Tifa woke up bright and early to the first of what she hoped to be many happy mornings. A smile lit across her face as she rose from the bed, her thoughts fresh and alive. She strolled to the bathroom with a bounce in her step, her feet sliding gracefully along the floor. She felt fantastic.

Oh god, it was real, it was actually happening.

The girl danced around the room as she dressed, her mind soaring ecstatically. Her skin tingled as she moved, riveted with the sensations of her night's endeavours. Her heart began to pound as she relived the memories; the touch of passionate lips, the heat of entwined limbs, the lustful moment of ecstasy.

Tifa trembled as a sudden heat pooled in her abdomen. Her smile widened as she remembered the silken caress of Sephiroth's voice, the hungered demand of his kiss as he wrapped her in his embrace.

"Be mine Tifa. I will give you everything, so long as you are mine and mine alone."

The young woman felt an elated sigh shake its way from her chest, the sudden image of her complying lips pressing firmly to his flickering into her thoughts.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt so happy. Her emotions buzzed through her with an eager rush. She felt like she could take on the world.

Laughing at the thought, the young woman made her way from the room, her feet quite literally springing down the stairs. She landed lightly on her toes and spun to her right, the sound of a pleasant hum drifting from her lips. The woman rushed forward, eager to begin a good day's work. Her slender fingers grasped the cold brass handle of the door firmly and she strode into the bar.

The hum choked in her throat.

Tifa froze where she stood, her face an expression of shock and confusion. She could only stare at him.

Cloud sat at the counter, his body hunched forward onto its surface. He was facing the opposite wall, much to the girl's relief, but it still didn't help loosen the knot now twisted painfully in Tifa's stomach. A wash of emotion flowed through her mind. Anger, sadness, fear and confusion; she didn't know which one to follow. Her initial reaction was to turn and leave, she wasn't ready for this yet. But as the girl spun on her heel, the sudden sound of heavy breathing, deep and rhythmic, paused her in her tracks.

Cloud was asleep.

She watched him nervously, unsure how to react. Then a moment of curiosity pulled her forward. She needed to see him, she needed to see his face, that image of familiarity. For days she had seen nothing but the same four walls of her bedroom, the same atmosphere, the same 'company'. She had to see him. She had to experience that taste of her 'old life'.

Tifa began to edge her way into the room, her eyes never leaving the man's sleeping figure. But what if he woke up? What then? Would she panic, break down, maybe even turn on him?

Her steps faltered slightly as she moved and a lump began to build in her throat. No matter what response rose in her head she knew none would end well.

She would just have to make sure he didn't wake up then.

The sudden reassurance surprised her. Since when did she have such determination? Right now it wasn't important but the idea amused her. The courage in that sudden thought gave her a new found strength and before she knew it, Tifa was standing behind the bar, her eyes looking down upon Cloud's still form. An empty bottle lay on its side a few inches from Cloud's face, a small, similarly empty glass the only object propping it from rolling to the floor. The strong smell of whiskey drifted on Cloud's breath, causing Tifa's stomach to clench further. But strangely this reassured her; the blond definitely wasn't waking up anytime soon.

She looked at him sceptically, wondering what had driven the man to drink himself unconscious. He looked a real mess. His hair was ragged and dim and despite the overpowering scent of alcohol, the girl could smell the damp from his clothes. He was slumped awkwardly with his head resting in the crook of one arm, his face hidden by an unruly fringe.

Without thought, Tifa's hand gently lifted to brush away the hair that shielded her sight. The minute Cloud's face came into view, the woman felt an overwhelming urge to punch him. Her hand tightened instinctively by her side but she fought against the compulsion. Instead she just watched, taking the moment to finally confront the emotions toiling inside her.

Anger, definitely the most prominent of all was hitting boiling point inside her head. He had humiliated her, given her that false hope, that 'pity you' excuse. How could he do that to her? How could he have so easily walked away from this?

