Oh my what a weekend.
I know I am late and I greatly apologize… I promise to make it up to you all. ^^;
Numinous-Alqua: Ah ^^ I am happy. It was the first time I have written anything like that. I am glad you liked it.
x Euphoria: Thank you so much for reading! And yes it was gruesome at first writing _ I wanted to skip so much but, this isn't Tifa and Vincent's final fantasy.
Thank you both so much for your reviews and of course thank you to my readers.
I found it very hard to write this chapter. You will see.
I am so sorry for being late again please enjoy,
Miss Ti
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Tifa moved back onto the bridge of the Highwind, her cheeks flushed some as she looks around. She found Vincent standing arms folded at a darker area where several pipes ran from ceiling to floor.
"Everything appears calm right now at Shinra." Cait held his ear as if listening, "So now's the time to look for Cloud. I'm worried about him." Cait then paced, his tiny feet making a small scuffle on the floor, "I wonder where he could be… or could he already be."
Barrett let out a chuckle, "Whenever I think of Cloud, everything gets all jumbled up. No matter how powerful Shinra or Hojo is, I can't believe they can create humans."
Tifa frowned some; there was no way that Cloud was created…
"But because of them, we know that Meteor is heading towards us…" The now metal fist wielding man continued, "Y'know, even if I saw him, I don't have a damn idea what I'd do."
Tifa looked over to Vincent, what would she do if she did find Cloud. He had been more protective of her lately since Aeris's death. She didn't need his approval to date others, but by the way he was acting, she would have thought that he still loved her. Just how long is long enough to feel the need to find someone new after the death of a loved one? For Vincent, it had been decades…
"Too much hope is the opposite of despair…" The gunman's voice carried over the group. His eyes shifted from looking to the ground up to meet Tifa's, "An overpowering love may consume you in the end…"
Her brows furrowed, just what did that mean… did he think that she was still in love with Cloud? After what they had just been through? Well… she did still love her old childhood friend, but it was like a different love… it wasn't as strong as the love she felt for Vincent.
"There appears to be a small island near the Lifestream..." Red interrupted the fighter's thoughts, "They say the Lifestream sometimes suddenly gushes out at the south island. I remember hearing about this from Seto when I was a child, but I don't remember much else…" Tifa looks to the lion like creature for more information, he however shakes his head. "That's all I know, I'm sorry Tifa."
She smiled moving to tussle his mane some and moved closer to Cid, "Well… Perhaps your grandfather might know some more." She smirked.
"Huh? Who's grandfather?" Cid scratched his head confused.
"Bugenhagen!" Cait jumped up.
"We going to Cosmo Canyon!" Barrett grinned.
Tifa places her hands on her hips, pointing out to the mass of land past the sea. "Let's go!"
Cid bit into the filter of his cigarette slapping his trainee in the back. The ship lurched some and the pilot screamed correcting the Highwind. Setting the course they flew off.
Tifa approached the bridges view, looking to water as they passed. The ship ride she had taken felt so long, crossing over air however shortened the trip. She turned back to see that Vincent was starring at her, his eyes seemed to brighten as he watched her make her way to him.
"Enjoying the view?" his voice held some amusement.
Tifa nodded with a large smile, "Of course! I have not been on a flying ship before… if you recall I never made it on the short lived Tiny Bronco."
She could hear Vincent chuckle some, he turned his attention to an eavesdropping pilot, "Excuse me Tifa…" Vincent stepped past Tifa to leave the bridge. She smiled watching him leave with those graceful steps, almost as if he was floating.
Vincent moved to walk past Cid, as he done so he shoved the pilot into his trainee.
Tifa held onto the pipes as the Highwind reeled to the side and into a small nosedive Cait hit the wall, Barrett clung throwing an angry fit and Red dug his claws causing the metal to screech. Vincent continued on leaving the bridge not fazed by the crooked ship.. With a cuss Cid corrected the large aircraft shaking his fist angrily at the gunman.
Tifa giggled watched as Barrett and Cid fought with one another. She decided to check on the airsick Yuffie, hoping that she was safe. Leaving the bridge she found the ninja upside down against the wall. Her face a ill shade of green.
"Why…. Why must they do this to me?" She groaned.
Tifa shook her head moving to help the girl up. She slung the younger girl's arm over her shoulder and made for the rooms. "It's alright Yuffie, we are going to Cosmo Canyon… we are almost there."
