Two Roads, one Truth
By: ~*Tiffy*~
The night sky was brilliantly illuminated by the rising moon. The crisp air bit at the young girl's exposing flesh while she leaned on a small pole. Tifa Lockheart had just experienced an adventure that would change her entire life. That didn't bother her though as long as she had her best friend along with her. She knew Cloud Strife ever since she was a child and has become very close ever since.
Tifa gave a sad sigh as she thought about him. What she would give to have that man in her life would be to give her very own life. She loved him with all her heart, and just wanted him to feel the same way, but she knew why he didn't. Aeris. That name felt like a burden to her. Tifa knew Cloud loved Aeris, and Aeris loved him too. 'Somehow Aeris, you can still ruin my life even when you're dead,' she thought solemnly to herself.
A tear rolled gently down her cheek knowing the only one that she loved would never love her back, at least in the way that she wanted. She felt more tears building up but she held them back. Her knees started to weaken from beneath her. Then she collapsed. Tears poured out of her eyes as she whimpered softly to herself. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she whispered her love's name into the air as if expecting to get a response.
***
"Hey guys, where's Tifa?" a young blonde hared man asked his friends.
"I haven't seen her," replied a black man with large muscles and a torn shirt. "You know, speaking of Tifa, I think she really likes you."
Barret was sitting next to Cid with Red XIII lying on the floor next to them all. They were all hanging out at Tifa's new bar in Kalm.
"Yeah, but she knows I love Aeris," Cloud said as he sat down with the rest of them.
"Does she now?" Cid asked him concernly. "I don't think so Cloud."
"Well, I want to find her anyways. I know she's the one I can really talk to about this kind of stuff."
"I saw her sitting outside under the moon," Red XIII spoke out of nowhere.
"Thanks Red. I'll see ya guys later. After tonight, I'm heading to Costa Del Sol." Cloud waved to his buddies and walked out the door.
***
Tifa sat with her head buried in her knees. Her tears had stop, but it still didn't fill her empty heart. She lifted her head up and looked at the moon, lighting up the sky.
"It's beautiful, isn't it."
Tifa's heart skipped a few beats. "Cloud? What are you doing here?" Tifa questioned as she tried to wipe away the evidence of her crying.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked sincerely. "Have you been crying?"
"Me? Crying?" Tifa tried to lie. "No Cloud..."
"Tifa..." His caring voice made her melt. 'Cloud, why do you do this to me?' she thought to herself.
"Tifa, please tell me what's wrong."
'Tifa! Get a hold of yourself! This is Cloud, your best friend! You can tell him!' Tifa got her composure up. "Nothings wrong Cloud..." her voice seemed to trail off into the ever-growing darkness.
"Tifa, I know there's something wrong. Ever since Aeris came..."
"Aeris." she said out loud. 'That name curses me...' Tifa stared off into the darkness for several seconds.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked again. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong Cloud. I guess I'm just...missing my parents," Tifa attempted to lie but apparently it had worked. Cloud nodded his head in understanding. He leaned back on his elbows and looked up at the stars.
"Yeah, I guess you would be." Cloud let out a sigh and smiled. "There's only one person I really miss."
"Really, who?" Tifa asked even though she already knew the dreadful answer.
"Aeris..."
The name hit her like a thousand knives.
"You know Tifa, I think I really love her." That was it. She couldn't take the pain any more.
"I think she loved you too, Cloud," she lied. She forced a smile for him. "I think I'm going to get to bed. Good night...Cloud."
"Good night Tifa." Cloud smiled back at her. He watched her get up and leave into the night. Tifa hadn't even walked 100 feet before the tears poured out again.
"He really does love Aeris..." she said under her breath before she ran off. The grass beneath her feet made no sound as she walked past the window where Barret, Cid, and Red were. The stables weren't too far away from her new 7th's Heaven. Tifa creaked open the stable door and peeked in. All the chocobos were sleeping soundly in a dreamless sleep.
"Lance," she called out quietly. At the sound of his name, the black chocobo looked up to see the intruder. He gave a quiet wark and rustled around in his stall.
"Hey boy," Tifa said calmly as she headed back to the third stall. Lance started to shuffle his feet as he saw Tifa get closer. "Hold it baby," Tifa cried to him. The more she thought about Cloud, the more she wept. "Cloud..." she whispered as she opened the gate to Lance's stall.
The black chocobo burst out and Tifa barely had a chance to grab a hold of him and jump on. Lance guided himself out of the stable as Tifa held on tightly. She pressed her legs together so the chocobo would move more quickly. In less than a few minutes, they were already on top of a hill heading for the coast.
Tifa pulled back on the feather on the back of Lances neck to make him stop. Lance squawked out of irritation for stopping. "Cloud...I just want to know...why?"
***
'I remember that day clearly,' Tifa thought to herself. 'Things have definitely changed a lot since then.'
"Tifa?! What the hell are you doing still up?!" an angry voice from upstairs yelled.
"I...I...couldn't sleep, Johnny."
"Damn it Tifa!" She knew what was coming next
"Johnny, I'm sorry!" she screamed back. Over the past 4 years she had lost a lot of strength. Mostly because she hadn't had to use it ever since she had her child. The child didn't have much to do with it though; it was the constant beating from Johnny. The bruises from him lined her body.
"Mommy," a small child cried out sleepily.
"Zell, honey," Tifa called out to him and opened her arms for him. Zell ran into her arms, as he felt safe under his mother's protection. "Oh, what's the matter?"
"I heard lots of yelling," Zell started crying on his mother shoulder.
"Shhhh...It's okay," Tifa picked her son up and hid her tears from her furious husband.
"I'm leaving!" Johnny shouted loudly. "I'm going to the bar and I'll be back! Don't you dare try to leave either." He grabbed a chair that was sitting next to the door and threw it at Tifa. She turned her back to protect her son from the flying object. The chair smacked her in her back and made her fall to the ground. Tifa stayed silent as she lay on the floor. Johnny looked at her disgusted and walked out the door.
"Mommy!" Zell cried out as he ran over to her.
"I'm okay honey," she said as she sat back up. "Come on, let's get out of here."
Tifa lifted her son up again and headed up the stairs into her room. She set Zell down on the bed and she headed over to her drawer. She pulled the drawer open gently and moved her clothes out of the way. Underneath, was a picture of the whole gang, her combat gloves, and her PHS. She slid her gloves on and picked up the PHS. She dialed a number for Barret. After about 7 rings he finally picked up the phone.
"Yuffie! If this is your idea of a joke...."
"Barret... I need your help," Tifa cut him off.
"Tifa?!" Barret exclaimed shocked. "Tifa, what's the matter? I haven't heard from you ever since that night you ran off."
"Heh, you're going to be in shock then. But, we can catch up later. Right now I need you to get Cid over here. I need a place to stay."
"Okay, where are you?"
"I'm in Kalm. Just get over here, I need your help," Tifa said impatiently.
"Yes, yes. I'll get a hold of Cid, and maybe Cloud too."
"Thank you Barret. You don't know how much I appreciate this."
"Hey, dun' worry about it."
Tifa turned off the PHS and looked at Zell. She smiled at him sitting there kicking his legs back and forth.
"Come on Zell," Tifa said soothingly. "Let's go get some of your stuff together."
"Okay! Can I bring my Mog animal?" he asked politely.
"Of course you can. I wouldn't want you to leave your favorite toy." Tifa smiled at him as he ran to his room. 'Please hurry Cid.'
***
"Come on Zell," Tifa called up to him as she sat on the couch.
"Coming Mommy!" He ran down the stair with a bag full of toys. Tifa giggled as she watched him try to pull the bag.
"Here let me help you," she took the bag with her hand and lifted Zell up with her other. "We're going to go wait outside for them."
As she reached for the door handle, the door flew open and there stood a dark figure.
"Now, where the fucking hell do you think your going?!" Johnny yelled as he stomped in the house.
"Johnny...you're home," she said quietly.
"Yes, I am! Now bitch, die..." Johnny held up a gun to his wife's forehead.
"Johnny?!" she exclaimed as she looked at the gun pointed directly between her eyes. "Johnny...don't..." she pleaded as she closed her eyes.
"Johnny! Stop, right now," a very familiar voice ordered. Tifa knew that voice. "Cloud?" she squealed.
"Well, well, if it isn't the shrimp," Johnny teased as he dropped the gun. He turned around to face Cloud with his hands up in the air. He jumped back quickly when he saw a 7-foot blade at his throat. "Hey, hey, I was just playing," Johnny lied as he pleaded for his life.
"Come on Tifa," Cloud said sternly as he made sure to keep Johnny at bay. Tifa ran quickly out the door with Zell still in her arms. "If I hear you ever hurting people like that again, I'll hunt you down like the dog you are."
Cloud turned his back and headed outside where Tifa and Zell were waiting.
"Are you okay Tifa?" he asked concernly.
"Don't worry about me Cloud, I'm fine, now anyways," she said and smiled at him.
"Tifa!" Barret and Cid yelled out at the same time. "Are you all right?" Cid asked as he looked at her.
"Holy shit?! Who's kid is that?!" Barret asked as he noticed Zell in her arms. Tifa laughed softly at Barret.
"It's mine Barret."
"What?! You can't have kids! You're too young."
"I'm sorry Barret," Tifa apologized even though she knew it was meant more as a joke. "Anyways, can you take him to the airship?"
"Sure can," Barret said eagerly. Tifa set Zell down on the ground.
"Zell, this is Barret and Cid. They're going to take you up in a big plane, okay? I'll be there in a few minutes and if they start being mean just bop them on the nose," Tifa told Zell and acted like she was taking his nose.
"Thanks Barret. He shouldn't be any trouble. Just let him play with his toys and he'll be happy." Tifa handed Barret the bag of toys. Barret took Zell by the hand and started talking to him while Cid followed. Tifa watched the three go into the highwind and leave her and Cloud outside.
"Tifa. You're not okay..." Cloud said plainly.
"I'm fine..." Tifa assured him as she turned her back to him.
"Tifa," Cloud put his hand on her shoulder but she quickly jerked away in pain.
"Tifa?" He questioned and walked closer up to her. He pulled the collar of her shirt to the side so he could see her shoulder. "God, Tiff..." Cloud exclaimed as he looked at her bruised shoulder. "Why didn't you ever tell me he beat you?"
"I....I....guess I was scared..." Tifa said quietly. "Ever since that night you told me that you loved Aeris...I..."
"Tifa," Cloud cut off her sentence and wrapped his arms around her. Tifa flinched in pain and felt a few tears fall onto her cheeks. "How bad did he get you?" Cloud asked as he turned her to face him.
"If I stayed there any longer, I would have too many bruises to hide."
"I can't believe he did that to you," Cloud stated as he pulled up the sleeve on her shirt and looked at the bruises on her arms. "So, where do you plan on staying?" Tifa gritted her teeth together as he touched one of her scratches on her arm.
"I don't know...but Barret said that I could stay with him until I can stand on my own."
"Well, why don't you stay with me? I bought that big house at Costa Del Sol a while back and it's pretty lonely there," Cloud asked with a happy smile on his face.
"Cloud...it's not that easy now. I've got a kid now. Ya know, I don't want him to start thinking that he's got a new father."
"All right, Tifa," Cloud said disappointed. "I won't bug you about your motherly instincts."
"Thank you...but, you know, I would really like to stay with you..." Tifa said with a smile on her face. Cloud smiled back and took her hand in his.
"Come on we better head to the ship," Cloud recommended. "I'm betting your son is wondering where you are."
"His names Zell." Tifa giggled as she started walking to the ship.
"Zell..? That's a different name," Cloud said trying not to sound rude. Tifa just ignored his comment and started walking to the airship. Cloud followed her like a little lost puppy dog, but felt happy to be able to see her again.
***
Everybody stayed the night in the Highwind. Cid was sleeping on the steering wheel while Barret was leaned up against a wall. Tifa was also sleeping on a wall with Zell set in her lap. For some odd reason, Cloud wasn't able to get a wink of sleep. He decided to just watch the stars all night and wait for the sun to rise. By morning, Cloud was pretty tired, but still not able to get to sleep.
"Cloud, you dumbass," Cid yawned as he opened his eyes. "You were up all night, weren't ya?"
"Yeah," Cloud smiled as he looked over to Tifa. "Man, Tifa really got beat bad."
