Here's to another chapter! This is the second to last before summer is over for me sadly. I will probably update again tomorrow. I'm sorry for the long wait but my stupid firefox program crashed for the past few days-_-.

Why?

Tifa's pov

It came to be the next day and I woke up pleasantly in Aerith's arms. I looked at the clock in my room and it read 1:30 a.m. I figured we had been sleeping since about 5:00 in the afternoon or so. There was quite a while before we even have to wake up to prepare for school. I smiled when I heard Aerith murmur my name in her sleep. I could smell her fragrant breath every time she breathed. I sighed knowing that in a little under 15 hours I would be settling in Aerith's home instead of my own. It was fair … but I still … wanted to stay in this house.

I felt Aerith stir and move around a little bit before she snuggled closer to me and her lips were just centimeters away from my neck. I looked down as best I could before I realized that her hand was traveling up the length of my side and kept going up until it reached my neck, crept up a little more, and she was stroking my cheek gently. I sighed in content and I heard her voice no more than a soft whisper, "Tifa … are you awake yet?"

I opened my eyes a crack and saw Aerith hovering over me. She couldn't see my face since she had her face buried in my hair around. I felt her give me a peck on the neck. I giggled a little because it tickled but managed to pass it off as a groan.

"C'mon Tifa please wake up." She sounded a little desperate and I could hear the pleading tone she was using. I opened my eyes slowly and noted that it was still very dark outside. "Tifa …? You're awake!" she sounded happier as she said my name and relieved as if she thought there was something wrong with me.

Without warning I pulled Aerith against me and gave her a gentle kiss on the top of her head. I knew that there was nothing for her to worry about but she seemed to always worry about me because of my shoulder. She gasped having not been expecting the sudden action. She gave a contented sigh as she laid her head on my chest her head resting just under my chin.

I smiled, "you're such an easily excitable little puppy aren't you?" I said in a teasing tone. She humph-ed indignantly and mumbled something under her breathe. "What was that Aerith? I didn't catch that." I said mischievously and I heard her give an exasperated sigh before she repeated herself, "I never knew Tifa Lockhart was such … an ornery person. You give off such a … cold and unapproachable air and yet here you are teasing me to death. I think you revel in seeing me blush, and pout." She said the last part in a very soft whisper and had I not been listening closely I wouldn't have caught it.

"Well you love me anyways don't you? I don't see what is so wrong with me being … playful. Or is it because you never expected to see this side of me? Hmm Aerith which is it? I suppose I am rather … serious when we're at school and well … cold even. I just never had a reason to open up to anyone and … at the time I was still closed off from everyone. I didn't allow myself to become close to anyone again … not after my parents died. I became close to master Zangan because he was like a father figure to me and then Cloud and Vincent came along and I saw so many things alike in our personalities and we easily became good friends and rivals. I couldn't … afford to get close to anyone again after … witnessing my parents' murder. I … was so alone … I buried myself and dedicated any free time after that to train for hours and hours … until Master Zangan had to order me to stop knowing that if I went any further I would end up collapsing and eventually killing myself."

As I spoke I felt Aerith's gentle hands wipe away tears I wasn't even aware of. I hadn't realized that I was crying until I stopped and felt the wetness of her gentle caressing hands on my face. She smiled and I returned her smile weakly before she leaned forward and kissed me gently on the lips and then she gave me a gentle kiss on each cheek and a last one on my trembling lips.

It quickly became more than a kiss of comfort as she became more passionate. When she pulled away I was panting and then I leaned up to capture her lips again and I kissed her just as passionately as I wrapped an arm around her neck and deepened the kiss further. It was an open mouthed kiss so it was easy for me to slip my tongue into her sweet, sweet mouth.

I craved her touch so much. I couldn't get enough of her gentle kisses, caressing hands, and her sweet smiles I just couldn't get enough of her. I wanted her so much. I ached for her whenever we were apart. I ached to see her smiling face and gentle heart which I loved to the point it hurt not being around her. It scared me how much I had come to love her and it hurt so just thinking about not being able to see her smiling face. This was the reason why I refused to let myself become … attached to someone again … the fear of losing someone precious.

