Disclaimer: I own nothing in affiliation with Final Fantasy VII.

A/N: Thank you so very much for all the reviews! I'm at 56 reviews now! I never imagined so many people would put this on their favorites and/or alerts list, either. The alerts list doubled with the last chapter. Thanks again—I mean it!

Sorry if the plot seems to be going one way and then another. It'll all tie in soon, don't worry. I've got everything planned out already :) What came up on me all of a sudden, though, was a…Vincent/Yuffie/Reno triangle. YOU READ IT:D

This chapter is mostly description, so I'm really sorry about that… I hope that you can endure it until you get to the CloTi parts toward the end :).

Last but not least, a big THANK YOU to Insane Violet for reading through this chapter for me a week or two ago. I was really unsure about it…and she did a great job in reassuring me. She's so cool XD

"Before I had everything, I had only you…and that was everything to me."

Always In My Heart

Chapter Six:

Inside Your Heart

Bianka-chan

Two people were living in Seventh Heaven. It was a busy place at times, but Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart were used to challenges. The most challenging of all, though, was keeping up with Tifa's disease. Cloud often caught her from falling to the ground, her breath gone.

She waved away any of his concern. He still didn't know what was wrong with her. It was cruel of her not to tell him, but was it as cruel as all he had put her through for two straight years?

Nothing could be so cruel, she thought. She thought. Soon, though, she'd take that sentiment back.

In any case, she and Cloud were still on somewhat distant terms. Tifa struggled to bring them closer, but Cloud often backed away. He was still too scared to become close to anyone.

Yes, he was scared. He inwardly admitted it, though others had inferred similar conclusions already. Tifa was one of the very few who took it personally. Cloud didn't intend to hurt her all the time, but he always did.

And in the end, that's all that really matters. Your intentions are put on the back burner while your actual doings are examined. After all, no one can see inside your heart.

As Tifa placed the sandwich inside a brown paper bag, she looked toward the living room. Cloud sat on the couch, staring mindlessly into the TV. He always watched the news every morning, waiting for Tifa to get ready.

Also waiting for her to fix him lunch. She made a mean "manwich." Bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, meat, cheese, and just a little bit of her own sauce...

Cloud twiddled his fingers over his stomach just thinking about it. He never told Tifa that he liked it, but she often watched him scarf it down during lunch. He ate like a savage beast sometimes, especially when Tifa was the chef.

She would stare at him from the corner of her eyes, laughing a little to herself. Cloud would sneak short glances at her after finishing his sandwich, wondering if she had seen him. Her playful eyes always teased him in a way that no one else's could.

Cloud and Tifa had created such a routine that no words needed to be spoken. Cloud would simply step up when he heard the paper back being folded, turning the TV off at the press of a button. Near the coffee table, Cloud would pick up both his book bag and hers, never allowing her to lift anything.

A motorcycle, as inconvenient as it was for their book bags, was their mode of transportation. Cloud would cram the two book bags into side-pockets, often crushing books and papers alike to make room for the lunch bags.

The brunette martial artist would wrap her arms around the blonde's waist, holding him like a corset would've. At first, at least. Cloud would eat up speed bumps like pebbles. Then the two would be suspended in the air for a moment, thrilling Cloud and horrifying Tifa. When she got used to it, though, she would ask for Cloud to take the more dangerous route. They were becoming a lot more alike.

Once they arrived at school, Cloud and Tifa would head off to their first period together--gym. Although they had to separate by gender most of the times, Cloud would make sure she made it safely to where she needed to be. Only until he was sure that she was fine would he leave. He never spoke a word as he walked her to her seating area; he would just watch, looking around for anything suspicious.

As Tifa settled down into her assigned seating place, Cloud would nod and turn away. Even if they were running late, he would do this. It was just another way that Cloud was quietly caring.

Tifa almost wished that she had gotten sick sooner. If Cloud was kind to her...it was worth it, right?

Hmm.

-- --

Yuffie Kisaragi eyeballed her best friend, her hands resting on her bony hips. She leaned a little to her left, attempting to size Tifa up. From the corner of her eye, the skilled ninja could see three men staring at both her and her friend, their faces wondering.

Reno the ex-Turk glanced at Yuffie, listing obscenities in his head. Rude had told him that Yuffie had assaulted him with dodge balls after the unfortunate Tifa Incident. That would've explained Reno's consistent migraines.

The red-headed upper classman chuckled to himself, recalling the pencil Yuffie had lent him days before. She would be getting it back alright, but it would be chewed. Mercilessly.

No, he would sharpen until it was beyond all use. Well…maybe she could use it for a little bit. But not long! Reno chuckled again to himself. He was one sexy genius--his thoughts exactly.

