Drawn together by fate
Bound by friendship
An unspoken love
An unbreakable bond
Final Fantasy
The Bond of Friendship
Chapter 1: Destined Meeting
A young girl, about seven years old, slowly dragged her feet down a dusty road. Her friends should've shown up by now...sudden footsteps caught her attention, and she turned around. Her friends came running up the road.
" Hey, sorry we're late." Davis said.
Erik and Jeremy hung back, a step behind Davis. It was obvious who the leader was.
The girl smiled, " It's okay." She noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye, and turned to get a better look. Her friends turned too.
Erik snickered, " It's only the loser."
" Loser?" the girl asked.
" Yeah, you know, Cloud." Erik replied.
" Oh..." she knew all too well her friends' opinion of Cloud. An opinion she didn't share at all. She'd always felt a strange connection to Cloud, one she couldn't quite explain. She never told her friends, however. She knew they'd only laugh and say that he was her boyfriend.
" Tifa, don't worry about him. We've gotta find the treasure that's hidden in that cave." Jeremy said.
She nodded, " Yeah."
Tifa and her friends were all convinced that a valuable treasure was hidden in a cave north of their small village of Nibelheim. They all turned and walked away. Tifa glanced back at Cloud, feeling a strange sense of despair. Cloud was staring at the ground. He suddenly looked up at her, then returned his attention to the dirt.
" Guys, I'll be back in a minute. I'm going to talk to Cloud, you go on without me."
" What!? Tifa, you're not serious!" Davis yelled.
" Yes, I am. I'll be there in a minute."
" Fine, c'mon guys, let's go." Davis said.
Tifa walked over to Cloud, " Are you okay?"
He looked up at her suddenly, his eyes full of betrayal, " So even you think I'm a loser."
" No."
His eyes narrowed, " I thought you'd be different, I had this feeling....that you'd be my best friend, that I could count on you. I guess I was wrong."
Tifa felt a heartbreaking pain fill her soul, a pain that strangely felt like a mixing of her own pain with Cloud's. She was feeling his pain, and it was melding with her own to make an unbearable combination. " Cloud...I-I don't think you're a loser."
His eyes were suddenly full of anger, " Yes you do! Go back with your friends."
Tears started to fall down her face, " No...no Cloud. You're not a loser. Don't listen to them. Just ignore them, Cloud!"
Cloud's face softened with concern, " Tifa?"
She looked up at him, " Yeah?"
" Tifa...I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to yell at you...Don't cry." Cloud felt Tifa's despair slam into him like a wave. The connection he felt to her somehow let him feel her pain. " Tifa..."
She wiped her tears off of her face, " It's okay, Cloud."
He smiled faintly, " Your friends are waiting for you, you'd better go."
She nodded, " Okay. I'll see you later, Cloud." She turned and ran off.
" Be careful up there!" he called after her. She was gone, already far up the trail to meet her friends. He had been wrong, she was different from her friends. She cared about him. For the first time in his life, he knew what it was like to have a friend. He slowly turned and walked away, staring into the distance at the Nibel Mountains.
Tifa ran to catch up with Davis and the others.
" Davis, wait up!" she called.
The boys turned and looked at her. When she ran up to them, they started laughing.
" What?" she asked.
" So are you his friend now?" Davis asked.
Tifa stared at the ground, torn between her emotions. Part of her wanted to say yes, but if she did, her friends would only laugh. She didn't want them to make fun of her. " I...maybe...I-I don't know."
" Well, whatever. Let's just go find the treasure." Davis said.
" Yeah!" Erik agreed.
They searched the cave for hours, and now night was beginning to fall. " Guys, I've gotta go home now. I'll see you tomorrow." Tifa said.
" Bye Tifa!" they called.
She ran down the road back to her house. She could hear her mom playing the piano; the gentle sounds floated on the night time air. She quietly walked into the house. A few minutes later, her mom came downstairs.
" Go wash up, Tifa. Dinner's almost ready."
" Okay." She headed up the stairs, but stopped and ran to her window when she heard a fight. She saw Davis push Cloud down.
" Are you gonna fight back, Cloud?" Davis taunted.
Cloud slowly climbed to his feet, his blue eyes blazing, " What do you want!?"
" Stay away from Tifa! You'll never be anything but a wimp."
" Take it back." Cloud said quietly. His voice was dangerous.
" No way! Did you honestly think that she would be your friend?"
" She is! You don't know anything!" Cloud reacted with lightning speed and slammed his fist into Davis's stomach.
Davis doubled over, trying to breathe. " You're...gonna pay for this."
" Yeah, right." Cloud said.
Davis suddenly stood upright and punched Cloud in the face, knocking him to the ground.
" She'll never be your friend." He said, then walked away, leaving Cloud lying in the dirt.
Tifa stared out the window in shock. Cloud didn't stir for a long time. She was worried that Davis had hurt him. " Cloud..." she whispered. Cloud slowly began to climb to his feet. He turned towards his house, stumbling before he finally made it home.
" Tifa, hurry up!" her dad called.
She ran and washed her hands and face, " I'm coming, Dad!"
" Cloud! What happened to you?" his mother asked as he walked in.
" Nothing, Mom, I'm okay."
" Did you get into a fight again?" she demanded.
Cloud nodded, " Yeah."
His mother sighed heavily, " Sometimes I just don't know what to do with you. Go wash all that dirt off, then we'll eat." She noticed a deep pain in her son's eyes. " Cloud, is something wrong?"
" No." he said simply.
She knew he was lying, but she didn't say anything. She didn't want to push him, there were some secrets that a soul had to keep. Ever since his father had died, Cloud had become more distant. And she knew that the children in the village often treated him badly, all except for Tifa, a young girl who was about his age. She turned and looked at Cloud as he walked back into the kitchen.
" Cloud, I wish you'd tell me what's wrong." she said.
" I'm alright, Mom." he said stubbornly.
She sighed and gently placed their plates on the table. " Did you find anything near the caves today?" she asked, trying to get his mind off of whatever was bothering him.
Cloud's face brightened, " Yeah." He reached into his pocket, " This crystal. Isn't it pretty, Mom?"
She looked at the dark blue crystal, " It's beautiful, Cloud. You were lucky to find something like that. Keep it in a safe place, okay?"
Cloud nodded and put the crystal back in his pocket.
Late that night, Cloud lay in his bed staring through the window at the moon. What if Davis is right? What if Tifa isn't my friend? He suddenly felt tears sting his eyes, and he forced them down, pressing all his pain into a tiny ball within his soul. All I want is a best friend...is that so bad? With those thoughts filling his mind, he slowly fell asleep.