I hadn't even realized that she had trailed off down to my neck until I heard myself moan and shudder under her demanding lips. I arched my back and threw my head back. I could feel the smirk through her kiss. I turned my head to my left to give her more access. Aerith … what are you doing to me? When did I start to crave you so much that even the mere thought of you not being near for a second hurts? When did I fall so hard for you? Do you know how much I love you … crave you? How did I end up falling so in love with you? So many thoughts ran through my mind as the passion between us increased to the point I stopped thinking properly and let Aerith have her way with me.

As I lay under Aerith I was panting for breathe. I couldn't believe that we actually went all the way. I could still remember how good it felt and I screamed her name so loudly. That didn't stop Aerith though. I had never felt this … invigorated as I did at that moment. I felt like jelly now though. I could feel the smirk that never left Aerith's face as she made love to me.

"Tifa …" her voice still sounded breathy, "how are you feeling now?" I knew she wasn't asking out right what she wanted. I knew what she meant though, but I also knew she was too embarrassed to say it out right.

"W-what do … you … mean … Aerith?" I said in between breathes. I was still winded and I could feel Aerith's smirk widen hearing how out of breathe I was. I could also feel her cheeks redden at the question knowing full well what she was thinking and I felt myself smirk as the image of her blushing face flashed through my head.

"I-I, I mean … um … y-you know … how was … it?" I could feel her already warm cheeks grow even warmer. I played at thinking contemplating my answer. I knew exactly why she was asking too but I just loved teasing. I adored her bashful and timid nature and how I loved seeing her blush because of me.

"Hmm … I don't know … it was okay I guess …" I paused for effect and I could physically feel how disappointed she was with my answer as well as hear her sighing in disappointment. "I'm just teasing you Aerith. Truthfully you were wonderful." I felt her smile and she snuggled closer to me in my embrace.

I looked up at the clock to see that it wasn't even 3:00 a.m. yet but it would be in a few minutes. Another thought crossed my mind. A dirty one but … well that was for later. Right now there was still plenty of time before school and I smirked and looked down at Aerith before saying "You know Aerith …" I paused and saw her look up at me, "there's still about two hours before we get ready for school." She looked confused and I smirked at how cute and innocent she was still even after sex.

"I don't know what you mean Tifa. Care to elaborate?" she to my amusement. I fought the urge to laugh and I smiled before answering "I mean … well we have a lot of time left so you know … are you up to going for a second round?" I smirked when I felt her cheeks burn at my question. As embarrassed as she was she nodded and complied to my request easily.

Aerith's pov

When we got to school I intertwined our hands and I held onto her protectively at the sight of Cloud. I noticed that Vincent was no where in sight, or at least he was no where near Cloud though they were best friends. As I walked past Cloud had the nerve to try to greet me. I ignored him and held onto Tifa even more protectively because of yesterday's incident.

I looked back and I saw a sight that melted my heart; Tifa was smiling brightly as she looked at our interlocked hands. I hadn't seen Tifa smiling as happily as she was at this moment. I couldn't help but smile as well. As we walked closer to the school I saw red in the corner of my vision and looked over to see Vincent coming towards us. I smiled and stopped to allow him time to catch up to us.

It wasn't long before Vincent reached us and Tifa stood next to me with a foreboding countenance. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before turning my attention back to Vincent. He gave us a slight nod as greeting, never one for talking, and he gave off an aura of determination.

He took a deep breathe before starting, "well … I wanted to say that even though Cloud was … my best friend I will not defend his actions towards either of you." He paused trying to find the right words. "I cannot and will not tolerate what he has done to either of you either. I wanted you to know that should Cloud start something again I will make sure he doesn't lay a finger on either of you, Tifa." With that he stopped and gave us one last nod and left.

The time I dreaded had finally come and I found myself in my room again, it felt odd for me to call it that, unpacking my things after I finished with Tifa's things. I sighed when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and smiled seeing who it was and then we were kissing. Tifa had to lean down so far because of our height difference and the fact that I was kneeling down made it even harder. She slowly kneeled down a few minutes into our open mouthed kiss.

I heard a slight cough behind me and looked over to where my door was without breaking the kiss to see my very red in the face mother. Tifa was the one to break the kiss to look around and see my mother. She had kneeled down and leaned over to kiss me from behind. I heard her take a sharp intake of breath before she smiled sheepishly at me and then my mother.

"I um … ahem … wanted to ask you two if you were ready for dinner or not, even though you would rather have each other for dinner," she muttered the last part under her breathe not intending either of us to hear it. Tifa looked red in the face but I hadn't caught what she said. Tifa nodded at my mother before standing up and waiting for me to follow suit. I smiled shyly at my mother before standing up as well.

