Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII—all SquareEnix's :)

Chapter 6

Nearly four months. Vincent stared down at his phone, convinced it must be broken. How could it be possible that she didn't find me for four months?

You miss her, hm?

Vincent looked up at the dusty ceiling as he laid on the couch surrounded by cobwebs. Lines of light glimmered through the tiny cracks of the Shinra Manor. Sighing, the man closed his eyes.

Why don't you find her? the flower girl asked.

She's with Reno. They're dating now.

So you're just going to leave her like this?

Vincent's eyes flew open. I told you, I didn't leave her. I'm always...with her.

Yes, it was true. Vincent kept his promise and was always "with" her-or rather, he was always watching and protecting her, without the girl's acknowledgement of course. As the girl was always traveling around helping Reeve and the WRO, Vincent had been keeping a keen eye on her ever since the battle with the Deepground had ceased. He had never quite forgotten the memory of the girl saving him at this particular place on that particular day. How could I let her save me?

So, is this your way of paying her back? Aerith asked sarcastically.

No. More like, my way of dealing with my feelings for her.

The man recalled the memory of seeing the girl and the Turk together for their so-called "trial" at the Western Continent. What kind of man is that, who cannot protect his own love? Vincent thought angrily, as he watched the mutated bug flying straight for Yuffie. He was about to shoot the monster out of Yuffie's way, when Reno whipped his rod at the bug. But apparently, he got poisoned. And that's how they officially started. Vincent thought bitterly.

Tonight, Yuffie was at Rocket Town for a meeting with Cid, Barret, and a couple of WRO members. Vincent never quite joined the organization officially. Knowing the girl would be safe with other WRO members, the man returned to Nibelheim for the night.

So this is the life of Vincent Valentine. Traveling the world in order to protect the girl he loves, though never letting her know. Why? Aerith's voice said gently.

Vincent closed his eyes, listening in the quiet night. They seem happy together... I won't be the one to destroy her happiness.

"What are you doing here?"

Cloud turned and saw the maroon eyes of Vincent Valentine.

"I thought only I like to return to this place," the cloaked man said bitterly.

Cloud shrugged. He stared up blankly at the starry sky as he sat under the well. The village was a familiar place, yet foreign in so many ways. Vincent observed Cloud carefully.

"Why are you here?" Vincent asked again. It was a question that he wanted an answer to.

The blonde hesitated. He wasn't sure why he came. He never exactly wanted to return to this place-his hometown-ever since what happened so many years ago. It was a bittersweet feeling stepping into this village again. But this certain water tower, the wooden floorboards, the starry night-it was a place he wanted to come tonight.

"I..." Cloud shook his head. "I wanted to relive that memory."

"Is it important to you?"

Cloud nodded. "And I wanted to find an answer."

"And did you?"

Cloud shrugged.

Vincent stared down at him. "If you came all the way here to find an answer, I think you've already have an answer. Don't you think?"

Cloud didn't reply.

"It's time to leave your past behind. I thought you've learnt that one year ago. You can't live in the present being guilty of the past. No matter what, you can't erase the past-you've got to come to terms with it. Live on with your life. Accept your past. Face your present. It is time."

The chocobo-head was quiet. His past-his past feelings-love-for Aerith. Ever since that night at the rooftop with Tifa, Cloud had felt a twinge of guilt, like he had betrayed Aerith. The happier he was with Tifa, the guiltier he felt. His heart beat uncontrollably fast whenever he saw her. I felt like my heart stopped when she kissed me on the cheek. When he took Tifa to the Gold Saucer, he felt so comfortable with her that all his guilt disappeared immediately; but when it appeared again, it crashed in a tidal wave.

So he tried to escape his guilt, and only managed to do so by leaving Tifa. It was irresponsible and unfair to her, but he didn't know any other way to hide his guilt. He remembered seeing Tifa's pained expression whenever he came home after disappearing for weeks. My heart...it's twisting itself. He hated himself.

Tonight, Cloud thought hard and long under the well. He didn't want to hide anymore. Four months were enough. Yes, Aerith is in the past. I loved her. But now...Tifa. She was here by my side, all this time. She gave me the strength to live so I could protect her...She must be waiting for me right now.

He stood up, and thanked the older man. As he started down the stairs, Vincent could see a difference in the Mako-blue eyes.

