Chapter Six – Fear

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A/N – I won't leave ya in suspense too long… ^_^ Right this chapter has three parts. Told by Cloud, then Tifa, then finally Cloud again. Because I am sick of writing it like a story; I'm better at thoughts chapters. Next chapter will be Vincent and Yuffie's POV on what happened next.

" I can be your hero baby…" Enrique Iglesias - Hero

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Cloud

I walked up the stairs wearily, after locking the doors downstairs. This afternoon has taught me that I can't be too careful. I can't believe it… It was bad enough that she had Zack here, probably here where I sit now. My bed. It makes me want to be sick. She betrayed me and then tried to kill me! Planet, she nearly did as well. Zack was too strong and I couldn't struggle against him that well; the blow that Tifa prevented was my death blow. I've used that sword enough to know that it would kill me straight away if she hit me on the head. I'm surprised that Tifa managed to get here in time; actually, I'm surprised she came round. I wonder why she followed me? I saw her outside the window just before Aeris stood on my legs and raised the sword, and then before I knew it she was tackling Aeris. I owe Tifa everything. I guess I was wrong that time I picked Aeris over Tifa, Tifa cares about me more than Aeris ever did, as far as I can see. Even though she's just my best friend. I can't help but wonder if she still feels anything for me… I know I threw away any chance of getting with Tifa. I wouldn't try just for that reason; it would be as if I thought I could just walk back up to her and have her. But… I'm not sure I feel for her simply as a friend. There's a little something still there… maybe from our days in Nibelheim, im not sure. I think its because we get on so well, and we understand each other. Its like we're soulmates. But I guess there's no point thinking about that…

I lay down on the bed and went to sleep, ignoring the fact that Aeris and Zack were laid here last night.

I woke up because I couldn't breathe. At first I thought I was dreaming, because I couldn't see either. Everything was grey, and the air seemed swirly to my stinging eyes. Then I felt the heat. And choked on the thick, vile smelling smoke. I knew I was in trouble… The ceiling collapsed as I ran towards the door. It was burning all around me and the wooden beams fell in front of the door, blocking my exit. The door set alight. The floorboards started creaking and splintering, I had to move back. I couldn't get out that way…

I ran over to the window, cursing loudly the fact that the thick double glazed window had no opening except two small slats at the top. I banged on it, again and again; kicked it, smashed loads of things into it; but it never gave. I couldn't stand up any more; the air was unbreathable. I opened the windows, buying myself seconds if anything. My screams for help gave away the panic I was feeling. I prided myself on never giving up but… there was nothing else I could do. I was gonna die here…

I sank down in the corner, throwing the blanket over my head to try to keep the smoke away. I didn't work; I ended up lying full out on the floor fighting for breath. The fact that I was crying my hardest didn't help my breathing. One word floated through my head.

Aeris.

It had to be her and Zack who set the house alight. How could they? Actually, I wasn't surprised. They already had reason to kill me before me and Tifa kicked their asses this afternoon. Now they were obviously angrier. They were mad. I was a fool. Why did I stay here? Thinking about it, I knew where I wanted to be. Curled up on the spare bed in Tifa's flat, unaware of anything going on here. It was my own damn fault that I was here, in a burning room with no means of escape. At least I had sent Teef home… or she'd have been with me. No, if Tifa was here, we'd have got out before this happened. Damn. Tears ran down my face and my sobs sounded hollow and dry. I wanted so much to feel Tifa's arms around me… Then it hit me. Was I falling for her? I must have been. Or maybe it was just a desperate wish for anything except this situation.

Outside I heard a phone ring through my screams of fear. Then it hit me. My PHS was in the drawer next to my bed. I ran over and pulled it out, choking as I did so. I crawled back to the window. It hadn't been burnt yet. I checked the signal and battery. Maybe I was meant to die here. The battery was on its lowest; it would give out in about ten seconds worth of talking. No point calling for the emergency services then. The signal was fine though. I ducked under the blanket again as the flames roared around me. I dialled the only number I could remember. I prayed that they'd pick up the phone; if not, I was as good as dead. 

