Chapter 4; what is 'love'?

Authors note:

The dancing Zora- Yay I have a new reviewer. I am very glad that you like the story. Oh and I agree Kadaj is rather cute in this story xD.

Windygalux- Yay, another new reviewer. This must be my lucky day. And in regards to your question, this chapter should make it clear who is getting together with whom, but still I shall answer. The answer to your question is a…. Yes. xD

Adeline- Yeah I was trying to make it interesting. And yep the change from Nii-San to Cloud was intentional. It was supposed to somewhat show that he is thinking of Cloud less as a brother and more of a… xD

Oh and it says I have 11 reviews but I only can see ten of them. So if you sent in a review and I did not reply to it that does not mean that I skipped you it just means I cannot see your review for some reason. Sorry for the semi-late update. I took a mini vacation and just relaxed all weekend. I went to the state fair on Sunday and walked out with a new necklace and seventy dollars worth of swords. Got three new ones which look very nice next to my replica of Sephiroth's Masamune. Anywho sorry for boring you with my life, I'm done. xD

Disclaimer: Nope I am pretty sure that I still do not own it. If I did I would go back and re-write the ending of Advent Children to give a certain silver headed teen and his brothers a reprieve.

Now on with the show, err Fanfiction!

Morning found Kadaj sitting on a stool set in front of the bar. He idly strolled his fingers on the hardwood table. Sure when you were the first one up you get the luxury of silence, but it is also one of the most boring things in the world! His catlike eyes flicked around the empty room. However a few moments later and Kadaj found the room not so empty.

"What are you doing up so early?" Questioned Cloud who looked like he had just rolled out of bed, then again he probably had.

"Can't sleep" came the simple reply.

Cloud merely nodded as he walked towards the sink and proceeded to fill a glass with water and drain it.

Kadaj's eyes followed Cloud's movements across the kitchen and to the sink. He watched as he filled a glass up and started drinking it. It took until someone behind him spoke for him to realize that he had been staring. Diverting his eyes he turned to see Tifa.

"Ah, good thing you're both up"

Cloud looked up to see Tifa walking down the stairs.

"Why is that?" he questioned.

"Because, the bar was closed Christmas eve, Christmas, and the day after, it is however re-opening today."

"That's great and all, but why does it concern us?" Kadaj asked, slightly confused.

"It concerns you because my costumers cannot come in if there is three feet of snow on the side walk. There are two shovels in the closet." At the Tifa flashed a smile. "Thanks for the help boys"

"I didn't offer any help, did you?" Kadaj said, looking to Cloud.

"I didn't either"

However by the time this was said Tifa had already disappeared up the stairs and to the shower.

A few minutes later both Cloud and Kadaj were dressed in several layers of clothes and holding snow shovels. Both were also standing outside turning their faces away from a rather strong wind.

"This is great" Cloud muttered as he walked to the beginning of the side walk and watched Kadaj make his way to the other end. They would meet somewhere in the middle and with luck have most of the snow cleared off when they did.

"Can't we just use Fire on it or something?" Kadaj asked as he picked up the first shovel full of snow. Using materia would be so much quicker.

"No, it would probably scorch the pavement or something. Face it Kadaj, we have to do this the hard way" And with that Cloud started at his end.

A few minutes later and the entire sidewalk was nearing being finished. Cloud sighed in relief as he saw the small area that was all that was left. Kadaj dumped another shovel full onto the lawn next to the side walk. Then his foot caught a small patch of ice and he slipped forward. Where as he expected to come face to face was snow he instead felt something warm. Looking up he saw he had fallen into Cloud and Cloud had caught him.

"Err, thanks" Kadaj said, noting how close they were at the moment.

"No problem" Cloud replied with a nod, and then realized that he was still holding the other. He loosened his arms slightly while trying to resist blushing.

Kadaj swallowed as he felt heat rise slightly to his face. He rested for a second more in the others embrace before he thought to pick himself up and lean on his shovel for a moment.