Chapter 2: Shared Pain
Five years later
Tifa, now twelve, ran down the stairs and started to go outside.
" Tifa, come here." her dad called.
" What's wrong, Dad?" she asked as she walked over to him.
" Your mom is sick, so you need to be quiet around the house so she can rest."
" She's sick? Will she be okay, Dad?" Tifa asked, suddenly scared.
" I don't know, sweetheart. Just keep hoping, okay?"
She nodded, " Okay, Dad."
It was early morning when Tifa went outside. Her friends still weren't up yet. She glanced at Cloud's house. She hadn't really spoken to him in a while. He seemed to keep to himself all the time. And she was afraid of what Davis and the others might say.
Tifa sighed and walked into the field just past the gates of the small village. She sat down in the soft grass and looked up at the sky.
" Tifa? I didn't know you liked to come out here." a voice suddenly said.
She turned, " Cloud?"
He stared into her eyes for a moment, " What's wrong, Tifa? You seem worried."
She stared at him in surprise, " How did you know?"
He shrugged, " I just know. What's wrong?"
Tifa stared at the ground, " My mom's sick. It's strange, she wasn't sick yesterday. It's so sudden...what if she dies?" Tears began to fall down her face.
Cloud moved over to her side, " Tifa, it'll be okay. I'm sure your mom will be fine."
" What if she isn't? Cloud, I...I'm scared."
Seeing her tears hurt him, and he reached out and gently lay his hand on hers, " It'll be okay. You have to keep hoping."
" Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Cloud."
" No problem." He smiled at her, " Don't cry."
She stood, " I'd better go home now."
" Okay."
Tifa walked back to her house and quietly walked in so she wouldn't disturb her mother.
" Tifa, your mom wants to see you." her dad said as she walked in.
She headed up the stairs to her mom's room, " Mom?"
" Tifa...come over here." she said weakly.
Tifa walked over and knelt by the bed.
" I don't want you to worry about me. No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you."
Tifa felt tears fill her eyes again, " I love you too, Mom."
Her mother smiled, " Now go play with your friends, and don't worry."
Tifa nodded, " Alright, Mom."
A few days later, Tifa was outside sitting on the well when Erik ran up to her, " Tifa, your dad wants you to come home."
Tifa jumped down from the well and ran to her house, " Dad, what's wrong?"
He knelt in front of her, " Tifa...I'm sorry. Your mom died."
The sudden agony spread through Tifa's soul like fire, " No!" she cried.
" Tifa..."
" No! This can't..." she turned and ran up the stairs to her room and slammed the door. She collapsed onto her bed and cried into her pillow. Sobs tore at her body, the pain in her heart was unbearable. " Mom...no...I love you. Don't go..." She cried for hours, and eventually cried herself to sleep.
" Cloud, have you heard about Tifa?" his mom asked suddenly while they ate.
" No. What is it?"
" Her mom died this morning."
Cloud stared at his mother in shock, " Really? I-I knew her mom was sick, but I thought...Tifa told me a few days ago that she had gotten sick all of sudden. Tifa seemed really scared, but I..." He fell silent.
" What is it, Cloud?"
" I told her that her mom would be okay." he whispered.
" There was no way for you to know she wouldn't be. You did the right thing, Cloud. You tried to help Tifa. Maybe you should go talk to her tomorrow."
Cloud knew what his mother couldn't bring herself to say, Since you lost your dad, you may be able to help her. He nodded, " I'll go."
Later that night, he went outside and sat on the well. The warm glow of the houses shone faintly through the windows. He looked up at Tifa's window, and saw her staring up at the stars from behind the glass. Tifa...I'm sorry. She suddenly looked down at him and their eyes met. She held his gaze for several moments before turning away from the window. Cloud felt a deep ache in his soul, but it was faint, like an echo in a huge canyon. He knew that pain wasn't his own, but Tifa's. He didn't understand why he could feel Tifa's pain or why he felt a connection to her at all. The only thing he knew for sure was that she was important to him, and despite the fact that they didn't talk much, she was his best friend. She always would be. He slowly climbed down from the well and went back to his house.
When Tifa woke up the next morning, she walked over to the window and sat down under it, staring out at the pale blue sky. She could hear people walking up the stairs, then there was a knock at her door.
" Tifa? I-is it okay if we come in?" Erik asked.
" Yeah." Tifa called, not really wanting to see any of them. The door opened and her friends walked in.
" Tifa, I'm sorry." Jeremy whispered.
" I know it's gotta be hard." Davis said.
Tifa shook her head, " How can you know!? You've never lost anyone! Just leave me alone!"
Her friends stepped back, surprised by her outburst. Tifa had never yelled like that at anyone.
" Hey, Davis, look." Erik said, pointing out the window.
Davis looked out the window and saw Cloud coming toward Tifa's house, " It's Cloud. What's he doing here?"
Erik shrugged, " Dunno, but let's stop him before he comes and bothers Tifa."
As her friends left, Tifa rested her head on her knees, trying hard not to cry, and not succeeding.
Davis stopped Cloud in front of Tifa's house.
" Get out of my way." Cloud said quietly.
Davis crossed his arms, " Tifa doesn't want to talk to anybody, least of all you."
" You're lying." Cloud started to walk toward them.
Erik stepped forward, " No he's not. Tifa told us to go away, and we're not gonna let you bother her."
" Fine. I'll go." Cloud said. He turned and walked up the road that went past the old mansion.
I hope Tifa's okay. I wish I could go talk to her, but if she doesn't even want to see her friends, then why would she want to see me? Cloud kicked a rock, sending it scuttling up the road. Tifa...I'm so sorry. I know how you feel.
" Cloud!"
He turned and saw his mom calling for him. He ran to her, " Yeah, Mom?"
" How's Tifa?" She noticed Cloud's expression suddenly grow darker.
" She doesn't want to see anyone. I didn't get to talk to her."
His mother looked off into the distance, " I feel so sorry for her..."
" So do I. I want to help her...but what can I do?" Cloud asked quietly.
His mother looked down at him, " Just be there for her. Talk to her when you get the chance. Being a friend is the best way to help someone through something like this."
" Okay."
" You can go now. Be careful around those cliffs, Cloud."
He nodded, " I will." He turned and ran up the road.
Days later, Tifa was still in her room.
" Tifa, it's time for the funeral." her dad's voice came through the door.
She stood up and opened the door. She had already put on her best dress earlier that morning. " I know, Dad."
He looked down at her, " I know it's hard on you. It's hard for both of us, but we have to let go and move on."
Tifa smiled weakly, " Yeah..."