And then there was sadness. A lonely despair that Cloud never truly loved her as she had loved him. A longing for all those years she had lost crying over his worthless affection. So much time wasted.

Finally, a thought struck her, an emotion she never expected to feel. It took her by surprise. Joy. A strange satisfaction to see Cloud slumped in this miserable state. Joy, overtaking all other emotions. Because of Cloud, she had found the sanctuary of another's embrace, someone who would care for her and give her love in return. In many ways she should be thanking him. The pain of his rejection pushed her straight into the arms of Sephiro-

Pain. Sadness. It struck her instantaneously. She was betraying him. She was turning her back on her best friend. Someone she'd loved and cared for since childhood. How could she do that to him? She had slept with the man of whom Cloud's darkest memories first began. How could she willingly cause him so much pain?

Like dust, the thoughts suddenly disappeared as soon as they had arrived. What about her pain? What about all the times Cloud had put her through hell just so she could see him smile?

No, Cloud did not deserve her pity, her love or her care whatsoever. And he would never see her so desperate again. She leered down at him, fists clenching reflexively at her sides. At that moment the compulsion to hurt him was nearly overwhelming. But she could restrain it. She knew exactly what would crush him, a secret she could unveil at any time to set his life ablaze.

But no, he could never know of Sephiroth. No one could.

She had tasted happiness. Tifa had felt what pleasures the world could give, what joy could be found in being alive.

Hell itself would not take this newfound hope from her. And may god help anyone who tried!

One, two. Harder. One, two. Faster. Just a few more. She could do this.

Finishing with a hard left handed blow, Tifa caught the punch bag mid swing, bringing it to an abrupt halt. Sweat glistened across her forehead, seeping noticeably through the back of her oversized t shirt. The young woman allowed her weight to lean against the bag for several minutes before finally pushing back onto the balls of her feet. She reached her arms far above her head, a long, pleasant stretch after her thorough work out. It had been a while since she'd had a go at using her martial skills, but after today, she really needed to let out the steam.

Since her early morning moment with Cloud, and after a few attempts to subtly wake him, she had decided to let the blond sleep it out on the bar, even if that meant losing business for another day. She was sure she could catch it up tomorrow, but the way Tifa looked at it, it was better to miss out on one day's profit than risk having a conversation with Cloud. And when it came down to it, the fact that she'd had to keep the bar shut because of him was one more argument she could use when their inevitable confrontation arrived.

But despite having a good two hours sparring alone in the garage, she still hadn't worked off all of her anger towards him. In fact, as it looked, it was going to be a long time before Tifa even began to forgive Cloud for what he'd done.

Sighing, Tifa pulled the gloves from her hands and made her way to the stairs. As she ascended, she couldn't help but wonder whether Cloud had finally woken yet. The thought didn't worry her though. The entrance to the garage was situated at the rear of the bar's storage room and, after passing Cloud's immobile form several times already, she highly doubted now would make any difference to disturb the blonde's inert slumber.

But even if he had, the hangover he'd undoubtedly experience would keep him more than a little distracted. She could easily sneak from the room without so much as a glance. There was nothing to worry about. A small smile of bemusement lifted a corner of Tifa's mouth and the image of Cloud's pained face as he dealt with the consequence of his overzealous binge pulled a cruel laugh from the young woman's throat.

But the laugh died instantly the minute she walked into the bar.

Cloud was propped upright, his head resting heavily in one hand. He looked up as soon as Tifa entered, freezing the girl in a sudden panic. She felt sick as his gaze met hers.

All the anger, all the pain seemed to drain away in that one look, leaving her confused and insecure.

What was she going to say?

His eyes seemed pained, almost pitiful. His expression reflected the same look of vulnerability she wore herself. But there was something more to him, he looked...almost apologetic. No, he couldn't speak. She couldn't listen. She wouldn't cope if he opened his lips.

