Kiome-Yasha: "Hey there everyone. I just wanted to update considering last chapter I wasn't really paying any attention to getting on a lot of reviews considering my late updating. So I decided to hurry up and update the 9th chapter. I hope to be having lots of reviews."

Tifa: "And now are dearly beloved fic."

Chapter 9 A day to avoid you

Tifa's POV

I just knew I had to get out of there as fast I can. I started to pick up my pace, not feeling Cloud's presence anymore. I turned the corner nearing to my room.

I finally caught up to my destination. I opened the door shutting it tightly. I collapsed on the bed feeling exhausted from the sprawl I had with Cloud. My eyes started drooping. Before I could rest my restless body the door to my room had knocked.

I pray to the Lord that it wasn't Cloud, thank God that it wasn't, but still though I would have liked to be alone right now.

I heard a familiar voice on the other side of the door, "Tifa-domo. It is time that you wake up, its morning my lady." It was Yuffie in her chirpy, yet loyal tone. I didn't get up though. I laid there just debating wither I should really face Cloud after what happened this early dull day, or stay here and act like I don't exist. I prefer not to exist.

Yuffie's POV

I knocked on the door again that belonged to Tifa-domo's room, still no reply. I was starting to think that she was dead in there.

As if she could have read my thoughts she answered, "No Yuffie dear I'm not dead. I just feel tiresome right now and would like to rest off for the rest of the day. If there is in time of needs of supper, or dinner being served please have someone sends it to me in my room." I tried to protest, "Tifa-domo is you…" She cut me off, "I'm sorry Yuffie for my behavior, but I really need time to myself today."

Not bothering to stress the matter any longer I made my way to Cloud-sama's and Aeris-domo's room. I hope to get a better response from them then the strange one from Tifa-domo.

Cloud's POV

I stared down at the crater that was marked on the old bricked floor of the training facility room. Oh God how am I going to explain this one to my Father. More importantly how is my behavior going to be around with Tifa?

I scratched the back of my head. Tifa just left without saying a word. I put everything away that I had used during the training that I had overtaken today. And it was worth it too. I never imagined Tifa to contain so much strength for such a petite body.

I started to make my way through the exit of the room. I blocked the sun rays by using my hand against my forehead to cover my eyes. I looked closely at the color of the sky though. Somehow for it being morning it sure was giving out a blood stain look.

Tifa's POV

I heard a soft knock on my door. I tried to ignore the sound by pulling the covers above me whimpering. Why do I feel so horrible? After my refusal to actually get out of bed I heard a giggle. The giggle sounded like it belonged to children.

I pushed myself up a bit to study the door that had giggled in pure mischief, and amusement. I cocked my head to the side with a questioning look.

I whispered out, "Hello? Is anybody there?" The door opened. I peeked over slipping the covers off my body a bit. I stared down to see two children, one a boy and the other a girl.

They both had cloths on that fitted for servants, but still well groomed. The boy had dark blue eyes that reminded me a bit of Cloud's, with messy brown hair which for some odd reason still looked neat. The girl was shorter than the boy; she had light brown eyes, and light brown hair that was pulled back into a high bun.

Tifa stood up from the bed with a nervous smile, "Hi. Um do you young ones live in the castle?" The children just giggled again acting as Tifa was just a toy for them to make fun of.

Tifa replaced her nervous smile to an unsure one. "Um… what are yours' names?" The boy laughed, "She sure does ask a lot of questions." The girl nodded vigorously.

Tifa blushed from the comment. She stood up fully off the bed, kneeling down to the children's eye level with a smile that brightened up the children and the room.

The boy nudged the girl forward to introduce them. The girl's beaming face then turned bashful as she spoke their names, "My name is Marlene my Lady. And this is Denzel. We're both servants for the Strife Kingdom." Tifa was appalled, "At this young age they made you play the part as servants!"

Marlene looked back at Denzel before turning back to Tifa. Marlene answered sincerely with her sweet English accent, "I could be worse my Lady. We serve in the kitchen so it isn't that bad. Our Momz and Dadz and their Momz and Dadz worked and served the Strife family for generations."

Tifa stepped up a little bit more to touch Marlene's hand swinging it back and forth playfully. Denzel stepped up as well trusting that Tifa was a kind person. Denzel spoke up in his timid English voice, "His majesty Cloud is a kind person. He treated me and Marlene with the out most respect as if we were his own children, ever since our parents were killed." Tifa was taken back from the information of their parents' murder.

Tifa had to know, "Who killed your parents?" Marlene and Denzel both answered at the same time, "His Highness, the ruler of the Strife Kingdom, his majesty Strife himself."