Everyone in Nibelheim was at the funeral, trying to offer their support.
Tifa stared solemnly at her mother's coffin as the service went on. When they began to lower the coffin into the ground, another wave of sorrow washed over her, and she turned and ran into the plains around Nibelheim, hoping to somehow outrun the pain.
Cloud had been watching Tifa worriedly during the funeral. When he saw her run off, he followed her. She ran further into the grass lands than Cloud had ever been before. Finally she stopped and collapsed to her knees. Cloud slowly walked up to her and knelt down.
" What are you doing here?" she asked harshly through her tears.
" I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry." he whispered.
She turned to him, the pain in her eyes tore at his soul.
" You can't understand." she said.
" I do understand, Tifa. My dad's gone, I remember how it felt." he said gently.
Tifa's eyes widened, " I'm sorry...I didn't know."
" It's okay."
" Cloud...it hurts. I miss her so much...what am I supposed to do?" she whispered.
He hesitated for a moment before he put his arms around her, hoping to comfort her. She buried her face against his shoulder. " I know it hurts. I'm sorry, Tifa." he said, at a loss for anything to say.
" You're the only one who understands...thank you, Cloud." she whispered.
" You're welcome."
She pulled out of his embrace, " I'd better go home, my dad's probably looking for me."
" Okay," Cloud said.
She stood and walked back toward the town.
" Tifa, wait!" he called.
She turned back, " What is it?"
He pulled a crystal from his pocket, " Here, take this. I found it a long time ago."
" Cloud, I can't-"
" I want you to have it. Maybe it'll help you feel better somehow."
She smiled, " Okay, thanks." She turned and continued back to the village. She looked down at the crystal in her hand, it was a deep blue color. A tiny smile crossed her face, Cloud was right, the crystal did make her feel a little better. She had always loved crystals, but could never find one in the caves, that was one of the 'treasures' she and her friends had been looking for years ago. Not only that, but the crystal reminded her of Cloud. He understood her pain, and somewhere deep in her heart, she knew he was her best friend, that they would always be together. When she had reached the gates of the village, Cloud's mother stopped her.
" Tifa, I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen Cloud?" she asked.
Tifa nodded, " Yeah, he's out there." She turned and pointed to the grasslands, " He was talking to me, I'm sure he'll be here soon."
Cloud's mother smiled, " Thank you."
Tifa returned her smile, " You're welcome." She walked back to her house. Her father was standing in the kitchen, and turned to her when she walked in.
" Your friends came by a minute ago. They said they'd be near the caves if you wanted to go play."
" I'll go in just a minute." She ran up the stairs to change back into her normal clothes. As she started to leave, she gently placed the crystal on the table next to her bed. I'm not alone...
She turned and ran back down the stairs and out the door to where her friends were waiting.
Chapter 3
The Mountain
" Hey, Tifa!" Davis called as she ran up to where they were waiting.
" I wonder if there's anything beyond that mountain?" she asked, mostly to herself.
Erik shook his head, " Mount Nibel is scary. Many people have died there."
" No one crosses that mountain alive..." Jeremy whispered.
Tifa turned suddenly as an idea occured to her, " What about those that died? Did mama pass through the mountains?"
Her friends all stared blankly at her.
" I'm going!" she turned and walked up the trail that lead into the treacherous heart of the moutain range.
Cloud watched Tifa and her friends from a distance. It's too dangerous up there. Jeremy's right, no one could ever get through those moutains alive. If she goes up there...what if something happens to her? I have to stop her, I can't let anything happen to her. She means too much to me. Cloud followed the group as they walked deeper into the moutain range. When they reached the rope bridge, Tifa's friends stopped.
" Tifa, stop! You can't go up there!" Erik cried.
She ignored him and kept walking.
Jeremy and Davis started to follow her across the bridge, but had taken only a few steps before they turned and ran back. Cloud walked past them and followed Tifa, not caring about the danger.
" You're both gonna get killed!" Erik called.
" Tifa, wait!" Cloud said.
She turned and waited for him, " Cloud...I'm glad you're here. You have to help me."
" What are you doing up here? It's too dangerous."
" I don't care! Cloud, please...help me..." Tears started to fill Tifa's eyes.
He slowly shook his head, " Help you do what?"
" Find her. I have to find my mom's soul. She's up here somewhere."
" Tifa..."
Tifa grabbed Cloud's hand, " Cloud, try to understand. I have to find her, and I need your help. You're the only one who can help me. No one else has been through something like this." she whispered.
" Okay, Tifa. I'll help you."
They walked slowly across the bridge to the narrow trail that lay beyond.
" She's serious, isn't she? We have to go tell her dad, she might get hurt up there." Erik said.
" Yeah, let's go." Jeremy replied.
The three of them turned and ran back down the trail to the small village.
Tifa walked cautiously over some loose rocks that lay near the edge of the narrow trail. Below her was a huge drop to the rocks below. Suddenly she tripped over a rock, throwing herself off balance.
" Tifa!" Cloud cried. He ran to her, hoping to catch her before she fell over the edge. He reached out for her arm just as she toppled over the side. Cloud tried to stop running, but slipped on the pebbles at his feet and plummeted over the edge.
Tifa landed on the ground, her head striking a rock at the base of the cliff. Cloud landed a few feet from where she lay, gashing his knees on the sharp rocks. He pushed himself up and shakily crawled to where Tifa lay motionless.
" Tifa, wake up."
No response.
" Tifa, come on. You have to wake up." he pleaded, feeling tears sting his eyes. " Tifa, you can't leave me! You're my only friend...my best friend. Don't leave me...please...I don't wanna be alone anymore." He took her hand in his and held it tightly.
Far in the distance he heard voices. He looked out over the trail that lead back to Nibelheim. Tifa's dad was running up the trail, followed by someone else.
" It'll be okay now, Tifa. Your dad's coming."
Twenty minutes later, they found Cloud and Tifa. Her father ran to her and picked her up, then turned to Cloud. Cloud flinched under the pressure of the man's glare.
" Cloud! Why'd you bring Tifa to place like this!? What the hell's the matter with you!? What if she dies!?"
Cloud hung his head in guilt.
" Yeah, you're sorry now aren't you!? Now you'd better go home, your mom's worried about you."
Cloud slowly climbed to his feet. He watched as the men left, carrying Tifa back to the village. They all blame me. I tried to help her...What if she blames me too? He slowly limped back to Nibelheim, trying to ignore the shooting pain in his legs. It was almost an hour later before he made it back. He paused at the front door to his house, bracing himself for the punishment he knew was coming, then walked in.