Without a word, Tifa suddenly veered away and made a hurried escape into the hall. She dashed up the stairs, across the landing and swung through the door into her room, throwing her body heavily against the frame as it closed. She listened, but no sound followed. No worried voice calling her name, no footsteps rushing across the floor behind her.

A quivering sigh shook itself from Tifa's lungs. Her legs held a slight tremble and she found it strenuous just to walk to the bed.

Head cradled in her hands, Tifa desperately tried to regain composure. She had thought she could have handled such a brief encounter, but it seemed it was still too soon. Even so much as looking at him had caused her grief. But when would be the right moment? When could she finally talk this out with Cloud? She didn't know the answer, but it certainly wasn't going to be anytime soon.

At least he hadn't followed her, which was one relief she could safely say. But as she thought about those few seconds their eyes had met, something began to eat at her mind. Cloud had looked so...so distant. Almost haunted. But why? Had this whole scenario between them really affected him so badly?

Not as badly as it had affected her.

Again came that determination. That defiance her thoughts had begun to instil in her. Rarely had Tifa ever had such a confident outlook but since this morning, slowly but surely, Tifa had noticed an unusual change to the way she looked at the world. She never used to have such confidence, such security in her own mind. She used to always put others before herself, to accept the lesser roles in life. But now...ever since her life had taken such a significant turn. Ever since Sephiroth had appeared...

In a way it was if her thoughts had become a separate entity of their very own.

She pushed the idea quickly out of her mind. Right now that wasn't important.

This wasn't fair. Even after she had decided to push Cloud away, he still continued to trouble her mind. Tifa stared helplessly around her room. She needed a distraction.

A cool night breeze gusted in from the window, sending shivers down her spine as it drifted along her sweat-soaked shirt. She needed a shower, perhaps that would help ease her mind off her more oppressing worries. Although she wasn't going to hold her breath on the thought.

Despite that Tifa stiffly made her way into the bathroom, locking the door nervously behind her. If Cloud did decide to visit, there was no way her humility would hold out if he walked in on her showering.

The taps screeched their protest as they turned, a cascade of water billowing powerfully down to the tub beneath. Usually it took a while for the water to heat and the girl took a leisurely pace to undress.

After several minutes, Tifa noticed the steam begin to rise and gently tested the temperature before stepping in. The shower curtain wafted out as the girl passed and she pushed it back with an agitated hand. She hated pulling it across. It always clung to her skin and got in the way so, simply to reduce the hassle, she'd just got into the habit of leaving it hanging to one side.

After standing in her sweat stained clothes for so long, the sudden caress of warmth felt unbelievable against her skin, easing the tension from her muscles. The gash along her left palm stung viciously with the heat but she bit back a wince, waiting as it eased slowly away.

A hot shower always seemed to cure Tifa's problems, even if only temporarily. But for the first time, Tifa could not help but think about Cloud. She couldn't get the thoughts out of her mind.

She stood beneath the shower head, absorbing the sensation of the water running down her skin, hoping the agitation would wash away with it. But to no avail.

Aggravated, Tifa reached out for a nearby bottle and squeezed a large amount of shampoo into her hand. Her long fingers combed the gel through her hair, bunching it tactfully onto the top of her head. She loved washing her hair, loved the feeling of her fingers combing through every strand, the relaxing sensation of the water running down her front as she tilted her body back from beneath its fall.

The scent of strawberries and cream overwhelmed her senses as she leaned forward to rinse, a pleasant sigh leaving her throat as the final tension of her muscles dissipated with the heat.

She stood for a moment longer, enjoying the sensation, then reached for a bottle of shower gel. The liquid instantly frothed into suds along her body, enveloping her limbs in a sweet fragrance. She scrubbed gently, stepping out from beneath the water's fall to finish before returning to wash the bubbles off, revealing the clean, pink flushed skin beneath.

Her long arms stretched gracefully above her head as she rinsed, her body relaxed and beautifully elongated. She smiled lightly, closing her eyes beneath the water's cascade. The tension in her mind was slowly beginning to subside. Just a little longer and hopefully the worries would lift altogether. All she had to do was relax.

