Just want everyone to know that unfortunatly neither Cloud or any other wonderful charatcers from Final Fantasy VII belong to me no matter much I wish they did.
Chapter 1: Reasons To Be
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I see Tifa sleeping quietly in her bed from my spot on the floor beneath the window. The only time I have ever seen her relaxed was when she was fast asleep.
After taking care of the kids and managing the bar all day she deserves the peace. She already has so much to do... She shouldn't have worry about me as well.
I hate hiding the truth from Tifa but I know that it would be too much for her if she knew that I had geostigma. I should be there to help her with the children and to support her. I can't let myself cause her more problems...
I need to get away from this place to spare Tifa the pain I know I will bring her. I have to sort out my thoughts or I will continue this way forever... I am aware of Tifa's love for me, but because I know of her feelings I believe that I must protect her.
It's hard enough knowing that she sees my as I am now. I don't want her to see what I will become; she doesn't deserve that.
Tifa is my best friend; she is someone I never want lose. She stuck by me when I wasn't myself and helped me realize who I was. That's why... I can't let her think that she failed to help me.
Even though I do love Tifa it isn't the same as the love I feel for Aeris. My love for Tifa is more like a deep friendship. A relationship that I cherish so much I feel obligated to always protect it no matter what.
To this point I have managed to conceal the ever fading condition of my body. The damage to my state of mind is unfortunately beginning to show. There is only a matter of time before I can no longer run from the curse that is my life.
The stars are shining in the solemn darkness of the sky.
The slight shimmer of the glowing fragments in the sky distracts me slightly before I move away.
Rising to my feet I slowly step forward turning away from the window. My head feels heavy with doubts still plaguing my mind. My eyes are drawn to the floor as I walk over the wooden boards. My attempts at trying to avoid waking Tifa seem ill-fated as the floor lets out a small creak.
I pause trying not to add to the damage.
Shifting my gaze to Tifa I see her fidgeting with the fabric laying over her. Within moments she is resting silently yet again.
Every step was bringing me closer to the empty bed awaiting me, but with every step I also began to feel a sharp pain that seemed to pierce through my body.
Standing only inches away from my bed now I used what strength I had left to pull myself onto the bed before loosing control of my body. Trying to conceal the pain running through my body I found myself biting down on my lip in an attempt to muffle the cries that escaped my throat.
Forcing my body to turn over took to a great deal of effort and caused my lungs to push the air out of my body. My consciousness began to race with thoughts and images from my past tearing at my sanity.
"Hello, Cloud..." A voice I recognize all to well calling my name as vision of the silver haired demon entered my mind.
The sudden shock sent my body into panic. My breathing heavily labored now was causing a burning pain throughout my chest.
My consciousness is slowly fading and yet the pain continues to grow. My eyes burn as I hold back tears gathering within them.
Without warning I felt a soft hand resting on my forehead.
"...Aeris?" I ask quietly hoping the woman who I so desperately desired was at my side.
"No Cloud... It's me Tifa." Her voice almost stung me. Though her voice was gentle as she spoke; the hopes I held onto seemed to decay in reaction to it.
I silently curse myself knowing that I failed to hide the truth from her. Still shaking I realize the movement of my body as I am drawn closer to Tifa. Every small movement causes my body more agony.
"Don't worry Cloud, the nightmare is over..." She announces; seemingly unaware to the reality of the situation.
The nightmare is far from over; that is one thing I know for sure.
However, being in her arms knowing I could not protest gave me an awkward sense of security. As my heart slows and my breaths shallow I realize that the pain once known all to well by me was soon a faded memory.
As I slowly drift from reality into serene darkness I feel the tears I once held back being released. The warm stream falling down the side of my face is the last feeling before I fade completely; telling me I am no longer strong enough.
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And so ends the first chapter... Please note it is set up differently than the prologue but this is how the rest of the chapterrs will be. If you have any suggestions that would help my impove I will be more than happy to hear them.
