My Soul Weeps
Chapter Three: My Second Chance

A/N: This chapter is still in first-person (from Tifa's P.O.V.) and I think I'll keep it that way for the rest of the fic. It's also shorter than the first two but I promise the fourth chapter will be longer. Much thanks to DemonLoulou for the review of Ch. 2 as well as anyone else taking the time to read this fic! Please R&R, leave any comments, etc. Thanks.

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"I don't get it..." I placed my hands on my hips and stared at Aerith, my right eyebrow raised in confusion and awe. The words 'still alive' meant that there still was hope to find Cloud, but how could I while I'm still in this coma? Aerith, on the other hand, continued to speak before I could ask anything else.

"Tifa, what happened earlier never even happened, Cloud is still alive...In fact, the past few days never occurred at all...Cloud is returning to 7th Heaven as we speak..." Before she could completely open her mouth, I frowned a little, as I was still completely confused about to what exactly was going on.

"Then what was the whole point of this?" I accidentally put some anger into my words, and I sighed, wishing that Aerith was not offended by my sudden outburst.

"Tifa...you know it...and I'm sure Cloud knows it...you two..." I could feel that Aerith didn't want to complete her sentence, but she did anyway. "...are meant for each other. I couldn't see you two just continue to act as if you were just close friends with Cloud and vice versa, so I wanted to give you a second thought about how you should go on with your future."

Aerith took a few more steps toward me so that she was only a few feet in distance from me. I know I didn't want to say my next sentence out loud with excitement, but that's how I really felt in the inside so I subdued my feelings a little.

"Aerith...thank you."

"No problem...now...close your eyes."

"Why?"

"So you can wake up!"

"That doesn't make any sens -"

"Just do it!"

Okay...here goes nothing...

After a few quick moments, I closed my eyes and all I could see was darkness...

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Tifa...

Ti – FA!

HEY, TIFA! WAKE UP!

TIFA!!!!

I could feel my eyes opening, but they felt so weak as if I hadn't used them in days. I slowly sat up, looking all around to see where I was.

It's my room... I thought, still looking around to make sure everything was still in place. But it's almost night time...and wait...the calendar says January 2nd...Aerith was right...it's as if the day never took place...but that means...

"Ay, Tifa!"

Somebody suddenly burst the door open, causing it to swing completely open and collide with my dresser. The sound was so loud I jumped a little, looking over to his direction. Realizing that it was only Cid, I relaxed and sighed with relief.

"Oh damn I'm sorry...I didn't know you were restin' in here after your shift but...you got any tea around here? I wanted to fix my ass a cup or two before I go."

Wait a minute...this is exactly what happened before...I wonder if -

"Hellooooooooo? Tifa! You got any fuckin' tea here or what?"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I quickly told him what I had said before.

"Yeah Cid, there's a box of tea downstairs in the big closet next to the front counter. The condiments are on the shelf below it."

Blowing his trademark ring of smoke in the air from his cigarette, he smiled and began to leave.

"Thanks...and sorry about the door," After a few seconds, Cid came back, slightly opening the door enough to stick his head in. "Oh yeah, Cloud said he'd be back a little late, he had to give a delivery out in Kalm."

Hearing the door close, I quickly began to change out of my pajamas, putting on my usual matching black top. I walked over to my big dresser and I went through a few drawers until I finally found some nice, black pants to wear, as it was colder than usual outside. Lacing my shoelaces, I could hear the sound of a motorcycle's engine shutting off from outside my window. Looking outside toward the back of the building, I could see the familiar figure of Cloud climbing off of Fenrir. Not noticing that I was staring down at him from my bedroom window, Cloud began to walk around 7th Heaven toward the front entrance.

I could feel my heart racing even faster; the thought of telling Cloud my feelings made me feel even more nervous. But like Aerith said, and her words even surprised me, 'we were meant for each other' and I've been feeling the same way in my heart. I also realized that, if that vision had actually come true, you never know what can happen tomorrow, so you should seize the moment today as if it's your last. I'm guessing that's what Aerith was trying to tell me. I went into my closet, for one last thing: my gray, shiny, leather jacket. Putting it on, I stopped myself in the doorway for a second to go over what I was going to say to Cloud.

Well, here I go...wish me luck...

Walking down the stairs, I could hear the front door open as Cloud stepped inside. I could feel my heart beating faster than a jackhammer, and I started to walk closer to him. Staring him dead in his green, glowing eyes, I greeted him and I knew that at this moment, I finally had to tell Cloud my feelings.