Author's Notes: Hey y'all! I thank the people who keep on bugging me to continue this fic. If there are any questions, feel free to ask. On with the chapter…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything… sad but true… I can't even own a car T_T

"TOUCH"

Weeks after the celebration of the birth of prince Cloud Strife and the visitation of the nymphs, everyone went back to the way it was before and became busy again.

And as for the little prince and his sentinel?

"…"

"…"

"Why do you keep on staring at me, prince Cloud?"

"…"

"I know you are not yet capable of talking but it seems to me that you want to say something. Do you need anything? Milk, perhaps?"

"…"

"Oh, for the love of Shiva! Why do you stare with such frozen eyes? If you want to say something, say it now otherwise it will trouble you for the rest of your life." Tifa frowned. Cloud just kept on staring at her. Tifa closed her claret-colored eyes and sighed heavily. "I give up."

"You cannot give up. You were chosen to guide and protect him, remember?" a voice came from behind. Tifa jerked up and looked behind her. She smiled after she saw who the voice came from. "Mother…"

"Dear, he won't be able to say anything even if you force him to do so." The lady nymph went beside the crib and looked at Cloud. "Hello, my little prince." Little Cloud giggled and held his tiny hands to the older nymph. The nymph offered her index finger for Cloud to hold.

"Why is it that when it comes to you, he behaves like an angel? When I take care of him, he keeps on staring at me like I am some sort of a fool?" Tifa asked, frowning. The lady nymph grinned, "Well, if you try to be nicer and be more mother-like, he will appreciate you." Tifa crossed her arms and closed her eyes but opened it again, slowly.

"Mother, let's not start this conversation again. You know that I am not fit for the 'mother-like' figure. I was specially trained for the benefits of being a sentinel, not a mother."

"But you are woman."

"Yes but that's not the point. I am a sentinel and that is all. I am a part of the elite. Being a mother will not benefit me or him. He has his mother and I believe that is enough, don't you think? I will be his sentinel and I will do my duties. I do not and will never show affection to anyone who will be placed under my charge through the council's orders. That is how I work."

"Yes, but that didn't stop you to protect your comrades when they were in trouble, right?" her mother asked. Tifa unfolded her arms and looked at her mother. "Then what was I to do? I am their general and as their leader, I am responsible for everyone's safety. I cannot just leave them alone! Degrade me however they want, but I will do my job without flaws." The lady nymph frowned but Tifa continued.

"I cannot be soft, I must not be soft. If I become a mother-like figure to him, I might not be able to protect him when the time comes that he needs protection. I must not fail my mission or else I will never forgive myself for failing." Tifa's gaze hardened, it was full of determination and power.

"But that is what mothers do too." Her mother interrupted her. Tifa remained silent and so her mother continued, "You speak of mothers as if they are so weak but just so you know, they have this overwhelming protectiveness for their young. When you needed support, I was there. When you needed advice, I was there. When you did something wrong, I was there to point it out to you. I protected you and that is because I am your mother. It is my job as your mother to lead you to what you are right now. Now it is your turn to lead this young child in becoming a good king." Tifa's mother carried Cloud and cradled him in her arms.

"Tifa, do you want to be stronger?"

"Of course I do."

"Then let people in."

"Huh?"

"I know you are kind and selfless, and I know that present you is not your true self. You keep on wearing your mask, pretending to be strong in front of your comrades to show them that everything will be okay..."

"…"

"… Sometimes, it is alright to be like that, but remember that you are not perfect. You also feel loneliness, so if you let someone love you and care for you, you will have the urge to protect that someone, and that special someone will give you the push to continue living your life. It is the same as how I am with you, sweet child. I love you so much that I would do everything to keep you safe. Is that not what you are feeling for this baby?" The lady nymph added.

"If I… if I give the chance to love, I will be weak. If I fail on protecting that someone, then it will be my loss and I will forever remain guilty."

The lady nymph sighed. "Tifa, open your eyes. Would it be that hard to become a mother-like figure to this child?" she raised Cloud until his faced is leveled to Tifa's "True, it will be hard but you will earn something from it. He is still vulnerable and he needs you to be by his side always and that is what sentinels do. They keep their monarchs happy." Cloud giggled and raised his hands to Tifa.

Tifa's gaze softened and placed Cloud's hand to her cheek. She felt it again— the same strange reaction she felt weeks before. Quickly, she withdrew his hand from her face. Unfortunately, the lady nymph saw it. "Tifa, what it is?" Tifa turned away, facing the window near Cloud's crib. "I… It's nothing."

The lady nymph brought Cloud back to his crib and touched Tifa's shoulder. "Do not deny it Tifa, I saw what happened. You suddenly twitched; it was awkward seeing you like that." She teased. Tifa looked at her mother. "I felt… I just felt something after that touch. It was not welcoming, though. It felt like a huge amount of electricity gushed through my veins when his fingers touched my skin. This is the second time it happened." The lady nymph had a perplexed look in her eyes, "The second? If it only occurred twice, then I don't think there is nothing to be concerned of."

Tifa looked at the floor. "Yes, the second time; but, it this also the second time that I was able to touch him after all this time."

"You only came in-contact him twice after those three whole weeks?! Why— how were you able to guard and comfort him?"

"After the first touch, I already became… scared."

"Scared?"

"Yes, because he might feel the same thing and I don't want him to feel that unpleasant feeling so I do not touch or lay a finger on him, not until now. I have only watched him from a distance." Tifa pointed the corner in Cloud's room where she usually stands while guarding him.

The truth is, Tifa really wanted to be close to Cloud because she feels calm whenever she is beside him. Whenever she hears him giggle, she feels happy and whenever he smiles when he's asleep, she feels contented. She wanted to give the child everything that he deserved, the life he deserves. She wants to fight for him even if it cost her life and for what reason? 'Yeah, what reason do I have?' she sometimes asks herself and the only answer she has is: 'I want to be with him, to be there for him when he needs someone' but it seems that there is a force that divides them both.

"So, what do you think is the reason this keeps on happening, Tifa?"

"I don't know. Maybe something is wrong with me. Or maybe, I really am not the chosen—"

"Don't say that Tifa. I chose you because I know that you can change something in this world. You are perfectly fine and the guardians have permitted the decision." Her mother assured her. "Then why does it happen? Why am I not allowed to touch him?" Tifa half-shouted, "Maybe because for now, you should keep your distance until the time is right." Her mother said, gazing at the same window.

"Distance? Why is there a distance between us?"

"I don't have the answer to that dear, but I guess that is what they want for now."

XXX()XXX

A/N:RE-EDITED! Sorry for the OOCness. Hmm... You might be thinking who this 'lady nymph' or 'mother' is, don't worry; I'll fill the gaps sooner or later. And about Cloud? His baby days will be over soon enough… still thinking on what to write next and if you want to suggest anything... Feel free to do so… Other characters will be shown once at a time… so that it will still be like the ffvii family … R&R!