"Gorgeous."

Tifa dived into the shower curtain, eyes flashing open in shock. She rubbed the water frantically from her face and pulled the swinging drape reflexively around her body, heart pounding with the sudden exertion.

Sephiroth's laughter brought a deeper shade of red to the young girl's cheeks, encouraging her hands to pull the curtain tight with embarrassment. But despite this, she couldn't deny she felt a definite relief as she recognized his voice, rather than that of a certain other.

"Must you stop? I was really enjoying the view."

Tifa felt a ripple of glee run down her skin as the words purred seductively to her ears, dimming the flush on her cheeks. She turned her head to lean towards the source, her gaze floating timidly around the steam filled room. But the girl's joy was tinged with annoyance as she considered the abrupt intrusion, the rate of her heart only now just beginning to settle. "You could have said something sooner."

"True. But why would I do that?"

There was a brief stirring within the room's damp haze, as if a gust of wind had unsettled the air. Tifa smiled knowingly. "People don't usually enjoy their shower when being 'observed'. Especially not if their 'spectators' are going to comment."

"My apologies, I was not aware of that little detail."

His voice dripped with humoured sarcasm, closer than before, his body narrowing the distance between himself and the young woman. A spark of excitement glinted in Tifa's eyes as his voice carried on in the silence, so near she was sure she could reach out and touch him.

"Perhaps a compromise?"

She paused briefly, contemplating with her amusement. "I'm listening."

"You can return to enjoying your shower..."

His voice veered to the left and faded, as if he had taken a step away.

"...only this time, I won't make a sound."

Tifa bit back a laugh, forcing herself to keep a straight face. Although she had to admit she did feel an undeniable pang of disappointment at his apparent 'compromise'. She had been hoping for something a little more creative. But then, something about the way he spoke sounded just a bit off...almost teasing. God she wished she could see his face. Reading expressions was so much easier than deciphering someone's mood by the sound of their voice.

Did he really have some other intent? Well...she could find that out soon enough.

Tifa turned her head and feigned a look of consideration, then flashed a genuine grin. "I don't think so." The shower curtain billowed around her legs as she quickly unwrapped it from her body, snapping it easily across the railing to shield her from view. It floated slowly along the side of the bath tub before quickly settling against its edge, leaving the girl bare once more beneath the cascading water.

Tifa turned to face the wall, an impudent grin spreading along her lips. Was she being too bold? Was she asking for trouble? The young woman waited silently for a response, but when at last it came, it was certainly not what she had been hoping for.

"As you wish."

Then nothing. Tifa felt a bitter disappointment well up inside. She had hoped he would have taken a different initiative rather than hold her words literally. For a moment longer she waited, stretching her patience as far as she could. Then desire overwhelmed all else and the girl spun around to the curtain.

It wrenched back abruptly, the metal clips ringing noisily along the rail. A squeal of surprise caught in Tifa's throat as Sephiroth's body suddenly pressed up against hers, pushing her back onto the ice cold tiles of the wall. She shivered against the surface, her mind quickly catching up to the moment as Sephiroth lowered his face to hers.

"May I join you then?"

His tone was a seductive caress, so unbearably tempting for the girl to resist. She didn't know whether she replied or not, but the ferocity in which she pressed her lips to his was confirmation enough.

She felt him smile against her skin, reflecting her fervour with his tongue's demanding appeal for entrance. Tifa complied readily, a hungry murmur humming from her throat as Sephiroth ravaged the inside of her mouth. She loved the taste of him, revered in the instant need he dragged from her body. His voice intoxicated her mind, the touch of his sculpted form driving her mad with desire. But if only she could just see him, to be able to appraise the sight of this man that fulfilled her every starved ambition.

