Declaimer: "I do not own anything that relates to Cloud or Tifa which is FF. Damn the declaiming!"

Kiome-Yasha: "Hey everyone! Here with another update! I'm so surprise and happy with the many reviews I had received last chapter! I'm almost to 100! You guys really made me feel good about this Cloti story now. I feel that the reviews will keep on going and you guys will remain fateful to me. Thank you for being with me this long! Well hope you enjoy this chapter. And about Zack he's coming in the next chapter! By the way the piano piece that Tifa would be playing in this chapter is the theme of Final Fantasy 7, just to clear that up."

Chapter 10 Her Talent, Her Mind

Cloud's POV

I was walking down the hall to my Father's room. He wanted to talk to me today about Zack. Of course I wanted to refuse the conversation at all cost, but I couldn't.

I got to my Father's own private living room. I sighed as I saw him with his back turned showing his long royal red color robe that held a cloudy affect to it. I bowed down a bit showing my force respect, "You wanted to see me Father?"

My Father turned around with that royal smug look I hate, "Your brother is returning tomorrow. Thought you should no." I sighed in annoyance, "Is that all? You wasted my precious time just to tell me that."

He snarled, "Mind your tongue Cloud. I also want you to send somebody to pick up that piano out of the storage room downstairs in the castle." I gave a questioning look. "Why? Aeris didn't like the idea of the piano as her gift last year and told us to throw it away."

My Father smiled his rare similes, "Indeed, but I heard that one of our guests is quiet fund with playing a piano." I asked guessing, "Tifa?" My Father nodded.

He walked up few steps towards me putting his hand behind his back, "It seems she has been missing her talent to play the instrument and I thought it would be best to give her the piano." I nodded.

I started walking out, "I'll send Cid, and Barret then. They have more brute force for this kind of work." After that I left my Father's private room, actually grateful for once of his information.

Aeris POV

I saw Cloud, Cid, and Barret picking up the piano, which use to belong to me. Not that I care. It was a dreadful thing. It looked old, but it held a nice golden brown wood color with golden bars of design attach to it.

I leaned forward to Cloud, "You sure are nice enough to give Tifa such a fine gift." Cloud sighed he then motion Barret, and Cid to put down the piano in one of the living rooms.

Cloud looked back to me, "Yes, I think this would be nice for her. She could actually find something to keep her preoccupied while she stays at the castle. I mean you have no use for it." I felt a little hurt from his last words.

Cloud took a glance at me and gave an apologetic look, "I'm sorry Aeris. I didn't mean it like that. I should have picked out a gift for you that suited to your liking." I shook my head as I took his hand into mine.

Cloud smiled at me for the first real time since my return from the royal council. He gripped my hand tighter making me blush.

I smiled, "So where is Tifa? She should see what we got for her." Cloud looked right to left shaking his head and shrugging. I sighed. He's so hopeless.

Cid spoke up in his gruffly English with a hint of Scottish accent, "Aye believe her highness Tifa has walked out of the castle for today your majesty. Aye believes Miss Yuffie and Sir Vincent are accompanying her, along with we little Marlene and Denzel."

I looked up at Cloud as he said calmly, "I'll go get them. Aeris you stay here and get things done around the castle for me. Zack is returning tomorrow after all."

My heart skipped a beat from mention of the General's/Prince's name. I shook my head clearing my thoughts and masked on one of my most charming smiles.

I replied, "Yes your right. I'll take your place in the meantime then." I lightly kissed Cloud on the cheek. Somehow Cloud giving Tifa such an extravagant gift means more than he thinks it is.

Tifa's POV

And I thought the castle was big. The grand Kingdom itself was enormous! It was most likely to be a whole country. I walked down the path of the bustling town and villagers, Marlene holding onto my right hand and Denzel to my left. Vincent and Yuffie also decided to come along as Knights to protect us just in case of any harm comes along. I think though I could've had taken care of myself. Cloud should know for sure.

I stopped as I felt a sudden halt coming from Marlene. I stared at the directions of her eyes. There stood an outside porch shop that was selling wooden puppets. One was that of a chocobo, a moogle, and some fiends that lurked in the lands.