" Cloud! Are you alright?" his mother asked, " Your legs are covered in blood!"
" I'm okay, Mom. What about Tifa? Is she alright?"
" That poor girl...Cloud, why'd you take her someplace so dangerous?"
" I didn't. She went up there looking for her mother's spirit. She asked me to help her. I didn't want her to go up there alone...I thought I could protect her."
" You'd better not be lying to me." his mother warned.
" I'm not. I'd never hurt Tifa."
His mother sighed and pulled over a chair for him to sit in, " Okay. Now let's see what we can do about those cuts." She began cleaning off the blood, then glanced up at Cloud. She was shocked to see him crying. " Cloud, what is it?"
" I tried...but I couldn't." he whispered.
" Couldn't what?"
" I couldn't save her. When she tripped, I tried to catch her, but I was too late. And then I fell...It's my fault."
" No, Cloud. It was only an accident, it wasn't your fault." She gently placed bandages over the gashes. " There. Now you need to rest."
" But, Tifa...Will she be okay?"
His mother slowly shook her head, " I don't know. You just rest for now."
Cloud walked off to his room and lay down. He soon fell asleep.
Later that night, his mother looked in to check on him. He was sleeping peacefully, despite what he'd been through. She smiled and quietly closed the door as she left. " Goodnight, Cloud."
Two days later, Cloud sat on the well staring at the bright blue sky. The cuts on his knees were healing, but they would leave scars. For him, it was a permanent reminder of his weakness. I should've been there to catch her. I thought I could protect her, but I'm too weak. Tifa's gonna hate me now....I know she will.
" Cloud!" Davis yelled.
Cloud jumped down from the well, " What do you want?"
" It's your fault Tifa got hurt."
" No it isn't!"
" Yes it is. You thought you could protect her, didn't you?" Davis laughed, " How could a loser like you ever be able to protect anyone?"
All of Cloud's anger at his own weakness suddenly burned through him, merging with the pain he felt because of what had happened to Tifa, what he hadn't been able to prevent. He pushed Davis to the ground, and then slammed his head into the dirt. Davis slowly climbed to his feet, looking slightly dazed. Cloud glared into his eyes, not caring about what happened to himself, wanting only to fight against the weakness and the pain. If he could beat Davis, he'd be stronger....then maybe....
Davis slammed his fist into the side of Cloud's head, and he kicked at Davis's knee. Both boys suddenly collapsed, still glaring into each other's eyes.
" Who do you think you are? Sephiroth?" Davis taunted. " You'll never even get close. You're always going to be weak, and Tifa will always blame you for what happened at Mt. Nibel." Davis stood up and walked down the dusty street back to his house.
Cloud slowly stood up, his legs shaking. The cuts on his knee had begun to bleed again, and the pain had returned, now much more intense than before. Sephiroth...I'll show you...I can be as strong as Sephiroth. He walked up the road toward the mansion and the foot of Mt. Nibel. Suddenly his thoughts turned to Tifa again. She still hadn't come out of her coma, and everyone was afraid that she might die. The thought of losing Tifa tore at Cloud's soul. If she died, it would all be his fault. He closed his eyes, Tifa, please, if you can hear me, I'm sorry. Please don't die, I don't wanna be alone. Wake up, Tifa....wake up....
Tifa opened her eyes, and her room slowly came into focus around her. She saw her father sitting in a chair near her bed.
" Dad?" she called.
" Tifa! You're awake! Do you feel okay?" he asked, getting up to stand by the bed.
" Yeah. Dad, is Cloud okay? What happened?"
Her father's face darkened, " I guess he's okay. Tifa, I don't want you around him anymore. Do you understand?"
" Why?"
" He lead you up there, when he should've known it was too dangerous."
" No, Dad, I went up there by myself, I asked Cloud to help me." Tifa explained.
" Why did you want to go up there?"
Tifa suddenly stared at her hands, " I wanted to see if I could find Mom's soul."
" Oh. You shouldn't have gone up there, Tifa."
She looked up at him, " I know, I'm sorry. Just...don't blame Cloud. He was trying to help me, and I got him hurt."
Her dad smiled, " Okay, I'm sorry I blamed him. But don't go up there again."
" Alright, Dad."
Her father stood and walked over to the window, " As a matter of fact, Cloud has been sitting on that well looking up here everyday. He seems really worried about you. If you feel up to it, you should go out there and talk to him, let him know you're okay."
Tifa nodded and got out of bed.
" You sure you feel okay?" her dad asked, still not convinced that she was entirely healed.
" Yeah, I feel a little tired, but I'm okay, Dad. I want to go see Cloud."
" Alright, but don't stay out too long. Your body still hasn't fully recovered, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
Tifa smiled, then walked down the stairs and out the door. Just as her father had said, Cloud was sitting on the well. He was sitting against the wall of the well, his eyes closed. Tifa looked worriedly at the bandages on his knees and a dark bruise that covered the right side of his face. She quietly climbed up beside him on the well, and gently lay a hand on his shoulder.
" Cloud."
His eyes flew open, " Tifa!? You're awake!" His eyes suddenly filled with remorse, " A-are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't help you..."
" Cloud, no. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shouldn't have gone up there in the first place, and I shouldn't have talked you into going with me."
" But..."
" It wasn't your fault." she repeated with finality.
" Okay...I-I'm glad you're okay. I thought for a while that you were gone..."
" Did those injuries happen when you fell?"
" The cuts on my knees? Yeah." Cloud replied, purposely avoiding mentioning how he had acquired the dark bruise on his face.
Tifa gently touched the bruise on his face, " What about this?"
" I got into a fight with Davis." he said reluctantly.
" Oh. Why?"
Cloud stared at his feet, " He was saying that it was my fault that you got hurt, that you blamed me...and I was so mad at myself for letting that happen to you..."
" Cloud, it wasn't your fault." she whispered. " Cloud, this is going to sound wierd, but, while I was in a coma, did you call out to me in your mind?"
Cloud looked up at her, " Yeah, why?"
" I heard you. I tried to answer you, but I couldn't. I could feel your sadness..." She stared solemnly into his eyes, " and it hurt."
" Tifa, what is this? I've been able to feel your pain, too. I don't know what's going on."
" It's a bond."
Cloud blinked, " A bond? But why?"
" Because we're best friends. Because we care for each other." She replied simply. " I gotta go home now, okay? See you later."
" Bye, Tifa." Cloud watched as she ran back to her house, then stared up at the sky. Best friends? She doesn't blame me. Cloud felt a huge weight lift from his soul.