His hold moved to her waist, squeezing demandingly, possessively. Without thought, her hands abruptly caught his, pulling his arms higher, encouraging the exploration. His fingers massaged across the lavish curves of her breasts, kneading and pinching each nipple until she keened pitifully.

The young woman then found her own way to his chest, rising higher, sliding smoothly over the wet skin, entwining through the slick strands of hair that clung to his shoulders.

And then she saw it.

In wonder, Tifa broke her mouth away, her eyes staring, mesmerized. Sephiroth, rather irritated by the interruption, made an attempt to reclaim her lips, but found the girl completely focused elsewhere. A slight smile of bemusement lifted across his face as he realized the source of Tifa's fascination.

The shower flowed down onto Sephiroth's unseen form, cascading off every inch of his figure, shaping over every dip and curve of his muscles. The light danced across his surface, reflecting on the water that coated his body. Tifa watched, awe-struck at the shimmering silhouette that had been given shape before her. She could see him so clearly. It wasn't a perfect image, but he was still there, standing beneath her touch, visible at last. The sight was mesmerising.

Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, leaving her almost breathless. She felt her yearning for his touch soar, the lust smouldering in her abdomen igniting into an inferno. Sephiroth could see the hunger sparking to life within the depths of her wine-red eyes.

"Would you like a closer look?"

Tifa didn't have time to react as an arm suddenly hooked beneath her knees, swinging her firmly from her feet. Sephiroth propelled the girl up the wall, his strong hips suddenly forced between her legs, pinning her easily to its surface. Tifa instinctively clung to his chest, her feet swinging gently in the air behind him. She looked on in stunned amazement, her body seeming to float against the shimmering gold of Sephiroth's silhouette.

His hands gently stroked down to her thighs and lifted her slightly higher, adjusting her legs to straddle his hips.

"Comfortable?"

With difficulty, Tifa finally lifted her attention up from the man's body, only for her eyes to widen in awe as she suddenly noticed the reflected features of his face; the high cheekbones, the strong set of a jaw line, the highlighted shimmer of hair as it fell down his shoulders. She felt breathless; she could only nod a response. A deep, low rumble of laughter reverberated from his throat as he noted her adoring gaze.

"Good."

Sephiroth's mouth enveloped her lips, quickly picking up where they left off. She draped her arms possessively around his neck, enforcing the connection.

Desire, love, an overwhelming concoction of happiness swelled in Tifa's thoughts. He was so perfect, so exceedingly good at delivering what she craved.

A hand spanned across her stomach, stroking lower to explore the valley between her thighs, instantly engaging her lustful urges. She moaned loudly as he teased her, muscles writhing feverishly as she became wet beneath his fingers.

Sephiroth broke away from Tifa's lips, his mouth trailing down along her throat. She closed her eyes in bliss as his tongue lapped against her skin, the sensation filling her body with need.

Her head bent to his shoulder, her full lips tracing the line of his neck. She kissed passionately over his skin, her teeth nipping teasingly as a wave of pleasure trembled within her loins.

She had to have him; she had to have him now.

The young girl's hips grinded impatiently against him, pressing his fingers hard onto the sensitive nub he was enticing so expertly. A gasp shook its way from Tifa's lungs at the motion, white stars dancing behind her closed eyes. The man flashed a predatory grin, his own urges more than happy to oblige her desires.

With ease, Sephiroth raised her swiftly higher against his torso, only to release the girl readily onto the shaft of his throbbing arousal. Tifa's breath caught in her throat as he entered her, the thick length of his member dragging the ghost of a moan from her lips. She trembled with anticipation, eager to feel him move inside her once more.

The woman gasped as his hips began to pulse insistently against hers, slow, purposeful thrusts that sparked her need into severe pleasure. Sephiroth wrapped an arm behind her waist, allowing the wall to support the girl's back. Her fingers grasped his shoulders in encouragement, squeezing tensely as he struck her sweet spot.