I saw that Marlene was staring at the moogle puppet, while Denzel who not took notice of the small shop, a chocobo. I walked up to the rounded man who was the merchant.

I pointed to the chocobo and moogle barked dolls with the strings, "May I have those two wooden puppets kind sir." The man replied in a rude manner, "Yeah and do you have the money to pay lady?" I shook my head noticing that I didn't.

The man chuckled, "And who are you trying to fool with that pretty dress of yours? You stole that from the castle?" Yuffie jumped in anger, "How dare you speak to her Highness Tifa Lockheart-domo like that?" Vincent also cut in rather upset, "She didn't steal anything! She is the royal princess of the Lockheart family Kingdom! Show your respects before her highness!" The man only smirked, "Show me some kind of proof of your so called royalty."

All of a sudden a bag filled with gold hit the counter of the open shop.

I then heard the voice of the royal heir of the Strife Kingdom behind me, Cloud.

I turned around to him giving the man a scorn look. I felt my face tense up from Cloud's handsome features at that moment. He held so much power, and authority that it was hard to turn your gaze away from his eyes. I stepped aside as Cloud walked forward with a stern look of annoyance.

Cloud placed his elbows on the counter near the bag of gold threatening the man who accused me a little while ago.

Cloud whispered enough for us to hear him in a deadly way, "Listen merchant. I would not take such insult behavior towards my guest from the Lockheart kingdom who so happens to be my fiancé's cousin. Now you apologize to her highness Tifa now, or God so helps you that I don't hold an execution for you." The large man had fear written all over his face from Cloud's words. I too felt a little scared, but Marlene and Denzel smiled glad that Cloud was there to give the man the punishing threat he deserves.

The man stuttered in fright, "O…of… co…cou…course si…sire." The merchant placed his brown eyes on me covered in sweat, "I…I'm dreadfully sorry for my rude behavior your exultancy." I nodded, "It's quiet alright. You didn't know better." He sighed in relief, "Thank you for your kindness princess."

Cloud flashed me a smile that caught me gasping for breath. He looked back at the puppet seller, "Now I hope this bag of gold Gil covers up the payment of the two puppet dolls you have there." The merchant smiled with sweat still dripping down his face and hands scratching against each other, "Of course your majesty!" The man accepted the bag of gold Gil and head off the back to collect a moogle and chocobo string dolls.

Cloud grabbed the creature like puppets out of the man's hands and turned around to Denzel's and Marlene's eye levels, his cape that was draped around one shoulder and tied with a golden string swaying from the wind.

Cloud asked the both of them, "Which one do you guys want?" Marlene quickly lashed out of the moogle doll, while Denzel did the same for the chocobo.

Cloud took a quick glance at my face. I pretend I didn't notice.

Cloud's POV

We were walking back to the castle entrance, Marlene and Denzel laughing as they played with their new puppets. I couldn't help, but to smile. Normally I kept to myself around them trying to get into playing games with them. I'm so stiff though at times around them they think I'm a statue. I guess I really just matured after taking place as the next heir.

Vincent spoke in his usual quiet, grim voice, "It was good that you came in time my Lord. You truly are the hero of the day for princess Tifa and the children." I shrugged in embarrassment, "Twas nothing. The merchant had what was coming to him."

Yuffie snickered, "Twas nothing he says, but I bet Marlene, Denzel, and Tifa-domo thought it wasn't." I growled from Yuffie's comment.

I froze and looked down a bit shock as I felt Marlene's tiny hand embrace my large gloved ones, "Thank you for the puppets Master Cloud." Denzel thanked me as well.

I then heard another voice that was quiet, but full of confidents and gratitude, "Thank you Cloud. What you did back there means a lot to me, as well as Marlene and Denzel I bet too." I felt my cheeks rise up a bit. It didn't mean anything did it?

I replied with a frozen expression. "Your welcome." After awhile after getting pass the entrance of the castle I forgot about the piano I was planning on giving Tifa.

I quickly turned around making everyone stop in their place. A bit shock from my sudden action.