"What?!" Cid exclaimed a little too loudly. Cloud jumped at his outburst and quickly gave him a motion to quiet down.
"Sorry," Cid apologized and walked towards Cloud. "Now, what exactly do you mean?"
"I mean, Johnny literally beat her. She's got bruises and cuts lining her body," Cloud had a worried look on his face as he glanced over to Tifa. "I just wish I knew earlier, I could have saved her a lot of pain."
"Well, what's done is done. We're just lucky we go to her before Johnny killed her," Cid started saying but quickly changed the subject. "All right, we better get this boat movin'. I'll wake up the huge ass tub of lard if you can get sleeping beauty."
Cloud chuckled quietly at Cid's description. He felt a yawn coming on as he stood up and stretched out his arms. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought to himself as he walked over to her sleeping body and child.
"Tifa," Cloud shook her gently. "Tifa, you need to get up."
"Johnny! No!" Tifa screamed as she sat up straight. "Oh God, I'm sorry Cloud." Tifa's face turned a bright shade of red as she looked at him.
"Mommy?" Zell asked tiredly.
"Shhh...It's okay honey. We're going away for a little bit," Tifa reassured her son.
"Where we going?"
Tifa smiled down at her son. "It's going to be a surprise, okay?"
"Yay!" Zell jumped up excitedly. He started running around and accidentally ran right into Cloud. "Sowwy mister Cloud."
"It's okay Zell. Hey, why don't you go see if Barret is up yet?"
"Okay!" Zell exclaimed as he ran out of the pilot's room to go find Barret and Cid. Cloud laughed as he watched the little child run off.
"Who would have ever thought the big mighty Cloud would be so good with kids?" Tifa commented as she relaxed against the wall. Cloud gave her a sly smile as he went to go sit down by her. "Anyways, how has life been in Costa Del Sol?"
"Lonely. Barret is still helping to rebuild Corral after the train and meteor. Cid's with Shera in Rocket Town. Red's guarding Cosmo Canyon. Vincent is in Nibelheim, I'm guessing. You...were in Kalm. It's just been so lonely around my place. I'm glad I got to see you guys. Especially you...Tifa," Cloud paused for a second and lowered his voice a little. "I've been so worried about you. Ever since that day that you ran off and found Johnny. I never liked him and I knew he was going to do something bad to you. Tifa, when Barret called me last night, I had never been so scared in my entire life," Cloud suddenly stopped.
"Cloud...I've missed you so much. I don't know, but I guess I've been scared to see you ever since that night I ran off."
"Scared?" Cloud asked curiously. Tifa gave a sigh as she thought about the conversation that they were having. 'Well, I guess I've gotta spill my guts to you some time.'
"Yes. I remember the exact words you said. I remember, you saying that you loved Aeris. I guess it was a good thing you told me the truth. It hurt, but at least it was the truth. Tifa turned her head away from Cloud to hide the one tear that had fallen. "It's still hard for me, but I understand your feelings towards Aeris." Tifa stood up quietly and walked over to the front of the Highwind. She placed her elbows on the guardrail in front of the giant window of the Highwind.
'I never knew,' Cloud thought to himself and he followed behind her. "Tifa," he said quietly behind her but she didn't move or turn around to face him. Cloud gently placed his hand on her back, but even the slight touch of his hand was painful as she pulled away from his touch. Cloud took his hand away quickly and joined her on the guardrail.
"Sorry about that," Cloud apologized. "I keep on forgetting what HE did to you."
"It's okay. The bruises and scratches will go away in time. And, maybe even the memory of him."
"I hope so. I really do hope so," Cloud looked at her with worried eyes.
"Mommy!" Zell yelled as he came running to them. Tifa kneeled down and opened her arms to him. Zell laughed childishly as he ran into her arms.
"Hey Zell!" she said happily as she picked him up and hugged him. "Did you go bug Barret and Cid?"
"Uh huh!" Zell said proudly and nodded his head. Tifa laughed at her son.
"You okay Tifa? I mean, after everything's that's happened," Cid asked worried.
"Yeah, I'm all right Cid. And, thank you all for helping me."
"Hey, no problem. But, the only thing you could have done was call earlier," Barret added as he walked into the conversation.
"Tifa, now won't you plee-ase stay at my house?" Cloud pleaded.
"All right Cloud, but once I start being a burden, you tell me to leave."
"Tifa...you know I could never..."
"Tell me!" Tifa said sternly.
"Okay okay! I'll let ya know," Cloud backed away quickly.
"All right! Let's get this show on the road!" Cid announced.
***
The trip to Costa Del Sol was long for the Highwind was running low on fuel and not to mention the super jets went out from the flight before. When they finally did reach Costa Del Sol, the sun was high in the sky warming the planet.
"I'd like to thank you again Cloud," Tifa said as they walked into his house.
"Hey don't worry about it. We've been friends forever it seems. And it hasn't stopped yet." Cloud gave her a charming smile that made her feel weak in the knees.
'Cloud,' Tifa thought to herself. 'Please stop, your killing my soul with your charms that I know don't belong to me.'
"All right Zell. We're going to be staying here for a little bit, okay?" Tifa asked her son.
"We gotta stay wit' Cloud?" Zell asked curiously.
"Yeah, for a little bit," Tifa put her hand on Zell's head and ruffled up his hair. "Come on, let's go see what room we're staying in."
"You two can stay in my room. I'll sleep on the couch," Cloud offered.
"You sure that's all right?" Tifa asked him with a not so sure tone.
"It's fine Tifa," Cloud smiled at her.
"Thank you Cloud, You've always been there to help me when I'm in a fix."
***
The rest of the day went by fairly quickly until the sun fell and the starts rose and looked upon the helpless earth. Zell was fast asleep dreaming in bed. Tifa, on the other hand was walking around not being able to sleep.
The water from the ocean crashed gently against the sandy shore while the sea breeze rustled through Tifa's hair. 'This is nice,' Tifa thought as she sat down on the sand. 'For once, I don't have to worry about Johnny, ever.'
Her train of thought was soon interrupted by a soft step in the sand. She jumped from the sudden intrusion and turned quickly to the unexpected visitor.
"Sorry Tifa," Cloud said as he walked closer to her. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay. So, what are you doing out here at this time of night?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Cloud smiled at her.
"Well, I couldn't..."
"Sleep. Same here," Cloud cut her off of her sentence. "The stars are really pretty tonight."
"Yeah. I haven't seen them like this for awhile...a long while. Cloud, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay with you."
"Hey, don't worry about it, okay?" Cloud said while glancing at her.
"I know, but you've done so much for me...and I feel as if I haven't done anything in return," Tifa lowered her head and looked at the white sand.
"Tifa..."Cloud put his hand gently on her chin and turned her face towards him. "Tifa...I...I...love you."
"Cloud...but I thought you loved..." Tifa's eyes started filling to the brim with tears.
"That's what I thought too but then it hit me one night. Aeris never liked me, she liked Zack. You even noticed me acting different. Tifa...I have this feeling for you that I have never felt before. I tried ignoring it at first, but then it just grew. The day I found out that you were getting married to Johnny, and having his child...I felt I could die."
"Cloud..." Tifa whispered with tears streaming down her face. "I have been waiting my entire life to here you say those three words."
Cloud felt a tear run down his face as he put his arms around her delicate body. Tifa shivered from the embrace but would not let go for any pain she felt.
"Cloud...I love you," Tifa said with her head buried in his chest.
"I love you too, Tifa," Cloud whispered back and put his head on hers.
"Tifa," Cloud pulled away from the embrace and looked at her tear stricken face. "I wouldn't ask you this if I didn't me this. Tifa, I want you in my life forever. I want Zell in my life too. I'm asking you, Tifa Lockheart, will you marry me?"
"Cloud..." Tifa was in shock. She didn't even notice that she hadn't said anything until she got a weird look from Cloud. "Yes..." she whispered. "Yes! Cloud I will!" she squealed happily. The rest of the night went on from there until they found themselves lying on the couch in the morning half-clothed.
"Mom-my," Zell called out half-asleep as he walked into the living room. Tifa opened her eyes to see Cloud sound asleep beside her. She sighed happily and snuggled up closer to Cloud.
"Go back to sleep Zell," she said as she closed her eyes again.
"But Mommy, it's already like kazillion o'clock. I can't sleep anymore." Zell complained and walked towards them.
"All right, all right. You win honey," Tifa turned over towards her son.
"Mmm...Don't go," Cloud said in a drowsy tone. He tightened his grip around her to make sure she couldn't get up.
"Cloud," she taunted in his ear. "Time to get up." A few minutes went by and Cloud still slept soundly with a tight grip on her. "Cloud..." She sighed out of frustration but didn't even bother to do anything. "Okay, stay in bed then." She gave him a small kiss on the cheek as she wriggled her way out of his arms.
"Is he always up this early?" Cloud asked as he watched Tifa get up and put on a shirt. Cloud let out a huge yawn and attempted to sit up but ended up just flopping back down on the couch. Cloud gave a happy sigh and closed his eyes. "Life is good."
***
Two months passed and the three lived happily in their little beach house, except for one thing.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked as he knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you all right?"
"What's wrong with Mommy?" Zell asked as he tugged on Cloud's pant leg. Cloud kneeled down to the young child's height. "Mommy isn't feeling well. I think she has a real bad cold." Zell gasped and got real wide eyed.
"I'm going to make Mommy a present and make her feel better." Cloud chuckled listening at how much this young boy loved his mom.
"That's a good idea," Cloud said to Zell as he stood up. Zell ran off downstairs to and went into the kitchen to make Tifa something.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked again. "Are you...?" Cloud was cut off when the door was unlocked and swung open.
"I feel really sick..." Tifa groaned as she held her stomach.
"I'm sorry babe," Cloud apologized and wrapped his arms around her. "Do you think you need to go see a doctor? This has been going on for the past two weeks now." Tifa just nodded her head as she laid it in Cloud's chest. Cloud took one of his hands and rubbed her back hoping to make her feel a little better. "We'll have to go see what Red's grandfather can do cuz' the only doctor was in Mideel."
Tifa just moaned in pain and clenched onto the back of Cloud's shirt.
"I'll go call Cid. He'll fly us there in no time." Cloud released her from their embrace and ran down the stairs to the phone.
"Zell!" Cloud called out. "Zell!"
"Wha-at?" Zell replied as he came out of the kitchen.
"Cid is coming to pick us up. Get some of the things together that you would like to bring."
"Okay."
Cloud grabbed the phone and dialed the number quickly. The phone rang about two times before it was picked up.
"Hello?" Cid greeted.
"Cid?! Get your ass over here! We gotta go to Cosmo Canyon," Cloud explained quickly.
"What?! Why?!"
"Tifa is real sick. I gotta get her to Bugen Hagen," Cloud grew impatient and started tapping his foot.
"Clo-ud," Tifa whined as she stumbled down the stairs.
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed and rushed to her aid. "Just hurry, Cid!"
***
When Cid had finally come, they left immediately for Cosmo Canyon. Tifa's condition hadn't gotten any better from the long trip. By the time they reached Cosmo Canyon the sun was high in the sky but somehow, Cosmo Canyon always looked red like the sunset. They landed at the front gates of Cosmo Canyon on a small opening.
"Sure glad I got this thing to land on this place," Cid said with a worried tone still in his voice.
"Come on Tifa, we'd better hurry," Cloud ordered.
"Hey, I'll be fine. Look, I'm already feeling better," Tifa lied obviously. She gave Cloud a
fake grin but soon flinched from the sickening feeling.
"Oh yeah. You look, one hundred percent better," Cid mocked behind her.
"Shut up Cid," she said plainly as she followed Cloud out of the Highwind.
The walk to the gate wasn't very far, but it was still far enough to encounter a griffin on the way.
"Dammit!" Cloud exclaimed as he saw the griffin unfold its wings. "We're gonna hafta run Tifa!"
"Don't you have your sword?" Tifa asked as she hid behind him.
"No. I didn't think I was going to need it." Cloud looked around at his surrounding. There was a large rock to the right of them, which they could easily run to and then make it to the entrance of Cosmo Canyon.
"Come on Tifa!" Cloud said leader like as he grabbed her by the arm and ran over to the rock. After reaching the rock, he kept running while Tifa tried to keep up.
"Cloud! I can't keep this up!" Tifa complained as she started to lose her footing.