Bound by friendship
An unspoken love
An unbreakable bond
Final Fantasy
The Bond of Friendship
Chapter 1: Destined Meeting
A young girl, about seven years old, slowly dragged her feet down a dusty road. Her friends should've shown up by now...sudden footsteps caught her attention, and she turned around. Her friends came running up the road.
" Hey, sorry we're late." Davis said.
Erik and Jeremy hung back, a step behind Davis. It was obvious who the leader was.
The girl smiled, " It's okay." She noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye, and turned to get a better look. Her friends turned too.
Erik snickered, " It's only the loser."
" Loser?" the girl asked.
" Yeah, you know, Cloud." Erik replied.
" Oh..." she knew all too well her friends' opinion of Cloud. An opinion she didn't share at all. She'd always felt a strange connection to Cloud, one she couldn't quite explain. She never told her friends, however. She knew they'd only laugh and say that he was her boyfriend.
" Tifa, don't worry about him. We've gotta find the treasure that's hidden in that cave." Jeremy said.
She nodded, " Yeah."
Tifa and her friends were all convinced that a valuable treasure was hidden in a cave north of their small village of Nibelheim. They all turned and walked away. Tifa glanced back at Cloud, feeling a strange sense of despair. Cloud was staring at the ground. He suddenly looked up at her, then returned his attention to the dirt.
" Guys, I'll be back in a minute. I'm going to talk to Cloud, you go on without me."
" What!? Tifa, you're not serious!" Davis yelled.
" Yes, I am. I'll be there in a minute."
" Fine, c'mon guys, let's go." Davis said.
Tifa walked over to Cloud, " Are you okay?"
He looked up at her suddenly, his eyes full of betrayal, " So even you think I'm a loser."
" No."
His eyes narrowed, " I thought you'd be different, I had this feeling....that you'd be my best friend, that I could count on you. I guess I was wrong."
Tifa felt a heartbreaking pain fill her soul, a pain that strangely felt like a mixing of her own pain with Cloud's. She was feeling his pain, and it was melding with her own to make an unbearable combination. " Cloud...I-I don't think you're a loser."
His eyes were suddenly full of anger, " Yes you do! Go back with your friends."
Tears started to fall down her face, " No...no Cloud. You're not a loser. Don't listen to them. Just ignore them, Cloud!"
Cloud's face softened with concern, " Tifa?"
She looked up at him, " Yeah?"
" Tifa...I-I'm sorry...I didn't mean to yell at you...Don't cry." Cloud felt Tifa's despair slam into him like a wave. The connection he felt to her somehow let him feel her pain. " Tifa..."
She wiped her tears off of her face, " It's okay, Cloud."
He smiled faintly, " Your friends are waiting for you, you'd better go."
She nodded, " Okay. I'll see you later, Cloud." She turned and ran off.
" Be careful up there!" he called after her. She was gone, already far up the trail to meet her friends. He had been wrong, she was different from her friends. She cared about him. For the first time in his life, he knew what it was like to have a friend. He slowly turned and walked away, staring into the distance at the Nibel Mountains.
Tifa ran to catch up with Davis and the others.
" Davis, wait up!" she called.
The boys turned and looked at her. When she ran up to them, they started laughing.
" What?" she asked.
" So are you his friend now?" Davis asked.
Tifa stared at the ground, torn between her emotions. Part of her wanted to say yes, but if she did, her friends would only laugh. She didn't want them to make fun of her. " I...maybe...I-I don't know."
" Well, whatever. Let's just go find the treasure." Davis said.
" Yeah!" Erik agreed.
They searched the cave for hours, and now night was beginning to fall. " Guys, I've gotta go home now. I'll see you tomorrow." Tifa said.
" Bye Tifa!" they called.
She ran down the road back to her house. She could hear her mom playing the piano; the gentle sounds floated on the night time air. She quietly walked into the house. A few minutes later, her mom came downstairs.
" Go wash up, Tifa. Dinner's almost ready."
" Okay." She headed up the stairs, but stopped and ran to her window when she heard a fight. She saw Davis push Cloud down.
" Are you gonna fight back, Cloud?" Davis taunted.
Cloud slowly climbed to his feet, his blue eyes blazing, " What do you want!?"
" Stay away from Tifa! You'll never be anything but a wimp."
" Take it back." Cloud said quietly. His voice was dangerous.
" No way! Did you honestly think that she would be your friend?"
" She is! You don't know anything!" Cloud reacted with lightning speed and slammed his fist into Davis's stomach.
Davis doubled over, trying to breathe. " You're...gonna pay for this."
" Yeah, right." Cloud said.
Davis suddenly stood upright and punched Cloud in the face, knocking him to the ground.
" She'll never be your friend." He said, then walked away, leaving Cloud lying in the dirt.
Tifa stared out the window in shock. Cloud didn't stir for a long time. She was worried that Davis had hurt him. " Cloud..." she whispered. Cloud slowly began to climb to his feet. He turned towards his house, stumbling before he finally made it home.
" Tifa, hurry up!" her dad called.
She ran and washed her hands and face, " I'm coming, Dad!"
" Cloud! What happened to you?" his mother asked as he walked in.
" Nothing, Mom, I'm okay."
" Did you get into a fight again?" she demanded.
Cloud nodded, " Yeah."
His mother sighed heavily, " Sometimes I just don't know what to do with you. Go wash all that dirt off, then we'll eat." She noticed a deep pain in her son's eyes. " Cloud, is something wrong?"
" No." he said simply.
She knew he was lying, but she didn't say anything. She didn't want to push him, there were some secrets that a soul had to keep. Ever since his father had died, Cloud had become more distant. And she knew that the children in the village often treated him badly, all except for Tifa, a young girl who was about his age. She turned and looked at Cloud as he walked back into the kitchen.
" Cloud, I wish you'd tell me what's wrong." she said.
" I'm alright, Mom." he said stubbornly.
She sighed and gently placed their plates on the table. " Did you find anything near the caves today?" she asked, trying to get his mind off of whatever was bothering him.
Cloud's face brightened, " Yeah." He reached into his pocket, " This crystal. Isn't it pretty, Mom?"
She looked at the dark blue crystal, " It's beautiful, Cloud. You were lucky to find something like that. Keep it in a safe place, okay?"
Cloud nodded and put the crystal back in his pocket.
Late that night, Cloud lay in his bed staring through the window at the moon. What if Davis is right? What if Tifa isn't my friend? He suddenly felt tears sting his eyes, and he forced them down, pressing all his pain into a tiny ball within his soul. All I want is a best friend...is that so bad? With those thoughts filling his mind, he slowly fell asleep.
