Tifa awoke to the feeling of warmth upon her chilled skin. She was on her back, and Cloud's leather coat was covering her half-naked form. She groaned audibly, trying to open her eyes, "Cloud?"

"I'm here, Tifa," his voice said. "Can you see?"

She could see now. Darkness surrounded them, the only light coming from a small fire between them. She looked at him, her expression ominous. "Where is she?" she croaked.

"Still hiding," he replied somberly.

Tifa turned her head to look up through the gap in the ceiling. She could see the night sky beyond it, and the stars seemed to shine brighter here than anywhere else in the city. She could hear the familiar sound of water rushing nearby. "Cloud…I have to tell you something."

His inquisitive azure eyes met hers, "Then just say it."

"I can't."

"Why not?" He moved closer to her, warming her arms with his hands, "Tell me, what happened back there?"

Tifa stared into the stars, her face sorrowful. "Cloud…the child…She's one of them. She's one of the experiments. I know that now. She looked at me, and her eyes were just like Sephiroth's." Tears were in the corners of her eyes suddenly, "It's happening again. Isn't it?"

"I don't know," he whispered. "Did she harm you?"

"No," she stated, "She was so scared. Cloud, she's absolutely filthy and covered in blood. Whatever has happened to her, no matter where she comes from, we can't let her wander alone out here in the Ruins. We have to take her back with us."

The idea of caring for any of Sephiroth's remnants infuriated him. Tifa had a heart of gold, but damn it, he couldn't abide by this. "No, Tifa, we'll to take her back to Rufus. That's where she belongs."

Tifa, astonished by his coldness, sat up to face him. Her head swooned immediately, and Cloud caught her before her head crashed back onto the stone floor. He eased her back onto the floor. "How can you say such a thing?" she asked, devastated, "She needs us. Who knows what they did to her. And that blood! Cloud, I honestly fear for her—"

He cut her off without hesitation, "We don't know anything about her! She could be dangerous! She could harm us, or the other children! We can't risk that, Tifa!"

"She didn't ask to be created in some lab," said Tifa glaringly. "She shouldn't be punished for what she is! She can't help it!"

"Tifa, calm down."

"No! I will never forgive you if you give up on her this easily. She's innocent. I know it. I feel it. She's just…not human."

Cloud shook his head and couldn't help but smile at her flushed face, her stubborn will. "Same old Tifa," he said softly. "Still trying to save the world."

"Cloud," she pleaded. "Please, please let me take her back with us. I just want her to be safe. Rufus can't know."

Cloud's smile faded with the realization that they couldn't possibly hide it from Rufus forever. Hiding what the child was from anyone was fully impossible, really. She didn't even resemble a normal child. People needed only to glimpse her eyes and hair, and they would immediately know what she was. Maybe even kill her. This thought angered him, the idea of anyone murdering her simply for being what she was, and he was caught now between wanting to give her back to Rufus, and letting Tifa take her back to the orphanage.

Was giving her back to Rufus any different from killing her, he suddenly deliberated. Shinra's penchant for destroying one's innocence was the one thing that he hated more than anything in this world. That reckless desire to control something not meant to be controlled, yes, he would fight to stop that mentality to his dying breath. Then again, maybe the child needed to be controlled…maybe she was entirely hallow and evil inside, the Jenova cells within her crying out for chaos and death. Who knew, really? Could he really risk that?

"Sleep, Tifa," he said, stroking her hair absently. "It's late. We'll go back in the morning." Seeing Tifa's concern, he quickly added, "With the child, of course. Now rest."

Tifa smiled kindly, and Cloud's heart leapt in his chest. He felt the soft, supple skin of her arms on his fingertips, and he pushed the familiar feelings of yearning aside. She moved to stroke his face, and he quickly grabbed her hand before she could touch him. "Sleep now," he said, and she finally nodded and reluctantly turned over on her side to rest.

Cloud moved away from her at once. He stood up now, turning his back to the fire and gazing into the torrent flowing nearby. He couldn't help but push Tifa away. It was inane, really, but he just couldn't bear to think of her wasting her life with him. He wanted better for her. She deserved better, and they were only getting older. She would be married by now, he thought, had things been different.