Tifa's mind spun with rapture, any and all thoughts of Cloud dissipating like smoke before the storm of her lust. His hips undulated her to the wall, each stroke harder, deeper, faster than the last. She whispered his name, felt her body spasm with oncoming jolts of euphoria. His breath rasped from his throat as his own pleasure began to soar. She relished in the sound, lavished in the assertion that he too shared in her bliss, his urges riding higher with her own.

As he quickened his rhythm, Sephiroth took a moment to regard the young woman, a dangerous grin seizing his lips as he observed the lustful glint in her eyes. She was breathless against him, her slender legs suddenly entwining behind his waist, impaling her body further onto his erection. A harsh groan unwittingly escaped his throat at the motion, his muscles tensing abruptly. His pace hastened urgently in response.

The heat of the steam-filled room seemed to intensify fiercely, a whimpering cry sounding between Tifa's clenched teeth as the muscles of her abdomen contracted around Sephiroth's pulsing arousal.

Her shoulders grated higher up the wall as his thrusts drove her lower back into its surface, a strangely enhancing pleasure for the girl despite the burning friction.

She pulled him close, as if every inch of his body delivered her pleasure. She wanted more of him, clung to his form as if he was the only thing left in the world that mattered. He made her feel loved, gave her a sense of purpose, fulfilled the gaping hole that had scarred her heart for so long. She couldn't leave him. So long as Tifa drew breath, she would never turn him away.

The woman felt ready to burst, an arm reaching instinctively out to the wall to support her quaking form. Her free hand caught Sephiroth's face with an almost desperate urgency, demanding his notice. Her mouth pressed lasciviously to his, her tongue running demandingly along his lower lip. He indulged in her need, welcomed her encouragement as she prodded and teased, delved in her lust as their tongues conflicted for dominance.

His desire to ravage the young girl was overwhelming; the primal urge to take her as hard as he could brimming to overflow. Sephiroth's body closed whatever space remained between them, his hands holding Tifa relentlessly to meet his assault.

She threw her head back in pleasure, pulses of ecstasy ravishing her senses. The pooling desire in her belly began to erupt, shockwaves of her oncoming climax spiralling throughout her limbs. She traced the line of his lips with her fingers, absorbing every detail, savouring the taste he'd left along her tongue.

Her body tensed, muscles trembling. Her legs quaked, numbed, then an explosion of euphoria shattered through every nerve, pulling a scream of rapture from the young girl's throat.

A shudder jarred Sephiroth's body, his teeth clenching painfully as he hit his release. The man's hips jerked, pulsing slowly, his mind reeling in carnal pleasure as he came within her.

They remained locked together, each bathing in the others ecstasy for several long, hazy minutes.

The heavy fall of the shower drowned out the laboured breaths and euphoric murmurs of the pair, its beat disturbed only as Sephiroth slid from between Tifa's thighs.

Her eyes were glazed as he lowered her to the ground, a wide smile of satisfaction gracing the corners of her mouth. She leaned into the body of the man before her, laying gentle kiss after kiss along his marbled chest. His arms held her waist in a firm embrace, his gaze watching her intently.

"And how did Miss Lockhart enjoy her shower this evening?"

His voice was a husky whisper, his tone laced with bemusement. She loved the sound of it, lavished in the silken texture of his words. Tifa glanced up, her smile becoming one of mischievous humour. "Pleasant. Though I'm sure it could have been exceptional."

"Is that so?"

There was a moment of silence, an insecure notion slowly creeping into the young girl's thoughts as she wondered if she may have offended him. His arms suddenly loosened around her, causing the girl's anxiety to heighten.

"We'll have to do something about that."

Before Tifa could comprehend his intent, Sephiroth spun her into the wall, his grip abruptly fastening around the girl's hips, dragging her into the crook of his body. His motives quickly dawned on Tifa as she felt the solid length of a renewed arousal caress her inner thigh.

A mixture of excitement and disbelief washed through Tifa's mind as he pulled her close, his lips brushing seductively along the nape of her neck.