"You gotta! It's just a little furth..." Cloud was cut off while Tifa stumbled to the ground. The griffin saw the two dart off and quickly lifted it's mass off the ground to pursuit them. Cloud watched the griffin fly quickly towards them.
"Cloud, leave me here!" Tifa said as she tried getting up.
"No way!" Cloud put her arm around his neck and heaved her up. "We've been in worst messes before!"
"Not without our weapons though!" The griffin came to a fast stop in front of the gate to Cosmo Canyon. Its high pitch screech would deafen any man. Cloud placed Tifa back down on the ground and stood in front of her. He picked up a sharp rock off the ground and got ready for the impact of the griffin.
"Come on you bastard," Cloud threatened. The griffin raised its hackles on its back as it leapt forward in attack. Tifa moved to the side quickly as she saw the griffin tackle Cloud to the ground.
"Cloud!" she cried out as she saw the two wrestling on the ground.
Cloud drove the small rock deep into the griffin's chest and made it pierce its heart. The griffin let its grasp go on Cloud as it fell over to the side of him. Cloud breathed heavily from the attack and stood up drearily.
"You...dare to kill a griffin," the griffin said as it tried to stand up. Cloud jumped back in surprise as he watched it. "A brave one you are....but...you..are foolish."
"Cloud?" Tifa said worried as she stood up.
"Do you hear that?" Cloud asked as he still watched the griffin carefully.
"No."
"Say farewell to your loved...one. Hope...she is...as strong as....you," the griffin said with its final words and then laid still.
"Cloud?" Tifa asked again.
"It's nothing. Come on, let's go see what's wrong with you," Cloud said as he smiled to her for reassurance. He went over to her and placed his arm around her. She smiled back at him and they walked to the entrance of Cosmo Canyon.
***
"Cloud! Tifa! What are you guys doing here?" Red XIII asked as he bounded towards them.
"Hey Red! We came to see your grandfather. Is that all right?" Cloud asked as he looked down at his cat friend.
"Yeah, this way," Red turned around and started heading towards the stairs. "What do you need to see him for anyways?"
"Oh, Tifa hasn't been feeling good at all. We were hoping that he would know why," Cloud explained as they walked towards the laboratory. Red nodded as he looked towards the entrance to his grandfather's laboratory.
"Through that door," Red pointed his paw in the direction of the door.
"Thank you Red," Cloud thanked him politely and lead the way for Tifa. He paused at the door and placed his hand on it gently.
"Come in, come in," a calm voice called from the other side of the door. Cloud pushed the door open and peeked in. He glanced around and noticed Bugen Hagen lying on the sofa. Reassured from seeing Bugen Hagen, he walked in with Tifa trailing behind him.
"So, haven't been feeling good, Tifa?" Bugen Hagen asked as he stood up. His back cracked loudly and he put on a face that only an old person can put on. "Oh! I'm getting old..." he murmured to himself.
"Yeah, that's right," Tifa said quietly to him.
"Hmmmm...and have you ever felt this kind of pain or sickness before?" he asked knowingly.
"Well, yeah. Once.....before...." Tifa paused shortly as the answer hit her like a rock. "Oh God no! Not again!" she cried out loudly. She felt her knees become weak and collapsed on the floor.
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed as he rushed to her aid. "What's the matter?"
"She was just hit with the truth," Bugen Hagen chuckled.
"What did I just miss?" Cloud looked at Bugen Hagen and then back to the dazed Tifa. Tifa snapped out of her daze and took in a deep breath.
"Cloud...you're going to be a father," she stated calmly.
"But...I thought....Zell was..."
"I'M PREGNANT CLOUD!" she screamed out. She looked at Cloud with worried eyes as she saw the look on his face. Cloud sat motionless. Tifa gave a sigh of frustration and ran out of the room.
"Tifa!" Cloud cried out after her. He looked back at Bugen Hagen with a smile. "Thank you."
"Hey, no problem. But, right now I think you've got bigger things to worry about," Bugen Hagen replied and pointed towards the door. Cloud nodded and headed for the door.
"Tifa!" he called out once again as he headed around the winding paths of Cosmo Canyon.
An hour had passed and there was still no sign of Tifa. 'Tifa, where are you?' he wondered to himself. He searched all over Cosmo Canyon and she didn't seem to be anywhere. His heart started aching as thoughts about never seeing her again started flooding his mind.
"Cloud!" a voice exclaimed.
"Red!" Cloud called back as he turned towards him.
"I saw Tifa! She was over by a cliff just north from here. She looked pretty sad."
"Thanks!" Cloud said quickly and headed towards the destination.
Tifa wept on her knees as she was curled up in a small ball.
"Tifa," Cloud said softly in the air.
"Cloud..." she whispered and turned to watch him walk to her. When he reached her, he sat down next to her in a similar position. "I'm scared..." she said practically to herself.
"Scared? Why are you scared?" Cloud asked as he looked at her with questioned eyes.
"I'm scared...about Johnny." Tifa watched the sun in the horizon as it started to set upon the mountains. Cloud didn't even try to comfort her with words. He simply embraced her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.
"Tifa..." cloud didn't know what to say. His whole life had just changed in the past few months. It was even worst for Tifa though. Tifa didn't say anything and just buried her head into his shirt and wept quietly. "Shhh...it's okay. I'm going to be right here for you. I will never leave you, or harm you in any way. Tifa, I love you." Cloud confessed as he placed his head on hers. Tifa's tears starting coming out uncontrollably.
"Cloud. I...love you too. I always had. My worst fear in the world was that...I would lose you," Tifa tightened her grip around him. "I'm just scared...that something bad is going to happen."
"I know you didn't have a good experience in your last marriage but, I think I can change that," Cloud pulled her away gently so he could look into her amber eyes.
"Thank you Cloud," Tifa smiled at him as she returned the look.
"Well, come on, I bet there's somebody else looking for you," Cloud gave her a grin and stood up. Tifa still sat and watched him put out his hand. She reached for it and grasped it gently. Cloud pulled her to her feet. When she was finally up on her feet, Cloud wrapped his arm around her as they started to head back.
"To think, having a son of my own blood," Cloud pondered as he looked down at Tifa with a smile.
"Who says it's going to be boy," Tifa asked as she gave him a weird look. Cloud just shrugged and chuckled. Tifa joined in on his laughter. She placed her head on his shoulder and continued to walk with him back to the others.
When they finally reached the entrance to Cosmo Canyon, the sun was almost fully set and the stars had started to pop out. As they walked in they started to notice familiar faces around the bon-fire.
"Vincent?" Tifa asked as the two reached the flaming fire. Vincent turned towards them and smiled.
"Barret?" Cloud asked as he noticed all of the gang sitting by the fire.
"Yo," Barret greet and raised a hand.
"Yuffie? Cait Sith? What are you all doing here?" Tifa asked as she sat down by the fire.
"We heard you were having a tough time," Cait Sith chimed as he gave her a very unique smile. Tifa grinned sheepishly at him and then to Cloud. Cloud just shrugged his shoulders and gave her a confused look.
"I mean, everything's that's happened about Johnny and all," Cait Sith added.
"Oh! Right!" Tifa gave a fake laugh. "You don't know the half of it."
"Well, anyways," Barret butted into the conversation. "We decided that we needed a little...family reunion. We're all going to Icicle Inn and what not like that! We're gonna travel around the world just like we did before."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Tifa squealed excitedly.
"But Tifa, what about...?" Cloud asked worried.
"It's okay, I can still live a normal life," Tifa insisted.
"But..."
"Not right now Cloud," Tifa gave him a aggravated look. "Nobody need to know right now."
Cloud nodded as the information went through his head. He gave a smile and thumbs up to the group about the traveling idea.
"Mommy!" a child yelled out. Tifa smiled and opened her arms for him. He ran into her hard as she wrapped her arms around him. She lifted him up as she stood up.
"Oh gosh you're getting heavy," she pointed out as she felt the weight of him weigh her down.
"You're a mom?!" Yuffie shouted as she quickly jumped up.
"Ya," Tifa replied calmly as Zell hugged her around the neck.
"You may all stay here for the night," Red offered proudly. "For, I too, would like to join you on this little outing."
The morning sun glistened brightly in the red canyons as the few streams fell over the cliffs. Almost the whole gang was up except for two still sleeping soundly on the soft bed with dreams still filling their heads.
"Hey! Sleepy heads! Let's get this show on the road!" Cid barged into the room as he saw the two still sleeping soundly. "Clo-ud! Ti-fa!" Cid exclaimed as he opened the shades on the windows. Tifa was lying on her stomach snuggled up close to Cloud with an arm wrapped around him.
"Yo! Lovebirds! Come on! I want to get to Icicle Inn before all the rooms are taken!" Cid yelled out as he headed back to the door. He gave a frustrated snort and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Tifa's eyes fluttered open. She looked to her side where Cloud was still in his deep sleep.
"Cloud," she said slightly above a whisper. "Come on Cloud, we need to go."
"All right Tifa," Cloud said still asleep.
"Clo-ud," Tifa complained and gave him a sad, disappointed look. She shook him gently in attempt to make him open his eyes. Cloud hid a grin on his face as he grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her over to him as he got on top of her and put the covers over them.
"RAH!" he yelled as he made his hands into claws. Tifa laughed as she looked at him with a big smile.
"Good morning," she greeted happily. Cloud gave her a small kiss on the lips.
"It could be better."
Tifa ran her finger along the outline of his face. "I'm sure it could be," she said smiling. In an instant, Cloud and Tifa both felt a weight pound down on them. Tifa shrieked shortly in surprise.
"Good morning sweepy heads," Zell said happily. Cloud chuckled and relaxed on Tifa.
"You guys...aren't that light...you know," Tifa said trying to breathe. Cloud sat up on his hands and knees and looked down at her with sorry eyes.
"Sorry Tif," Cloud apologized.
"Woah!" Zell tried to keep his balance as he felt Cloud rise beneath him. His attempts soon failed as he fell off of Cloud and onto the floor. Pain shot through his head as he started making a blood-curdling cry. Cloud quickly fell to the side of Tifa where there was enough bed for him as she got up to her child's aid.
"Zell, baby," Tifa cooed as she comforted him with her arms around him. "You'll be okay Zell. Shhhh..." Tifa hugged him tightly and leaned her head against his. Zell's crying soon went to a soft sniffling and he started to wipe away his tears.
"You okay now?" Tifa asked concernly. Zell nodded his head and hugged his mother tightly. Cloud yawned loudly and sat up on the side of the bed.
"All right Zell, go downstairs and tell Cid that we'll be there in a minute." Tifa smiled as she put down her son and watched him run out of the room. She gave a sigh of relief and collapsed back on the bed.
"Cloud, how did you ever pursued me into having another one?" she asked as she looked up to him
"Well, if you really want to know..." Cloud gave an evil grin and chuckled.
"Okay, okay," Tifa sat up quickly just to be pulled down again. "Clo-ud!" she complained as she kicked her feet wildly in the air.
"I'm sorry Tifa," Cloud said sincerely. "You're just so cute when you're irritated." Tifa glared at him as she sat up and put on her pants.
"Tifa...come on. I meant it as a joke," Cloud pleaded for forgiveness. Tifa ignored his apologies and threw him his white muscle shirt. She turned towards him and glared at him with an angry face. After a few seconds her face softened up as she looked at his sad, confused look.
"Cloud? How am I ever supposed to stay mad at you?" Tifa asked while she walked over to him. Cloud watched her action with eager eyes. She sat down next to him and gave him a soft kiss.
"Tifa, I think you're too stressed," Cloud said after their lips parted.
"Why do you say that?"
"I don't know, you just seem, not so relaxed..." Tifa gave him a curious look. "Come on, I'll carry you downstairs."
"Carry me?" Tifa asked in a not so sure tone.
"That's what I said," Cloud said proudly and stood up. He placed his shirt on quickly. Tifa just shrugged and stood up. She felt her legs come out from underneath her as she was lifted up by Cloud.
***
By the time they made it to the Icicle Inn, the sun was high in the sky. The gang probably would have made it quicker if it weren't for a few pit stops they had to make about every hour. Tifa might have known why she wasn't feeling well, but it still didn't make the nauseating feeling go away.
"Hey, what was wrong with Tifa anyways?" Cid asked as they all headed towards the inn.