Chapter 2: Shared Pain
Five years later
Tifa, now twelve, ran down the stairs and started to go outside.
" Tifa, come here." her dad called.
" What's wrong, Dad?" she asked as she walked over to him.
" Your mom is sick, so you need to be quiet around the house so she can rest."
" She's sick? Will she be okay, Dad?" Tifa asked, suddenly scared.
" I don't know, sweetheart. Just keep hoping, okay?"
She nodded, " Okay, Dad."
It was early morning when Tifa went outside. Her friends still weren't up yet. She glanced at Cloud's house. She hadn't really spoken to him in a while. He seemed to keep to himself all the time. And she was afraid of what Davis and the others might say.
Tifa sighed and walked into the field just past the gates of the small village. She sat down in the soft grass and looked up at the sky.
" Tifa? I didn't know you liked to come out here." a voice suddenly said.
She turned, " Cloud?"
He stared into her eyes for a moment, " What's wrong, Tifa? You seem worried."
She stared at him in surprise, " How did you know?"
He shrugged, " I just know. What's wrong?"
Tifa stared at the ground, " My mom's sick. It's strange, she wasn't sick yesterday. It's so sudden...what if she dies?" Tears began to fall down her face.
Cloud moved over to her side, " Tifa, it'll be okay. I'm sure your mom will be fine."
" What if she isn't? Cloud, I...I'm scared."
Seeing her tears hurt him, and he reached out and gently lay his hand on hers, " It'll be okay. You have to keep hoping."
" Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Cloud."
" No problem." He smiled at her, " Don't cry."
She stood, " I'd better go home now."
" Okay."
Tifa walked back to her house and quietly walked in so she wouldn't disturb her mother.
" Tifa, your mom wants to see you." her dad said as she walked in.
She headed up the stairs to her mom's room, " Mom?"
" Tifa...come over here." she said weakly.
Tifa walked over and knelt by the bed.
" I don't want you to worry about me. No matter what happens, I want you to know that I love you."
Tifa felt tears fill her eyes again, " I love you too, Mom."
Her mother smiled, " Now go play with your friends, and don't worry."
Tifa nodded, " Alright, Mom."
A few days later, Tifa was outside sitting on the well when Erik ran up to her, " Tifa, your dad wants you to come home."
Tifa jumped down from the well and ran to her house, " Dad, what's wrong?"
He knelt in front of her, " Tifa...I'm sorry. Your mom died."
The sudden agony spread through Tifa's soul like fire, " No!" she cried.
" Tifa..."
" No! This can't..." she turned and ran up the stairs to her room and slammed the door. She collapsed onto her bed and cried into her pillow. Sobs tore at her body, the pain in her heart was unbearable. " Mom...no...I love you. Don't go..." She cried for hours, and eventually cried herself to sleep.
" Cloud, have you heard about Tifa?" his mom asked suddenly while they ate.
" No. What is it?"
" Her mom died this morning."
Cloud stared at his mother in shock, " Really? I-I knew her mom was sick, but I thought...Tifa told me a few days ago that she had gotten sick all of sudden. Tifa seemed really scared, but I..." He fell silent.
" What is it, Cloud?"
" I told her that her mom would be okay." he whispered.
" There was no way for you to know she wouldn't be. You did the right thing, Cloud. You tried to help Tifa. Maybe you should go talk to her tomorrow."
Cloud knew what his mother couldn't bring herself to say, Since you lost your dad, you may be able to help her. He nodded, " I'll go."
Later that night, he went outside and sat on the well. The warm glow of the houses shone faintly through the windows. He looked up at Tifa's window, and saw her staring up at the stars from behind the glass. Tifa...I'm sorry. She suddenly looked down at him and their eyes met. She held his gaze for several moments before turning away from the window. Cloud felt a deep ache in his soul, but it was faint, like an echo in a huge canyon. He knew that pain wasn't his own, but Tifa's. He didn't understand why he could feel Tifa's pain or why he felt a connection to her at all. The only thing he knew for sure was that she was important to him, and despite the fact that they didn't talk much, she was his best friend. She always would be. He slowly climbed down from the well and went back to his house.
When Tifa woke up the next morning, she walked over to the window and sat down under it, staring out at the pale blue sky. She could hear people walking up the stairs, then there was a knock at her door.
" Tifa? I-is it okay if we come in?" Erik asked.
" Yeah." Tifa called, not really wanting to see any of them. The door opened and her friends walked in.
" Tifa, I'm sorry." Jeremy whispered.
" I know it's gotta be hard." Davis said.
Tifa shook her head, " How can you know!? You've never lost anyone! Just leave me alone!"
Her friends stepped back, surprised by her outburst. Tifa had never yelled like that at anyone.
" Hey, Davis, look." Erik said, pointing out the window.
Davis looked out the window and saw Cloud coming toward Tifa's house, " It's Cloud. What's he doing here?"
Erik shrugged, " Dunno, but let's stop him before he comes and bothers Tifa."
As her friends left, Tifa rested her head on her knees, trying hard not to cry, and not succeeding.
Davis stopped Cloud in front of Tifa's house.
" Get out of my way." Cloud said quietly.
Davis crossed his arms, " Tifa doesn't want to talk to anybody, least of all you."
" You're lying." Cloud started to walk toward them.
Erik stepped forward, " No he's not. Tifa told us to go away, and we're not gonna let you bother her."
" Fine. I'll go." Cloud said. He turned and walked up the road that went past the old mansion.
I hope Tifa's okay. I wish I could go talk to her, but if she doesn't even want to see her friends, then why would she want to see me? Cloud kicked a rock, sending it scuttling up the road. Tifa...I'm so sorry. I know how you feel.
" Cloud!"
He turned and saw his mom calling for him. He ran to her, " Yeah, Mom?"
" How's Tifa?" She noticed Cloud's expression suddenly grow darker.
" She doesn't want to see anyone. I didn't get to talk to her."
His mother looked off into the distance, " I feel so sorry for her..."
" So do I. I want to help her...but what can I do?" Cloud asked quietly.
His mother looked down at him, " Just be there for her. Talk to her when you get the chance. Being a friend is the best way to help someone through something like this."
" Okay."
" You can go now. Be careful around those cliffs, Cloud."
He nodded, " I will." He turned and ran up the road.
Days later, Tifa was still in her room.
" Tifa, it's time for the funeral." her dad's voice came through the door.
She stood up and opened the door. She had already put on her best dress earlier that morning. " I know, Dad."
He looked down at her, " I know it's hard on you. It's hard for both of us, but we have to let go and move on."
Tifa smiled weakly, " Yeah..."