~*~

Tifa

I was full of guilt when I got home. I shouldn't have left him alone. I was in half a mind to walk straight back over there; I didn't know why, but I still had that urgent feeling that he was in danger. I put it out of my mind. I kept cleaning, like I knew I had to. But the image of Zack holding Cloud back while Aeris stabbed at him would not leave my mind.

I imagined the rest of it, if I hadn't got there; Aeris was a second away from slicing through his heart. She would have as well. I couldn't believe it when I got there; she was about to murder her fiancé without a drop of remorse in her eyes. I was just frozen when I saw his face, his arms and legs held down and his own sword about to be driven through him. He looked so accepting, so calm. I have never seen Cloud give up totally. Except then. The fighting spirit kicked in - I found myself kicking and punching Aeris, I don't know why I did it. All I could do was stand and watch, so shocked at the sight; then I found myself with my hands round her throat. Thank the planet I did though…

I couldn't believe how close I came to losing Cloud again. My feelings were right; he did need me. I ignored the fact that I still felt like he needed me. Then my PHS rang. As I walked over, I saw it was Cloud. I smiled. "Hey, honey…"

My blood ran cold. I knew Cloud well enough to tell when he was hysterical, afraid and most of all in tears. He was all of these things. "Teef! Tifa… Help me, they've set the house on fire, I'm trapped… call the…" The phone bleeped twice and cut off. I dropped to the floor. Cloud… No. This wasn't fair. I had come so close to losing him, I wasn't gonna give him up without giving my life. "Amanda!!" I screamed to the waitress in the bar. She came in, startled. "Call the fire brigade, send them to 23 Midgaria Road as soon as you can…" I threw the PHS at her, and set off at a sprint. "I'm coming, Cloud…" When I got there, there was already a crowd around the gate. I stopped short, eyes instantly clouding up. I had to blink, I thought that what I saw wasn't real; but it was. The house was already half collapsed, and the fire was out of control. I couldn't think; all I could hear was Cloud's screams down the phone. I prayed that he hadn't been cut off by something falling on him… No, he had to be alive. He had to be. I wouldn't let myself think that there was a possibility he wasn't. I pushed through the crowd and ran through the gate. I saw Yuffie, staring at me in complete shock as I ran towards the house. Someone stepped up behind me; the man held me back. It was Vincent. "You cant go in there, are you crazy?" he screamed. I turned around and broke free. I was sobbing as I screamed, loud enough for the whole town to hear; "Cloud's still in there!!! He's still in there…" Vincent went pale. "I… oh ancients… Teef, he… cant have survived th…" I ignored him. I ran at full speed and shoulder barged the door down. I heard Vince yelling, but I didn't stop. He couldn't tell me that Cloud was dead. I wouldn't believe it. Running in, I was immediately blinded. I couldn't breathe. The smoke was so thick, it made me choke but I had to get through it. The whole house was aflame. It would have been terrifying if I had managed to think, but all I could hear was Cloud crying my name. All I could see was his face, his brilliant blue eyes, his cute floppy spikes. I loved him so much… It drove me on. My life wasn't worth anything without him; I wasn't afraid. I saw that the ceiling was burning and had fallen in places, blocking my way. I had an idea. Turning around, I saw Cloud's Ultima Sword on the wall where I saw him put it. Thank the heavens… I grabbed it and swung at the beams, knocking them out my way. I had several near misses but I managed to reach the front room. I screamed Cloud's name, but he didn't answer. I scanned the room. I couldn't see him. He must be upstairs… ~*~ Cloud  

I huddled in the corner, scared out of my life. I hated fire… Ever since my mother died in the fires at Nibelheim, I have had nightmares about being trapped in a burning house. I couldn't believe Aeris had done this to me. She knew that this was my worst phobia. I coughed and cried, gasping for breath. I could feel the heat of the flames as they licked against the blanket. Occasionally I screamed, but it wasn't doing any good. I closed my eyes and thought of Tifa. Maybe she'd call the fire brigade quick enough to save me… no. The fire brigade was too slow to do anything for me now. This fire was out of control. It was all over.