"Urp... good.." She covered her mouth with her hand.
Tifa helped Yuffie straight into the bathroom, figuring the ninja would be in there for the remainder of the trip she decided to walk down the small hall and glance over at Vincent's door.
Her cheeks flushed with the thoughts of what happened earlier and she found herself knocking on the metal entry.
Vincent opened the door and looked to Tifa, his eyes questioned her.
"Uh-hi?" she grinned shyly. "I was just… well…" She was at a lost on what she should say.
Vincent moved aside signaling her to enter.
She smiled taking a large step from the hall into the dark room. She glanced around to see that some of his belongings were already placed on the shelves…. Old guns and ammo littered the shelves. Perfectly taped to the wall near his bed was the photo that was taken while on the speed ride at Gold Saucer. Tifa moved closer to his bed bending over to get a better look. She sighed at her face; eyes clamped shut, mouth open for a soundless scream. Her arms wrapped around Vincent's arm.
"I need to give you a better picture…" Tifa huffed some turning. She noticed him leaning against the wall watching her. She tilted her head some; he had not spoken a word to her.
Her heart dropped some, did he really regret what he had done? "Vincent? Is everything alright?"
He slowly closed his eyes with a nod, "Everything is fine."
Tifa reached around grabbing the tail to her long hair. She combed the strands even more nervous. "Oh… It's just that you are really quiet…"
Vincent let out a small chuckle, "I am merely controlling myself from taking you a second time."
Tifa blushed looking away some, "Well… I…" Her mind flashed with the memories of earlier. "There is nothing wrong with that." She flushed more looking to the floor, "As long as it's you…"
"Tifa…" Vincent's voice almost sounded as if it was warning her. Perhaps Galian was telling him to do so, especially after I had just invited him.
Tifa's eyes met Vincent's, for a split moment she noticed the yellow trying to fight its way into control… Galian however failed to do so.
The fighter stepped closer to Vincent, just close enough their clothing to touch. Reaching up, she unclasped his cloak and pushed it off his shoulders. Tenderly she intertwined her hands around his neck and pulled herself up to meet his lips.
He kissed her hungrily, as if starved for her attention. Their tongues danced with one another as Tifa felt his and claw rake up her sides, pulling her skirt up, she could feel the cold air gently kiss her upper thighs.
=Highwind is arriving at Cosmo Canyon… Everyone off!=
She felt Vincent reluctantly pull back. The Highwind dipped causing those butterflies to appear for a moment. She backed away fixing her skirt looking away from Vincent.
Embarrassed to boldly seek him, she moved to leave the room, but stopped when his human hand grabbed hers. Vincent pulled her some so that she was facing him and brought her hand up to place a kiss upon it.
Tifa watched the action, awe struck at the gesture. Looking to his eyes she noticed that they looked different; black had rimmed the outside.
"Tifa…" he smiled a moment before lowering her hand to her side and moving to retrieve his cloak. Vincent turned back to Tifa, his eyes fully red. "Are you ready to find Cloud?"
Tifa brushed the strange color from her mind. Smiling she nodded and moved to leave the Airship…
Tifa took a breath as she reached the top of the long winding dirt path into Cosmo Canyon. Turning to look to the rest of the group, she wasn't surprised that Vincent wasn't at all out of breath, nor was she surprised that Cid sounded like he was hacking up a lung. What did surprise her was that Barrett had beaten Yuffie up. She was most likely weak from emptying her stomach.
Tifa gave Red a smile as he ran past her to meet up with the gate keeper.
"Nanaki! This is terrible. The color of that unlucky star…" he looked up to the meteor. "The children are all so scared that they won't even go outside. I'd rather not see it either."
Tifa looked up to the meteor. It tainted the sky around it red. She shivered at the thought that it was going to hit them and moved on. They continued their climb up to the observatory where Red's grandfather lived. Tifa climbed up with Vincent, and Red, the rest of the group split up to gather supplies.
She reached the top and moved inside after Red. Inside she found the purple clad floating man, happy to see his grandson. Bugenhagen smiled to Tifa, "Ho ho hoooo… No time to be humming now. The planet is nearing imminent death." He floated over his own kitchen table to get closer to the group. He looked Vincent up and down and them moved to a window that looked over the town. "Where is Cloud? Wasn't he with you?" He turned looking back to Tifa.
"That's why we're here… Cloud… Cloud has…" she scratched at her arm, a bit scared to tell him that Cloud was the one that brought doom to the planet.