Vincent Valentine glimpsed at Yuffie as well, attempting to hide his stare with his long, ebony locks. Why hide, though? His glorious crimson eyes would reveal anything he allowed to seep out of him. Therefore, he had long ago reasoned to cast away feelings, emotions…anything deemed unnecessary to live a normal, untouched life.

Cloud Strife couldn't get his eyes off of her. Tifa. What was wrong with her? Why didn't she speak up to him like she used to? Why wasn't she as strong as she used to be?

Why...why did she hurt? Why didn't he see them before, the tanned tear-lines down her perfect face?

The blonde briefly wondered if he was the cause of his childhood friend's pain, her poor health, her everything. He wanted to be everything to her, but he had given her nothing but anguish.

Everything. Nothing.

Before I had everything, I had only you...

And that was everything to me.

-- --

After warm-ups, the once separated gym class reunited to play yet another field sport. It wasn't as competitive or as widely known as the previously played sports, but it was one to be enjoyed. Kickball. Everyone in the class rushed outside, forming a collective mass of excited students. Rude and Reno were picked as captains this time, so they had to pick people one at a time for their teams.

Much to Cloud's discomfort, Tifa was picked first for Rude's team. Reno picked Yuffie; Rude picked Vincent; Reno picked Cid; Rude picked Barrett; Reno picked Cloud, and so on.

Separated again, Cloud noticed with a sigh. Tifa had Vincent and Barrett to look after her, though. Cloud settled on that thought. Well, at least he had Yuffie and Cid to keep him company.

Yuffie and Cid?

It took a moment for the blonde to register his predicament.

Damn, Cloud thought.

So, for the majority of the game, Cloud had to deal with Cid and Yuffie's bickering. Two loud-mouthed people just didn't add up. Only nodding to Cid and Yuffie when they asked him a question, the blonde turned his attention to his roommate. She was in the outfield, ready to catch any fly-away kickballs. Cloud, on the other hand, was just about to have his turn at kicking the ball.

She was doing fine. Cloud heaved a sigh of relief. Good. As he stepped up to kick the ball, he glanced at Tifa one last time. Picking his foot up and lodging it forward with equal force, the defenseless kickball was launched at top speed toward the outfield.

Rude stood close to Tifa, his crush on her still burning in his heart. Just how she could stay with an unfeeling man like Cloud, he didn't know. Sure, he wasn't the most talkative of guys, either, but at least he didn't care more for himself than others. His manly personality called for him to protect Tifa, though it appeared she could take care of herself well.

Spotting the fast-flying kickball, Rude turned fully to face it. Though it headed for Tifa, she didn't budge. What was wrong with her? Her reflexes had once been catlike, and now she was frozen to the spot? Rude's quiet ways made it difficult to him to verbally warn her, so he did the best his habits allowed him to.

The tall ex-Turk ran to Tifa, hugging her body to his. She remained stiff in his embrace, trying still to catch her lost breath. Rude could feel himself blushing, holding Tifa close to him with his hands around her waist.

The kickball that Cloud had kicked stopped its short venture in the air, halting sharply onto Rude's back. Caught by the intensity of the impact, Rude fell forward. He had hardly enough time to flip himself over and situate the catatonic Tifa on top of him.

Cloud stopped for a moment, taking in the sight before him. Someone else had saved Tifa? But...that wasn't supposed to happen that way. Even more wrong was that she had been saved...from one of his own blows. Ignoring the rules, Cloud ran to the outfield. First base was isolated without his presence.

By that time, Rude had already sat himself up with Tifa in his lap. He held her close to him, one hand on her waist and the other cupped behind her head. The brunette's once still arms folded upward at that time, her fingers spreading.

Tifa rubbed her eyes and exhaled, not bothering to remove herself from Rude's lap. Cloud noticed that she was moving, and Rude just sat and stared wide-mouthed. It took her a moment or two to realize that the ground was not normally this warm nor...touchy. The brunette's eyes found Rude's, birthing a gasp from her once purple lips.

"Rude?" she breathed, tensing.

"...Hi," Rude choked out.

"What happened?" Cloud interjected, his hands balled into fists at his side.

Tifa looked up at Cloud, worry written all over her face. He couldn't maintain a strong scowl while looking at her, so Cloud forced his gaze onto the ex-Turk that held her so tightly in his arms.

"I-I don't know..." Tifa started, looking back and forth between Cloud and Rude.

"...I saved her...I guess."

Cloud already knew that, but he needed to hear it from the man who had taken his place as her savior. Sure, he never agreed to the promise...but it was a solemn oath he had taken upon himself a long time before. If only he could show her in some way. If only...

Cloud felt something tap his shoulder. Looking in that direction, the blonde found a short girl looking shyly at his face.

"Um...you're out..."

And that was how Rude's team won the kickball game.