"Oh, she had some rare type of stomach flu. It'll go away in a few days," Cloud lied between his teeth.
"That's good," Cid didn't even seem to notice the obvious lying that Cloud had just done. The time at Icicle Inn was fun. They went snowboarding just about everyday and they also just hung out.
On the last morning there though a loud scream came from the upstairs room.
"Cloud! It's not fair!" Tifa cried out as she looked in the mirror.
"Tifa!" Cloud out of breath as he reached the room. He tried stopping at the door, but instead skidded right past it. He collapsed on his butt, but soon jumped back on his feet and ran back to the door.
"Tifa!" he called out once again as he peered into the door. "What's the matter?!"
"I don't fit..." Tifa said like a disappointed child. She tugged her jeans out to try and make them fit over her slightly swelled abdomen.
"Awww...my poor Tiffy," Cloud said in a caring voice as he walked over to her. When he reached her, he hugged her from behind and placed his hands on her stomach area. He rested his chin gently on her shoulder and smiled to her through the mirror.
"You're still as beautiful as ever though," Cloud said with a charming voice. "You really are." He gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
"Yo, turtle doves," a voice called from the door. Both Cloud and Tifa turned to see the person who had called.
"Yeah, come on! We all want to go snowboarding for the last time," Barret said impatiently.
"All right, we'll be there in a minute," Cloud said to him. He released Tifa and watched Barret walk out of the room.
"Well, hopefully my snow clothes still fit," Tifa said hopefully.
"You can't go snowboarding!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Yes I can," Tifa said bluntly.
"No...you can't."
"Yes...I can."
"No...you can't."
"Yes."
"Tifa! You're pregnant! You can't go snowboarding!" Cloud bellowed in the small room. His thundering voice echoed all across the inn and even outside in the snowy hills. Silence fell over the two. The entire inn stood in shock from the news. Tifa stood dumbfounded for a few seconds as five heads peaked into the doorway of their room. Cloud placed his hand behind his back as he felt his face turn many bright shades of red.
"What is this I hear?" Barret asked a little shocked.
"Yeah, who's pregnant?" Cid added as he followed in behind Barret. Tifa glanced at Cloud as she searched her mind for an explanation. The only thing she could think of was give them a sheepish smile and shrug her arms.
"Tifa?!" the five said in unison. There was another long pause as everybody stared at her with wondering eyes.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Tifa exclaimed.
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Cid asked with a big smile across his face.
"You can't be havin' another one? You're still too young! You should enjoy being young before you get old like me," Barret advised.
"Bawwet," Zell cried as he tugged on his pants. "What going on?"
"Uh..." Barret looked at Tifa for help.
"Oh, nothing's going on honey. Why don't you go play outside with your new sled that Cloud got you?" Tifa asked as she knelt down to his level.
"Okay! Mommy? Will you come pway with me?"
"Of course," she said with a smile. "I'll be out in a minute. Go wait for me." Tifa gave him a kiss on the forehead and the child soon bounced out of the room and outside.
"Congratulations Tifa," Red said and gave her the best smile that he could.
"Thank you Red," Tifa said kindly. "All right, I can't keep Zell waiting." Tifa grabbed her snow gear and slipped it on quickly. She gave Cloud a quick kiss on the cheek as she exited the room and headed outside to play with her son for the last time in the snow.
***
Two months had passed and the gang had gone from Kalm all the way to Wutai. They visited many of the towns and greeted many familiar faces that they had meet on their journey. Now, they were on their way back to Cosmo Canyon from an island north of Kalm.
Sweat trickled down the side of Tifa's face as she lay curled up in the bed. Cloud put a cold, wet rag on her forehead as he watched her cringe in pain.
"How's she doing?" Barret asked as he walked into the room.
"No better," Cloud said with a sad tone in his voice. "I don't know what's wrong with her. She just all of a sudden started getting really sick. She won't eat...she won't drink, Barret, what's wrong with her?" Cloud asked as his throat clump up.
"Hey, we're going back to Cosmo Canyon to see. I know, this isn't natural. She's running a very high fever," Barret looked down at Tifa lying in the bed. "Yuffie's watching over Zell right now, but we should be there in about an hour."
Cloud nodded and looked back down at Tifa. "I'm so worried Barret..."
"Hey, we know her. She'll make it through," Barret said confidently. Cloud just shook his head.
"You've seen what she's been through. Many over her wounds from Johnny still aren't even healed."
"Well, don't give up on her yet. She's strong Cloud. She's even stronger with you by her side," Barret gave him a short lecture and walked out of the room.
"Cloud..." Tifa groaned. "Cloud...it's really warm in here."
"Sshhh... just relax Tifa. I'll get it cooled off for you," Cloud had a worried tone in his voice as he went and opened the window in the highwind a little more. He dipped the damp rag in the cold water and placed it back on her forehead.
They reached Cosmo Canyon a little after dark. Cloud ran quickly into the small town and went to Bugen Hagen's laboratory.
"Bugen Hagen!" he yelled as he searched for him.
"I'm right here Cloud," he said calmly as he appeared behind him.
"Thank God. Come on, you need to see Tifa. She's doing awful."
"Hold up a second," Bugen Hagen said trying to figure out what was going on.
"Tifa, she's really sick. She's got a real bad fever and she hasn't eaten for the past 2 weeks," Cloud said with fear in his voice. Bugen Hagen nodded his head and followed Cloud into the Highwind.
Cloud and the others were left to wait in the bridge while Bugen Hagen examined Tifa. Cloud paced back and forth as he waited.
"Cool it Cloud," Cid ordered. "You're starting to make me dizzy." Cloud didn't say anything and just sat down against the wall. Twenty minutes passed and there was no sign of anything.
"I'm sure everything is going to be all..." Barret was quickly interrupted when a figure stood at the entrance of the bridge.
"Cloud, I need to talk to you, alone," Bugen Hagen insisted. Cloud nodded and followed Bugen Hagen into another room.
"Cloud, sit down." Cloud did as he was told and expected the worst. "Well, the good news is that it isn't any kind of poison or flu."
"Then what's the bad news?" Cloud asked worried.
"Well, she has mako poisoning." Cloud felt as if his world just collapsed from beneath him.
"But...how?"
"Well, you have been exposed to mako, and have been poisoned by it also. You still have mako in your body and system and well, your child got the mako. Now, you do the math on how she got it." Cloud sat with a scared face on. He barely lived through the poisoning and now the one he loved dearly had it.
"Can...can she ever get rid of it?" Cloud asked with a hopeful voice.
"Yes. The last four months of her pregnancy will be very painful. If she has a strong will and heart she will make it through. She's going to need a lot of your help Cloud. She will be lucky if she can get up and move. You'll have to force feed her because she may not seem hungry or thirsty but she needs the energy. Cloud...this is when you are going to have to show that you really love her." Cloud nodded his head thought about everything in his head. He got up and headed down into the room where she laid.
"Tifa," he whispered as he went into the room. "I will keep my promise after all."
Another two agonizing months passed for Tifa. It was mid-December and Christmas was coming up fast. Tifa was able to sit up in bed and feed herself, but anything beyond that became a chore. Cloud sat in bed with her one day as they both watched the snow fly outside.
"Me and Zell set up a Christmas tree," Cloud said and chuckled at how hard it was for the two to do. Tifa smiled at him as she placed the warm soup that Cloud had made for her in her mouth. "Christmas will be in a few days. I think 6 to be exact." Cloud said in a happy voice.
"This will be our first Christmas together," Tifa said quietly.
"Ya, and it will be my best Christmas ever," Cloud said softly and stroked Tifa's hair. Tifa nodded and sighed happily. As much pain as she was in, she was the happiest that she's ever been for a long time.
"All right, I'd better go see what kind of trouble Zell's getting into," Cloud said as he sat up. "I'll be back up in about an hour, OK? Just leave your dish there and I'll get it." Cloud exited the room and walked quietly down the hall to find out where Zell had disappeared off to.
The six days passed by quickly and many presents were accumulating under the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was placed on the bridge of the highwind for that's where it seemed everybody always was. They all felt no point of returning home right now, mostly because they all wanted to spend one Christmas together. They all agreed that they would spend Christmas Eve together and then go there separate ways for Christmas.
When Christmas Eve came along, the highwind was a busy place. Everybody was running around everywhere trying to get things set up. Yuffie was busy cooking a dinner for them all while Barret and Cid were trying to do last minute shopping. Red put up some last decorations around the place while Cloud and Zell keep Tifa company.
"Cloud, go to the party without me," Tifa insisted.
"No, Tifa," Cloud said sternly.
"Yes, I'll just go to sleep because I'm really tired anyways." It was about 5:00 p.m. and Cloud was attempting to get Tifa to go to the party also.
"Cloud, I'm a whale right now. A beached whale to be in fact. It's hard for me to move around. Don't worry, have a great time, okay?" Tifa kept on pushing him to go. Finally, Cloud had to give up and join everybody downstairs at the party. Zell followed him like a little puppy as they went to the table that was set for them all.
"Hey Cloud!" Barret greeted as he saw his friend come down. "Where's the Tiffers?"
"She said to go ahead without her..." Cloud said solemnly. Cid nodded his head and sat down at the table.
"Well," Cid started. "We might as well do what the lady says." With that everybody started piling food on their plates and started eating their dinner. Cloud tried to eat but ended up playing with most of his food.
By the time it came to opening the presents, Cloud sat down by Zell and watched Barret hand out the presents to everybody.
"And...here's another one to Zell," Barret said as he passed Zell a huge box. "God Cloud, that kid is spoiled." Cloud chuckled and watched Zell open his present. Inside was a small, red tricycle. The expression on Zell's face was priceless.
"I wish Tifa could have seen that," Cloud said as he watched Zell start jumping up and down.
"Well guess what," a small voice from behind said. "I didn't miss anything."
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed as he jumped up to see her. "You're walking! You're up!"
"Yeah, I figured this only comes around once a year so I figured I would spend it with my family," Tifa smiled, but pain also filled her face as she tried to keep standing. Cloud quickly rushed to her aid and helped her take a seat by the tree.
Tifa laughed as she looked at herself. "I'm a beached whale!" Everybody joined in and laughed with her. Cloud cleared his throat loudly in attempt to get everybody's attention.
"All right, last time I did this, it was rather informal. So I'm going to do it again," Cloud walked up to the tree and picked out a small box from the tree. It was a small velvet red box with a gold trimming. He took the box and handed it to Tifa.
"Huh?" Tifa asked as she gently took the box from him. She opened it up and a soft tune started to play. The tune was (as the game calls it Tifa's theme) a sweet melody that could easily make you fall asleep.
"Cloud?" Tifa asked as she looked at the small, diamond-studded ring inside being cushioned by a white pillow of fabric. Cloud got down on one knee and took her hand gently in his.
"Miss Tifa Lockheart," he said as calm as the ocean waves hit the beach on a lonely night. "Will you marry me?"
"Cloud..." Tifa sat shocked. She looked at the ring and then to Cloud. A smile spread across her face as looked him in the eyes. "Yes, I will," she said with the happiest voice. She threw her arms around Cloud as she heard everybody around her start applauding.
"What's goin' on?" Zell asked Barret.
"Don't worry about it right now kid. You'll understand one day," Barret had a smile across his face as he continued clapping.
Tears started rolling down Tifa's face as she now knew that she would be happy for the rest of her life and for eternity.
Epilogue
Tifa gave birth to a healthy baby girl and got married that next summer to Cloud. Cid returned back to Rocket Town and popped the question to Shera. Barret finally was done helping rebuild Coral and Marlene went to one of the best schools. Vincent went back into hiding. Yuffie continued to steal materia. Reeve deactivated Cait Sith knowing that next time he was going to meet the gang in person. Red XIII went back to protect Cosmo Canyon.
Now, this definitely isn't the end of our story. More will be coming, once I think of how to write it, but I hope you did enjoy this. ( I don't remember if Bugen Hagen died or not, but if he did, then he didn't in this story!!)
Author's Note: All right, I don't own any of these characters...they are all of Squaresofts. OK? So, please don't sue me or anything because I'm not trying to get money off of it, I'm just trying to enjoy my free time. Yadda yadda yadda yadda...