Everything he knew and loved seemed to disappear. Everyone he touched seemed to die by the reckless chaos that had followed him throughout his life. That was why he always ran away. That was why he couldn't let himself have her. It was simply too dangerous.

He caught the familiar glimpse of silver hair peeking out from the crevice and saw it disappear just as quickly. At once, renewed determination flooded his mind and body. Ignoring the cold, he plunged into the water feet first. He wadded through the crystal clear water, his feet barely sliding on the rock beneath them, and he ducked under the waterfall with little apprehension. The crevice was small, but he knew he could fit if he removed his sword. He did just that, swimming back to the edge of the waterway and setting his sword safely to the side.

He returned to the entrance of the crevice and squeezed in, hearing a low sobbing echo. He couldn't see at first, and he immediately pulled the waterproof lighter from his pocket. The same lighter he had used to start the fire. He held it up high and anchored himself within the opening, seeing the orange glow of the flame reflecting off the child's hair. He inched closer.

The child didn't acknowledge him at all.

"You're safe now," he said firmly. "No one's going to hurt you, I promise."

The child shifted slightly, a tiny hand lifting to rub an aggravated tearful eye.

Tensely, he leaned forward and felt the child's hair slipping between his fingertips as he shifted it to the side. At once, he saw the very same eyes that haunted his memories.

Sephiroth. Kadaj. Those same eyes.

He forced himself to look into them, to face them, and he mentally pushed aside any apprehension. He gazed into the very eyes that he had feared for so long and whispered tenderly, "You don't have to be afraid anymore. I'll protect you."

With bloodshot eyes, the child suddenly stared at him. It was almost reverently, the way she looked at him now, and it almost put him on his guard. The child suddenly flung herself at him, and he dropped the lighter to catch her. He slipped, almost fell, but held his ground as he felt the little fingers grasp and hold tight to the back of his shirt. He hesitated, then gently wrapped his arms around her tiny form. He held her, the sounds of her sobs growing louder in his ears and echoing off the walls.

"Shh," he soothed her. "We're in this together, Little One."

Tifa could feel tiny fingers playing with her hair as she slept. She opened her eyes and gasped when she realized that the child was above her, and those same eyes met hers again. She promptly calmed herself, sitting up, and the child moved away suddenly to rest against Cloud.

"Good morning," he smiled.

"Cloud," she said in amazement. "How did you get her to come out?"

"I went in and got her."

Tifa suddenly returned his smile in kind, "Thank you."

Cloud stood up and held out a hand to her, "Come on. Let's go home."


Rufus smiled kindly at his secretary, "Ms. Souza, when is my next appointment?"

"Now, Sir. A Mr. Strife. He's been waiting in the lobby for the past half hour." She suddenly lowered her voice to just above a whisper, "It's that same young man from before, Sir. He's back."

Hiding his annoyance, he asked her to kindly show him in. She immediately complied, waving Cloud into the office and leaving the room, closing the door for privacy.

Cloud stood just in front of the door and gazed passively at him, "I made an appointment this time."

"So it would seem," he replied. "Thank you for your consideration."

Cloud wasted no time in asking, "What was your purpose for creating those experiments? You said you wanted to protect the world from people like Sephiroth. Is that their purpose? Is this some new SOLDIER program?"

Rufus' calm expression immediately changed to a dangerous glare, "That is none of your concern."

"It is now. Answer me. It is, isn't it?"

"Cloud, you have had these incidences happen to you for almost half your life. Why you, I will never understand, but having been a part of that chaos, I want to ensure that people like you never have to endure that kind of ordeal ever again. I want the innocent to remain innocent, and without fear. My father began this mess, and the danger is always going to be there. I cannot simply stand by and watch it happen again. I want to be prepared for it."

Cloud absorbed his words, "So, you're using Jenova's DNA to create soldiers capable of defeating her children? That doesn't make any sense, Rufus. You're only increasing the chances of Sephiroth returning. Look at what happened before. He only came back because his 'remnants' found the key to it all. Why would you risk that happening again?"