Everyone in Nibelheim was at the funeral, trying to offer their support.
Tifa stared solemnly at her mother's coffin as the service went on. When they began to lower the coffin into the ground, another wave of sorrow washed over her, and she turned and ran into the plains around Nibelheim, hoping to somehow outrun the pain.
Cloud had been watching Tifa worriedly during the funeral. When he saw her run off, he followed her. She ran further into the grass lands than Cloud had ever been before. Finally she stopped and collapsed to her knees. Cloud slowly walked up to her and knelt down.
" What are you doing here?" she asked harshly through her tears.
" I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry." he whispered.
She turned to him, the pain in her eyes tore at his soul.
" You can't understand." she said.
" I do understand, Tifa. My dad's gone, I remember how it felt." he said gently.
Tifa's eyes widened, " I'm sorry...I didn't know."
" It's okay."
" Cloud...it hurts. I miss her so much...what am I supposed to do?" she whispered.
He hesitated for a moment before he put his arms around her, hoping to comfort her. She buried her face against his shoulder. " I know it hurts. I'm sorry, Tifa." he said, at a loss for anything to say.
" You're the only one who understands...thank you, Cloud." she whispered.
" You're welcome."
She pulled out of his embrace, " I'd better go home, my dad's probably looking for me."
" Okay," Cloud said.
She stood and walked back toward the town.
" Tifa, wait!" he called.
She turned back, " What is it?"
He pulled a crystal from his pocket, " Here, take this. I found it a long time ago."
" Cloud, I can't-"
" I want you to have it. Maybe it'll help you feel better somehow."
She smiled, " Okay, thanks." She turned and continued back to the village. She looked down at the crystal in her hand, it was a deep blue color. A tiny smile crossed her face, Cloud was right, the crystal did make her feel a little better. She had always loved crystals, but could never find one in the caves, that was one of the 'treasures' she and her friends had been looking for years ago. Not only that, but the crystal reminded her of Cloud. He understood her pain, and somewhere deep in her heart, she knew he was her best friend, that they would always be together. When she had reached the gates of the village, Cloud's mother stopped her.
" Tifa, I'm sorry to bother you, but have you seen Cloud?" she asked.
Tifa nodded, " Yeah, he's out there." She turned and pointed to the grasslands, " He was talking to me, I'm sure he'll be here soon."
Cloud's mother smiled, " Thank you."
Tifa returned her smile, " You're welcome." She walked back to her house. Her father was standing in the kitchen, and turned to her when she walked in.
" Your friends came by a minute ago. They said they'd be near the caves if you wanted to go play."
" I'll go in just a minute." She ran up the stairs to change back into her normal clothes. As she started to leave, she gently placed the crystal on the table next to her bed. I'm not alone...
She turned and ran back down the stairs and out the door to where her friends were waiting.
Chapter 3
The Mountain
" Hey, Tifa!" Davis called as she ran up to where they were waiting.
" I wonder if there's anything beyond that mountain?" she asked, mostly to herself.
Erik shook his head, " Mount Nibel is scary. Many people have died there."
" No one crosses that mountain alive..." Jeremy whispered.
Tifa turned suddenly as an idea occured to her, " What about those that died? Did mama pass through the mountains?"
Her friends all stared blankly at her.
" I'm going!" she turned and walked up the trail that lead into the treacherous heart of the moutain range.
Cloud watched Tifa and her friends from a distance. It's too dangerous up there. Jeremy's right, no one could ever get through those moutains alive. If she goes up there...what if something happens to her? I have to stop her, I can't let anything happen to her. She means too much to me. Cloud followed the group as they walked deeper into the moutain range. When they reached the rope bridge, Tifa's friends stopped.
" Tifa, stop! You can't go up there!" Erik cried.
She ignored him and kept walking.
Jeremy and Davis started to follow her across the bridge, but had taken only a few steps before they turned and ran back. Cloud walked past them and followed Tifa, not caring about the danger.
" You're both gonna get killed!" Erik called.
" Tifa, wait!" Cloud said.
She turned and waited for him, " Cloud...I'm glad you're here. You have to help me."
" What are you doing up here? It's too dangerous."
" I don't care! Cloud, please...help me..." Tears started to fill Tifa's eyes.
He slowly shook his head, " Help you do what?"
" Find her. I have to find my mom's soul. She's up here somewhere."
" Tifa..."
Tifa grabbed Cloud's hand, " Cloud, try to understand. I have to find her, and I need your help. You're the only one who can help me. No one else has been through something like this." she whispered.
" Okay, Tifa. I'll help you."
They walked slowly across the bridge to the narrow trail that lay beyond.
" She's serious, isn't she? We have to go tell her dad, she might get hurt up there." Erik said.
" Yeah, let's go." Jeremy replied.
The three of them turned and ran back down the trail to the small village.
Tifa walked cautiously over some loose rocks that lay near the edge of the narrow trail. Below her was a huge drop to the rocks below. Suddenly she tripped over a rock, throwing herself off balance.
" Tifa!" Cloud cried. He ran to her, hoping to catch her before she fell over the edge. He reached out for her arm just as she toppled over the side. Cloud tried to stop running, but slipped on the pebbles at his feet and plummeted over the edge.
Tifa landed on the ground, her head striking a rock at the base of the cliff. Cloud landed a few feet from where she lay, gashing his knees on the sharp rocks. He pushed himself up and shakily crawled to where Tifa lay motionless.
" Tifa, wake up."
No response.
" Tifa, come on. You have to wake up." he pleaded, feeling tears sting his eyes. " Tifa, you can't leave me! You're my only friend...my best friend. Don't leave me...please...I don't wanna be alone anymore." He took her hand in his and held it tightly.
Far in the distance he heard voices. He looked out over the trail that lead back to Nibelheim. Tifa's dad was running up the trail, followed by someone else.
" It'll be okay now, Tifa. Your dad's coming."
Twenty minutes later, they found Cloud and Tifa. Her father ran to her and picked her up, then turned to Cloud. Cloud flinched under the pressure of the man's glare.
" Cloud! Why'd you bring Tifa to place like this!? What the hell's the matter with you!? What if she dies!?"
Cloud hung his head in guilt.
" Yeah, you're sorry now aren't you!? Now you'd better go home, your mom's worried about you."
Cloud slowly climbed to his feet. He watched as the men left, carrying Tifa back to the village. They all blame me. I tried to help her...What if she blames me too? He slowly limped back to Nibelheim, trying to ignore the shooting pain in his legs. It was almost an hour later before he made it back. He paused at the front door to his house, bracing himself for the punishment he knew was coming, then walked in.