"Let's hope I can do better this time."

He trailed a kiss along the pulse of her throat, a deep, predatory laugh reverberating from within his chest. Tifa felt his desire seep into her thoughts, course through her body like a physical entity. Her fingers reached up beyond her shoulders to entwine around his neck, a devilish smile gracing the corners of her mouth.

"I'm sure you won't disappoint."

If there was one thing Cloud felt right now, it was pain. The pain of looking into Tifa's eyes, knowing how much he'd wronged her. The pain of remembering his long buried past, fearing it was going to repeat itself. And the most irritating of all, the pain of an everlasting hangover that was threatening to split his head in two.

Cloud rubbed a heavy hand across his face, his eyes dim and exhausted. Even now his mind struggled to comprehend exactly what the Shinra President had told him. Or more like his thoughts just refused to believe it. But the man couldn't deny the facts. Evidence had been given, the pieces fit together too well, and Rufus wasn't the kind of man to jump to conclusions.

No. It was happening. The nightmare that had stalked him for so many years was finally coming true.

An ache cracked along Cloud's temple as he considered the implications of Sephiroth's unprecedented return. It still seemed so surreal. Any minute now he was going to wake up, he had to get back to the real world. But try as he might, a voice from the depths of his mind told him this was his reality.

Air hissed between the man's teeth as a wave of anger and misery hit him like a brick wall. Why? Why couldn't he be free from this? Why couldn't he live his life and be happy like any other human being? Did fate just relish in his suffering?

His hands gripped the edge of the bar's surface like a vice. After everything he'd done in this life, the world always seemed to throw it back in his face.

The blond vaulted from his seat and snatched up the back of his stool, lifting it threateningly into the air. If it hadn't of been for the sudden buzz of his phone, the chair would have undoubtedly gone through the window.

Cloud sucked in several deep breaths before dropping his wrath to the ground. Fumbling deftly for a few minutes, the man eventually pulled out the well timed distraction and stared questioningly at its screen.

He smirked as he dumped the phone carelessly onto the bar's counter, continuing to sneer with agitation as Reno's name finally disappeared from view.

He did not need this right now. It had been less than a day and already Rufus was pressing for an answer.

But an answer to what?

When he thought about it, the blond didn't actually remember what the President had asked of him. He had said he 'needed Cloud', but for what purpose the man could not certify. Between the mass mob of emotions the blond had succumbed to when hearing the news, combined with his disbelief of such a fate occurring, the man had just assumed Rufus was requesting his experience to face off with Sephiroth as he had in the past. The idea alone had sent his hate and loathing of the ex-General screaming to new levels.

But maybe he was being over presumptuous. Although that did seem unlikely. All Cloud had ever done in his life was fight. If it wasn't a request to kill the risen monster then what use did Rufus see in his abilities?

He pushed the thought from his head, not just because he didn't actually believe there could be any other reason Rufus needed him, but also because he didn't actually want to think of any alternative.

Once more his phone vibrated along the bar, Reno's name flashing irritatingly up from the screen. The blond pulled it closer as a text alert scrolled onto its face, the message written in the Turk's usual blunt manner.

"Meet with Rufus tomorrow. It's important so just do it."

He pushed the phone away with agitation. How in hell's name did he get into this mess? One thing was for sure, like Rufus said, Cloud was involved whether he wanted to be or not. The only question now was whether he could face up to the challenge once again.

The man walked from the bar, his feet dragging wearily along the floor. If he wanted the answers he sought, he knew he'd have to turn to Shinra. Tomorrow's meeting was inevitable, and Rufus knew it. He knew Cloud would eventually give in. The man gritted his teeth. Why did he feel like such a pawn?

The groan of water pipes could suddenly be heard, resonating from within the walls of the house. Cloud paused for a moment, sourcing the noise, then his thoughts instantly turned.

Tifa.