"He fell into the Lifestream, and we believe he is alive. He was acting not on his own will, and brought the black materia to Sephiroth in the northern crater." Vincent finished.
"I see…" Bugenhagen scratched his chin, "Cloud has…" he floated over to a book shelf and pulled out an old map with green lines running along it. "It's true that there are several places on the planet where Lifestream is gathered. But most of those places are below the surface where humans cannot reach them." He pointed to the spot where the Northern crater was and followed a green line down, "There's only once place… an island floating in the Southern Sea…" he circled his finger around a set of islands, not too far off the coast where gold saucer was. "Yes… I think he may be here… but even if you find Cloud there… Life's dream is a mass of spiritual energy, and one person alone probably couldn't stand against such an incredible spiritual current."
Tifa smiled widely, "Thank you Bugenhagen… thank you so much!" She ran out the door, the others following behind her. Running down the steps to Cosmo Candle, the rest of the group stood anxious to know if they had a lead way.
"Let's fly, there are a band of islands… Cloud might be at one of them." She grinned.
"Where at?" Cid took out his own map and laid it down.
"Grandfather said right about here" Red pointed a clawed paw in the general area.
"That area? That's some backwater town called Mideel." Cid scratched his neck. "You sure?"
"He seems trustworthy enough." Vincent nodded.
"Well… alright then." Cid looked to the long trail down to the airship and sighed tossing his cigarette. He sighed and begun to trudge back down.
Back on the Highwind, Tifa stood down on the open deck below the bridge. She smiled to herself, the wind blowing her hair to the side.
She watched as land vanished beneath her and the seas appear.
"It is quite a view…"
Tifa looked up to see Barrett standing at the door. She nodded turning to face her old friend, "Yeah… I just can't get enough of being in the air.
"Teef…"
The fighter sighed some, she knew what was coming.
"You and that Vince dude… I don't like it." He folded his arms leaning against the doorframe.
"Well… What's not to like." Tifa turned her attention back mainly to the sea.
"Not like what? Just what is going on between the two of you?" He questioned her.
Tifa gripped the rails, "And what is it to you? Why do you need to know? What if we are seeing each other, what if we are just friends?" She bit back to him.
"You are my friend Tifa, and I look out for you." He appeared hurt by her words, "That guy isn't stable…"
"Neither is Cloud…" She softly spoke.
"I am not asking you to date anyone. Jes…. He's an old man now Tifa, people will talk, and he's got them monsters inside." Barrett shuddered.
"People don't care right now. They are all too concerned about Meteor… And you know what they say wont effect me…" She smiled thinking of Galian's words to her, "And Galian and Vincent are getting along better now."
"Tifa… I bunked with that dude…. He's not right in the head." Barrett now approached her, turning her to face him. "There is more than that wolf thing inside of him…"
Tifa wanted to turn back and brush off what he had said, but perhaps there was more to Vincent. "He will tell me when he is ready… He has already warned me about being around him."
"So you two are close huh?" Barrett smirked some.
"Well… I am not sure what we are yet… He however has come around to show me that he does care for me."
"And do you love him?" Barrett quirked a brow.
Tifa smiled with a blush, "Well… yes I do…"
Barrett scratched his chin some, "And what are your feelings for Cloud… I know you had something for him."
Tifa thought on the question only for a moment, "I do still love him… but it's just not the same anymore. I think I have moved on from my childhood crush."
"You gonna be able to tell him that?"
Tifa nodded.
"Well… jes be careful around him. I don't want to see ya getting hurt." Barrett rested his arms against the railings viewing at the sea with Tifa.
"You never did like them normal ones…" Barrett chuckled a bit, "When you brought that SOLDIER home with you that one day I wanted to beat some sense into you."
Tifa laughed some, "I know…"
"Then you wanted him to join AVALANCHE… I nearly blew my top off… and to pay that spiky ass too?" Barrett shook his head with a smile. "But it's brought us all here… saving the world in a way I couldn't imagine. I hope Biggs, Wedge and Jesse are proud."
Tifa closed her eyes, remembering her old lost friends. "I am sure they are and more."
Barrett stood tall and stretched, "Well, I heard Yuffie got me a new gun attachment… gonna get rid of this Shinra %$^." He moved to go back inside.
"Alright Barrett… Thanks for your concern." Tifa brushed back a hair watching him leave.
