Chapter 21
BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE
"Thanks for everything, guys…You're all really nice people", Vic once again looks at his friend one by one. For the last time, he gives them a smile, a very content smile. The Avalanche members are now standing in front of the bar, looking at the young man in front of them.
"Are you sure you wanna leave me…uh…I mean…us ?", Yuffie gives Vic a puppy-dog look, hoping that the Cetra would reconsider his decision. Vic only laughs softly, and replies, "Well…I've got everything settled now. I hope there's no more Serras, Dark Ancient, and its buddies. I know it's kindda hard to leave friends like you…but…". He pauses for a moment, fixes his sunglass position as usual, "…no offense, but…I'm not…supposed to be here…". Vic's voice trails off at the end.
I wish I could tell you more, guys….He continues his sentence in his mind. At a moment, his face shows hesitation, until Tifa steps forward and pats his shoulder. "It's okay…We can't hold you forever if you have more…task to do…", she says, rather awkwardly.
"Yes…Tifa's right, Viccie. Even if you're here, we'll gladly accept you, but you know, everyone has own life, so take care…and thanks for your help", Aeris adds with nice smile on her face.
"Yeah, until the path unites us again !", Cloud exclaims. The others nod their heads as agreement. Vic smiles again, nods his head, and says, "Thanks…I won't forget you…and we'll meet sometime later in the future…". Again, he pauses, but when his eyes meet Tifa's, he continues, "…maybe…". After he finished his words, he looks at Aeris, her future-mother, with meaningful look. The flower girl greets him with her nice smile and warm emerald green eyes as always, and Vic feels there is something beneath them. He cannot tell what it is, but he is just very sure that something exists. He feels the warmth he used to feel when he was kid, the warmth and love from his mother, that feeling is exactly the same.
Is it what called mother and son's bond ? He asks himself, but the question is quickly swept away.
Just when he is going to spin his body, suddenly Yuffie approaches him, and with barely audible voice, she speaks up, "Vic…this is…for you…". She hands something to him. "Just a small memento from me…", she pipes up and smiles at Vic. Vic opens his palm and sees a small sparkling shuriken, but its edges are not very sharp. He guesses this shuriken is not intended for other purpose than as small gift. He then moves his face closer to Yuffie, and whispers something. Slowly, he steps back as he watches Yuffie stares at him, surprised.
"See you all !", he waves his hand to his friends and spins his body, walking away from the others.
"Take care, Vic !!"
"Until we meet again !!"
"Don't &^#$% forget us, kid !!"
"If ya need to kick some ass, just call us, man !!"
"Be careful !!"
"Hey, Yuffie, don't get stunned ! Say something !", Aeris suddenly pops up in front of Yuffie, makes the ninja startled. Aeris giggles a little to watch how Yuffie acts groggily.
"So he's your type ?", Aeris teases Yuffie, still giggling. The Wutai ninja can only open her mouth as if she would say something, but she then only blushes. "Well…too bad that he's only here for short time…", she responds, "but I'm still surprised when he whispered something to me…".
Aeris raises her eyebrow in funny expression. "What's that ? Can I know ?", she asks Yuffie in playful tone. For a moment, Yuffie feels unsure, but then she finally manages it. "Aeris…do you believe if Vic said….'thanks, Auntie Yuffie' when I gave him a little memento ?".
Aeris' eyes go wide, her face gradually turns into funny one, while her lips form an upward curve when she responds, "Really…?". With strong head nod, Yuffie gives the answer. Aeris' smile goes broader, but she says nothing, she just turns her face to the path where Vic walks away. She keeps on smiling, but her smile now changes into full of contentment one.
"Maybe we'll know about it someday…", Aeris finally speaks up. Yuffie only shrugs her shoulder and grins.
When Vic's back finally disappears from their sight, one by one, the party member leaves their spot and goes inside, except Aeris and Tifa. They both are standing still, as if they have their own thoughts.
"Tifa ? Aeris ?", Cloud's voice breaks the silence as he is going to go inside. "You go first, Cloud…", Tifa replies. "Yeah…we….no…just go inside…", Aeris adds. Cloud scratches his head, shrugs his shoulder, and finally leaves those girls. "Whatever", he responds shortly.