I talked aloud trying to cover the excitement in my voice, "Tifa I forgot to mention that I brought up a special gift for you today." Yuffie and Vincent seemed to lift their eye brows with questioning curiosity.

Tifa tilted her head, her long jet black hair falling over her shoulder, "Really? What ever could it be?" I took her hands which caused her to stiff, "You'll see." I began leading her to the living room that held the piano, Vincent, Yuffie, Denzel, and Marlene following close behind.

Tifa's POV

Soon Cloud demanded me to close my eyes. I followed his order and closed my eyes.

I felt him taking me into a room. I asked getting a little impatient, "Can I open my eyes now?" Cloud seized as he stop, "Yes you can." I open my eyes, but as I spotted the beautiful antic piano I gasped with my eyes opening wider.

I couldn't help, but to run to the piano, my shoes clapping against the rug floor. I gently open the case that hidden the keys. I pressed my index finger softly on one of the keys making a soft sound from the light end. I felt like crying. He did this for me? But how did he know I love playing the piano?

I turned around to them a bit asking with a sob escaping my lips, "How…how did you know?" Cloud answered truthfully, "My Father told me that you are very fund of the piano. So I took the liberty to taking the one that Aeris shunned and decided it would be best for you to have it while you stay here." I spoke lightly, "Um…thank you."

Yuffie punched Cloud on the shoulder lightly, "That was awfully nice of you Spiky-sama. It's rare to see you giving." Vincent nodded, "I agree." Cloud snarled at them, "I jut thought it would be nice as a proper host to make the guests feel more comfortable."

Marlene and Denzel ran to my side pulling me down on the flat stool seat. Marlene chirped up, "Lady Tifa play something for us!" Denzel smiled, "Yeah! We want to hear you play!"

I stood astonish for a moment from the request. I turned to Cloud, Yuffie, and Vincent as they sat down on one of the soft couches in the room nudging me a sign to play.

I turned back around looking down at the black and white keys. I closed my eyes trying to remember my skills of playing the fine instrument, bringing back memories of someone long ago playing the soft melody to me when I was younger.

Marlene and Denzel sat on the floor near me. I felt their eyes clawing down on my back waiting for me to play. I relaxed a bit recalling the letters and musical notes of a pacific music sheet.

I lifted my hands up to the keys, the tip of my nails grazing on it. I pressed forced onto the keys making a harmonic sound. Soon I started to pick up the paste of the song playing it in rhythm.

I was playing the song with my forgotten passion of my talent. Turning left and right with my hands on the keyboards on the light and deep end making the music fuse in such varsity making the harmony of the music come to life around the room. Soon I was lost in my own world with the song drifting me away from reality.

Yuffie's POV

Tifa-domo played beautifully. We all watched in awe of her performance. I looked at Cloud-sama who had his eyes closed and what I believe was humming along with the song! Vincent-kun was listening to the song attentively.

I looked down to see Marlene and Denzel getting up from the floor. Denzel gave a pouted look as Marlene wanted him to dance with her. Denzel gave in though and started to do the waltz with Marlene. Vincent-kun and I were the ones who taught them that.

Soon I got the idea of wanting to dance with Vincent-kun. I got up starling Vincent-kun.

I looked down at him with my hands on my small yet slender hips, "Shall we dance Vincent-kun?" Vincent-kun sat there with an amaze look and what I thought was a hint of redness appearing on his cheeks.

After a few seconds which felt like years to me Vincent replied, "I would like that very much Miss Yuffie." Vincent-kun got up from his seat and held out his hand. I took his offering his other hand finding it's way on my waist while my other hand around his shoulder. With our laced hands sticking out to the side a bit, we started to follow in the waltz with Marlene and Denzel.

Cloud's POV

I shook out of my trance of Tifa's talent on playing the piano to see everyone dancing. I looked out to see Tifa with her eyes closed as if nothing else existed to her right now and that she was the only person in the room and possibly in the world.

She did play well. The song was nostalgic and wonderful piece. Tifa then began to play a part in the song that made her hands quicken its paste making it louder at what it seems than before.