"If it happens, it will happen whether or not we have had any part in it. Jenova is chaos. She will find a way. If she does—when she does—we will have the best defense against her. Her own offspring. And make no mistake, Cloud, they will not be slaves to Shinra, but free individuals held in the utmost regard, guaranteed an ordinary life amongst the rest of us. You have my word."

"Ordinary? No progeny of Jenova could ever have an ordinary life. Not here. Not anywhere. And what makes you so sure you can control them?" Cloud said finally. "What makes you think they will stay loyal to Shinra, and not side with their true mother?"

"I have already planned this through. I'm willing to take that chance, for the sake of the future."

"Well, the rest of us aren't willing to take that chance," he said, his voice rising in anger. He rapidly calmed himself before he spoke again. "Is there anything I can say—anything I can do—to change your mind?"

"Absolutely nothing."

Cloud lowered his gaze in anguish, and then turned to leave. He stopped just before the door, however, his hand still on the knob. "I have one more question."

"I'm listening," replied Rufus softly, hearing the grief in his voice.

Cloud chose his words carefully, "If I was to see one, theoretically…what would you suggest I do?"

"Return it to me."

"We're not talking about property here, Rufus," he glowered. "If I was to find one of these children and return it to you, what would you do with her?"

Rufus eyed Cloud suspiciously. "I would raise her like one of my own…because she is, in fact, my own." With those words, Cloud calmly left without so much as a backward glance. Reno appeared from behind the side door, "He knows somethin', Boss."

Rufus closed his eyes suddenly. He was terribly distressed now, "He doesn't just know…he has seen one."

Reno's eyes widened in alarm, "Ya sure, Boss? How do ya know for sure?"

Rufus simply replied, "He said 'her'."

Reno cursed under his breath; after all, Cloud was a friend. "What must I do, Sir?"

"Nothing," he replied calmly. "I will see to this myself."


When Cloud and Tifa returned to the orphanage, the entire house buzzed with excitement. Marlene rushed in front of the other seven children waiting for them to enter, her pigtails bouncing with each step. She smiled to Denzel who stood in front of them, and asked, "Where do you think they were?"

Denzel stared ahead, his eyes frozen in horror. Marlene's smile faded as she gazed at Cloud, who she saw holding a child in his arms. The child had silver hair—it reminded her of those monstrous men from years before—and she knew something was wrong, horribly wrong, with this child. "Denzel," she began, but before she could finish, Denzel turned and ran back inside.

Cloud scowled when he saw this, but tried to remain cheerful when the other children flocked around Tifa and him, asking where they had been, and who their new sibling was. Tifa gathered them around her instantly and smiled sweetly, "This has been a big day for her, so please don't bother her. She needs to rest and recuperate. Her name? Well…we're not really—"

Cloud cut her off, his coat wrapped around the child's blood splattered clothes so as not the alarm the other children, "Go on, now, all of you. She's scared. She's not used to so much excitement. Go see to your lessons. Give her a little time to get used to all this, then I promise you can play with her."

He held her, because when Tifa had tried taking her, the child shrieked in terror. The child would only go to him.

With many disappointed gripes, the children ran back inside and immediately began tending to their lessons as Tifa and Cloud made their way inside. Tifa suddenly turned to Cloud with a smile, "She needs a bath first, and clean clothes."

Cloud gazed at Tifa in slight embarrassment, "I don't think I can bath her myself."

"I don't think she'll let me."

"She's going to have to let me go sometime."

Tifa chuckled at this statement, "You'd be surprised at how resilient children can be." She held out her arms to her, but the child only shrunk back into Cloud's arms. "I don't know what else to do, Cloud. She won't have anything to do with me."

He sighed and made his way down the hall and towards the bathroom. Tifa followed nervously. "What are you going to do?" she asked.

"I'll find her some clothes and stay close by, but you need to bathe her. I can't do it."

"That would probably be best," conceded Tifa.