By: ~*Tiffy*~
The night sky was brilliantly illuminated by the rising moon. The crisp air bit at the young girl's exposing flesh while she leaned on a small pole. Tifa Lockheart had just experienced an adventure that would change her entire life. That didn't bother her though as long as she had her best friend along with her. She knew Cloud Strife ever since she was a child and has become very close ever since.
Tifa gave a sad sigh as she thought about him. What she would give to have that man in her life would be to give her very own life. She loved him with all her heart, and just wanted him to feel the same way, but she knew why he didn't. Aeris. That name felt like a burden to her. Tifa knew Cloud loved Aeris, and Aeris loved him too. 'Somehow Aeris, you can still ruin my life even when you're dead,' she thought solemnly to herself.
A tear rolled gently down her cheek knowing the only one that she loved would never love her back, at least in the way that she wanted. She felt more tears building up but she held them back. Her knees started to weaken from beneath her. Then she collapsed. Tears poured out of her eyes as she whimpered softly to herself. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she whispered her love's name into the air as if expecting to get a response.
***
"Hey guys, where's Tifa?" a young blonde hared man asked his friends.
"I haven't seen her," replied a black man with large muscles and a torn shirt. "You know, speaking of Tifa, I think she really likes you."
Barret was sitting next to Cid with Red XIII lying on the floor next to them all. They were all hanging out at Tifa's new bar in Kalm.
"Yeah, but she knows I love Aeris," Cloud said as he sat down with the rest of them.
"Does she now?" Cid asked him concernly. "I don't think so Cloud."
"Well, I want to find her anyways. I know she's the one I can really talk to about this kind of stuff."
"I saw her sitting outside under the moon," Red XIII spoke out of nowhere.
"Thanks Red. I'll see ya guys later. After tonight, I'm heading to Costa Del Sol." Cloud waved to his buddies and walked out the door.
***
Tifa sat with her head buried in her knees. Her tears had stop, but it still didn't fill her empty heart. She lifted her head up and looked at the moon, lighting up the sky.
"It's beautiful, isn't it."
Tifa's heart skipped a few beats. "Cloud? What are you doing here?" Tifa questioned as she tried to wipe away the evidence of her crying.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked sincerely. "Have you been crying?"
"Me? Crying?" Tifa tried to lie. "No Cloud..."
"Tifa..." His caring voice made her melt. 'Cloud, why do you do this to me?' she thought to herself.
"Tifa, please tell me what's wrong."
'Tifa! Get a hold of yourself! This is Cloud, your best friend! You can tell him!' Tifa got her composure up. "Nothings wrong Cloud..." her voice seemed to trail off into the ever-growing darkness.
"Tifa, I know there's something wrong. Ever since Aeris came..."
"Aeris." she said out loud. 'That name curses me...' Tifa stared off into the darkness for several seconds.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked again. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong Cloud. I guess I'm just...missing my parents," Tifa attempted to lie but apparently it had worked. Cloud nodded his head in understanding. He leaned back on his elbows and looked up at the stars.
"Yeah, I guess you would be." Cloud let out a sigh and smiled. "There's only one person I really miss."
"Really, who?" Tifa asked even though she already knew the dreadful answer.
"Aeris..."
The name hit her like a thousand knives.
"You know Tifa, I think I really love her." That was it. She couldn't take the pain any more.
"I think she loved you too, Cloud," she lied. She forced a smile for him. "I think I'm going to get to bed. Good night...Cloud."
"Good night Tifa." Cloud smiled back at her. He watched her get up and leave into the night. Tifa hadn't even walked 100 feet before the tears poured out again.
"He really does love Aeris..." she said under her breath before she ran off. The grass beneath her feet made no sound as she walked past the window where Barret, Cid, and Red were. The stables weren't too far away from her new 7th's Heaven. Tifa creaked open the stable door and peeked in. All the chocobos were sleeping soundly in a dreamless sleep.
"Lance," she called out quietly. At the sound of his name, the black chocobo looked up to see the intruder. He gave a quiet wark and rustled around in his stall.
"Hey boy," Tifa said calmly as she headed back to the third stall. Lance started to shuffle his feet as he saw Tifa get closer. "Hold it baby," Tifa cried to him. The more she thought about Cloud, the more she wept. "Cloud..." she whispered as she opened the gate to Lance's stall.
The black chocobo burst out and Tifa barely had a chance to grab a hold of him and jump on. Lance guided himself out of the stable as Tifa held on tightly. She pressed her legs together so the chocobo would move more quickly. In less than a few minutes, they were already on top of a hill heading for the coast.
Tifa pulled back on the feather on the back of Lances neck to make him stop. Lance squawked out of irritation for stopping. "Cloud...I just want to know...why?"
***
'I remember that day clearly,' Tifa thought to herself. 'Things have definitely changed a lot since then.'
"Tifa?! What the hell are you doing still up?!" an angry voice from upstairs yelled.
"I...I...couldn't sleep, Johnny."
"Damn it Tifa!" She knew what was coming next
"Johnny, I'm sorry!" she screamed back. Over the past 4 years she had lost a lot of strength. Mostly because she hadn't had to use it ever since she had her child. The child didn't have much to do with it though; it was the constant beating from Johnny. The bruises from him lined her body.
"Mommy," a small child cried out sleepily.
"Zell, honey," Tifa called out to him and opened her arms for him. Zell ran into her arms, as he felt safe under his mother's protection. "Oh, what's the matter?"
"I heard lots of yelling," Zell started crying on his mother shoulder.
"Shhhh...It's okay," Tifa picked her son up and hid her tears from her furious husband.
"I'm leaving!" Johnny shouted loudly. "I'm going to the bar and I'll be back! Don't you dare try to leave either." He grabbed a chair that was sitting next to the door and threw it at Tifa. She turned her back to protect her son from the flying object. The chair smacked her in her back and made her fall to the ground. Tifa stayed silent as she lay on the floor. Johnny looked at her disgusted and walked out the door.
"Mommy!" Zell cried out as he ran over to her.
"I'm okay honey," she said as she sat back up. "Come on, let's get out of here."
Tifa lifted her son up again and headed up the stairs into her room. She set Zell down on the bed and she headed over to her drawer. She pulled the drawer open gently and moved her clothes out of the way. Underneath, was a picture of the whole gang, her combat gloves, and her PHS. She slid her gloves on and picked up the PHS. She dialed a number for Barret. After about 7 rings he finally picked up the phone.
"Yuffie! If this is your idea of a joke...."
"Barret... I need your help," Tifa cut him off.
"Tifa?!" Barret exclaimed shocked. "Tifa, what's the matter? I haven't heard from you ever since that night you ran off."
"Heh, you're going to be in shock then. But, we can catch up later. Right now I need you to get Cid over here. I need a place to stay."
"Okay, where are you?"
"I'm in Kalm. Just get over here, I need your help," Tifa said impatiently.
"Yes, yes. I'll get a hold of Cid, and maybe Cloud too."
"Thank you Barret. You don't know how much I appreciate this."
"Hey, dun' worry about it."
Tifa turned off the PHS and looked at Zell. She smiled at him sitting there kicking his legs back and forth.
"Come on Zell," Tifa said soothingly. "Let's go get some of your stuff together."
"Okay! Can I bring my Mog animal?" he asked politely.
"Of course you can. I wouldn't want you to leave your favorite toy." Tifa smiled at him as he ran to his room. 'Please hurry Cid.'
***
"Come on Zell," Tifa called up to him as she sat on the couch.
"Coming Mommy!" He ran down the stair with a bag full of toys. Tifa giggled as she watched him try to pull the bag.
"Here let me help you," she took the bag with her hand and lifted Zell up with her other. "We're going to go wait outside for them."
As she reached for the door handle, the door flew open and there stood a dark figure.
"Now, where the fucking hell do you think your going?!" Johnny yelled as he stomped in the house.
"Johnny...you're home," she said quietly.
"Yes, I am! Now bitch, die..." Johnny held up a gun to his wife's forehead.
"Johnny?!" she exclaimed as she looked at the gun pointed directly between her eyes. "Johnny...don't..." she pleaded as she closed her eyes.
"Johnny! Stop, right now," a very familiar voice ordered. Tifa knew that voice. "Cloud?" she squealed.
"Well, well, if it isn't the shrimp," Johnny teased as he dropped the gun. He turned around to face Cloud with his hands up in the air. He jumped back quickly when he saw a 7-foot blade at his throat. "Hey, hey, I was just playing," Johnny lied as he pleaded for his life.
"Come on Tifa," Cloud said sternly as he made sure to keep Johnny at bay. Tifa ran quickly out the door with Zell still in her arms. "If I hear you ever hurting people like that again, I'll hunt you down like the dog you are."
Cloud turned his back and headed outside where Tifa and Zell were waiting.
"Are you okay Tifa?" he asked concernly.
"Don't worry about me Cloud, I'm fine, now anyways," she said and smiled at him.
"Tifa!" Barret and Cid yelled out at the same time. "Are you all right?" Cid asked as he looked at her.
"Holy shit?! Who's kid is that?!" Barret asked as he noticed Zell in her arms. Tifa laughed softly at Barret.
"It's mine Barret."
"What?! You can't have kids! You're too young."
"I'm sorry Barret," Tifa apologized even though she knew it was meant more as a joke. "Anyways, can you take him to the airship?"
"Sure can," Barret said eagerly. Tifa set Zell down on the ground.
"Zell, this is Barret and Cid. They're going to take you up in a big plane, okay? I'll be there in a few minutes and if they start being mean just bop them on the nose," Tifa told Zell and acted like she was taking his nose.
"Thanks Barret. He shouldn't be any trouble. Just let him play with his toys and he'll be happy." Tifa handed Barret the bag of toys. Barret took Zell by the hand and started talking to him while Cid followed. Tifa watched the three go into the highwind and leave her and Cloud outside.
"Tifa. You're not okay..." Cloud said plainly.
"I'm fine..." Tifa assured him as she turned her back to him.
"Tifa," Cloud put his hand on her shoulder but she quickly jerked away in pain.
"Tifa?" He questioned and walked closer up to her. He pulled the collar of her shirt to the side so he could see her shoulder. "God, Tiff..." Cloud exclaimed as he looked at her bruised shoulder. "Why didn't you ever tell me he beat you?"
"I....I....guess I was scared..." Tifa said quietly. "Ever since that night you told me that you loved Aeris...I..."
"Tifa," Cloud cut off her sentence and wrapped his arms around her. Tifa flinched in pain and felt a few tears fall onto her cheeks. "How bad did he get you?" Cloud asked as he turned her to face him.
"If I stayed there any longer, I would have too many bruises to hide."
"I can't believe he did that to you," Cloud stated as he pulled up the sleeve on her shirt and looked at the bruises on her arms. "So, where do you plan on staying?" Tifa gritted her teeth together as he touched one of her scratches on her arm.
"I don't know...but Barret said that I could stay with him until I can stand on my own."
"Well, why don't you stay with me? I bought that big house at Costa Del Sol a while back and it's pretty lonely there," Cloud asked with a happy smile on his face.
"Cloud...it's not that easy now. I've got a kid now. Ya know, I don't want him to start thinking that he's got a new father."
"All right, Tifa," Cloud said disappointed. "I won't bug you about your motherly instincts."
"Thank you...but, you know, I would really like to stay with you..." Tifa said with a smile on her face. Cloud smiled back and took her hand in his.
"Come on we better head to the ship," Cloud recommended. "I'm betting your son is wondering where you are."
"His names Zell." Tifa giggled as she started walking to the ship.
"Zell..? That's a different name," Cloud said trying not to sound rude. Tifa just ignored his comment and started walking to the airship. Cloud followed her like a little lost puppy dog, but felt happy to be able to see her again.
***
Everybody stayed the night in the Highwind. Cid was sleeping on the steering wheel while Barret was leaned up against a wall. Tifa was also sleeping on a wall with Zell set in her lap. For some odd reason, Cloud wasn't able to get a wink of sleep. He decided to just watch the stars all night and wait for the sun to rise. By morning, Cloud was pretty tired, but still not able to get to sleep.
"Cloud, you dumbass," Cid yawned as he opened his eyes. "You were up all night, weren't ya?"
"Yeah," Cloud smiled as he looked over to Tifa. "Man, Tifa really got beat bad."
"What?!" Cid exclaimed a little too loudly. Cloud jumped at his outburst and quickly gave him a motion to quiet down.