" Cloud! Are you alright?" his mother asked, " Your legs are covered in blood!"
" I'm okay, Mom. What about Tifa? Is she alright?"
" That poor girl...Cloud, why'd you take her someplace so dangerous?"
" I didn't. She went up there looking for her mother's spirit. She asked me to help her. I didn't want her to go up there alone...I thought I could protect her."
" You'd better not be lying to me." his mother warned.
" I'm not. I'd never hurt Tifa."
His mother sighed and pulled over a chair for him to sit in, " Okay. Now let's see what we can do about those cuts." She began cleaning off the blood, then glanced up at Cloud. She was shocked to see him crying. " Cloud, what is it?"
" I tried...but I couldn't." he whispered.
" Couldn't what?"
" I couldn't save her. When she tripped, I tried to catch her, but I was too late. And then I fell...It's my fault."
" No, Cloud. It was only an accident, it wasn't your fault." She gently placed bandages over the gashes. " There. Now you need to rest."
" But, Tifa...Will she be okay?"
His mother slowly shook her head, " I don't know. You just rest for now."
Cloud walked off to his room and lay down. He soon fell asleep.
Later that night, his mother looked in to check on him. He was sleeping peacefully, despite what he'd been through. She smiled and quietly closed the door as she left. " Goodnight, Cloud."
Two days later, Cloud sat on the well staring at the bright blue sky. The cuts on his knees were healing, but they would leave scars. For him, it was a permanent reminder of his weakness. I should've been there to catch her. I thought I could protect her, but I'm too weak. Tifa's gonna hate me now....I know she will.
" Cloud!" Davis yelled.
Cloud jumped down from the well, " What do you want?"
" It's your fault Tifa got hurt."
" No it isn't!"
" Yes it is. You thought you could protect her, didn't you?" Davis laughed, " How could a loser like you ever be able to protect anyone?"
All of Cloud's anger at his own weakness suddenly burned through him, merging with the pain he felt because of what had happened to Tifa, what he hadn't been able to prevent. He pushed Davis to the ground, and then slammed his head into the dirt. Davis slowly climbed to his feet, looking slightly dazed. Cloud glared into his eyes, not caring about what happened to himself, wanting only to fight against the weakness and the pain. If he could beat Davis, he'd be stronger....then maybe....
Davis slammed his fist into the side of Cloud's head, and he kicked at Davis's knee. Both boys suddenly collapsed, still glaring into each other's eyes.
" Who do you think you are? Sephiroth?" Davis taunted. " You'll never even get close. You're always going to be weak, and Tifa will always blame you for what happened at Mt. Nibel." Davis stood up and walked down the dusty street back to his house.
Cloud slowly stood up, his legs shaking. The cuts on his knee had begun to bleed again, and the pain had returned, now much more intense than before. Sephiroth...I'll show you...I can be as strong as Sephiroth. He walked up the road toward the mansion and the foot of Mt. Nibel. Suddenly his thoughts turned to Tifa again. She still hadn't come out of her coma, and everyone was afraid that she might die. The thought of losing Tifa tore at Cloud's soul. If she died, it would all be his fault. He closed his eyes, Tifa, please, if you can hear me, I'm sorry. Please don't die, I don't wanna be alone. Wake up, Tifa....wake up....
Tifa opened her eyes, and her room slowly came into focus around her. She saw her father sitting in a chair near her bed.
" Dad?" she called.
" Tifa! You're awake! Do you feel okay?" he asked, getting up to stand by the bed.
" Yeah. Dad, is Cloud okay? What happened?"
Her father's face darkened, " I guess he's okay. Tifa, I don't want you around him anymore. Do you understand?"
" Why?"
" He lead you up there, when he should've known it was too dangerous."
" No, Dad, I went up there by myself, I asked Cloud to help me." Tifa explained.
" Why did you want to go up there?"
Tifa suddenly stared at her hands, " I wanted to see if I could find Mom's soul."
" Oh. You shouldn't have gone up there, Tifa."
She looked up at him, " I know, I'm sorry. Just...don't blame Cloud. He was trying to help me, and I got him hurt."
Her dad smiled, " Okay, I'm sorry I blamed him. But don't go up there again."
" Alright, Dad."
Her father stood and walked over to the window, " As a matter of fact, Cloud has been sitting on that well looking up here everyday. He seems really worried about you. If you feel up to it, you should go out there and talk to him, let him know you're okay."
Tifa nodded and got out of bed.
" You sure you feel okay?" her dad asked, still not convinced that she was entirely healed.
" Yeah, I feel a little tired, but I'm okay, Dad. I want to go see Cloud."
" Alright, but don't stay out too long. Your body still hasn't fully recovered, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
Tifa smiled, then walked down the stairs and out the door. Just as her father had said, Cloud was sitting on the well. He was sitting against the wall of the well, his eyes closed. Tifa looked worriedly at the bandages on his knees and a dark bruise that covered the right side of his face. She quietly climbed up beside him on the well, and gently lay a hand on his shoulder.
" Cloud."
His eyes flew open, " Tifa!? You're awake!" His eyes suddenly filled with remorse, " A-are you okay? I'm sorry I couldn't help you..."
" Cloud, no. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. I shouldn't have gone up there in the first place, and I shouldn't have talked you into going with me."
" But..."
" It wasn't your fault." she repeated with finality.
" Okay...I-I'm glad you're okay. I thought for a while that you were gone..."
" Did those injuries happen when you fell?"
" The cuts on my knees? Yeah." Cloud replied, purposely avoiding mentioning how he had acquired the dark bruise on his face.
Tifa gently touched the bruise on his face, " What about this?"
" I got into a fight with Davis." he said reluctantly.
" Oh. Why?"
Cloud stared at his feet, " He was saying that it was my fault that you got hurt, that you blamed me...and I was so mad at myself for letting that happen to you..."
" Cloud, it wasn't your fault." she whispered. " Cloud, this is going to sound wierd, but, while I was in a coma, did you call out to me in your mind?"
Cloud looked up at her, " Yeah, why?"
" I heard you. I tried to answer you, but I couldn't. I could feel your sadness..." She stared solemnly into his eyes, " and it hurt."
" Tifa, what is this? I've been able to feel your pain, too. I don't know what's going on."
" It's a bond."
Cloud blinked, " A bond? But why?"
" Because we're best friends. Because we care for each other." She replied simply. " I gotta go home now, okay? See you later."
" Bye, Tifa." Cloud watched as she ran back to her house, then stared up at the sky. Best friends? She doesn't blame me. Cloud felt a huge weight lift from his soul.