Chapter 5: Confusion

Tifa fluttered her eyes open and assumed that it must be morning already. She tried effortlessly to
get up but soon discovered that an overpowering weight held her back. She focused more clearly on this
apparent obstacle and almost let out a shriek of surprise. She was held in a tight embrace by Sephiroth.
Moreover, her arms were around him as well. She figured that it was a natural instinct since body heat was, in fact,
the best source of warmth during the chilly night. The flimsy sheet that was used as a blanket was a poor excuse through
the night. Never the less, she slept more soundly than she had ever recalled sleeping in Cloud's villa. Though her bed
and sheets were by far comfortable, she could not help waking up in the middle of the night worrying if Cloud had some sort of
seizure. Despite the sudden feeling of comfort, Tifa knew she had to get up now. She would not dare to be in Sephiroth's arms
when he wakes. Who knows what might happen. After an arm was lifted, she stuggled to get out of his hold and succeeded. God, she
knew she had to take a shower. The stains of blood on her skin, as well as her clothing, were beginning to have it's
effect. Dried blood is not the most pleasant scent. Tifa eyed the shower stall and started making her way towards it. The door
closed and that's when Sephiroth opened his eyes. For the past half-hour, he'd been on the borderline of sleep and consciousness.
He hadn't the motive to completely wake up so he just lied there, completely lifeless. He saw Tifa walk into the shower and
understood that she'd probably want to remove the disgusting smell of dry blood from her. Of course, one would think why the
maniacal Sephiroth would be disgusted at dry blood. With the way he was before, he much preferred blood freshly spilt rather than
it be there for a period of time.
Sephiroth finally removed himself from the confines of his bed and walked over to the chair he was going to make himself
accustomed to. Still groggy from his rest, he decided to think over the details of his plan. Everything was so intricate and
woven together that if one part failed, the whole plan would fall apart. It was greatly foolish of him to construct a plan such
as this. Was he even madder than before he died?
"Why would Aeris want me anyway?" he asked himself," I took her life unfairly for my own selfish reasons, not even caring of
what she wanted." He pounded his fist on the table that caused a minor vibration. He still kept thinking, he and Aeris had been
good friends before she left with his mother. She even showed remorse when he first revealed he was the culprit of all the
possible crimes against nature. Perhaps she had forgiven him, and would take him back.
"We're soulmates," he decided,"she has to take me back. A love like ours cannot be severed so easily." But wait a minute,
was this real love? Did they really love each other?
"Of course we loved each other," he thought," well at least I know I love her." But again, did he really love her, or has
mere infatuation with her overpower his senses to be confused with love?
"I have to stop thinking like this," he finalized," I just have to make the dreams more convincing. Then Aeris'll realize
her love for me." A sudden shouted profane word interupted his silent reverie.
"SHIT!" a voice from the bathroom shouted.
"It must be Tifa," he concluded and headed towards the door of the bathroom.
"What is it now woman?" he asked while knocking on the door.
"Well, I tried to wash my clothes so I wouldn't be stuck with blood, so now I have nothing to wear. And Sephiroth, I
refuse to leave this room naked," she replied.
"Looks like you should of thought of that before you washed your clothes," he chuckled.
"I'm serious Sephiroth, I need something to wear, desperatley," she said.
"Is there a towel in there?" Sephiroth asked.
"Uh.. yeah there is," Tifa said.
"Then wrap that around you and come out. I might have something avaliable for you to wear," he said. Tifa did as she was
told and came out with a white linen towel wrapped around her wet body. She shivered slightly from the apparent coldness of the
room. Sephiroth's face unwavered when she came out, but in his mind, he was stunned. She stood before him, like a weak little
rabbit waiting for the inevitable wrath of a hungry fox. He straitened his posture and unclasped the enormous cape that hung about
his shoulders. Sephiroth whisked the cape around her body and fastened it tightly, so none of her would be shown in the least.
After it was secured, Tifa dropped the towel at her feet. To her evident surprise, Sephiroth leaned down to pick it up and held
it towards her face. Not a word was exchanged; it was as if they both had the incapability to speak. Sephiroth stepped away from
her and turned his back. When he did, Tifa finally spoke.
"Thank you... Sephiroth," she said, loathing herself for ever thanking him, but it would've been rude not to.
"No problem," he replied and sat in the chair,"It's about time you learned some etiquitte and manners."
"Oh you're hopeless!!" she shouted and went back to the bathroom to fetch her wet clothing.
Later in the day, when the sun almost set, Tifa decided to ask Sephiroth a question.
"Um... hey Sephiroth?" she asked.
"What is it?"
"Did you give Cloud or Aeris any dreams yet?"
"No, not yet, they both must feel the suffering of loneliness first. Maybe tonight I will give them dreams," he answered.
"I see," she said. She could not believe she was actually going along with this scheme. It was so deceiving, underhanded, but
don't the underhanded usually win out. This was not the way she wanted to win Cloud's heart. But perhaps it was the only way.