"Sorry," Cid apologized and walked towards Cloud. "Now, what exactly do you mean?"
"I mean, Johnny literally beat her. She's got bruises and cuts lining her body," Cloud had a worried look on his face as he glanced over to Tifa. "I just wish I knew earlier, I could have saved her a lot of pain."
"Well, what's done is done. We're just lucky we go to her before Johnny killed her," Cid started saying but quickly changed the subject. "All right, we better get this boat movin'. I'll wake up the huge ass tub of lard if you can get sleeping beauty."
Cloud chuckled quietly at Cid's description. He felt a yawn coming on as he stood up and stretched out his arms. 'She's so beautiful,' he thought to himself as he walked over to her sleeping body and child.
"Tifa," Cloud shook her gently. "Tifa, you need to get up."
"Johnny! No!" Tifa screamed as she sat up straight. "Oh God, I'm sorry Cloud." Tifa's face turned a bright shade of red as she looked at him.
"Mommy?" Zell asked tiredly.
"Shhh...It's okay honey. We're going away for a little bit," Tifa reassured her son.
"Where we going?"
Tifa smiled down at her son. "It's going to be a surprise, okay?"
"Yay!" Zell jumped up excitedly. He started running around and accidentally ran right into Cloud. "Sowwy mister Cloud."
"It's okay Zell. Hey, why don't you go see if Barret is up yet?"
"Okay!" Zell exclaimed as he ran out of the pilot's room to go find Barret and Cid. Cloud laughed as he watched the little child run off.
"Who would have ever thought the big mighty Cloud would be so good with kids?" Tifa commented as she relaxed against the wall. Cloud gave her a sly smile as he went to go sit down by her. "Anyways, how has life been in Costa Del Sol?"
"Lonely. Barret is still helping to rebuild Corral after the train and meteor. Cid's with Shera in Rocket Town. Red's guarding Cosmo Canyon. Vincent is in Nibelheim, I'm guessing. You...were in Kalm. It's just been so lonely around my place. I'm glad I got to see you guys. Especially you...Tifa," Cloud paused for a second and lowered his voice a little. "I've been so worried about you. Ever since that day that you ran off and found Johnny. I never liked him and I knew he was going to do something bad to you. Tifa, when Barret called me last night, I had never been so scared in my entire life," Cloud suddenly stopped.
"Cloud...I've missed you so much. I don't know, but I guess I've been scared to see you ever since that night I ran off."
"Scared?" Cloud asked curiously. Tifa gave a sigh as she thought about the conversation that they were having. 'Well, I guess I've gotta spill my guts to you some time.'
"Yes. I remember the exact words you said. I remember, you saying that you loved Aeris. I guess it was a good thing you told me the truth. It hurt, but at least it was the truth. Tifa turned her head away from Cloud to hide the one tear that had fallen. "It's still hard for me, but I understand your feelings towards Aeris." Tifa stood up quietly and walked over to the front of the Highwind. She placed her elbows on the guardrail in front of the giant window of the Highwind.
'I never knew,' Cloud thought to himself and he followed behind her. "Tifa," he said quietly behind her but she didn't move or turn around to face him. Cloud gently placed his hand on her back, but even the slight touch of his hand was painful as she pulled away from his touch. Cloud took his hand away quickly and joined her on the guardrail.
"Sorry about that," Cloud apologized. "I keep on forgetting what HE did to you."
"It's okay. The bruises and scratches will go away in time. And, maybe even the memory of him."
"I hope so. I really do hope so," Cloud looked at her with worried eyes.
"Mommy!" Zell yelled as he came running to them. Tifa kneeled down and opened her arms to him. Zell laughed childishly as he ran into her arms.
"Hey Zell!" she said happily as she picked him up and hugged him. "Did you go bug Barret and Cid?"
"Uh huh!" Zell said proudly and nodded his head. Tifa laughed at her son.
"You okay Tifa? I mean, after everything's that's happened," Cid asked worried.
"Yeah, I'm all right Cid. And, thank you all for helping me."
"Hey, no problem. But, the only thing you could have done was call earlier," Barret added as he walked into the conversation.
"Tifa, now won't you plee-ase stay at my house?" Cloud pleaded.
"All right Cloud, but once I start being a burden, you tell me to leave."
"Tifa...you know I could never..."
"Tell me!" Tifa said sternly.
"Okay okay! I'll let ya know," Cloud backed away quickly.
"All right! Let's get this show on the road!" Cid announced.
***
The trip to Costa Del Sol was long for the Highwind was running low on fuel and not to mention the super jets went out from the flight before. When they finally did reach Costa Del Sol, the sun was high in the sky warming the planet.
"I'd like to thank you again Cloud," Tifa said as they walked into his house.
"Hey don't worry about it. We've been friends forever it seems. And it hasn't stopped yet." Cloud gave her a charming smile that made her feel weak in the knees.
'Cloud,' Tifa thought to herself. 'Please stop, your killing my soul with your charms that I know don't belong to me.'
"All right Zell. We're going to be staying here for a little bit, okay?" Tifa asked her son.
"We gotta stay wit' Cloud?" Zell asked curiously.
"Yeah, for a little bit," Tifa put her hand on Zell's head and ruffled up his hair. "Come on, let's go see what room we're staying in."
"You two can stay in my room. I'll sleep on the couch," Cloud offered.
"You sure that's all right?" Tifa asked him with a not so sure tone.
"It's fine Tifa," Cloud smiled at her.
"Thank you Cloud, You've always been there to help me when I'm in a fix."
***
The rest of the day went by fairly quickly until the sun fell and the starts rose and looked upon the helpless earth. Zell was fast asleep dreaming in bed. Tifa, on the other hand was walking around not being able to sleep.
The water from the ocean crashed gently against the sandy shore while the sea breeze rustled through Tifa's hair. 'This is nice,' Tifa thought as she sat down on the sand. 'For once, I don't have to worry about Johnny, ever.'
Her train of thought was soon interrupted by a soft step in the sand. She jumped from the sudden intrusion and turned quickly to the unexpected visitor.
"Sorry Tifa," Cloud said as he walked closer to her. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay. So, what are you doing out here at this time of night?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Cloud smiled at her.
"Well, I couldn't..."
"Sleep. Same here," Cloud cut her off of her sentence. "The stars are really pretty tonight."
"Yeah. I haven't seen them like this for awhile...a long while. Cloud, I can't thank you enough for letting me stay with you."
"Hey, don't worry about it, okay?" Cloud said while glancing at her.
"I know, but you've done so much for me...and I feel as if I haven't done anything in return," Tifa lowered her head and looked at the white sand.
"Tifa..."Cloud put his hand gently on her chin and turned her face towards him. "Tifa...I...I...love you."
"Cloud...but I thought you loved..." Tifa's eyes started filling to the brim with tears.
"That's what I thought too but then it hit me one night. Aeris never liked me, she liked Zack. You even noticed me acting different. Tifa...I have this feeling for you that I have never felt before. I tried ignoring it at first, but then it just grew. The day I found out that you were getting married to Johnny, and having his child...I felt I could die."
"Cloud..." Tifa whispered with tears streaming down her face. "I have been waiting my entire life to here you say those three words."
Cloud felt a tear run down his face as he put his arms around her delicate body. Tifa shivered from the embrace but would not let go for any pain she felt.
"Cloud...I love you," Tifa said with her head buried in his chest.
"I love you too, Tifa," Cloud whispered back and put his head on hers.
"Tifa," Cloud pulled away from the embrace and looked at her tear stricken face. "I wouldn't ask you this if I didn't me this. Tifa, I want you in my life forever. I want Zell in my life too. I'm asking you, Tifa Lockheart, will you marry me?"
"Cloud..." Tifa was in shock. She didn't even notice that she hadn't said anything until she got a weird look from Cloud. "Yes..." she whispered. "Yes! Cloud I will!" she squealed happily. The rest of the night went on from there until they found themselves lying on the couch in the morning half-clothed.
"Mom-my," Zell called out half-asleep as he walked into the living room. Tifa opened her eyes to see Cloud sound asleep beside her. She sighed happily and snuggled up closer to Cloud.
"Go back to sleep Zell," she said as she closed her eyes again.
"But Mommy, it's already like kazillion o'clock. I can't sleep anymore." Zell complained and walked towards them.
"All right, all right. You win honey," Tifa turned over towards her son.
"Mmm...Don't go," Cloud said in a drowsy tone. He tightened his grip around her to make sure she couldn't get up.
"Cloud," she taunted in his ear. "Time to get up." A few minutes went by and Cloud still slept soundly with a tight grip on her. "Cloud..." She sighed out of frustration but didn't even bother to do anything. "Okay, stay in bed then." She gave him a small kiss on the cheek as she wriggled her way out of his arms.
"Is he always up this early?" Cloud asked as he watched Tifa get up and put on a shirt. Cloud let out a huge yawn and attempted to sit up but ended up just flopping back down on the couch. Cloud gave a happy sigh and closed his eyes. "Life is good."
***
Two months passed and the three lived happily in their little beach house, except for one thing.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked as he knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you all right?"
"What's wrong with Mommy?" Zell asked as he tugged on Cloud's pant leg. Cloud kneeled down to the young child's height. "Mommy isn't feeling well. I think she has a real bad cold." Zell gasped and got real wide eyed.
"I'm going to make Mommy a present and make her feel better." Cloud chuckled listening at how much this young boy loved his mom.
"That's a good idea," Cloud said to Zell as he stood up. Zell ran off downstairs to and went into the kitchen to make Tifa something.
"Tifa?" Cloud asked again. "Are you...?" Cloud was cut off when the door was unlocked and swung open.
"I feel really sick..." Tifa groaned as she held her stomach.
"I'm sorry babe," Cloud apologized and wrapped his arms around her. "Do you think you need to go see a doctor? This has been going on for the past two weeks now." Tifa just nodded her head as she laid it in Cloud's chest. Cloud took one of his hands and rubbed her back hoping to make her feel a little better. "We'll have to go see what Red's grandfather can do cuz' the only doctor was in Mideel."
Tifa just moaned in pain and clenched onto the back of Cloud's shirt.
"I'll go call Cid. He'll fly us there in no time." Cloud released her from their embrace and ran down the stairs to the phone.
"Zell!" Cloud called out. "Zell!"
"Wha-at?" Zell replied as he came out of the kitchen.
"Cid is coming to pick us up. Get some of the things together that you would like to bring."
"Okay."
Cloud grabbed the phone and dialed the number quickly. The phone rang about two times before it was picked up.
"Hello?" Cid greeted.
"Cid?! Get your ass over here! We gotta go to Cosmo Canyon," Cloud explained quickly.
"What?! Why?!"
"Tifa is real sick. I gotta get her to Bugen Hagen," Cloud grew impatient and started tapping his foot.
"Clo-ud," Tifa whined as she stumbled down the stairs.
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed and rushed to her aid. "Just hurry, Cid!"
***
When Cid had finally come, they left immediately for Cosmo Canyon. Tifa's condition hadn't gotten any better from the long trip. By the time they reached Cosmo Canyon the sun was high in the sky but somehow, Cosmo Canyon always looked red like the sunset. They landed at the front gates of Cosmo Canyon on a small opening.
"Sure glad I got this thing to land on this place," Cid said with a worried tone still in his voice.
"Come on Tifa, we'd better hurry," Cloud ordered.
"Hey, I'll be fine. Look, I'm already feeling better," Tifa lied obviously. She gave Cloud a
fake grin but soon flinched from the sickening feeling.
"Oh yeah. You look, one hundred percent better," Cid mocked behind her.
"Shut up Cid," she said plainly as she followed Cloud out of the Highwind.
The walk to the gate wasn't very far, but it was still far enough to encounter a griffin on the way.
"Dammit!" Cloud exclaimed as he saw the griffin unfold its wings. "We're gonna hafta run Tifa!"
"Don't you have your sword?" Tifa asked as she hid behind him.
"No. I didn't think I was going to need it." Cloud looked around at his surrounding. There was a large rock to the right of them, which they could easily run to and then make it to the entrance of Cosmo Canyon.
"Come on Tifa!" Cloud said leader like as he grabbed her by the arm and ran over to the rock. After reaching the rock, he kept running while Tifa tried to keep up.
"Cloud! I can't keep this up!" Tifa complained as she started to lose her footing.