We followed my mother down the stairs and I gave Tifa a questioning look and she gave me a look I interpreted as I'll tell you later. Her face became red again. I was very eager to get dinner over with so I could ask Tifa what my mother had said.

I hurried up the stairs with Tifa in tow but I made sure not to go so fast as to somehow cause Tifa any more injuries. We sat on my bed and I looked at Tifa expectantly and she again turned a dark shade of red. "Well? Tifa … you said you would explain." I gave her my best pouty face causing her to turn even redder if possible. She sighed in defeat and nodded her head.

"Y-your mom … um … she uh … she said … uh … um … that we um … would … w-would rather … have … um," I got fed up with all of her stuttering and smacked her back to get the rest out faster. "She-said-that-we-would-rather-have-each-other-for-dinner!" Tifa flushed as she finished and I felt my jaw drop open.

Tifa looked anywhere in the room but at me. My eyes widened as the words registered in my brain. I felt my face turn redder by the second as I repeated the words in my head. I looked at Tifa who still refused to look me in the eyes let alone look at me at all.

I couldn't help but smile at how cute this side of her was. She might never admit it but she had a sweet, gentle, shy side to her that I found so endearing. She was also charming and lovable. Most of all she was adorable beyond words. I could go on about what I adored about her for days. What was there not to love?

I moved so that I was sitting behind her and wrapped my arms around her gently. She leaned back against me as I laid my chin on her good shoulder. We sat with a peaceful air and I instinctively closed my eyes moved my arms so that they were under her own and I tightened my grip a little knowing this way I couldn't hurt her. She put her hand on top of mine and she gave a satisfied sigh. I was very comfortable and I could tell she was too.

I opened my eyes for a moment to see my mother in the doorway and she looked at us with a dazed expression. I smiled and she seemed to come out of it and smiled back. I knew I couldn't be any happier knowing that my mother seemed to be warming up to the thought of me being Tifa's girlfriend.

I looked at the clock and saw that it was getting late. I was glad that we hadn't had any assignments due today. The clock read 7:58 p.m. Tifa seemed to have noticed my shift in movement and looked over at me in curiosity and looked to clock and smiled at me warmly, and I reciprocated just as warmly.

"What are you thinking about Aerith?" She asked me a low whisper. She sounded sleepy I think. I gave her neck a chaste kiss before responding, I heard her shallow breathing as I answered and smirked a bit knowing how easily I could work her up.

"You … I'm always thinking about you. And … I think … my mom is warming up to the idea of us being together." I smiled mysteriously when she turned her head to give me a questionable look. I laughed at her cute expression, it was a mixture of a pout and a scowl, and she turned a shade of bright pink while trying to maintain a scowl. I kissed her pouting lips I saw her enticing neck and couldn't help but go back for another taste … and another … and another.

"Why do you have to taste so damn good?" I muttered as I continued to kiss her neck. Tifa tried to turn her head to look at me and I lifted my head up a fraction of an inch to see a hysterical sight. Tifa looked at me incredulously an eyebrow arched and her mouth was parted ever so slightly. Never had I seen Tifa look so adorable than at that moment; confusion written on her face mixed with shock and astonishment all while managing to look like a puppy. "What?" I asked.

"Y-you … you just swore!" She practically screamed this but managed to keep it just above a normal talking voice. "You … never swear … Aerith." I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. "You know …" she trailed off and smiled mischievously "I think it would be really sexy if you swore …" she leaned closer and whispered "in bed." She pulled back a little to see my reaction and I flushed a dark pink.

"T-Tifa … Don't tease me like that!!!" and she did nothing but laugh at me.

Cloud

I hated it. I hated how Vincent had distanced himself after the first incident with Tifa and Aerith. To make matters even worse it seemed like the whole school hated me now because of that second incident when I had kicked Tifa and upset our former friendship even further. After that Vincent stopped hanging around me and stopped talking to me period.

I couldn't understand how things got this way. All I knew was that it only made me want Aerith all the more. I wanted to ask "why?" but who am I to ask this question? Who could I ask? I wanted Aerith and I would do nothing to stop until I had her. I don't understand how she could choose Tifa over me. Why did I end up falling for her? I couldn't understand this feeling. Why?

Well here's the latest chapter and again I apologize for the wait but I had to somehow fix FireFox because it crashed about a week ago so here I am!!

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