-- --

Several periods later, Cloud and Tifa sat quietly in Ms. Elena's classroom for Contemporary History. The blonde hadn't noticed before that Rude was also in that class. He had scoffed then, wondering what kind of special treatment Ms. Elena gave him.

Rude continued his habitual staring. He appeared to be looking straight at Ms. Elena, but he was actually staring at Tifa through the corner of his eye. Sunglasses worked well when one wanted to sneak peeks at crushes.

Not long after the class had commenced, the students were called up to pick numbers out of a hat. There were two of each number, so they were told to match up with the person who had picked the same number.

That day just wasn't Cloud's lucky day. He wasn't Tifa's partner. Not by a long shot. Instead, he was looking down--very far down--at that stupid Johnny kid that had hurt Tifa just the month earlier. If Johnny was lucky, he would be alive at the end of the project. Things weren't looking too good for him, either, as he watched Cloud crack his knuckles.

Tifa fidgeted with her fingers, not looking up at her partner. It's not that she was normally shy around him, but she could feel his gaze burning a hole on her forehead. Not that he was staring merely at her forehead... He was a man, after all.

Rude looked down at his partner. Beautiful, dedicated, and not as far out of his reach as he had first thought. He could still feel her warmth in his fingertips. Tifa.

Ms. Elena slammed a book onto her desk. "Okay. The project is due by the end of this week. Exchange phone numbers, addresses, or whatever with your partner, as it will require direct communication. I'll give you the rest of the period to plan it all out."

There was an awkward silence between Tifa and Rude. Granted, most silences with Rude were uncomfortable. That's just how he was--an awkward guy. The two exchanged phone numbers. One wished that it wasn't necessary, while the other one thanked his lucky stars that the circumstance came about. He would cherish the slip of paper that she had written her number down on forever.

A slip of a memory.

-- --

As soon as Cloud and Tifa arrived home, Tifa set off to start on her project. Cloud did not take this as initiative, though. He took it as excess attention to a Turk. Okay, okay, an ex-Turk. But it was still Rude.

In her room, Tifa was all smiles. Cloud had been worried about her. On top of everything, he had been...jealous, too. Jealous! Tifa played with the word in her mind. Cloud Strife...jealous of another boy for having held Tifa.

Her phone rang. Tifa, not expecting it, jumped off of her bed and sprinted toward the source of the noise. Looking at her Caller ID, Tifa noted that the number was one she didn't recognize. She pressed the "Talk" button cautiously.

"Hello?" Tifa sounded muffled.

"...Hi."

Rude? Tifa put a hand to her hip, biting her lip at the same time. Just why was he calling her, anyway? They had discussed everything that needed to be discussed...right?

"Um...hi..." Tifa responded, feeling the awkwardness of their conversation rising.

"...I was just wondering..." Rude began. Tifa could hear sounds in the background. He was obviously reading off of a piece of paper. She swore she could hear Reno egging him on.

"...Would you like to..."

Tifa nodded, although no one could see her.

"...go on a date with me this Friday? My treat...since we'll be done with the project by then..."

"Oh...um, Rude..." Tifa didn't know what to say. She wished Cloud would ask her on a date, but Rude wasn't...that bad. He was just awkward. Didn't matter--so was she.

"I'll...I'll think about it, okay?" Tifa managed after a long pause.

Reno's voice faded. Rude cleared his throat.

"...Okay."

"Talk to you later!" Tifa tried to cheer him up a little. She felt kind of bad.

"...Later."

Click.

-- --

Tifa walked downstairs, her cell phone clutched in a hand. She held that hand behind her back, hiding it from a man that didn't bother to look up. The brunette found him sitting in the kitchen, leafing through a textbook. He was leaning his entire head on an upturned palm, his face bored.

Tifa peered down at him, sneaking her head into the space between his face and his textbook. Cloud, taken by surprise, jumped back. He toppled off of his chair and onto the hardwood floor.

The brunette gasped, running around the table and holding a hand out to him. He took it slowly, feeling embarrassed for having been taken off guard. Tifa hoisted him up, grunting lightly as she did so. Once he was on his feet, Cloud stood tall. It sure was hard to have pride when such a small girl could take you off your feet.

Cloud looked at her, noticing that she still had one hand behind her back. When he thought that she was hiding something from him, he squinted.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing in the direction of her concealed arm.

"Oh!" Tifa wasn't good at acting dumb.

She planned on asking him what he thought of her dating Rude... Well…it really was her decision to make, but she planned on gauging Cloud's reaction. Depending on that, she would know just how he felt about her in a raw display of emotions.

Tifa removed her hand from behind her, sheepishly showing Cloud her cell phone. The blonde raised an eyebrow, staring quizzically at his childhood friend. Tifa smiled, blushing slightly.