"You gotta! It's just a little furth..." Cloud was cut off while Tifa stumbled to the ground. The griffin saw the two dart off and quickly lifted it's mass off the ground to pursuit them. Cloud watched the griffin fly quickly towards them.
"Cloud, leave me here!" Tifa said as she tried getting up.
"No way!" Cloud put her arm around his neck and heaved her up. "We've been in worst messes before!"
"Not without our weapons though!" The griffin came to a fast stop in front of the gate to Cosmo Canyon. Its high pitch screech would deafen any man. Cloud placed Tifa back down on the ground and stood in front of her. He picked up a sharp rock off the ground and got ready for the impact of the griffin.
"Come on you bastard," Cloud threatened. The griffin raised its hackles on its back as it leapt forward in attack. Tifa moved to the side quickly as she saw the griffin tackle Cloud to the ground.
"Cloud!" she cried out as she saw the two wrestling on the ground.
Cloud drove the small rock deep into the griffin's chest and made it pierce its heart. The griffin let its grasp go on Cloud as it fell over to the side of him. Cloud breathed heavily from the attack and stood up drearily.
"You...dare to kill a griffin," the griffin said as it tried to stand up. Cloud jumped back in surprise as he watched it. "A brave one you are....but...you..are foolish."
"Cloud?" Tifa said worried as she stood up.
"Do you hear that?" Cloud asked as he still watched the griffin carefully.
"No."
"Say farewell to your loved...one. Hope...she is...as strong as....you," the griffin said with its final words and then laid still.
"Cloud?" Tifa asked again.
"It's nothing. Come on, let's go see what's wrong with you," Cloud said as he smiled to her for reassurance. He went over to her and placed his arm around her. She smiled back at him and they walked to the entrance of Cosmo Canyon.
***
"Cloud! Tifa! What are you guys doing here?" Red XIII asked as he bounded towards them.
"Hey Red! We came to see your grandfather. Is that all right?" Cloud asked as he looked down at his cat friend.
"Yeah, this way," Red turned around and started heading towards the stairs. "What do you need to see him for anyways?"
"Oh, Tifa hasn't been feeling good at all. We were hoping that he would know why," Cloud explained as they walked towards the laboratory. Red nodded as he looked towards the entrance to his grandfather's laboratory.
"Through that door," Red pointed his paw in the direction of the door.
"Thank you Red," Cloud thanked him politely and lead the way for Tifa. He paused at the door and placed his hand on it gently.
"Come in, come in," a calm voice called from the other side of the door. Cloud pushed the door open and peeked in. He glanced around and noticed Bugen Hagen lying on the sofa. Reassured from seeing Bugen Hagen, he walked in with Tifa trailing behind him.
"So, haven't been feeling good, Tifa?" Bugen Hagen asked as he stood up. His back cracked loudly and he put on a face that only an old person can put on. "Oh! I'm getting old..." he murmured to himself.
"Yeah, that's right," Tifa said quietly to him.
"Hmmmm...and have you ever felt this kind of pain or sickness before?" he asked knowingly.
"Well, yeah. Once.....before...." Tifa paused shortly as the answer hit her like a rock. "Oh God no! Not again!" she cried out loudly. She felt her knees become weak and collapsed on the floor.
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed as he rushed to her aid. "What's the matter?"
"She was just hit with the truth," Bugen Hagen chuckled.
"What did I just miss?" Cloud looked at Bugen Hagen and then back to the dazed Tifa. Tifa snapped out of her daze and took in a deep breath.
"Cloud...you're going to be a father," she stated calmly.
"But...I thought....Zell was..."
"I'M PREGNANT CLOUD!" she screamed out. She looked at Cloud with worried eyes as she saw the look on his face. Cloud sat motionless. Tifa gave a sigh of frustration and ran out of the room.
"Tifa!" Cloud cried out after her. He looked back at Bugen Hagen with a smile. "Thank you."
"Hey, no problem. But, right now I think you've got bigger things to worry about," Bugen Hagen replied and pointed towards the door. Cloud nodded and headed for the door.
"Tifa!" he called out once again as he headed around the winding paths of Cosmo Canyon.
An hour had passed and there was still no sign of Tifa. 'Tifa, where are you?' he wondered to himself. He searched all over Cosmo Canyon and she didn't seem to be anywhere. His heart started aching as thoughts about never seeing her again started flooding his mind.
"Cloud!" a voice exclaimed.
"Red!" Cloud called back as he turned towards him.
"I saw Tifa! She was over by a cliff just north from here. She looked pretty sad."
"Thanks!" Cloud said quickly and headed towards the destination.
Tifa wept on her knees as she was curled up in a small ball.
"Tifa," Cloud said softly in the air.
"Cloud..." she whispered and turned to watch him walk to her. When he reached her, he sat down next to her in a similar position. "I'm scared..." she said practically to herself.
"Scared? Why are you scared?" Cloud asked as he looked at her with questioned eyes.
"I'm scared...about Johnny." Tifa watched the sun in the horizon as it started to set upon the mountains. Cloud didn't even try to comfort her with words. He simply embraced her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.
"Tifa..." cloud didn't know what to say. His whole life had just changed in the past few months. It was even worst for Tifa though. Tifa didn't say anything and just buried her head into his shirt and wept quietly. "Shhh...it's okay. I'm going to be right here for you. I will never leave you, or harm you in any way. Tifa, I love you." Cloud confessed as he placed his head on hers. Tifa's tears starting coming out uncontrollably.
"Cloud. I...love you too. I always had. My worst fear in the world was that...I would lose you," Tifa tightened her grip around him. "I'm just scared...that something bad is going to happen."
"I know you didn't have a good experience in your last marriage but, I think I can change that," Cloud pulled her away gently so he could look into her amber eyes.
"Thank you Cloud," Tifa smiled at him as she returned the look.
"Well, come on, I bet there's somebody else looking for you," Cloud gave her a grin and stood up. Tifa still sat and watched him put out his hand. She reached for it and grasped it gently. Cloud pulled her to her feet. When she was finally up on her feet, Cloud wrapped his arm around her as they started to head back.
"To think, having a son of my own blood," Cloud pondered as he looked down at Tifa with a smile.
"Who says it's going to be boy," Tifa asked as she gave him a weird look. Cloud just shrugged and chuckled. Tifa joined in on his laughter. She placed her head on his shoulder and continued to walk with him back to the others.
When they finally reached the entrance to Cosmo Canyon, the sun was almost fully set and the stars had started to pop out. As they walked in they started to notice familiar faces around the bon-fire.
"Vincent?" Tifa asked as the two reached the flaming fire. Vincent turned towards them and smiled.
"Barret?" Cloud asked as he noticed all of the gang sitting by the fire.
"Yo," Barret greet and raised a hand.
"Yuffie? Cait Sith? What are you all doing here?" Tifa asked as she sat down by the fire.
"We heard you were having a tough time," Cait Sith chimed as he gave her a very unique smile. Tifa grinned sheepishly at him and then to Cloud. Cloud just shrugged his shoulders and gave her a confused look.
"I mean, everything's that's happened about Johnny and all," Cait Sith added.
"Oh! Right!" Tifa gave a fake laugh. "You don't know the half of it."
"Well, anyways," Barret butted into the conversation. "We decided that we needed a little...family reunion. We're all going to Icicle Inn and what not like that! We're gonna travel around the world just like we did before."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Tifa squealed excitedly.
"But Tifa, what about...?" Cloud asked worried.
"It's okay, I can still live a normal life," Tifa insisted.
"But..."
"Not right now Cloud," Tifa gave him a aggravated look. "Nobody need to know right now."
Cloud nodded as the information went through his head. He gave a smile and thumbs up to the group about the traveling idea.
"Mommy!" a child yelled out. Tifa smiled and opened her arms for him. He ran into her hard as she wrapped her arms around him. She lifted him up as she stood up.
"Oh gosh you're getting heavy," she pointed out as she felt the weight of him weigh her down.
"You're a mom?!" Yuffie shouted as she quickly jumped up.
"Ya," Tifa replied calmly as Zell hugged her around the neck.
"You may all stay here for the night," Red offered proudly. "For, I too, would like to join you on this little outing."
The morning sun glistened brightly in the red canyons as the few streams fell over the cliffs. Almost the whole gang was up except for two still sleeping soundly on the soft bed with dreams still filling their heads.
"Hey! Sleepy heads! Let's get this show on the road!" Cid barged into the room as he saw the two still sleeping soundly. "Clo-ud! Ti-fa!" Cid exclaimed as he opened the shades on the windows. Tifa was lying on her stomach snuggled up close to Cloud with an arm wrapped around him.
"Yo! Lovebirds! Come on! I want to get to Icicle Inn before all the rooms are taken!" Cid yelled out as he headed back to the door. He gave a frustrated snort and slammed the door behind him as he left.
Tifa's eyes fluttered open. She looked to her side where Cloud was still in his deep sleep.
"Cloud," she said slightly above a whisper. "Come on Cloud, we need to go."
"All right Tifa," Cloud said still asleep.
"Clo-ud," Tifa complained and gave him a sad, disappointed look. She shook him gently in attempt to make him open his eyes. Cloud hid a grin on his face as he grabbed her around the waist. He pulled her over to him as he got on top of her and put the covers over them.
"RAH!" he yelled as he made his hands into claws. Tifa laughed as she looked at him with a big smile.
"Good morning," she greeted happily. Cloud gave her a small kiss on the lips.
"It could be better."
Tifa ran her finger along the outline of his face. "I'm sure it could be," she said smiling. In an instant, Cloud and Tifa both felt a weight pound down on them. Tifa shrieked shortly in surprise.
"Good morning sweepy heads," Zell said happily. Cloud chuckled and relaxed on Tifa.
"You guys...aren't that light...you know," Tifa said trying to breathe. Cloud sat up on his hands and knees and looked down at her with sorry eyes.
"Sorry Tif," Cloud apologized.
"Woah!" Zell tried to keep his balance as he felt Cloud rise beneath him. His attempts soon failed as he fell off of Cloud and onto the floor. Pain shot through his head as he started making a blood-curdling cry. Cloud quickly fell to the side of Tifa where there was enough bed for him as she got up to her child's aid.
"Zell, baby," Tifa cooed as she comforted him with her arms around him. "You'll be okay Zell. Shhhh..." Tifa hugged him tightly and leaned her head against his. Zell's crying soon went to a soft sniffling and he started to wipe away his tears.
"You okay now?" Tifa asked concernly. Zell nodded his head and hugged his mother tightly. Cloud yawned loudly and sat up on the side of the bed.
"All right Zell, go downstairs and tell Cid that we'll be there in a minute." Tifa smiled as she put down her son and watched him run out of the room. She gave a sigh of relief and collapsed back on the bed.
"Cloud, how did you ever pursued me into having another one?" she asked as she looked up to him
"Well, if you really want to know..." Cloud gave an evil grin and chuckled.
"Okay, okay," Tifa sat up quickly just to be pulled down again. "Clo-ud!" she complained as she kicked her feet wildly in the air.
"I'm sorry Tifa," Cloud said sincerely. "You're just so cute when you're irritated." Tifa glared at him as she sat up and put on her pants.
"Tifa...come on. I meant it as a joke," Cloud pleaded for forgiveness. Tifa ignored his apologies and threw him his white muscle shirt. She turned towards him and glared at him with an angry face. After a few seconds her face softened up as she looked at his sad, confused look.
"Cloud? How am I ever supposed to stay mad at you?" Tifa asked while she walked over to him. Cloud watched her action with eager eyes. She sat down next to him and gave him a soft kiss.
"Tifa, I think you're too stressed," Cloud said after their lips parted.
"Why do you say that?"
"I don't know, you just seem, not so relaxed..." Tifa gave him a curious look. "Come on, I'll carry you downstairs."
"Carry me?" Tifa asked in a not so sure tone.
"That's what I said," Cloud said proudly and stood up. He placed his shirt on quickly. Tifa just shrugged and stood up. She felt her legs come out from underneath her as she was lifted up by Cloud.
***
By the time they made it to the Icicle Inn, the sun was high in the sky. The gang probably would have made it quicker if it weren't for a few pit stops they had to make about every hour. Tifa might have known why she wasn't feeling well, but it still didn't make the nauseating feeling go away.
"Hey, what was wrong with Tifa anyways?" Cid asked as they all headed towards the inn.