What was he going to say to her? Not only was there a lot of air to be cleared between the couple, but now Cloud had the extra burden of telling the girl her deepest fears had finally caught up to them. But after the last few days, the man had slowly come to terms with the idea that, like it or not, this whole scenario was his fault. He'd have to fix it soon. Especially now that his involvement with Shinra was about to get a whole lot deeper.

Then Cloud felt a pang of guilt swell in his mind. He'd done enough to Tifa as it was, never mind add a whole new chunk of hell to her load. No. She couldn't know. There was no way he could tell her that Sephiroth had returned. The girl had suffered enough for one lifetime without finding out it was all about to come crashing down.

But he had to speak to her soon. Tonight. It had to be tonight. Otherwise the blond doubted he would ever get the nerve up to do it again.

But he could wait a few more hours at least. She was bound to be pissed. They hadn't seen each other for days so he'd need a little time to think up some reasonable excuses.

And then...maybe. Maybe they could return to the life they both wished for, the family they both craved, and the love Cloud finally realised he could give.

Tifa hummed her approval as a line of delicate kisses drifted silently down her neck. Long locks of her dark hair clung to her skin, damp and tangled between inquisitive fingers as it was brushed lightly from her face.

Sephiroth straddled her hips, his unseen form pressing possessively down onto her extended body as she lay on the bed. He was whispering soothing words into her ear, invitations of pleasure, propositions that made Tifa's face blaze.

An amused laugh danced from her throat as unseen hands once again attempted to lift away her nightshirt. She halted his progress with an affectionate but stubborn push, removing the hem from his grasp and shifting it back to lie around her thighs.

Earlier, when the young woman had finally stepped out of the shower, she'd found the act of putting on any form of garment rather difficult due to the intervention of a certain unseeable force, namely Sephiroth's refusal to have her clothed. But after several failed attempts, she'd eventually persuaded him that she needed to wear the shirt, not just because the room's temperature was rather low, but to help reassure the girl that she still withheld a level of control within this so-called relationship. She couldn't deny, she was thoroughly enjoying herself so far, but that didn't mean she could let her guard down so easily.

She laughed cheekily as Sephiroth's grip suddenly found her wrists and pulled them firmly above her head, gently pinning them together with his right hand. The palm of his left slowly stroked across her curves, stubbornly reaching back for her shirt once more, trailing down her body with slow deliberation. His voice was teasingly seductive, mesmerising as he watched her melt beneath his touch. She laughed at his determination; it made her feel loved, desired.

Then everything stopped.

At first the young woman didn't notice, lulled into bliss by the man's hypnotic passion. But after a moment, Tifa slowly realized that something was wrong. She lay in silence, waiting.

The pressure at her wrists was tightening, becoming almost painful. The girl tugged her arms gently, hoping for a reaction, the release of her arms, the sound of his voice, anything. Abruptly her hands came free and she pulled them in for safety, worriedly rubbing each wrist.

Then cautiously Tifa lifted her hands to find him. He hadn't moved, his body still lying a top her own. Her touch graced across the skin of his chest, rising tentatively higher, stroking up his shoulders, his neck, his head. Her fingers lifted slightly to caress his face, but as they rose along his jaw, the girl suddenly realized he was no longer even looking at her.

His head was turned away, facing the other side of the room, staring fixatedly towards the door.

Tifa felt a stone fall into the pit of her stomach. "Seph-"

His name died in her throat, her body paralyzed with panic as the door knocked abruptly in the silence.

Time seemed to freeze.

A tremor wracked through Sephiroth's body, a spasm of muscles that tensed viciously on top of her own.

The door swung in.

Sparks flared as the light bulb suddenly shattered, plunging the room into darkness. A wave of heat emanated down onto Tifa, so intense she thought she was being held before a furnace. She turned her face to the side, heart pounding into her throat. She knew who it was, she knew before she even looked upon his face.

But it didn't stop her eyes widening with fear and dread as Cloud walked into the room.