"Guess who just called me?"

Cloud's eyes narrowed. His first thought, of course, was Rude. However, he tried hard to reason with himself. It could've been anyone. Yuffie, Cid, Barrett, Shera, Vincent...

…No, not Vincent. He wouldn't call.

It didn't have to be Rude, though it was quite like him to jump to jealous conclusions.

"Rude just did!"

That son of a... Mother fu... Bas... DAMNIT! Cloud couldn't morally finish his thoughts without needing to go to church.

Cloud tried to keep his cool, which was an action that he had long ago perfected. Or so he thought.

"Oh?" His voice had a cold edge to it.

"Uh-huh."

Tifa, on the other hand, was an expert at leaving people on edge. She wanted to tell Cloud the whole conversation, but she wanted even more to...torture him a little. No harm done, right? Maybe she was a bit dubious, but it was something she had learned from Cloud, anyway.

Silence reigned in the room. Cloud wanted to scream, asking Tifa to please get on with it. He didn't know how to ask her to tell him more without a) getting furious or b) appearing jealous beyond excuse. Neither of them were too appealing.

But Tifa really was too good at teasing him. She stared at him for a few suspended moments, smiling slyly.

"Well? Do you want to know what he said?"

To Cloud, a year had passed since her last words. In an exaggerated exhale, Cloud shook his head and glared at Tifa.

"YES!"

It was Tifa's turn to raise an eyebrow. Did Cloud just say that? She hardly skipped a beat, though, and shrugged her shoulders.

"Geez, okay, Cloud."

Pause.

Cloud wanted to stab himself in the hand with a fork. He hated suspense.

"He asked me out on a date--"

Grunt.

"--this Friday."

An uncharacteristic "harrumph."

"What do you think, Cloud?" Tifa's voice was teasing.

Cloud took a moment to look between each of his balled fists. For added effect, he slammed his textbook shut. The table shook.

Tifa flinched. He was about to blow. The brunette smiled inwardly, knowing just what was about to happen.

And 5...

Twitch.

4...

Scoff.

3...

Tap.

2...

Fidget.

1...

Oh, boy.

"I don't like him. Remember everything that he and his stupid gang did two years before? He tried to kill us." Cloud paused, realizing that Rude had never hit her once in battle. That freaking bast—

"Besides, he's bald. You'd look strange beside him, since your hair is so long. And he's an ape. He can't even fight well. Remember his body slam? I don't think he could tickle a toddler or tackle a butterfly.

"And what could he do if anything bad happened? He can't protect you from anything. You might as well pick him up and use him as a battering ram. I still doubt that he'd even make a good one, even though--"

Tifa's quiet laughter filled the room. Cloud paused mid-rant. He stared up at her again, his eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar. A slight blush crossed his cheeks.

"Oh, Cloud. I'll just tell him that I can't go."

Cloud's blush deepened. He looked away from her, lifting his hand behind his head. As he opened his mouth to contest, Tifa winked at him.

Tifa walked away to call Rude back with a negative response. Though she felt sorry for having used his offer to suit her own motives, she figured she could make up for it by making him lunch. That is, if Cloud wasn't jealous.

Fat chance.

The blonde was left in the room alone. He dropped his hand from his head, it falling softly by his side. He collapsed onto an upturned chair, bringing a free hand to rest on his chin once again. Huffing, Cloud looks thoughtfully at the ceiling, attempting to look at something that he wouldn't find the brunette's face in.

But she was everywhere. In his past, in his present life, on his mind...

...In his heart.

He brushed away any romantic thoughts of her, though the blush remained deeply etched on his face.

If only you knew that your memory

Caresses me like the wind

That my heart has remained

Without words to speak to you

What I feel is so immense…

--

If only you knew how you make

Every part of my body anxious,

How your memories beat in my soul

When your presence remains here in my chest.

--

Come…! Give me your love…

My life will be in every kiss I give you,

And my tormented past will be lost.

The entire world leaves me lacking

Enough room to love you.

A/N: Gosh, the italics in the end are getting to be awfully long! Anyway, thank you SO much for reading this chapter! It took me quite a while to write...so I'm very sensitive about it. Was it good? Do tell! REVIEW, please! I'm so afraid that I'm going to lose everyone with this chapter!

This chapter turned out to be romantic, I guess. Cloud's slowly falling in love with Tifa for the second time. However...things are about to take a turn for the worst. Watch out for the next chapter.

Si Tu Supieras by Alejandro Fernandez (If Only You Knew) does not belong to me. I translated the song from Spanish to Engilsh, possibly leaving some awkwardness in the phrasings. Though I changed some words to better suit the English language, I still credit Alejandro for having inspired me:)

Thanks again for reading! REVIEW! Have a nice day! 8/13/06

Bianka-chan.