He nodded and brushed past Vincent whom was just inside making his way out.
"So how much have those sensitive ears heard?" Tifa grinned.
Vincent shrugged his shoulders some, "Just enough…"
"And what do you think?" Tifa intertwined her fingers behind her, stretching her chest out.
"I think it is best to remind you to always take caution around me."
Tifa frowned some, "I thought you were doing good with Galian?"
Vincent shook his head, "It is not Galian I am worried about… There are many monsters inside of me."
"Vince…" Tifa moved to embrace the gunman, "I trust you, and I know that you are strong enough… You will not hurt me."
Vincent stayed quiet. His arms raised to hold the small of Tifa's back and the back of her head in a tender embrace.
The fighter closed her eyes, enjoying his warmth as the Highwind sped across the sea.
"It appears that we are approaching the island." Vincent whispered to her.
"It's too soon…" She whispered back, "Just for a moment more…" Tifa clung to his chest.
"Indeed, but our party is still short one member…"
"Cloud… I do hope we find him here." She reluctantly pulled away.
Vincent nodded and turned to allow Tifa up first. She climbed a few stairs and turned around to look down to Vincent. He looked up to her curiously.
"You are more open with me now… you wouldn't hide anything from me… would you?"
Vincent stepped up, his height even with hers at her elevated stance. "You only need to ask."
"Just what is it that goes inside your head?" She brought her hand up to caress the side of his face.
"Many things… None for which you should be worried about." He replied smoothly.
Tifa sighed some, it was not the answer she was hoping to get, but perhaps it wasn't the best time or place to ask. She would need to be alone with him and the situation not so tense… Cloud could be right outside awaiting the Highwind's landing.
The group gathered outside the village. Tifa shielded her eyes from the setting sun to get a better look. Mideel looked to be quiet, steam rose from the distance. There was a large bamboo gate, in the distance Tifa could make out houses and shops just above it.
"Alright… Let's split up." Tifa turned to the group. "Barrett, you take Yuffie and Red… Cait, I want you to stay behind and record anything you might hear coming from Shinra pertaining to us or Sephiroth. Vincent and Cid are with me."
"Of course she would go with her boyfriend." Yuffie teased.
Tifa went red at the face while Cid and Red snickered. Barrett just glared at the gunman.
"It has been one week since Cloud was last seen… Your humor should be put on hold while we search." Vincent strode by the ninja approaching an old man sitting just outside the gate.
Cid rolled his eyes messing with Yuffie's hair joining the gunman.
"Well, in all seriousness, we will also stock up… Tifa can I have some gil?" Yuffie grinned.
"I have most of the funds… since Tifa and Barrett were absent for a time also." Cait pulled out a small bag from his Mog toy, "Just don't spend it all on Materia lassy!"
Yuffie quickly ran off with her group. Tifa approached Vincent and Cid listening in.
"We are just a nice quiet little hot springs town. Just the perfect place for old folks like us to live out our lives. I hear that tings ain't so peaceful on the outside. But here it's still nice and quiet." The old man smiled to the group.
"Nothing on Cloud." Vincent reported.
The man shook his head, "But then again something could have slipped in… I am not a guard" he chuckled.
Tifa nodded, "Thank you."
"Anytime… Anytime."
Cid stretched placing his hands behind his head moving on, "So what if he's not here?"
Tifa bit the bottom of her lip some, "He will be… I can feel it."
"Yeah… but in all actuality, what if he isnt?" Cid persisted.
"Then we shall search elsewhere." Vincent spoke out.
"Everything must come to an end!" A man yelled from outside a local store, "And someday it's gonna be your turn!" he pointed at Tifa. Surprised, the fighter stopped holding up her hands, "Even the world's gotta end sometime!" he continued on, "Everybody leaves at one time or another. And everyone gets left also! That's just fate…"
Tifa was pulled away from the man by Cid, "Eh don't listen to that crap."
Tifa nodded and looked to Vincent… His ageless face masked of emotions. His eyes met her briefly. Softly smiling she turned her gaze on the path before them. 'everyone leaves at one time or another… I guess in Vincent's case I will be leaving. He doesn't seem to age…' As soon as she was sure that he was looking to the road ahead, she glanced back at the gunman. 'is that something I want him to go through?'.
"Hey! Its some visitors!" A woman ran out of her house grabbing Cid by his short sleeved flight jacket, "Is it true? That the stars are gonna fall out of the sky? Is that for real?"
