An Angel's Love
Chapter 4: Growing Affection
"DADDY!?" Tifa stuttered as she held onto the bar counter for support. Barett looked like a fish out of water and Cloud was trying to keep himself composed. He already knew all that he needed to know by reading her file. Sephiroth/Sephora was a rare kind of woman; strong, proud and stubborn. His kind of woman….Sure Strife, like she'd give you a shot…
"Cloud?" The soft voice of the person of his desires said as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
"Hmm? Oh, Sephora…I …um." He looked away from a bit, hiding his raging blush and tried to control his racing heart. She was also very beautiful and Cloud didn't have much experience with women. To top it off, Sephora was the great General and Cloud turned into a stuttering fool. She looked at him, concerned.
"Cloud, please talk to me." She urged gently. Cloud looked into beautiful crimson eyes and felt his heart being stolen by her. He leaned in but woke up before their lips met.
"Sephora…I…I'm sorry. Please excuse me." He looked at her and then went off to think. Sephora was left with the others, blinking and for the first time in her life, she was speechless. Vincent cleared his throat and stood beside his daughter.
"You'll have to forgive him." The gunman said gently as he looked at her. "Cloud has been through so much in his life."
"Most of it…" She said as she looked at her father evenly. "Was my fault, Daddy, for the first time in my life…I don't know what to so or what to say." The gunman looked at his daughter and smiled gently. He realized what had happened; his daughter had her heart stolen by the young leader! Cloud has been a lone wolf for so long. My daughter will make him happy. I just know it…
"Why not, take it slow?" He asked as he looked at his daughter. Sephora looked up at her father, confusion clear in her eyes. The gunman smiled and sighed. "I mean, be his friend then build on it from there. If it works out, you have my blessing." Sephora looked at her father and with a happy cry; she hugged him and followed after the blond swordsman, letting her heart guide her.
Cloud sighed as he looked into the lake in Aeris' church, trying to think things out. He couldn't explain why he had fallen for the raven haired angel but he did. He fell hard! But he wasn't sure of her affections or her intentions. Vincent would have told me if she was trouble. He hasn't said a word. But I'm not sure, am I ready to love again? He remembered when he was in SOILDER and he had given his heart to the General, unaware of what he had done at the time. He was young and he didn't understand the significance of giving his heart and devotion. He thought it was just admiration, hero worship. The General, before 'he' went mad, was admired, worshipped and loved by all. But Cloud always had a secret desire to be number one in the General's heart. Then when Aeris came into his life, Cloud had a special place for her too but no one, not even Aeris, could ever take the General's place. Before when the General was male, Cloud was able to hide his desire, although it was a struggle due to the General's beauty. Now it was torture for the General was in her right state of mind. Cloud was at a loss. He had grown to be rational and analytical. The General's return and reincarnation really blew his mind and for the first time, Cloud couldn't make heads and tails of the situation. It was as if someone wished upon a star for him to be happy. And there was something else, he lifted up his right hand and beneath it, which used to be bare earth, grew lush green grass! A new puzzle to solve… What the????
"We'll just have to take it slow." A gentle voice said from the doorway. Cloud turned slowly, remembering when Aeris was there, to look at him for the last time before her spirit left. His vision cleared and there stood Sephora, the sunlight making her more alluring than ever! Wow!
"Sephora, how did you know I was here?" He asked her as he made to rise but she held up a hand and sat down next to him by the lake. She was graceful and elegant and Cloud felt his heart race again.
"I followed you." She said simply as she looked at him. "Cloud, I know what I did in the past was morally and utterly wrong but, I was given a second chance. But it doesn't feel like so because in honesty, my real second chance, has to come from you. I'd like us to be friends and maybe, in time, something more." Cloud looked at the dark haired woman and looked into her eyes. He had to know she was telling the truth. Her eyes were sincere and her gaze was steady. She was not toying with him and with that confirmed, he smiled at her and stood up, holding out a hand to her. She looked up at him and placed her hand in his so he can help her up. Even when she was on her feet, Cloud didn't let her hand go as they left the church, both looking forward to a new friendship and a new beginning.