The cloaked man looked up at the twinkling sky. "All these years, I've kept fighting because of Lucrecia." He paused, knowing Cloud had stopped to listen. "That's all in the past. And now, I'm living for...her."

Cloud nodded, sensing the man's embarrassment. "I got it."

Tifa was packing.

The woman recalled the last night Cloud was home. That was five days ago. Though this wasn't the longest period the man had been away (freaking one month?), Tifa couldn't stand the monster in her heart any longer. I need to find the answer. On that particular night, Tifa, sensing the man would leave again the next morning, crept into his room and watched him sleep. Pain in her heart, she whispered in Cloud's ear, "I'm going to leave, to search for myself. It's not fair that you and Barret always get to travel around." She paused, hoping the following words could be etched onto the man's heart. "I love you. That's why I need to find an answer, for both of us."

Tifa sniffed as she placed a shirt into her bag. After spending the night at the rooftop, their relationship seemed to have developed into something more, though not more than a kiss on the cheeks. The two were talking more openly; Cloud stayed home longer and went on shorter trips; the man even asked Tifa on a date to the Gold Saucer. Though I was quite sure the whole date reminded him of Aerith...Tifa was jealous, yet she understood the man's feelings toward the flower girl. She was pretty much his real first love. I was just a young boy's crush.

A month later, as sudden as that starry night, Cloud disappeared, with no contact, no phone calls. He came home after two weeks. Tifa was furious. But she didn't mention it. I didn't want to scare him away and make it seem like I'm overly clingy. She thought it was just a one time thing, but it happened again a few days later. Cloud disappeared consistently. In the past four months, he had been home for less than two months altogether. Even when he was home, he was as distant as ever toward Tifa, though he made sure to speak with the children. Marlene and Denzel were worried that Cloud would one day leave. Again.

He must have figured out his true feelings. That's why he's leaving me - us - again.

There was a knock on the door. Tifa turned and saw Yuffie standing at the doorway. She was to help Tifa take care of Marlene and Denzel while Tifa's away.

"Thanks for everything, Yuffie," Tifa smiled softly.

The ninja shook her head and looked at Tifa with serious eyes. "Tifa, you sure 'bout this?"

Tifa sighed. "He was always here...yet, never really here." She wiped her face hastily and smiled. "Anyway, it's fine. As long as we're still taking care of the children together, things will be fine. It doesn't matter what kind of relationship we're in."

"Even if he doesn't love you?" Yuffie asked incredulously.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'd rather he not live a lie."

Yes, that's right, I don't want him to live a lie...to live a life, burden with false feelings. That's why I need to find the answer. Once I have an answer, he wouldn't need to hide from me anymore, because I'll welcome the truth.

Tifa stepped into Cloud's room. Guilty as she was, she knew where the harp was placed. She walked directly to the second drawer of the desk and opened it. There, briefly hidden under a birthday card from Marlene, was the tiny Lunar Harp. Stuffing it inside her bag, she exited the room and found two unlikely people in the living room with Yuffie.

"Yuffie!" Tifa exclaimed as she stared at the red-hair and the bald man with sunglasses.

"Yo!" Reno winked.

The ninja grinned nervously. "Well, I couldn't help letting Reno know. Then he slipped his tongue to Rude..."

"Yeah, it was totally my fault," Reno said quickly, "but then I thought maybe Rude could accompany you yo-" He nudged his partner sharply.

Rude cleared his throat and said in his low voice, "that's right. I may be of some help."

Tifa turned to Yuffie in disbelief.

The ninja gave a nervous little laugh and said, "come on, let Rude go with you! He's big and muscular, though I admit he's not the best fighter," (Rude and Reno made to protest), "but I'd feel a lot safer if he went with you. Don't make me worry, pretty please?"

Puffing out her cheeks, Tifa crossed her arms. She didn't intend to let anyone know where she was heading, let alone going with someone, and that person happened to be Rude. How awkward.

"Come on, Tifa~" Yuffie pleaded.

"Yeah, c'mon Tifa~" Reno added.

Tifa sighed.

Author's note: Cloud is stupid and acting like a kid, always running away from his problems. But that's...Cloud. On the other hand, I'm not even sure how big the Lunar Harp is—I suppose it's an actual harp, but how big is it? How is it possible to dig it in the village and carry it around in the forest?