"What the hell?" The pilot cussed pulling the woman's hands off of him, "Stars? You mean Meteor?"
The woman shook her head, "I don't believe it! How could this happen?" she mumbled more moving back into her house.
"End of the world?" Another man approached with a bored look, "I don't know nothing about that… but I'm gonna live to be a hundred!" he laughed. Tifa couldn't help but smile at the man, "There's tons of stuff I still gotta do! This's just the beginning. And besides, what have Shinra and SOLDIER done about it? They're a waste."
"That's right! Shinra is nothing. AVALANCE will stop Meteor" Barrett could be heard as he came out of the weapons shop.
Cid and Tifa laughed while Vincent showed little amusement. They continued on their search for an hour, yet still no sign of Cloud. They had asked all the local houses.
"Well, I'm gonna get a bite to eat… only a few places left to check." Cid held his stomach.
Vincent nodded, "Perhaps it is best if we take a break."
Tifa agree'd, "Yeah, a short break." She watched as the two men go to get some food. Tifa kicks a few stones at her feet deep within her thoughts. She couldn't help but think of her childhood friend. She was anxious to find him, firstly to make sure that he was safe, and also to regroup the party… and yet deep in her heart she wished that she wouldn't have to explain herself. What the silver hair'd man said in her dreams was true… she hid from him that he was never in SOLDIER. Would he be mad with her? Would he hate her for it? With a sigh Tifa came across a brown dog. It looked weary and sad. Tifa knelt down and gave the dog a much needed pat on the head. He looked up to her with its brown eyes full of so much sorrow. "What's the matter? Are you all alone?"
The dog whimpers, laying it's head on her lap.
"You got lost didn't you? Separated from someone you love?" Tifa's thoughts trailed, back to Cloud. He was lost somewhere, his feelings for her were growing stronger, and yet she had moved on. It wasn't fair to Cloud, and yet she couldn't deny Vincent the love she felt. Tifa brought a hand up to hold her chest, right about her heart. She couldn't help but think the 'what if's' in her mind. If she had gone out with Cloud at Gold Saucer; would they share a passionate kiss on the gondola ride? What would it be like giving her first time in bed with the swordsman instead of Vincent… Tifa chuckled to herself some her eyes watering. She was still somewhat in love with Cloud. She missed him… She needed to see him again to be sure if Vincent was her choice.
"….guess it's been about a week now since he washed up here on the shore… Poor pokey-headed young thing…"
Tifa looked up, her thoughts broken by a group of men talking in the middle of the street.
"It was really sad," An older man agreed, "but weird… he was holding this really long sword." He held out his hands as if measuring it and then shrugged, "The whole thing feels unlucky to me. But the amazing thing was those weird blue eyes."
Tifa shot up, the dog jumping back surprised, "Wh…. Wait a minute! Excuse me!" she ran over to the old man, "What did you just say? The person that you were talking about?"
Cid and Vincent were just returning with a tray of food. They looked to one another then ran up to the fighter.
The old man looked to Tifa and the two men with her surprised and nervous, "Y-yeah… A villager found him a little ways down the coast… It was about a week ago I think.
The other man that he was talking to was bald, he adjusted his half moon glasses nodding, "yeah, poor kid… He must've drifted from somewhere pretty far away…"
Tifa's heart swelled, "Cloud! It must be! It's Cloud!" Tifa turned to Vincent and Cid with a large smile.
"You've found him" Vincent nodded.
"Heh, Well what do you know… Good job Tifa" Cid grinned.
Tifa turned back to the older man, "So where is he? Is he safe? Where is he now?"
The bald man answered instead, pointing up to the local clinic, "yeah.. up ahead here at the, uh, clinic."
"He's alive!" Tifa couldn't believe it. Cloud was really alive. She could run up and apologize for the lies, and help him through this tough time. They could travel once more together again and defeat Sephiroth, "Cloud!" Tifa moved between the men and ran up to the clinic.
"Whoa! Wait up!" Cid yelled out.
Tifa acted as if she didn't hear him. Sprinting as hard as she could she reached the clinic at the back of the village. Busting through the door she looked around to see that it was a small clinic, the rooms separated by clean white sheets. Tifa first found the doctor; he stopped shuffling through some papers to look to Tifa.
"Here now... The way you're running around here, you'd think Meteor fell or something." The doctor placed the papers down and re-adjusted his glasses.