Cloud's POV

I was making my way back to my room. I didn't care if Aeris was still there frozen with the look of distraught clearly written all over her face from my refusal this morning. I walked carefully down the corridors of the castle coming to a halt seeing Aeris closing the door wearing her famous pink fluffy silk gown. I had to admit which look rather stunningly.

She took a glance before turning her gaze the other way, not wanting to make eye contact. I felt the same way considering my run in with her cousin Tifa.

I knew the right thing to do though; it was my duty as her fiancé after all and my duty as future King of the Kingdom. I walked up to Aeris pulling my arm out as her escort.

I smiled at her the events that happen this morning fleeting my mind, "Shall we, my dear? I believe today they might be serving your favorite dish this morning." Aeris accepted the offer as we strolled down the hall being the happy Queen and King we were meant to play in this script.

Sephiroth's POV

I waited in the Grand dining hall waiting for other royal filths, except Tifa who was my enchanting rose to arrive. Somehow I feel like she wouldn't be attending today's royal pleasure. She has been melancholy lately.

I turned as I felt someone tapping my broad shoulder. It was his highness Strife's loyal, young advisor Vincent.

Vincent put his hands behind his back as he presented himself, "Good morning sire. From what I heard from Yuffie it seems that princess Tifa would not be attending today's breakfast feast." I swept him away with my hand lazily, sticking my head held high the other way to the open cascade window.

I replied boringly, "Fine you may go, your presence ill me." Vincent bowed down formally before walking away.

I knew she wouldn't come. Tifa you could vague me sometimes, but still I can't find myself to stop loving you. No! I must know my place!

Yuffie's POV

I saw Vincent-kun leave out of the Grand dining ballroom. I asked him if he delivered the message to the Great Lord Sephiroth, "So what did his Lordship say?" Vincent-kun sighed, "He was viciously, bored as ever." I giggled from his distress tone.

Vincent-kun folded his arms, "Will his majesty Cloud and our lovely highness Aeris, along with our King be attending the morning dine today?" I nodded as my answer.

I looked right, to left suspiciously, "But have you seen Denzel and Marlene though? They should be working on serving the breakfast plates and drinks." Vincent-kun pointed up the two mirrored swirled stair cases, "I believe they went upstairs to either side of the stair cases to the upper floors." I sighed taking hold of Vincent-kun's hand heading towards the kitchen.

I blushed when he took a firm grasp on my hand. I tried to ignore it as a sighed again in annoyance, "We have no time to search for them. We must get breakfast prepared." Vincent saluted using his other hand, "As you wish my Lady Yuffie." God I wish he could stop that and if things weren't bad enough I could've swore I saw Vincent-kun smirk.

Tifa's POV

His Highness! I can't believe it! How can he do such a horrible thing! It's simply barbaric! I asked about their parents' sentence, "Why were they executed?" Both Marlene and Denzel looked displeased from the question, probably bringing up bad memories for them.

I excused myself for asking a rash question, "I'm sorry. It's okay. You don't have to tell me." Denzel shook his head, "No, we could manage." Denzel took a big breath, "Our parents' were falling very ill. They were so weak that they couldn't work anymore." Marlene continued off, "They believed it was the black plague that got them. Fearing that it might spread through the Kingdom…hiccup…" Marlene started crying at that moment.

I embraced Marlene sitting her up on my lap on the comfy bed that was bestowed to me. Denzel pressed forward where Marlene had left off, "His majesty Strife refused to observe the sickness any further to conclude the illness. So he hanged our parents cutting the issue short of a solution to heal them…'sob'…" Denzel embraced my leg crying into my dress freely.

I shushed them soothingly, almost in a lullaby. Soon Marlene's and Denzel's sobs had subsided.

Marlene lifted her head with a small nod, "Lord Cloud was furious from the King's action, along with Lord Zack, but no one was as mad as master Cloud." Denzel added tears silently dripping down his flushed face, "King Strife even considered killing us, thinking we might have carried the disease as well, but his highness Cloud protected us and took us in after his care and servants for now on."

I nodded understanding that they really were grateful to Cloud. He really saved these children's lives. Somehow I wish he could do the same for me and reveal the path of secrets that have been hidden from me all my life.

Aeris's POV

I laced tighter onto Cloud's arm not wanting to let him go. His refusal this morning really hurt me. I'm not planning to lose him, not to anyone. I have this acing feeling that somehow the distress call Tifa is giving is beckoning him to come to her aid and take her innocents away and be her knight and shining armor.

I warned Cloud feeling my predictions might come true, "Cloud, don't be fooled from Tifa's solitude mood. She is a beautiful, young maiden, but she is a woman who could poison your mind with such desires that in the end that's all she could bring to the throne; Nothing, but to satisfy you in bed."