Cloud reassured the child that he would be right back and left them to their task, and to his relief, the child made only a small fuss. He quickly found some of the other children and asked where Tifa kept the smaller clothes. "You know, the clothes for really little girls, Mika," he said to one of them, and Mika led him to a storage closet full of old donated clothes.

"Is this what you mean, Big Brother?" she asked in her tiny voice. Cloud smiled in reply, "Thanks, Mika. Now help me find something for our new sister?"

The child cheered with glee and immediately began pulling out dresses of a myriad of colors, "Do you think Little Sister will like these?" Cloud smiled and nodded in approval.

Gathering the clothes in his arms, Cloud rubbed the top of Mika's head and returned to the bathroom, Mika in tow.

"Tifa," he said, entering carefully. "I've got some clothes for her."

"Him."

Cloud paused, "What?"

"Him," she repeated darkly. "He's a boy, Cloud."

Mika squeaked from behind Cloud, "Oooh! He was so beautiful, I thought he was a girl!"

"Mika," said Cloud with fatherly disapproval. "Go on. Get back to your lessons."

Mika immediately skipped off with an absolutely gleeful grin.

Tifa finished bathing the child, and she wrapped a large towel around his tiny form. "He doesn't cry anymore when I try and hold him," she said, trying to be cheerful.

Cloud stood still in deliberation. Just any other boy, or another Sephiroth, he dreaded. He cursed softly and turned, walking heavily back down the corridor and into the storage closet once more to find clothes suitable for a boy. He returned quickly, handing the clothes to Tifa and turning his back to the two. He stood there silently, lost in thought. Finally, he said, "Tifa."

"Hmm? What is it?"

He hesitated, then softly replied, "Thank you for everything. I sometimes forget that we were all children once. Even Sephiroth. Maybe we're all born good, or maybe some of us are born evil; regardless, it's not who we are, but what we do that defines us, right? I'm sorry if I'm having a hard time dealing with this, but I can't help but look at him and see the madness Jenova's children have wrought."

He felt a hand on his arm, turning him to face about. Tifa smiled up at him, "I'm having a hard time, too, but remember that we're a family. We'll deal with this together. Besides, he seems to be your biggest fan."

Cloud looked down into the large turquoise eyes staring up at him, feeling the child grasp the leg of his pants. He smiled softly, leaning down and taking the boy into his arms, "Yes, we are a family."

Cloud awoke to a pair of hands shaking him. Mika gazed fearfully at him with her large hazel eyes, "Big Brother?"

He rolled over to look at her, "What is it, Mika-Chan?"

"Someone's in the house." She gasped suddenly, "Where's Little Brother?"

Cloud's eyes widened in worry, and he leapt from the bed, grabbing the closest sword he could find. He turned and gave her a stern look, "Go back to bed, Mika, and stay there. Don't come out until I say it's safe." She immediately ran back to her room, the other children following her lead.

Cloud soundlessly stalked from the room into the main hall and crouched low beside the entrance to the bar. He could hear crashing and clanking coming from behind the bar, and he waited for the opportune moment to attack. He flipped on the lights suddenly, and there was a large crash. He leapt upon the counter like a jungle cat, sword raised high as he cried out in fury, but no one was there.

"Huh?" he looked around. "There was someone back here just now."

He dropped down onto the floor, his feet carefully avoiding the sharp shards from the broken pottery. He saw the door of the cupboard move slightly, and realized that something was hiding in there. He set aside his sword, and crouched down to open it. Inside, was the child and a small mound of food. Cloud sighed in relief, and coaxed the child into his arms. "You made all this mess?" he asked, looking about him. The child flinched when he brought his hand up to move the hair from his eyes, but Cloud smiled. "If you were hungry again, why didn't you just say something?" He sighed exhaustedly, "Come on. We'll clean this up in the morning."

He could hear footsteps running down the hall as he handed the child an apple to eat. Suddenly, Tifa, clad in not but a robe, skidded to a halt in the entrance. She gasped at the broken pottery, the pots and pans overturned and on the floor, "Oh my! What a mess!"

"No harm done," said Cloud sleepily as he brushed past her, taking the child and his sword with him.