"C'mon, we had better finish this side walk or else Tifa will have our heads." Cloud reminded the other as he started on the small patch of snow left. However his eyes did flick up once to gaze over at Kadaj.

With a nod Kadaj started on it as well.

A few hours and two hot showers later both men were just finishing lunch. Around the table were most of the other normal occupants minus Tifa who was currently working the newly re-opened bar.

Cloud stood and took a look around the table for a moment. He then started collecting the dishes to be taken to the kitchen so that they could be washed.

"I got em' "Kadaj said. He was heading out that way anyway because he wanted to offer Tifa some help in exchange for his living there.

"Are you sure?" Questioned Cloud.

Kadaj merely nodded as he picked up all of the dishes and walked into the kitchen. As he set the plates down into the sink he found himself thinking of earlier that morning when he had slipped on the ice only to have Cloud catch him. He wondered why the spiky headed blond had not just let him fall. Perhaps he truly held no hard feelings over past events? Before he could mull over this thought longer he was interrupted by a voice.

"Hey Kadaj, what are you doing here?"

It took a moment for Kadaj to clear his head from the memory and realize that Tifa had just asked him a question.

"Are you alright? Wait, I think I know that look. It looks like you're in love." She said with an all knowing smile.

Kadaj looked at her for a moment, not answering. He looked back towards the sink and started to wash the dishes.

"So, who is it? I mean I was right wasn't I, you are in love?" She asked, pressing the matter.

At this Kadaj cocked his head slightly and gave Tifa a look that reminded her of a little kid who was very confused about something. And indeed he was.

"Tifa?"

"What is it Kadaj?"

"What is love?"

At this she blew out air in the form of a sigh. "Jeff, take over the bar for me. I am taking a ten minute break" She said the one of the employees. "Come with me Kadaj" She said and the teen followed.

She led him to a table and sat down. He took the seat across from her and waited in silence.

"Okay… what is love? This will be a hard thing to explain" Tifa remarked although mainly to herself. "Love is something you feel towards someone else. You probably felt it towards your brothers, Yazoo and Loz. That type of love is common. It is what you feel towards your family and friends. It's when you like being around them and you are worried about what happens to them. It's when you feel a good feeling towards them and feel happy when you think of them." She broke off finding it rather hard to explain what love feels like.

Kadaj nodded as if he understood this part. "Okay, if that is what love is then the answer to your question is yes. I am in love, I love all of you because you are my friends."

Tifa shook her head and suppressed a laugh. "No Kadaj, that's not what I meant. There are two types of love, the type you feel towards your family and friends and then another type. This is the type you feel for one very special person. It's... "Tifa paused to think. "It's when you find yourself staring at that person for no good reason. It's when you feel comforted by their presence. It's about that feeling you get when they touch you or when your eyes meet. It's when you feel drawn to that person physically, emotionally, and sexually. But don't confuse it with the type of love you feel for your family or friends because it is different. And you will be able to tell the difference. For example think about one of your brothers Yazoo for instance. Now think about that special person. See how different the feelings are?"

Kadaj nodded again. "I think I see what you are talking about. So that 'feeling' is called love?" He questioned slightly quiet.

"Yep" Tifa answered.

Kadaj thought over all of the things Tifa had just told him. So, was she right? Was he in 'love'?

"So if you don't mind me asking, who is it?"

"I-I, well…" Kadaj seemed at a lost for words.

"Don't worry about it. You don't have to spill just yet" Tifa said, understanding how he was feeling.

"Right. Thanks" He said as he stood up and started to walk from the kitchen. He had completely forgotten the real reason he had gone in the kitchen in the first place as he walked away deep in thought.

Authors note: Okay. I know that this was short, however I wanted to get it out because I will be busy for the next few days and may not have a lot of time to type. I don't really know if you all will like this chapter or not so review and let me know, okay? I wanted to try to clear up the whole issue with who is getting together and such so here it is. Y'all should be able to tell by that. xD Be sure to tell me what you think of the couple, sorry to those of you who won't like it and congrats to those of you who do. See you all later. Love you lots.