An Alternate Universe

By: Final Serenity

---- A Daughters Love ----

----------------------------------

Chapter Nine: Who Are You?

Cloud grunted again this time with the effort of wrestling with that fur ball of a tiger. He'd been told once that the tigers of the northern region were ferocious beasts that would sooner eat a man than be afraid of it.

This one was just as feisty as they say.

He still wondered what in the world he would be doing this far down south as it were; and being so small he could only figure his mother had either died or abandoned him. They do that for survival, a bit cruel but necessary and on instinct. Creatures like tigers never betray their natural given instincts.

Cloud wish this one would at least hold back a little restraint but his scraggly body is a good indicator that his stomach was far from full. He probably hadn't had a good meal it a least a few months and even if Cloud had not seen a tiger before he seemed a bit on the scrawny side for a meat eater.

If anything he was a little more trusting towards humans, as seeing that Cloud had been feeding him bits and pieces of raw meat from this kill the other night.

And what a night it had been.

What a headache if it was to be remembered and he wasn't the type to reminisce on that sort of thing even though it was still fresh in the mind. He chuckled as he tossed another strip of thigh to the small red furred tiger; its giddy jumps letting him know that he was ready for another helping. Cloud rather enjoyed the little fellows company it was better than being alone and the young feline did some rather amusing things. Just this morning when it had awoken, it became skittish of its surroundings and ended up in the river.

It was a rather pain fishing him out and then drying him; but funny nonetheless. Now he was just picking at the raw meat of the beast that Cloud had skinned, washed and cooked some early this morning. What a good feast it was too, preservatives and bread with cheese it was just the ticket.

He looked to the entrance of the forest and spied it warily.

Was she alright? To their misfortune they'd fallen asleep for a couple hours and into the morning did they wake to Tifa's shrieks that her parents would murder her if she did not get back in time. Everything would be ruined as she would not be able to come back if they were to find out that she had been coming out at night. Not only that but she had expressed an odd comment about her fathers fields, Cloud couldn't assume anything but he would not let her go through the forest on her own.

He'd come back, slept for about an hour than the rascal of a tiger cub woke him up with his splashing sounds.

It wasn't like she could return anyways; he had specifically told her that if she couldn't come during the day then she could not come at all.

Cloud couldn't bare the thought…if she were hurt…

Taking a deep breath he stood up and stretched his arms, taking a waft of the air and looking down at his body. The shirt was dirty having been completely covered with dust from the ground; that tiger wouldn't share the quilt therefore he was subjected to sleep on rocks. It really wasn't that bad there were aches and pains but nothing to worse for ware; however now there was the stink that those beasts had left on him.

Rolling his eyes he pulled off the shirt and headed towards the river. He couldn't help think that he didn't even bathe this much when he was at his home; now every day he was turning around and he could smell an awful stench about. He truly thought that most of it was in his mind but then again he didn't want to take the chances of having Tifa upturn her nose at him, because he smells.

Burr, the water was cold again but he was used to it he supposed now that he'd been going back and forth through it during all hours of day and night. Slipping off his boots and pants he wading into the deep reaches of the liquid adjusting to the temperature.

It was actually rather nice on a day like this.

The sun was high and the heat rolling off it in waves made the day be perfect for whatever outdoor something you may do.

Cloud submerged beneath the water coming out and flicking the water off of his golden spikes by twisting his head from side to side. He looked to his shoulder and put a hand on his abdomen where his wounds were clearing up. The bandages were wet and soggy now but that was alright; he'd cleaned the first ones that Tifa had made for him and they were ready for a second go round.

He didn't want Tifa to know that they were almost completely healed.

Perhaps there was a chance she figured it out just by last night but…if not he did not want her knowing just yet. A curse to him as of right now that he heal so quickly but also a great a blessing for her sake seeing as how he had to come to her rescue.

The tiger had been watching him from the shore and with a curious gaze he wandered nearer to the bank. Cloud smirked he was a daring little thing and just as Tifa said last night or technically earlier in the morning he had a strong will. Defiant the little mongrel but Cloud supposed that's what kept him alive; he and this tiger owed Tifa their lives, ironic how they already had so much in common.

"Cloud!" her voice rang in his ears, unexpected he whipped around to see her standing there at the entrance of the forest waving.

She stopped, made a surprised face and turned around.