Tifa took a few breaths before speaking, "I'm sorry, but I heard that a friend of mine was being taken care of in here…"
Vincent and Cid arrived, the pilot wiping what appeared to be a ketchup blob off of his jacket, the tray of food most likely fell as Tifa bolted from them.
"A friend?" the doctor thought, "Oh, yeah! That young fellow?!" The doctor moved to pick up a file, most-likely Cloud's. "Your friend is next door, but-"
"Over here?" Tifa looked to the curtain dividing the room. Brushing past Cid she rounded the curtain wall to find the blonde swordsman seated in a wheelchair, his head down staring into his lap.
Tifa's heart fluttered, he looked perfectly healthy; not a scratch on him. "Oh! Cloud!" She fell to her knees. She didn't realize how much she had missed him. "I'm so glad you are safe." She waited for Cloud to acknowledge her, to say something… to look at her. "Cloud?" she leaned in from her fallen position to try and meet eyes.
He slowly moved his eyes to hers. They held nothing within them, no fierceness, sadness, happiness…. Nothing.
He groaned looking confused.
"Cloud…. What happened to you?" She reached for his hand.
"Mako poisoning…" The doctor moved around the corner standing between Cid and Vincent, "Quite an advance case… It appears this young man's been exposed to a high level of Mako energy for a protracted period of time. He probably has no idea who or where he is now… Poor fellow, his voice doesn't even work. He is literally miles away from us. Some place far away where no one's been. All alone."
Tifa's heart sank, shattering into a million pieces. She let go of Clouds hand and moved it to gently touch his face, she had forgotten that she was in the room with Vincent and placed her forehead against his. Her Cloud was lost… With tears streaming down her face, Tifa turned to the medical man, she didn't want to hear anymore "Doctor!"
"Damn that's evil" Cid winced some.
Tifa's eyes moved from the doctors to Vincent's. He stood looking down at her with his eyebrows drawn together looking to her confused.
The doctor cleared his throat, "Let us excuse ourselves… Would you all mind waiting outside?"
Tifa watched as Vincent left first. Cid sighed soon after leaving with the doctor. Tifa turned around franticly, her mind only set on her friend in front of her. This was worse that Cloud being angry with her. She moved closer to rest her head on his lap, the tears streaming freely, "Why… what do you want me to do?" She looked up to Cloud, his expressionless face haunted her, "Please, Cloud… Talk to me… Tell me you see me, that you can hear me… Tell me please!" she begged. In the back of her mind she could feel Sephiroth's mocking laugh, she shook her head grabbing both of his hands, "I came this far believing in the memories we have together… This isn't happening… This is too cruel.. Oh Cloud… I.." Tifa choked back a sob, "Cloud I love you… I can't have you like this… Please Cloud tell me you love me… Tell me you hate me!"
The nursed moved to hand Tifa several tissues.
The fighter took them wiping her eyes, "Cloud… I lost you when you left Nibelheim… and now… I lost you to Sephiroth." Tifa glanced up to the nurse, "Is… is there a way to help him?"
The nurse's smile was forced, Tifa could tell, "There is always hope."
Tifa finished cleaning her face, she looked to Cloud and gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Cloud…"
With a long breath and new found determination, Tifa turned to leave. She opened the clinic door and noticed everyone was outside surrounding the doctor.
"You okay?" Barrett spoke out first.
"Yes… I am sorry I had you all worried… I have something I want to tell you all." Tifa turned back inside. Her chest felt heavy with dread, but this must be done. She felt like she needed to do this. Standing by Cloud she watched everyone file in, their eyes on her.
"I…" her eyes moved to Vincent. It was like he knew what was coming. Those eyes that once held emotion for her were cold. She bit back the pain, "I don't care about anything else… Only Cloud. I… I want to be by his side."
The room was quiet, after a small silence, Barrett spoke out, "Yeah… That's probably best. For Cloud, an' you."
Yuffie scratched her arm looking down, "You gotta do it then… you gotta live true to yourself."
Red nodded his head, the combs clinking, "Yes…. That's best."
"Nya, if Tifa was my nurse, I'd switch places with Cloud any day!" Cait purred.
Tifa looked to Vincent, "Do what you wish." The words harsh, hitting her heart as if it was one of his bullets.
"Yeah…" Cid sighed, "Right… Well hang in there Tifa." Cid half smirked, she knew he didn't think this was right. But it needed to be done.