I heard a huge crashing sound. I braced myself for something landing on me, but nothing did. I thought I heard someone coughing. I put it down to the heat and smoke making me hallucinate. The blanket was fully on fire now. I threw it off and placed my head on the floor. Why couldn't I just die? Had it been this slow for Mom? I put that thought straight out of my mind. Well, Tifa was the last survivor of Nibelheim now. I wondered if she'd cope without me… of course she would. Tifa was strong. I couldn't cope without her; but then she was stronger than me. There it was again. A distinct cough over the sound of the flames licking away. I turned to the sound and my heart leapt in my stomach. Tifa?!!

I crawled as fast as I could towards Tifa. She was collapsed on the floor, obviously from the smoke and heat. I could hear her whispering; coming closer I could hear it was "Cloud… im coming Cloud…" I burst into fresh tears. She'd come for me… but how had she managed to get up here? Looking down the staircase, I saw there wasn't a hope in hell of us getting out safely. It was a wonder she'd got up. I threw my arms around her and sobbed noisily into her shoulder. She coughed violently and threw her arms back around me. "Cloud… oh Cloud your alright… they said you were dead…" She was hysterical. I stroked her hair and pulled her over nearer the window. I couldn't believe she was here. "You're damn stupid Teef… but am I glad to see you…" I choked out. "How did you…"

She looked up at my face; her cheeks streaked with smoky streaks of black form her tears. "I got your sword… cut my way… Vince said you were dead… I had to save you… Nibelheim…." She gasped out. I held her close, prying her from the Ultima Sword I had just realised she was hugging. She was a damn genius. Man I loved her… I loved her?! I looked down at her perfect face, stained with tears shed just for me. I think I did love her. She'd calmed down now, and she was breathing better. No time to think. I had to get her out. I grabbed the half burnt mattress and placed it over Tifa as I threw the Ultima Sword at the window. Two slashes and there was no glass left.

I heard Tifa whimper under the mattress. I ducked down again and checked on her. "I thought you'd gone for sure…" she whispered through her tears. I held her tight to me. She must be an angel; she went through hell to save me… I guess that answered my question on whether she still loved me. I didn't have time to tell her how I felt though. The floor was breaking up. "Holy crap…" Pulling Tifa away from the mattress, I grabbed the sword and powered up, performing a Braver that sliced it in two. Now it would fit through the window. I shoved it through as fast as I could. There was no time. The ceiling was falling in too. "Cloud, hurry!" Tifa screamed. She was terrified. So was I. I couldn't push it through as fast as I would have done if I hadn't been shaking this much. I finally did it. Thank the ancients…

I ran over and lifted Tifa off the ground, just as the floor completely collapsed. Tifa screamed and shut her eyes tightly. She thought this was it; but I couldn't fail her now. I leapt with my last ounce of strength towards the window ledge, grabbing it with my left arm and holding Tifa safely with my right. I pulled myself up over the ledge, looking back in at what once was my room. The walls were falling in. The window ledge lurched sickeningly. Tifa yelped as I nearly fell back into the room… the room with no floor. But I managed to hold on. How, I don't know. Choking for breath, I looked down at the ground outside. I hoisted Tifa closer to me. She nuzzled my shoulder and kissed my neck softly. It made my knees go weak. I think she was expecting to die soon; she wouldn't open her eyes at all. All she did was hold on to me. I ignored how her lips were making me feel, or else I wouldn't have lived to feel them properly. I had to get her out. Taking aim at the two sections of mattress on the ground below me, I held Tifa close and jumped for our lives…