"No harm done?" she repeated in exasperation.

"I'll fix it in the morning. Go back to bed. For now, this one's going to have to sleep with me until he learns how things work around here. Good night."

Tifa stared, mouth agape at the mess. This was going to be a lot harder to deal with than she thought.

Cloud explained the situation to the other children, reassuring them with a smile and telling them to go back to bed. He went back to his lightless room, putting away his sword and setting the child down on his bed. Cloud noticed as the child made an aversive face, "Yeah, I know, but you've got to learn how things are here. Until we can get you your own bed, you're with me. Unless you'd rather sleep with Tifa…"

The child made an even worse face. "That's what I thought," he said in reply.

Slipping under the covers, he lie on his back, once more feeling the softness of the mattress beneath him. At the thought of lying with Tifa, he immediately pushed aside the desire within and once again moved the child's hair from his eyes. "You need a hair cut," he said, "But that would only make your eyes much more—."

He stopped. He clutched at his chest, which pounded with sudden pain. He felt the wave of cold madness sweep through his entire being as memories of Sephiroth and his remnants flooded his brain. Something wasn't right.

He felt a presence somewhere, somehow. What was this cold dread he felt? Where was it coming from? Aeris. Where was Aeris? He could no longer sink down into that light-filled place within his heart where Zack and she once resided. He couldn't even spirit away into the Lifestream to so much as hear her voice. The way was barred to him somehow. He knew that Jenova had done something to the Lifestream, but he hadn't realized just how complicated this situation had become. Yet, here this child sat before him. One of Jenova's own children. He had to get to the bottom of this. He knew Rufus was hiding something. There had to be an answer to it all, and Cloud honestly feared that this little one was perhaps the cause.


A black cloak shielded everything but a frosty pair of turquoise eyes peering through the window of Cloud's room. Yazoo skillfully hung from the sills, watching through the darkness as Cloud slept, the child nestled next to him.

"What do you see, Brother?" asked Loz from above him, leaning over the roof edge.

Yazoo smirked with triumph, "He has Little Brother with him. Brother Cloud has welcomed him with open arms into his little family."

Loz made a crestfallen face, "Mother will not be happy that Little Brother is with him."

"Don't cry, Loz. Mother will make sure that he is returned to us, where he belongs."

"Why can't we get him back now?" asked Loz with a nasty grin. "I can play with Tifa again."

"Mother has a plan for Brother Cloud," replied Yazoo. "We can't upset her, now can we?"

"I get it," said Loz stupidly. "We get Brother to come to us."

"Precisely," replied Yazoo, a wickedsmirk playing on his lips. "Then, you can play with Tifa all you want."

"Mother will be so happy."


The next few days seemed like an eternity for Cloud and Tifa. Tifa had busied herself with the bar for the most part, leaving Cloud to aid the children in their lessons. The child never left his side, but avoided the other children less and less as the days went on. Cloud knew he had things to do, and he was determined to do them on his own. He purposely distracted the child with sweet bread as he slipped off to the bar, making sure that Mika would care for him. She seemed to adore the little one.

He entered, seeing the regulars sitting on their usual chairs and stools. He caught Tifa's eye and waved her over to him. He slipped behind the entrance, and she followed curiously.

"Now that I have a break," he began, "I wanted to let you know that I was going back to the Ruins."

Here eyes widened in surprise, "What? Why?"

"I realized last night that it's possible that this child wasn't the only one there. Chances are, there may be others out there. I want to make sure. You understand that I can't let them wander alone out there, right? Not with Rufus obviously searching for them."

Tifa sadly nodded, "I understand." She paused for a moment before saying, "Cloud, before you go, I want you to do something for me."

"What's that?"

She bit her bottom lip in worry, "I need you to go talk to Denzel."

"Is there something wrong with him?"

"He won't stop training. He stopped eating yesterday all together, and he only stops training long enough to rest, but he hasn't even been to his room. He sleeps in the dojo. Cloud, I'm worried."

"I'll talk to him. I'll find out what's wrong. After that, I'm going. I can't guarantee that I'll be back tonight, but I promise I'll be back by tomorrow." He smiled thoughtfully, "Alright?"