"Oh, she had some rare type of stomach flu. It'll go away in a few days," Cloud lied between his teeth.
"That's good," Cid didn't even seem to notice the obvious lying that Cloud had just done. The time at Icicle Inn was fun. They went snowboarding just about everyday and they also just hung out.
On the last morning there though a loud scream came from the upstairs room.
"Cloud! It's not fair!" Tifa cried out as she looked in the mirror.
"Tifa!" Cloud out of breath as he reached the room. He tried stopping at the door, but instead skidded right past it. He collapsed on his butt, but soon jumped back on his feet and ran back to the door.
"Tifa!" he called out once again as he peered into the door. "What's the matter?!"
"I don't fit..." Tifa said like a disappointed child. She tugged her jeans out to try and make them fit over her slightly swelled abdomen.
"Awww...my poor Tiffy," Cloud said in a caring voice as he walked over to her. When he reached her, he hugged her from behind and placed his hands on her stomach area. He rested his chin gently on her shoulder and smiled to her through the mirror.
"You're still as beautiful as ever though," Cloud said with a charming voice. "You really are." He gave her a small kiss on the cheek.
"Yo, turtle doves," a voice called from the door. Both Cloud and Tifa turned to see the person who had called.
"Yeah, come on! We all want to go snowboarding for the last time," Barret said impatiently.
"All right, we'll be there in a minute," Cloud said to him. He released Tifa and watched Barret walk out of the room.
"Well, hopefully my snow clothes still fit," Tifa said hopefully.
"You can't go snowboarding!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Yes I can," Tifa said bluntly.
"No...you can't."
"Yes...I can."
"No...you can't."
"Yes."
"Tifa! You're pregnant! You can't go snowboarding!" Cloud bellowed in the small room. His thundering voice echoed all across the inn and even outside in the snowy hills. Silence fell over the two. The entire inn stood in shock from the news. Tifa stood dumbfounded for a few seconds as five heads peaked into the doorway of their room. Cloud placed his hand behind his back as he felt his face turn many bright shades of red.
"What is this I hear?" Barret asked a little shocked.
"Yeah, who's pregnant?" Cid added as he followed in behind Barret. Tifa glanced at Cloud as she searched her mind for an explanation. The only thing she could think of was give them a sheepish smile and shrug her arms.
"Tifa?!" the five said in unison. There was another long pause as everybody stared at her with wondering eyes.
"Hey! It's not my fault!" Tifa exclaimed.
"Why didn't you ever tell us?" Cid asked with a big smile across his face.
"You can't be havin' another one? You're still too young! You should enjoy being young before you get old like me," Barret advised.
"Bawwet," Zell cried as he tugged on his pants. "What going on?"
"Uh..." Barret looked at Tifa for help.
"Oh, nothing's going on honey. Why don't you go play outside with your new sled that Cloud got you?" Tifa asked as she knelt down to his level.
"Okay! Mommy? Will you come pway with me?"
"Of course," she said with a smile. "I'll be out in a minute. Go wait for me." Tifa gave him a kiss on the forehead and the child soon bounced out of the room and outside.
"Congratulations Tifa," Red said and gave her the best smile that he could.
"Thank you Red," Tifa said kindly. "All right, I can't keep Zell waiting." Tifa grabbed her snow gear and slipped it on quickly. She gave Cloud a quick kiss on the cheek as she exited the room and headed outside to play with her son for the last time in the snow.
***
Two months had passed and the gang had gone from Kalm all the way to Wutai. They visited many of the towns and greeted many familiar faces that they had meet on their journey. Now, they were on their way back to Cosmo Canyon from an island north of Kalm.
Sweat trickled down the side of Tifa's face as she lay curled up in the bed. Cloud put a cold, wet rag on her forehead as he watched her cringe in pain.
"How's she doing?" Barret asked as he walked into the room.
"No better," Cloud said with a sad tone in his voice. "I don't know what's wrong with her. She just all of a sudden started getting really sick. She won't eat...she won't drink, Barret, what's wrong with her?" Cloud asked as his throat clump up.
"Hey, we're going back to Cosmo Canyon to see. I know, this isn't natural. She's running a very high fever," Barret looked down at Tifa lying in the bed. "Yuffie's watching over Zell right now, but we should be there in about an hour."
Cloud nodded and looked back down at Tifa. "I'm so worried Barret..."
"Hey, we know her. She'll make it through," Barret said confidently. Cloud just shook his head.
"You've seen what she's been through. Many over her wounds from Johnny still aren't even healed."
"Well, don't give up on her yet. She's strong Cloud. She's even stronger with you by her side," Barret gave him a short lecture and walked out of the room.
"Cloud..." Tifa groaned. "Cloud...it's really warm in here."
"Sshhh... just relax Tifa. I'll get it cooled off for you," Cloud had a worried tone in his voice as he went and opened the window in the highwind a little more. He dipped the damp rag in the cold water and placed it back on her forehead.
They reached Cosmo Canyon a little after dark. Cloud ran quickly into the small town and went to Bugen Hagen's laboratory.
"Bugen Hagen!" he yelled as he searched for him.
"I'm right here Cloud," he said calmly as he appeared behind him.
"Thank God. Come on, you need to see Tifa. She's doing awful."
"Hold up a second," Bugen Hagen said trying to figure out what was going on.
"Tifa, she's really sick. She's got a real bad fever and she hasn't eaten for the past 2 weeks," Cloud said with fear in his voice. Bugen Hagen nodded his head and followed Cloud into the Highwind.
Cloud and the others were left to wait in the bridge while Bugen Hagen examined Tifa. Cloud paced back and forth as he waited.
"Cool it Cloud," Cid ordered. "You're starting to make me dizzy." Cloud didn't say anything and just sat down against the wall. Twenty minutes passed and there was no sign of anything.
"I'm sure everything is going to be all..." Barret was quickly interrupted when a figure stood at the entrance of the bridge.
"Cloud, I need to talk to you, alone," Bugen Hagen insisted. Cloud nodded and followed Bugen Hagen into another room.
"Cloud, sit down." Cloud did as he was told and expected the worst. "Well, the good news is that it isn't any kind of poison or flu."
"Then what's the bad news?" Cloud asked worried.
"Well, she has mako poisoning." Cloud felt as if his world just collapsed from beneath him.
"But...how?"
"Well, you have been exposed to mako, and have been poisoned by it also. You still have mako in your body and system and well, your child got the mako. Now, you do the math on how she got it." Cloud sat with a scared face on. He barely lived through the poisoning and now the one he loved dearly had it.
"Can...can she ever get rid of it?" Cloud asked with a hopeful voice.
"Yes. The last four months of her pregnancy will be very painful. If she has a strong will and heart she will make it through. She's going to need a lot of your help Cloud. She will be lucky if she can get up and move. You'll have to force feed her because she may not seem hungry or thirsty but she needs the energy. Cloud...this is when you are going to have to show that you really love her." Cloud nodded his head thought about everything in his head. He got up and headed down into the room where she laid.
"Tifa," he whispered as he went into the room. "I will keep my promise after all."
Another two agonizing months passed for Tifa. It was mid-December and Christmas was coming up fast. Tifa was able to sit up in bed and feed herself, but anything beyond that became a chore. Cloud sat in bed with her one day as they both watched the snow fly outside.
"Me and Zell set up a Christmas tree," Cloud said and chuckled at how hard it was for the two to do. Tifa smiled at him as she placed the warm soup that Cloud had made for her in her mouth. "Christmas will be in a few days. I think 6 to be exact." Cloud said in a happy voice.
"This will be our first Christmas together," Tifa said quietly.
"Ya, and it will be my best Christmas ever," Cloud said softly and stroked Tifa's hair. Tifa nodded and sighed happily. As much pain as she was in, she was the happiest that she's ever been for a long time.
"All right, I'd better go see what kind of trouble Zell's getting into," Cloud said as he sat up. "I'll be back up in about an hour, OK? Just leave your dish there and I'll get it." Cloud exited the room and walked quietly down the hall to find out where Zell had disappeared off to.
The six days passed by quickly and many presents were accumulating under the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was placed on the bridge of the highwind for that's where it seemed everybody always was. They all felt no point of returning home right now, mostly because they all wanted to spend one Christmas together. They all agreed that they would spend Christmas Eve together and then go there separate ways for Christmas.
When Christmas Eve came along, the highwind was a busy place. Everybody was running around everywhere trying to get things set up. Yuffie was busy cooking a dinner for them all while Barret and Cid were trying to do last minute shopping. Red put up some last decorations around the place while Cloud and Zell keep Tifa company.
"Cloud, go to the party without me," Tifa insisted.
"No, Tifa," Cloud said sternly.
"Yes, I'll just go to sleep because I'm really tired anyways." It was about 5:00 p.m. and Cloud was attempting to get Tifa to go to the party also.
"Cloud, I'm a whale right now. A beached whale to be in fact. It's hard for me to move around. Don't worry, have a great time, okay?" Tifa kept on pushing him to go. Finally, Cloud had to give up and join everybody downstairs at the party. Zell followed him like a little puppy as they went to the table that was set for them all.
"Hey Cloud!" Barret greeted as he saw his friend come down. "Where's the Tiffers?"
"She said to go ahead without her..." Cloud said solemnly. Cid nodded his head and sat down at the table.
"Well," Cid started. "We might as well do what the lady says." With that everybody started piling food on their plates and started eating their dinner. Cloud tried to eat but ended up playing with most of his food.
By the time it came to opening the presents, Cloud sat down by Zell and watched Barret hand out the presents to everybody.
"And...here's another one to Zell," Barret said as he passed Zell a huge box. "God Cloud, that kid is spoiled." Cloud chuckled and watched Zell open his present. Inside was a small, red tricycle. The expression on Zell's face was priceless.
"I wish Tifa could have seen that," Cloud said as he watched Zell start jumping up and down.
"Well guess what," a small voice from behind said. "I didn't miss anything."
"Tifa!" Cloud exclaimed as he jumped up to see her. "You're walking! You're up!"
"Yeah, I figured this only comes around once a year so I figured I would spend it with my family," Tifa smiled, but pain also filled her face as she tried to keep standing. Cloud quickly rushed to her aid and helped her take a seat by the tree.
Tifa laughed as she looked at herself. "I'm a beached whale!" Everybody joined in and laughed with her. Cloud cleared his throat loudly in attempt to get everybody's attention.
"All right, last time I did this, it was rather informal. So I'm going to do it again," Cloud walked up to the tree and picked out a small box from the tree. It was a small velvet red box with a gold trimming. He took the box and handed it to Tifa.
"Huh?" Tifa asked as she gently took the box from him. She opened it up and a soft tune started to play. The tune was (as the game calls it Tifa's theme) a sweet melody that could easily make you fall asleep.
"Cloud?" Tifa asked as she looked at the small, diamond-studded ring inside being cushioned by a white pillow of fabric. Cloud got down on one knee and took her hand gently in his.
"Miss Tifa Lockheart," he said as calm as the ocean waves hit the beach on a lonely night. "Will you marry me?"
"Cloud..." Tifa sat shocked. She looked at the ring and then to Cloud. A smile spread across her face as looked him in the eyes. "Yes, I will," she said with the happiest voice. She threw her arms around Cloud as she heard everybody around her start applauding.
"What's goin' on?" Zell asked Barret.
"Don't worry about it right now kid. You'll understand one day," Barret had a smile across his face as he continued clapping.
Tears started rolling down Tifa's face as she now knew that she would be happy for the rest of her life and for eternity.
Epilogue
Tifa gave birth to a healthy baby girl and got married that next summer to Cloud. Cid returned back to Rocket Town and popped the question to Shera. Barret finally was done helping rebuild Coral and Marlene went to one of the best schools. Vincent went back into hiding. Yuffie continued to steal materia. Reeve deactivated Cait Sith knowing that next time he was going to meet the gang in person. Red XIII went back to protect Cosmo Canyon.
Now, this definitely isn't the end of our story. More will be coming, once I think of how to write it, but I hope you did enjoy this. ( I don't remember if Bugen Hagen died or not, but if he did, then he didn't in this story!!)
Author's Note: All right, I don't own any of these characters...they are all of Squaresofts. OK? So, please don't sue me or anything because I'm not trying to get money off of it, I'm just trying to enjoy my free time. Yadda yadda yadda yadda...