Chapter 10
It was the third day after they discovered Tifa's death, and Cloud became indifferent. He did not go home since then and did not look after Marlene and Denzel. He was always at the chapel staring at the tulips.
This day was different though, when he entered the chapel something lying on the tulips caught his attention. He hurriedly went to the spot his sword at the ready. And when he reached the thing he was astonished to see Tifa's body lying there. He walked closer and after a moment the body moved.
He held his sword tighter. Then the person slowly stirred and sat up then looked up at him. He could not believe that Tifa was looking back at him.
"Tifa…"
"Cloud…"
"You're really alive?" he said looking mystified.
"Cloud…"
"Tifa gomenousai, I didn't know that I was—"
"—yamete! I didn't want to go back, you would have been happier with her…" Tifa interrupted.
They were silent for a moment; Tifa had her head bowed down, Cloud on the other hand looked at her intently taking in her last words. Cloud was about to speak but decided to keep quiet when Tifa sighed.
"1Kimasu… Cloud let's go home…" Tifa said unemotionally.
"Hai." He replied shortly.
They trudged their way towards their house silently. Cloud was looking at her from time to time; she on the other hand kept her distance. There at the door they saw the two children and the whole Avalanche group standing, as though expecting their arrival.
"Tifa!" Marlene and Denzel shouted together.
When the two children saw Tifa both ran towards her and hugged her. She bent down and kissed them on the forehead. Then she turned to the Avalanche group and beamed at them though her eyes were full of sorrow, it was only Vincent who noticed it.
"Welcome back!!" Yuffie said happily while holding Tifa's hand.
"I'm glad you're back!" Cid interjected tapping her on the shoulder.
"Don't do it again…" Barret said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Tadaima…" she replied softly.
Vincent did not say anything he merely looked at her and then he turned to Cloud and motioned to follow him. When everyone was inside Vincent started to talk to Cloud.
"She's back… I don't want to see her crying again because of you… I want you to take care of her."
"Shikashi… she said she didn't want to come back—"
"—she loves you, she's willing to do anything for you… maybe she's just feeling guilty because she discovered that she had hurt you… go on talk to her…"
The whole group celebrated though Cloud, Vincent and Tifa did not enjoy much. When Tifa went to the kitchen Cloud saw Vincent followed. At the kitchen Vincent talked to Tifa.
"Naze?"
"What do you mean?" she replied softly.
"I know Aeris told you that he loves you and I think I told you about it too."
"Nani? What do you want me to do?"
"Stop being indifferent, tell him about how you feel. Don't you realize that you've caused him so much pain when you 'died'?" he said crossly.
"2Sore wa sore wa—"
"—Stay here…"
And as he said this he went out of the kitchen and left her on her own. And she fell onto her knees and started to sob. After a minute or two someone entered the kitchen. She didn't bother to look up, she continued to cry silently.
"Tifa, gomen…" she heard Cloud's cold voice.
Tifa looked up at him and stared directly in his blue eyes. He knelt beside her and wiped her tears. As he did this Tifa threw her self onto him. He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. She sobbed onto his shoulder as she tightened her arms around him. He on the other hand held her on the shoulder and gently pulled her away from him.
" Tifa…" he said amiably.
"Gomenousai…" she replied in between sobs.
"You don't need to apologize, I'm happy that you're back… I just want to know if—"
He did not finish his sentence because Tifa threw herself onto his arms. She embraced him tightly; he on the other hand uncertainly wrapped his arms around her. He slightly pushed her away from him then he held her cheek and slipped his other hand around her waist her hands were on his chest. They looked at each other for a while then Cloud held her closer to him and he kissed her lips.
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