TBIAD2
To be in a Dream
Chapter 2
Story by: Cessy Angel

"Cloud?"

That voice... it wasn't his voice.

"Cloud!"

A cold hand touched my shoulder and shook me. Why wouldn't it leave me alone? I wanted to stay in that dream, to be with him. So little people knew such feelings, ah, but I was different. I never asked to be, but I just was. And so I lived my life as another so that I would be taken as a normal person.

It shook me again, this time I opened my eyes, even though I would rather have them never open up again. A burst of light touched my eyes and I already felt them water. My hand shot up to block it, yet something was already shading my eyes.

"Tifa...?" was all I was able to mumble.

I was finally able to look at her, worried whine-colored eyes, a half-opened mouth whispering my name while long strands of brown hair spilled over her shoulder and onto my bare chest. I winced, she looked very worried, and sometimes, I wished she would leave me alone. No one needs to worry for me. Why should they?

My hand reached to caress her cheek, and her face softened. She placed her head on my chest and whispered a few words that I couldn't understand. I sighed, my eyes wandering around the room. It was a simple room, nothing very special in value. Both of us had moved to Kalm after the incident, and we had bought this house since it was good to settle down a bit. Every once in a while, the whole group would meet up here, it was always good to see all of them.

They were also supposed to meet again here, today. Of all nights to have such dreams. Tifa looks at me as if she understands that it was nothing more than a dream, but I know that as soon as the others arrive, she'll share her suspicions with the others. And thus another ruckus will emerge.

I hid my frown and looked back at the ceiling. How strange it felt. My thoughts went back to the dream I had had earlier. So many questions filled my head, and yet, I didn't want any answers. I only wanted to feel. It wasn't much as to get my answers from Sephiroth... my General, but his caressing hand, the way he had touched my face so gently...

Tifa's hand brushed my arm, so harshly it seemed. She got up from the bed and walked towards the hallway, only wearing a small shirt and undergarments. I closed my eyes, if only I could escape from here. It wasn't that I didn't love Tifa, far from it, but something was missing.

"Cloud... you do know that the others are coming here today, don't you?" she yelled from downstairs. I didn't want to respond, only stay in this bed forever, or until sleep would consume me again.

"Yeah, I know."

I got up, even though I didn't want to, and got ready. The last thing I need is more suspicions from Tifa. But...

The sun shone so brightly today, and not even a cloud in the sky to disturb such a beautiful day. The town was active, people going here, going there. They almost seemed like a popular of ants, rushing to do things as if the world would come to a stop anytime soon.

Of course, it wouldn't. Not now atleast.

I sat on a bench outside the house, what else could I do but to look at the passing people? From far away, I could hear the Highwind coming nearer. That meant I would expect atleast Red XIII, Vincent, Cid and Barret. I didn't know about Yuffie, she didn't come to our last reunion. I heard she was traveling around the world, but who knows?

Tifa came and sat beside me, her shoulder brushing mine. I let my gaze follow the street as she nudged closer to me. She felt so cold, her skin, and so I put an arm around her and let her sit closer to me. Suddenly, as I looked back at her, I thought to see a tall silvered hair figure stand in her place, but I blinked, and the image went away.

"Cloud, are you feeling okay?" Her eyes begged me to tell her, but I couldn't. How could I have told her this? That I saw Sephiroth in a dream, and that he talked to me? And I knew that deep in her, hatred for Sephiroth grew every time I talked about him. Why couldn't they understand? He wasn't evil...

"No, I'm okay Tifa. Stop worrying." I kept whispering in her ears, and it almost seemed as if I was talking to thin air.

In a burst of violent sounds, Cid and Barret walked towards us, followed by the others, laughing loudly and hysterically. Vincent and Red XIII behind them, seemed a little embarrassed by their comportment. I don't blame them, I almost immediately dug my head in my hands.

"Yo!" Even halfway through town, they began their salutes. I couldn't believe them.

They came up on the gallery as both me and Tifa got up to greet them. I did feel good. To be with the ones we had long fought by. I even felt a faint smile forming on my face, when was the last time I had smiled?

In a rush of power, I suddenly felt lightheaded, and my head throbbed so badly I thought it would soon burst. My hand simultaneously clutched at my head. I could hear the voices around me shouting for things, and I couldn't hear them. My fingers fell numb, and soon the feelings in my legs left me. I saw the blue sky disappear into a pool of darkness.

It wasn't so bad. I would be able to sleep...

Author's Note: Again, sorry for the short chapter. I just wanted to introduce other characters! (No, it definitely wont be a Tifa x Cloud fic.) Anyways, this was a pretty boring chapter, don't you think? I'm sorry if it wasn't as great, I've been suffering from these headaches lately. ^_^;; Anyways, please review!