I laid my head back on the couch once more as the song began to take me again, but really it was Tifa and her amazing talent and spirit that seems to be sweeping me away into a blissful dream lately.

Not long as Tifa was finishing up the song, she was interrupted by a slow clapping motion of hands.

Tifa stop playing much too my disproval, as we all turned towards the source of the clapping at the doorway. There stood a proud smirk of Sephiroth.

Sephiroth's POV

I was walking down the hall of the castle after having a talk with Aeris. She was in the kitchen telling the chiefs to prepare a feast tomorrow for Zack's return. She was keeping things in order and in line for Cloud. Which reminded me where is Cloud along with Tifa? I couldn't help, but to have a mental image of the two of them together.

Awhile ago when I was talking to Aeris she mention to me about the piano that Cloud decided to give to Tifa, thinking it would make her stay here more comfortable. That was a lie. He was trying to impress her and I know it! Cloud seems that he hasn't realized that he was craving for Tifa little by little. I already promised myself that I wouldn't let Tifa's heart be stolen from a man who doesn't love her and only wants her as his mistress.

As I continued my paste down the narrow wide halls, my ears picked up a sweet melody of music being played against what it seems to be a piano. And judging from the performance of it I say it was Tifa who was creating this fine music.

I followed the source of the sound as it was leading me to one of the living rooms. I cracked the door open to see Cloud sitting down on a couch looking at Tifa as she played on like a professional. The four servants were there too dancing along with the music that Tifa was playing. I recognize the song admittedly. It was one of Tifa's favorite music sheets that she enjoyed playing all the time at the castle when we were younger.

I picked up the flow of the song seeing that it was at the peek of finishing.

I stepped forward opening the attached doors. I causally walked up to the group clapping my hands slowly being impress that Tifa hasn't lost her touch.

Everyone gasped at my presence, everyone except Cloud who was glaring at me as if I interrupted something that he was enjoying.

I smirked, "Tifa it seems that you haven't lost your touch. You play splendidly as ever." Tifa blushed, "Thank you brother." Oh how I detest of her calling me that.

Cloud spoke with a hint of aggravation in his voice, "Yeah until you stepped in and ruined the moment." Tifa gasped of Cloud's words, "Cloud!" Cloud stood silent and seized to look into Tifa's eyes seeing that he had done something wrong. I didn't like that. He was showing too much of a soft side to her. Am I too late?

I looked at the piano astonish of its marvelous design and structure. I spoke elegantly, "I see you got Tifa rather an expensive gift Cloud, just like Aeris told me. Though she told me that you only did it to ease Tifa's stay here. I bet to differ." Cloud gave me a scornful look.

I bothered not to look at the low lives that hung in the room. I turned to Tifa who seemed to jump a bit from my snake like gaze on her.

I was getting annoyed of our stay in the room, I was planning on taking Tifa with me for the rest of the day, not wanting her anywhere near Cloud for the rest of the day. I feel that her heart is already slipping away to his grasp, Cloud feeding on the flesh of her heart breaking it.

I turned the other way ready to leave, but before I did. I ordered Tifa to come with me, "Tifa join me for a cup of tea would you?" I was trying to be as kind as I can without losing it if she says no. Instead though she did comply with my wishes.

Tifa got up from her seat on the piano stool bowing down, "Certainly brother." Tifa walked across the room to my side. Tifa waved at Cloud and the others in the room. Everyone waved except Cloud.

Cloud walked a few steps forward, "Tifa the piano will be here if you like, if you ever want to use it for your enjoyment." Tifa nodded a dark crimson red color on her cheeks reflecting her wine color eyes. Indeed I am too late. She may not know it, but deep down I know her heart has been stolen from the next heir of this Kingdom.

Kiome-Yasha: "Woah I was late on updating! I'm sorry guys for the long wait, but with final exams coming up I've been on the clock of things. I mean it's almost 1 a clock in the morning and I'm updating, my eyes practically dropping. Well it was worth it. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Not I got to update my other story. Next chapter Zack's Return!"

Tifa: "Reviewers plz kindly review."