Tifa lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes. They watered heavily, "I'm sorry, everyone… At a time like this."
"Why you apologizin'?" Barrett chuckled a bit, "We'll come back again an' check on ya."
"No big no big" Yuffie added.
"Hope Cloud gets better soon" Cait made his way to the door.
Red looked to Tifa before leaving, "Do your best Tifa. Take care of Cloud."
She nodded, looking up after feeling like her eyes wouldn't shed any tears. Vincent and Barrett remained.
"Tifa…" Barrett scratched his head some, "I don't like askin' this but… Is he really your childhood friend? And not Sephiroth's shadow?"
Tifa blinked surprised, "Huh? I'm sure of it." She let a small smile escape.
"Yeah? Okay then… Sorry for askin' that. We gotta get back to the Highwind." Barrett turned looking to Vincent before leaving.
Tifa swallowed hard, her eyes drawn back to Vincent. He stared at her before turning to leave.
Tifa collapsed to her knees clutching her chest. She tried her best to not cry, she didn't want Vincent to hear, but the sobs came out. Tifa covered her face with her hands lost in thoughts.
She wanted to tell Vincent how much she loved him, but after all the damage she caused Cloud, she needed to take care of him. She needed to be there for Cloud.
Tifa looked over to Cloud, he looked down to his lap, his mouth slowly opening. "Uh… a… ah…" he managed to get out.
Tifa smiled softly. She stood up and pulled Cloud over to a hospital bed. Sitting she watched Cloud for hours, just enjoying sitting there with him across her.
The nurse came in after knocking on the metal pole holding the curtain wall up, "Miss? If you like I can watch him while you get yourself something to eat?"
Tifa nodded, getting up she gave Cloud another glance and left the clinic. It was dark and humid. Tifa stretched and looked around. She felt very alone in this place. Making her way over to the local pub she noticed above the tree line that the Highwind did not leave yet.
Tifa stopped just before entering and felt a fear rise within her. She didn't want to see Vincent yet…
Tifa snuck over to a window and glanced in, she noticed the group there except for Cait and Vincent. Feeling better, she moved inside and past her friends ordering a meal to go. Barrett approached the counter, leaning on it he spoke softly, "Hey… we spending the night here… You okay? You seemed really upset back there."
Tifa nodded, "Yeah… I'm fine."
Barrett smiled some, yet knew that she was hiding her true emotions. "Well… you have the PHS… Just give us a call anytime." Barrett moved back to sit with the group.
Tifa watched the chef cook her meal. She had forgotten about the phone. With her meal packed in a box, Tifa waved goodbye to the group and left for the clinic. On her way back she looked up to the sky. She stood in awe at all the stars that sparkled in the night sky. They were more vibrant here, perhaps it was from the Lifestream releasing now and then here.
She looked back down to her feet and kicked a few stones as she walked up the long road. When she finally reached her destination, she looked back to the Highwind. "Perhaps I should get some of my clothes… I might be here a while."
Tifa placed her dinner inside and looked around. Still trying to avoid the gunman she sprinted back to the airship. She was careful with her steps as she boarded and moved up the stairs. Tifa rounded a corner out of breath, her heart beat heavily. Tifa wished she could stop her heart, with Vincent's hearing, he could most likely hear how nervous she was. Slowly she crept by Yuffie's room, then Barrett's and Cid's. She carefully opened her door, watching Vincent's door as if it could open at any moment. The fighter slipped into her room shutting it carefully and then rested against it.
Tifa moved quickly, grabbing her brown pack and stuffing extra clothes inside. She didn't bother keeping them neatly folded; she wanted to get out of there and back into the Clinic before anyone, especially him inside. Figuring that she had everything ready, Tifa carefully opened her door and peek out. She listened for footsteps but heard none. Tifa prayed to Gaia that he was asleep as she stepped out. Closing the door softly she begun to tiptoe back down to the deck. She was almost home free. Feeling more confident that Tifa would make it through, she took a sigh of relief feeling the outside air. She was about to jump off the Highwind when she felt a cold metal hand grasp her arm.
Tifa's feet froze in place, her body shaking with fear.
"You are not serious…" Vincent's voice sounded wicked, "Do you love Cloud? Do you love him so much as to stay with him? Forget about the planet in danger? Forget about me?"
Tifa clenched her fist, "I'm sorry Vincent… I didn't want to do this to you… but I need to stay with Cloud."