The blonde's face was questioning before he felt slight sting in his side; he looked down and went wide eyed. Now his waist thankfully was below water level enough that nothing could be seen but it was barely covering him and sudden movements wouldn't help. He watched her back carefully as he backed up slowly towards the bank and his clothes, scooping them up he put them on quickly.

Letting a cough be his breaker, she turned around. "Ah…hi!"

"What are you doing here, I thought that you said…" he a bit confused, she had exclaimed it would be impossible to come during the day and he could understand why but there she was.

"Oh it's the most amazing thing!" she happily jogged through the water and to the other side, stopping for a moment as she looked down to see a more lively tiger peering up at her before wandering towards the small campsite. "My father, he knows and he says its okay for me to come here during the day!"

"Really?" Cloud didn't sound so surprised, then again…he'd met her father last night.

He was a man with a good head and seemed to be a little more understanding than most would have been under the circumstances of last night. Cloud didn't see the need to express that as seeing how he figured her father would have told her.

"That's right, I thought…if my father found out that it was me working the fields he would be upset," her face fell slightly as she kicked a rock with her large boots, but a smile found its way on her lips. "He said that it was okay…that I should be myself now and I didn't have to hide anymore. My mother…she says it's okay too as long as I'm happy."

Cloud smiled at that.

She was lucky then. Most people who would have a daughter like Tifa would probably disown her or sell her off as a maid or servant…or worse. Unfortunately that is the society that they live in, and the rare people are the ones that accept the differences of others or allow women to do very uncommon things. It sounded like her father and mother was the rare kind…and for her sake he was glad, and for his own want of her happiness he was also glad.

"That means I can work in the light," she stated gleefully while squatting down and gazing to the tiger. "No more sneaking out at night and being cold."

"Do you do it often?" he wondered aloud, how many times has she gone on a nightly escapade? Cloud pricked at the small wood pile, while looking up into the sky at the flock of birds that were squawking overhead. Birds were rather tasty…

"Three years and a few months or so." She answered uninterestedly while giving a broad smile when the tiger came to her hand and starting to purr according to her touch.

Cloud was definitely glad for her sake now, at least things could liven up for her a little bit and she could visit him. Wasn't that an immediate selfish thought, but he couldn't help think selfishly when he gazed down at her. The way she was so happily, how she was so beautiful.

Yes, Tifa was beautiful in her own rights but Cloud favored her above all others.

He'd seen many beautiful things in his life…but Tifa had cast a spell upon him and he couldn't help think that she was, light itself.

Sitting down next to her and playing with the tiger's tail he looked over at her with admiration as well as a deep affection. He could sit here and muse about the things that he had observed of her nature; the way she walked or the way she spoke. He could sit here and in his mind express why he was breathless when he saw her, but it was better to be left without words.

Perhaps there was a single word that could define it…

But if he spoke aloud, would it be returned?

"We should name him," Tifa finally spoke up with a determined voice, her face stern as she nodded. "A good name too!"

"What sort of name is a good name?" he wasn't sure what exactly she wanted, what names were good names…to be honest with himself he'd been thinking on some names.

"Well Dane is a good name, that's my father's name and I think…Cloud is a good name too." She blushes a little, sticking out her tongue before giggling. "I think we should name him other than a human name…"

Cloud having taken the compliment to heart nodded. "What about Flame?"

"Flame huh?" she licked her lips and cupped the tigers face in her hands looking him in the eye she asked him. "Are you a Flame?"

The tiger hissed, and pulled back.

"I guess not." Cloud scoffed what would a tiger know…

"What about…Blaze?" she questioned again looking to the feline, it only stuck its tail in the air and turned around so its hind quarters was facing them. "That's a no…"

"Stupid red tiger." The blonde bit out between his teeth, what a snobby cat.

"Oh…that's perfect Cloud!" the young woman nudged him in the arm and scooted towards the tiger. "Your name is going to be, Red. Red Thirteen."

"Thirteen?" What an odd name, adding in a number no less.

"…He will have thirteen scars when his wounds heal up, well at least thirteen big ones." She remarked solemnly, she had counted them over and over last night as she had bandaged him up. It was a simple name she knew, but for some reason she liked it.

"Red Thirteen, Red for short?" he smirked, odd enough as it sounded it seemed to fit the little monster.

"So do you like it, Red?" Tifa asked him while leaning on her elbows.

