloud had finished his sentence, a force pulled him apart from "Aeris".

"What are you doing?" Came a cold, masculinevoice.

In his drunken condition, Cloud was only able to see the source of the voice for a few seconds. When he heard another voice that wasn't Aeris, his vision began fading…

A/N: My fourth fiction to add to my 'CloTi Collection'. I hope you enjoy this one. It's a different setting, not like my usual style. But I've gotta try different themes to improve my writing :D

Review when you can to indicate how I'm going with this one. Cheers!