"And why… He seems quite content inside the clinic."
"Vincent he needs me. And I… I figured out that I needed him."
Vincent let go of her arm, but Tifa knew better than to run. She kept her eyes to the floor, so that she wouldn't be drawn into those ember eyes.
"You need him?" he circled her slowly, "I have been deceived before Tifa… I don't think you want to make this choice."
"Vincent… I..." Tifa took a heavy breath. In the back of her mind she could hear Sephiroth's taunting voice.
'You deceived him… just like she did so long ago… You know whom I am speaking of.' Sephiroth's voice rang into her mind. "Lucrecia"
Tifa shook her head, trying to free herself from the painful thoughts.
'Lucrecia ran to Hojo… Just like you are doing now with Cloud.'
"Vincent… I am so sorry!" Tifa fell to her knees, "But I can't just leave him here like this… He is like this because of me… If only I had been there for him… none of this would have happened."
"Then you regret us?"
Tifa shook her head, "No Vincent I don't… I just want you to know that I do care for you." She was torn, her thoughts jumbled inside her head.
"But you care for Cloud more…" he sighed.
"Vincent you are a special person, you are fast, strong, accurate… Cloud is just… just…"
"A normal human… So that is it…" Vincent growled some, "I didn't choose this life." He spat at her.
Tifa looked up to Vincent, her eyes wide in shock, "No! Vincent I-"
He approached her in swift strides, "I was ripped apart and experimented on after being shot for defending the woman I love!" the gunman continued, his eyes burning with rage. "I didn't have a choice to have these… these monsters put inside of me!"
Tifa looked away from Vincent holding herself, trying to defend herself against his harsh words, "Vincent please I didn't-"
"You fell for him… when you couldn't get to him, you used me… And now that he is free and injured… you are leaping at the opportunity." He calmed his voice some.
"No Vincent I didn't mean any of that… I… just…" She shook her head lost at what to say. "Vincent I love you."
Vincent watched her, "You can say that all you like… But in the end, I know where you will be. You live a fairy tale life Tifa… and the monster never wins." He moved to go back up the stairs into the Highwind but stopped abruptly.
Tifa clutched her arms, she wanted to jump up and embrace Vincent, but she just didn't have the strength. She watched as Vincent turned to face her, his eyes brimming with yellow.
"Filthy human… So weak." He turned back to move into the airship.
Tifa looked to the floor in front of her, this wasn't happening, this couldn't have happened. Vincent… he… he felt betrayed again. The scene running over and over through her mind. She grabbed at her head, tears continued to stream down her face, cooling her heated cheeks. Tifa bit her bottom lip trying to figure out just what had happened.
After what seemed to be like hours, Tifa found strength in her legs, she looked to the clinic in the distance, and then back inside the airship. She thought of running to his room, and confessing herself to him, and only him… but with the damage she had done to Cloud, she couldn't.
Tifa jumped off the Highwind and trudged her way back to the clinic, her heart felt empty; she had to force her legs to move.
Entering the clinic, she found it dark, the only light in the room was a small lamp at the desk the doctor had. The doctor turned hearing Tifa enter, "Your food is in the fridge…" he got up stretching and then took notice of her puffed eyes and tear stained face, "Is… everything alright?"
Tifa tried to wipe her face, she must have looked like a complete mess right now. She nodded forcing a smile. "Y-yeah… I am sorry I am back so late."
"Hm…" he nodded, it was none of his business to pry, but the woman would be taking care of his patient. "You may sleep on the hospital bed next to his chair if you like."
Tifa shook her head moving to get a look at Cloud, "No… I am fine. Thanks."
"Very well… but you should get some sleep. His condition hasn't changed since we first found him."
Tifa approached Cloud and sat on the floor with her legs bent to the side. She took his hand and pressed it against her face. She welcomed the warmth and sighed, trying her best to forget tonight's troubles. "Oh Cloud… I have messed up all around." She looked up into his blank stare, "But I know this is right… I am so sorry."
"Uh… a… ahhh" Cloud groaned out.
Tifa smiled some, happy to hear his voice. She placed his hand back down and wheeled him over to a hospital bed. "Cloud… You should get some rest." Tifa lifted him and managed to place him on the bed. She moved to get a blanket and covered him, tenderly brushing his hair after. "Get some good rest Cloud… I will be here for you."
Tifa then leaned over, and pressed a soft kiss against the swordsman's lips.