The tiger was still for a moment before slowing walking around in a circle then coming towards the two of them, he sat back on his hind legs and gazed at them. Cloud chuckled, he may be a stubborn snobby cat but he was smart. Tifa happily stroked his head before tugging at the small strips of cloth.

"Better change these before he gets an infection." Her eyes shifted to Cloud. "And yours too."

"I'll change mine." He didn't wait for her response or ever to see her reaction.

Standing up Cloud went got his old bandages, spared a few to Tifa for Red and headed a little off to the side of the crevice. Distancing him self enough so that he wouldn't have to worry about her seeing the closing wounds. He knew it might have been a little abrupt to her but he didn't want her thinking he was going to leave just yet.

He had at least a few more days before he absolutely had to leave.

It took him a few extra minutes than it would have taken Tifa considering he hadn't had to bandaged his own body in years, the leg didn't need them anymore but he wasn't about to tell Tifa that either. Finished he went back to the small encampment and came upon the sight of Tifa happily playing with Red. It seemed his wounds had healed with a good nights rest and only a few bandages were wrapped around his body.

"He's so spirited!" She breathed out while tossing the stick again and watching the fiery creature chase after it.

Cloud found that a strange sight, it was acting more dog like than a tiger but it seemed to be having fun. "Looks like it."

Tifa flashed him a smile before taking the stick again and tossing it. "Cloud?"

"Yes?" he sat down and pulled the blanket beneath his head, stuffing it together so it would be more of a pillow.

"Who are you?" she asked quietly, choosing not to look at him for fear of embarrassment at the question.

"My last name is Strife," he began with the first thing he could think of. How much of his life would he want to tell her…how much would he be ashamed to tell her? "I live in Midgar with my mother. My father died and I have no siblings."

"Midgar…Cloud do you know where you are?" she questioned looking to him, after Midgar was a long way away.

"Near Nibelhiem right?" he guessed but since the last time he'd been with other people they said they were nearing the Nibelhiem mountain range that there was a forest just before it.

He'd had a chance to think about it really and if he recalled that map correctly he didn't have much to worry about on his way home. Besides he could fend for himself and every town has got a transportation system, even if it was less efficient than that of bigger cities.

"Yes," she'd heard various things about Midgar in town, which it was the biggest city on the entire continent and where most of all the richest people live in big houses. She wanted him everything she could but then again…maybe she didn't want to know whatever the case was her next question was something that she had been wondering since the day they met. "What exactly were you doing around here?"

Cloud smiled a question he had been waiting for, a ready answer at the tip of his lips. "I am apart of a small militia that deals with bands of rebels that work against peace and prosperity. It really isn't that big of a deal but they aren't exactly something we can just ignore. Near here on the other side of a few hill that way," he pointed south-west. "Is the town of Coral, miners there were complaining about the rebels coming in and blasting their mine entrances closed."

"That's when your group was called?" she couldn't help but speak up.

He nodded. "I was taking leave from my usual position and assisting this small group when they got the call, I could have transferred at the time but I didn't see fit to just abandon them when they got their first call to arms."

Tifa's lips raised into a gentle smile, as bad as it sounds for the way he ended up she was glad that he had such loyalty.

"When we got there it seemed like the rebels had headed out towards another town to seek refuge with the locals," waving a hand in a circle he balled it into a fist. "We cut them off just before the town's limits, I guess we were ill prepared or just had really bad luck but by the time the fight died down most of our men were dead…and I barely got out of there…" he looked up into the sky. "We split up…Zack and I, he was a younger one of the soldiers just like me but also my friend. I'm not sure if he was as lucky to have someone care for him as I had you."

The brunette smiled sadly for him, it was sympathy not pity but Cloud seemed so strong and he faced down three crazed beasts, would a trained group really have such troubles?

"Cloud…how did your group if your soldiers trained to fight, how a group of rebels…well how did they…" she wasn't sure if it was clear enough for him to make out the question.

His blue eyes narrowed as he gazed upwards. "…it was a team effort, the team was a failure. We just didn't work as well as they did." It was simple as that.

Cloud had relied upon unreliable people, teams were highly overrated…

"I'm sorry." She frowned and came to his side.

"For?" he looked to her wondering what could possibly making her say she was sorry.

Tifa shook her head and did something they both didn't expect.

She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him.

I'm sorry that I am happy you failed.

I'm sorry that I am glad you were hurt.

I'm sorry that I am so selfish…