Note: you know the drill by now. I DON'T OWN FINAL FANTSY, Tifa, Yuffie, and so on. I'm not so sure how to get through the story after this but……hey I'm thinking about it. I figured out the plot but I still gotta work out the love in this Cloti story.

A Story With No Name

Chapter 3

Tifa and Yuffie walked into the Grand Hall of the palace, followed by Queen Melanie. "Girls, I'm sorry to rush you but you need to get dressed and settled.

"But we're already dressed!" Yuffie complained.

"As a commoner, not as a princess or a Lady….NULA!!!"
A girl wearing a maid's outfit with blonde hair rushed in. her hair was in braided knots pinned to either side of her head.

"Nula, bring the girls to their rooms, and get them all dressed up, we have not a moment to waste!"

Nula nodded and grabbed Yuffie and Tifa by their wrists, pulling them through winding hallways. Queen Melanie trailed behind them.

"Aunt Melanie, what's the rush?" Tifa asked.

"oh…I'm taking you girls to the neighboring kingdom."

Nula brought the girls to a room with a large vanity lit by candles. Nula pulled out a brush and yanked it through the knots in her hair. "OWWW!" Yuffie complained.

"What are we gonna do at the neighboring kingdom?" Tifa asked.

"I have business with His Majesty King Stephan…….YOU on the other hand, must meet the prince."

"Lemme guess, you're hoping I fall in love with him so we can get married and I take the throne?"

"Well I do HOPE you fall in love with him, but only because…"

Queen Melanie waited until Nula pulled Yuffie into the next room to get her fitted for a gown.

"………………Your marriage was already arranged to him."

Tifa sat in disbelief. "How….how can you DO THIS TO ME?"

"It's for the sake of the kingdom Tifa, you should be honored….and the prince is a kind man, I'm sure you'll like him."

Nula returned and brushed Tifa's hair, and had her fitted for a gown. It was a strapless gown in a blood-red color, the skirt reaching the floor, and spreading all around her if she sat on the floor. "I'll leave you be for a while. I'll be back for you in an hour." Queen Melanie said. Tifa nodded as the Queen exited with Nula. Tifa took this time to roam the castle. She bumped into another maid along the way. "Excuse me, where's the infirmary?"

The maid showed no emotion as she answered "Down the hall to your left, Your Highness." Tifa thanked the maid and rushed herself towards the infirmary. She entered silently and found the man sitting up in a chair, obviously feeling better, but still clutching his stomach. Tifa walked over to the man and knelt next to the chair where he sat. "Are you alright?" Tifa asked, looking directly into the man's blue eyes. "I'm fine…that jackass guard almost killed me…and he probably would've killed me…..I already know too much…nevermind. Anyway, it could've gotten a lot worse if you didn't protect me….so thanks." He paused, then bowed slightly "Your Majesty." Tifa shook her head. "Just call me Tifa. Now…"

"I'm Cloud."

"Oh...how'd you know I was going to ask?

"Doesn't matter….."

Tifa thought about her arranged marriage again. A few tears slipped from her eyes.

"Hey?! Was it something I said?"

"No Cloud, it's just, I'm supposed to marry this guy, the son of King Stephen…..And it's not fair, I've never even met him!" Tifa sobbed harder.

"Shit…..he's following through with that plan of his…." Cloud thought.

Cloud couldn't think of a way to comfort Tifa, but he tried. Cloud struggled to stand, and pulled Tifa up off the floor. He pulled her into a small hug.

"Why is he being so nice to me? Is it….."

'Tifa!!!!" Queen Melanie called.

Cloud let go of Tifa but held her by her arm for a moment. "I won't see you again, will I?" Tifa said sadly.

"Don't worry, It'll be alright."

Cloud let go of her arm and sent her into the hall.

"Tifa! There you are! Yuffie's in the coach, and we're ready to go!" Queen Melanie motioned to the guards to bring Cloud.

Tifa watched as they grabbed him by his arms and pulled him along. Queen Melanie noticed the concern in Tifa's eyes, but ignored it.

The Queen walked along with Tifa, out to the castle gate. Tifa got in, but still thought about Cloud.

"He makes me feel…so safe. It almost seems like he's trying to protect me from something. But What? And what can he do? I'm a royal…….and he's…he's not gonna be able to help me the way things are now…."

But Tifa had no idea how wrong she was.