She nodded, and forced a smile. Why did she have this terrible feeling?

Cloud moved down the hall and into the far back left of the 7th Heaven. The dojo door was closed, but he could hear distinct cries of fury within. He pushed it open, seeing Denzel's face and body shimmering with sweat. He watched, and Denzel paused long enough to take note of him, then continued with his regiment.

He approached him with the air of a sensei, "That's good. Very good. But shouldn't you be taking a break?" Denzel merely shook his head, his face screwing up into an even more determined expression.

"Denzel, stop for a moment. I want to talk to you." Reluctantly, Denzel stopped, lowering his sword as he turned to face Cloud. Cloud continued, "Tifa's worried. She says you haven't been eating, and hardly sleeping. I know you were distracted before, but now I'm worried too. You need to tell me what's wrong."

Denzel at once returned to his stance and began his kata all over again, ignoring Cloud's words entirely. "Now you're making me angry," said Cloud severely.

"So what."

Crack!

Before Denzel knew what happened, he was opening his eyes. He was looking up at the ceiling, and the side of his head was throbbing with pain. "Ow, damn it! What the hell, Cloud?" cried Denzel as he looked up at him from the floor.

"Care to say that again?" replied Cloud harshly, holding Denzel's sword in his hand.

Denzel bit back a rude comment as he struggled to his feet, the room shifting every now and then. "Can't you see that I just want to be left alone?"

"I can see that you're asking for another nap. Stop this nonsense and tell me what the matter is. What's been bothering you these past few weeks?"

"That has nothing to do with why I'm angry now!"

"Alright then, tell me why you're angry now." Cloud crossed his arms in front of his chest, struggling to stay composed and listen to Denzel as a father would. Honestly, he thought, how did parents deal with their teenagers? This was driving him mad!

"You know damn well why I'm angry!"

"No, I don't, and you're hurting Tifa."

"I don't care! I know she was the one who brought that thing here, and she didn't even stop and think about the rest of us!"

Cloud stood still, his eyes filled with vehemence, yet sympathetic. "Denzel, she's the only mother you know. She does everything for you kids, even to the point of neglecting herself. Don't you ever forget that!" He paused, calming his voice before he continued, "Yes, the child is a Remnant, and I can't be angry with you for hating this whole situation. However, did you honestly think that I like the possibility of raising another Sephiroth? The only reason he is here is because I hate Shinra. I can't tell you what's happening, but I know something terrible has happened out there, and I'm going to find out what. Until then, however, the child stays. I will not let Shinra destroy his innocence like it did mine."

Denzel's head was bowed in thought as he absorbed Cloud's words. When Cloud turned to leave, having said all that he needed to say, Denzel finally said, "I'm coming with you!"

"No," said Cloud roughly. "I need you to stay here and protect Tifa and the others. I want to make sure they're safe. I trust only you, Denzel."

Denzel, touched by his words, regrettably stayed. Cloud threw him back his sword, "If you need to…use it!" He turned to leave, "I'll be back before tomorrow night."


The next few days had seemed like an eternity for Rufus, as well. Rufus had little trouble securing casual clothes to blend in with the rest of the populous. He left the Shinra Corporation through an emergency stairwell, away from watchful eyes. To ensure secrecy, he explained to his secretary that he wasn't feeling well at all, and that no one was to be allowed in his office for the rest of the day. He'd told Reno that he would personally see to this matter. He'd meant it, but this needed to be done delicately. In this visit, he cared not for Cloud, but someone else entirely, and seeing her was his true motivation. She would surely tell him what he needed to know one way or another.

He made his way through the streets, immersing himself with the humble surroundings of his fellow citizens. The city of Edge was alive with people talking, laughing, and walking to and fro. For the first time in his life, Rufus felt hopeful for the future. The city was already beginning to build up again, and commerce was picking up, and this only heightened his desire to continue with the experiments, because these people were truly worth protecting.