Cloud looked at me disgustingly as he threw his arm away from me. Cloud scolded me harshly, "Aeris! How could you say such a thing to your cousin? You have no right to say such neglectful words, only because I didn't give into you this morning!" His words hit an arrow straight to my heart. It was like that was what he was assuming my hateful words came from.

Cloud pounded forward to the dining hall leaving me alone in the empty, cold hall. What got into me? How could I say such things? Is this was jealousy feels like? Peeking its ugly head to the darkness of your heart? Is this the feeling that Tifa always held for me? No, I'm much worse. Tifa would never say such awful things about me like I did about her. So this is what fear is. When having everything you could ever ask for and fear on it being taken away from you. This isn't Tifa's fault, it's mine. Oh Tifa please forgive me. I swear I'll make it up to you I promise.

Cloud's POV

Why would Aeris say such things? It was despicable of her! Could this truly be the true side of her that she's been hiding underneath that beautiful mask for so long?

I rushed through the dining room seeing a well prepared breakfast feast on the table. Yuffie and Vincent stood at the side as noble servants another script they were given to play. The only people that were present in the table were Father and Sephiroth.

I walked up slowly waiting for Aeris. Soon she appeared through the doorway bowing down to the small company that sat at the table patiently. I sat in my seat, while Aeris took hers beside me. I flinched; right now I didn't even want to be near her. I wanted to avoid her as much as possible.

I ate hastily wanting to escort myself out quickly as possible. That's when I took notice that Tifa wasn't with us.

I asked Yuffie knowing she was the one to always announce that food was ready, "Yuffie wouldn't Tifa be joining us?" Yuffie was taken back from the question, but answered while bowing a bit, "No Cloud-sama she will not be joining us. She said she wasn't hungry I believe." I stared out at Yuffie, as well as Vincent who was beside her with a shrug.

Aeris ask with worry, "Why not? She isn't ill is she?" I rolled my eyes. I took the remaining bites I had on my plate and stood up asking, "Yuffie please prepare a tray dish for Tifa and hand it to me I'll send it up to her personally myself." Yuffie bowed, "Yes, right away Cloud-sama."

In mere minutes Yuffie had handed me a dish plate that had a fancy lid on top of it covering the sweet remade heat of the food that was made.

I started heading out, "Thank you Yuffie. I'll make sure she gets it." Not long Aeris had followed me out.

I stopped from her plea, "Cloud please forgives me! I didn't mean for my words to come out so hateful. I would never say such things to anyone especially such nasty words to my own cousin. You know I'm not that kind of person!" I could hear her sobs of desperation between her pleas.

I sighed, my anger leaving me from her words. I replied in mere whisper, "I forgive you Aeris, but only because I believe Tifa would." I didn't have to look to see Aeris eyes widen in disbelief. I guess this is what love does to you. One minute you could love them and say you want them with you forever, the next they could turn to a whole other person that you have no choice, but to forgive them. Now I know I have been holding onto this fairy tale love story for far too long. Tifa was now about to reveal an alternate fairy tale. One that I want to be a part of with her and the rest of them that blindly followed their duties, or should I say scripts.

Tifa's POV

I was reading a book to Marlene and Denzel before I knew it. With no parents to take care of them, it must be hard to live out a childhood when you're doing nothing, but scrubbing the floors of a royal palace.

I could feel their eyes start to droop as I was nearing to the end of the tale of the short story.

All of a sudden I heard a knock. I looked down to see Denzel and Marlene fast asleep in my arms. Poor children, they probably work inside the castle so much that they don't get enough sleep.

Seeing that I couldn't get up I called out to the person, but quietly so I wouldn't wake Denzel and Marlene, "Come in."

I regretted letting the person inside after seeing who it was. It was Cloud carrying a food tray.

Cloud looked down at the children in my arms on my bed before making eye contact with me.

Cloud revealed the lid tray, "I brought you some morning breakfast." He closed the door behind him. He walked up to me putting the tray down on one of the small tables in the room. When I told Yuffie to send my food up I didn't mean Cloud.

Cloud looked down at Marlene and Denzel once more, "I was wondering were the two of them had gone off too." I followed his gaze to the two orphans, servant children. I put them down slowly and carefully so I wouldn't disturb them.

I swung my legs over finding my robe. I put it on and walked to the small table to eat. I sat down on the hard cushion chair, feeling a bit uncomfortable with Cloud standing there. I asked as I pulled the lid over, "Did you have a chance to eat yet?"

Cloud shook out of his trance from his gaze over the two children, "Oh yes indeed." Cloud walked up to the table taking a seat across from me.