"I'm so sorry Tifa….", Aeris breaks the silence out of blue after Cloud went in. The bar mistress turns her face and sees a pair of emerald green eyes stare at her. Eventually the morning wind plays her honey-brown hair strands, covering slightly her face. Tifa can only raise her eyebrow, and with puzzled tone she asks back, "Why…?".
Aeris hangs her head down, she then replies with faint tone, "It's about him…I made him in danger on last fight….". She cannot stand to see Tifa's eyes after all. Hearing Aeris' answer makes Tifa let out a sigh. Recalling how Cloud was close to death on the last fight always makes her spine feel cold, but she just cannot blame it on Aeris. That was not her fault. She did not ask for help or cover. It was Cloud's decision to risk his own life by protecting Aeris. The reason, Tifa does not want to know.
Tifa approaches the flower girl and holds her shoulder. For just a moment, she cannot say anything to relieve Aeris. Tifa feels her throat is stopping her voice.
"Don't worry…it's okay…". Finally Tifa successfully manages herself. "It's more important to see we're all back in a piece", she adds. After she pats Aeris' shoulder gently, Tifa turns back and goes into the bar. It is not her manners to leave her friend like this, but this time she does not really want to talk about their relationship. It already hurts her, and the more they talk about it, it will hurt her deeper.
"Oh, one more thing, Aeris", suddenly Tifa stops her step and turns her face at Aeris. "Do you know anything more about Vic ?". Tifa presses her tone when she said 'more', she really wants to know whether Aeris really knows who he is, she is quite dying to know that.
"I only know things I've ever told you", Aeris replies with curious tone, "but…I only feel something about him…I feel that we're…close…but I can't figure it out further…what's wrong Tifa ?". She gives Tifa puzzled look.
"Um…nothing…it's okay…", Tifa responds nervously, "Um…I'll go in….see ya…". She then runs into the bar, leaving Aeris in completely confused state. Aeris stares at the bar door for some seconds. Noticing how Tifa acted strangely makes her think something else. She knows for sure that her way with Cloud hurts Tifa. No matter how hard she tries, she still feels guilty toward Tifa about the event she and Cloud shared when they were trapped under the ruins.
"Cloud…Tifa….I'm sorry…", Aeris whispers to the air that suddenly forms a gentle gust on her face as her heart decides what she should do, no, what she MUST do.
…………..
Tifa is sitting on her bed, she does not seem to care about her surrounding. Staring at the ceiling, she just lets the sound of chirping birds go by. Warm sunlight that falls on her soft skin does not seem to be able to distract her attention. Her mind is already somewhere, fully occupied.
Cloud…Aeris….
Cloud…Aeris….Vic…
Is that your destiny ? Are you meant to be together ? Even the future has told me that you two will have Vic…..It means you'll marry Aeris, Cloud…Aeris….not me…not your Tifa…..
/* begin flashback */
"Auntie Tifa", Vic suddenly called her when she was about to enter her room last night. Tifa glanced to the man, and blurted out, "Yeah…? What's up ?"
"I'll be back to my place by tomorrow…", Vic said with low voice. Tifa now turned her body to Vic. "Yes, you said it already this morning….anything wrong ?". She gazed to Vic's expression for a while, trying to guess what was going on. Knowing that he was being studied, Vic pulled off his circle sunglass.
"It's about you, Cloud, and Aeris…", Vic continued his words with lower voice. Knowing this will be a sensitive matter, Tifa approached Vic. "Let's talk about it outside", she said, concerned. Vic only stared back at her ruby eyes, and then he shook his head.
"Thanks, but I just want to make it shorter….". He made a long silence and drew breath. Tifa grew very curious, yet she knew she must wait patiently.
"Please…take care of Cloud…and be nice to Aeris…", finally Vic said his words, barely audible. Much to Tifa's surprise, she only stepped back and looked at Vic with disbelief. Her jaw was dropped. "Wh..What do you mean…?", she stuttered nervously. Vic looked at her deeply and said, "You and Cloud are gonna married…You two are suited to each other…"
"But…but…how about you ?", Tifa cut him off in confused tone, "…you're their son ! Doesn't it mean Cloud will marry Aeris instead of me ?". She did not get Vic's point.