He came upon the 7th Heaven, remembering it from years before. He slid through the door, the cool dark air intensified by the light and heat from outside. The floor and walls were bare and worn, what some would call 'cozy'. He noticed immediately that it was blessedly empty, except for the woman behind the bar. He immediately smiled, "Tifa."

Tifa almost dropped her pitcher of beer as she saw Rufus enter from the street. Her pulse quickened, and she at once became nervous. What was Rufus doing here, and at a time like this, she wondered. She gave him her best smile, "Rufus, it's been too long. What will it be? It's on the house."

"I'll take whatever is the most popular with the locals, and it need not be on the house. That's quite unnecessary," he said contently. He gazed around the bar, quietly taking in his surroundings. He took note of the entrance to the orphanage and smiled, "So, how are the children?"

"Oh, they're fine. They're doing very well with their schooling, and Marlene and Denzel have been a marvelous help with the littler ones."

"Superb," he said at once, his eyes radiating kindness. "I hear you have a new member of your family," he said suddenly.

Tifa almost spilled his drink at these words, handing it to him carefully. She had to think fast, "Yes, well, there are too many children out there without homes or even families. We offer them these, and above all else, we offer them hope. Cloud and I remember what it was like, and there are still so many in need."

Rufus took the bitter drink in his hand. He smelled and sipped it, wondering if she knew just how much she had given away. She didn't even lie to him….how admirable, he thought. "They are lucky to have such a marvelous mother. And you are marvelous. Selfless above all else." His eyes danced with imploration as he paused, finally dropping his voice and adding, "I'm still waiting for your answer, you know."

Tifa at once looked away, turning to put aside the pitcher of liquid. She said nothing for a moment, then replied. "It's not that we don't appreciate your generous offer…it isn't that at all. It's just…well, Cloud…" She paused, choosing her words carefully so as not to offend him or embarrass herself.

He understood immediately, "Oh, I know perfectly well that Cloud doesn't trust me. He would rather die before accepting my help or my money, regardless of how it will help you and the children. Frankly, I think it's selfish of him to not put your needs before his. However, that's not what I was referring to…"

He slowly moved around to the back of the bar, slipping behind Tifa as she poured a drink for herself and took a large gulp. He slid a gentle finger down her shoulder, lowering his tone to a sultry hum, "You remember the day...it almost seems like forever ago…when Cloud had left you…and I was the one who gave you comfort?"

She lowered her head in remembrance, and her eyes fluttered shut at his delicate touch, "How could I forget?" Cloud never knew, and she feared what might happen if he ever found out.

His hands gently brushed her hair, her scent rising up from the shining tresses to fill him with desire. "I've missed you, Tifa," he whispered sensuously in her ear. "I desire nothing more than to take you away from here."

"Too bad," she said, pulling away suddenly. "Because I belong here."

"Is Cloud still running away from you?" he asked abruptly, stopping her in her tracks.

"That's…that's none of your business."

"He continues to break your heart to this day…he toys with you."

"That's not true," she said sternly, tightening her fists.

"He hurts you day after day, and I am tired of watching you waste your life with him. You deserve better." From behind, he grasped her arms and kissed her neck affectionately, "You remember this, don't you? You remember that night. I dream about it every night. Can't you see that I want you for myself? I always have."

She gasped audibly at his touch, "Rufus, please."

He whispered hotly in her ear, "There is nothing I would deny you…and he denies you even the simplest of human emotion. Please leave him…leave Cloud to his misery."

She at once pulled away, her voice lowering to an almost hoarse whisper, "Get out."

He moved past her slowly, his footsteps aching to lead him back to her. He stopped just before the door, reaching inside his pocket and pulling out a rather large stack of money. He set the money on the table nearest to the door without so much as looking back at her, "I want the children to have this. I want you to use this for them. I want them to have the best food, clothing, and education. They are our future, after all…and you are their mother now."

With these words, he left Tifa, his frustration and jealousy tinting the world a violent shade of red as he made his way back to Shinra Corporation.

Inside the bar, Tifa stood frozen, tears welling in her eyes. "Cloud…" she whispered suddenly, trembling. "I hate you."