Cloud grabbed a silver gallon with tea pouring it down in a small tea cup before handing it to me. Cloud placed the tea beside my plate, "Here you should drink that to swallow your food." I took it gratefully trying to avoid his sincere, innocent eyes, "I really don't like tea that much." I answered truthfully. Cloud urged me though, "You need something to drown away the dryness in your throat. It's good for you trust me." Trust him he says. Somehow I find it something so easy to do lately.

I drank the tea, smiling up at Cloud seeing it wasn't that bad. I carried the saucer in my hand while it carried the cup, keeping it in place of balance. I took a glance back at Denzel and Marlene. Cloud spoke noticing my stare over them, "I hope they didn't give you any problems. They could be quiet troublesome. Aeris has a ball with them all the time as do I."

I waved my hand back and forth, "No, not at all they were quiet spirited to have." I felt heart-broken though knowing what his majesty Strife did to their parents though.

I spoke in a sad tone, "They told me what happen." I looked up at Cloud whose clam face turned into a glum, stern one. I guess he knew what I was talking about. Cloud asked, "Everything?" I nodded.

Cloud rubbed his arm, "I guess they must be fund of you to tell you such dreadful things about their past and how my Father caused their pain, and suffering." I pushed forward with a nudge of consideration, "Yes, as they are fund of you. They told me what you did for them. They're very grateful." Cloud sat in silent as if shock from this new sudden information.

I finished up my morning meal feeling full and satisfied. The room was silent for a moment before I spoke, "You are a very kind man Cloud, besides your stoic, emotionless expressions at times." Cloud kept silent. I was getting aggravated of his silent behavior.

I got up towards him to see if he was alright. I wonder if he even heard me. As I approached him even closer he embraced me tightly, making me collapse onto his lap. He pressed his head against my bosom. I felt my face start to heat up from his touch as well as his breathing against the open skin of my top.

I shuddered as he muffled, "I try to do the best I can for them Tifa. I really do, but if I could protect them maybe there's a chance that I could even protect this Kingdom right?" I stood frozen. He was frightened on what kind of King he would be. It was clear as day that he didn't want to be anything like his Father, or brother.

I embraced Cloud out of pure instinct, putting my hands through his ruffled spiky mane. I felt my robes drip down from my shoulders making them reveal my milky skin. So badly I wanted him to take me right there. I blushed and scolded my self for such thoughts. I refuse to find myself falling in love with this man in almost about week since I knew him.

Following my mind, and duty and my total respect for me cousin Aeris I pushed Cloud away. He was being emotional, a side of him I didn't quiet aspect. He looked at me with widen eyes, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have crossed that line. Forgive me Tifa."

I stood up fixing up my robes, "No it was my fault. I believe I could eat fine on my own now." Cloud got up bowing in full pardon to me.

He headed towards Denzel and Marlene signaling that he was about to wake them. I reacted quickly though, "No leave them. I wouldn't mind to have them as company for today." Cloud nodded in understanding.

He headed towards the door turning back towards me with a stoic look on his face, "Accept my full pardon this morning Tifa. I know things haven't been in good terms with you yet, but I promise that I will make your stay here a comfortable one." I nodded, he pressed on, "And I hope to see you later on today, if not tomorrow then." He said in almost a hopeful thought.

I felt reassured, "Thank you for allowing me this time my Lord, but I will see you tomorrow." I bowed down politely. Cloud then walked out of the room with a hint of disappointment on his face. I sat down in my seat giving out a large sigh, so much for me trying to avoid him today. Why does he insist on making my life even more difficult by making my heart beat so randomly fast? Could it truly be that my heart has finally found the meaning of the foreign meaning of love, but in such a cruel way to punish me of such a crime?

If so then I am the guilty one, who should be punished above all others.

Kiome-Yasha: "God Tifa is such a powerful character. A word to my reviewers…no I'm not trying to make Aeris seem evil. Aeris is not a bad character in this story. So far the only bad ones are Rufus that I presented in before chapters and Cloud's Father. And I bet many of you thought Cloud was going to grab Tifa and kiss her in this chapter…NO too soon for the story. At least Tifa is starting to think that she's actually in love with Cloud. Though she sees it as a crime considering he is to be wedded to her cousin Aeris. Cloud is still in denial for such feelings. Right now he just admires Tifa and just wants to help her out whom he is isn't quiet doing very well considering he's making her fall in love with him. Plus I wanted to present Marlene and Denzel in the story because I need some children to fit in and I just luv the two of them in FFAC. Well I hope that cleared some things out about this chapter and I hope you enjoyed it as well. Next Chapter Her Talent, her Mind."

Tifa: "Reviewers plz review! Be mostly appreciated."