Vic let out a sigh from his mouth. He put his sunglass on his jacket pocket. "I thought that too….at first…", he responded with low voice, "Actually I didn't expect such thing will be happened…I thought Dad and Mom were also together in my past…in your term, at this time. Now I must face the fact that it didn't go smoothly as I guessed before. My mission to go to this time is to save Aeris from Dark Ancient. In my time, she died because of strange sickness, and it came from Dark Ancient's curse in the past. If I didn't come here and told everyone about Dark Ancient, eventually it would arise and made many troubles here. There, Aeris came to settle this Ancient matter. At first, she did it, but actually Dark Ancient put a curse to her, it drained her life energy day to day, until she died. After she died, Dark Ancient raised again…that's why I'm here, to prevent it so Aeris can still be alive. I thought this will be Dark Ancient matter only, I was wrong…this goes more complicated than I ever thought before…"
Tifa watched Vic while he was talking, she looked concerned. Vic stared into Tifa's ruby eyes and said, "Auntie Tifa, you really care a lot about me, especially when I was kid. Mom and Dad also love me very much, but I never have someone other than my family who cared about me like you did…."
"Really ?", Tifa asked him about the unseen future. Vic nodded his head and said again, "When I came here, I thought by finishing Dark Ancient, I could let Cloud and Aeris to be together, and I never knew that you were actually….Cloud's fiancée. At first, I was afraid, since if you and Cloud are getting married, I'll never be born at all….". Vic's voice trailed off.
"But after seeing how you love Cloud, I start to think that I'm not supposed to be selfish…Aeris loves Cloud, I, and you, know it very well…but…right now…you're his fiancée….". Vic gulped, he wanted to say more, but it seemed difficult for him.
After took a breath, he gathered his bravery and said, "Okay, Auntie Tifa…now to the point. I won't hold you longer…here…all I want to say is…although the future has told that Cloud and Aeris are supposed to be together, and I am really their son, you'd better not to care about it…You're already his fiancée, so go get through it…marry him…be happy….and forget about me. I'm not supposed to be right here, right now, my place is in the future, not now nor here, so don't feel guilty about me….". Vic paused, bite his lip, and then continued, "Your future started from what you do today…that's all…".
Tifa stared into Vic's emerald green eyes. He did not wear his contact lens. Gradually, her eyes turned into caring ones. She knew Vic really meant his words, however, she needed to know one thing. "How about Aeris ?", she asked directly, making Vic sighed.
"Honestly…I don't know…", Vic stammered desperately, "I'll talk to her after this…but what I've just said is my decision. This is the consequence to travel back into this time from the future….Go get your happiness, Auntie Tifa…this is all I can do to pay your kindness to me, and to my Mom and Dad…Good night, Auntie Tifa". Vic turned his body and left Tifa quickly. He did not want to stand there longer, he already made a very difficult decision, and he did not want to reconsider it.
/* end flashback */
Tifa stands up from her bed and walks to the window. Morning wind sweeps her long dark hair weakly. She leans on window frame and stares at the horizon.
What must I do ? Come on Tifa...think…think….
Wrong. This isn't a matter that can be solved by thinking…this matter is purely heart matter…I can only settle this matter by listening to my heart….
Cloud…should I let you go ? If we're together, then Vic won't be born at all…But you mean so much to me, Cloud…I love you, I really love you…to be honest, I don't wanna let you go…I can't…I know you also love Aeris…I'm sure about that…I'm VERY SURE about that. You protected her, right ? And what happened while you and Aeris were trapped inside the ruins ? It's something I'd rather not know….
Tifa lets out a long sigh. She watches the ring on her finger and recalls how she was very happy when the man she loves put the ring on. She already dreamt about that chance, and when it finally happened, she started to build her dream, that the day when she would be together with Cloud would come to reality.
Now, she starts to doubt herself. At one side, she feels her dream is fading away, swept by the fact that the future already told her different thing she never thought. Meanwhile, she cannot resist her other feeling that she does not want to lose her beloved Cloud. She has been waiting for this time, and when it is going to go away, she just cannot let it happen.
………
"Cloud….", Aeris calls the spiky-head who is painting the bar door. Cloud turns his face to her and leaves his work for a moment. "What's up, Aeris ?", he responds, quite surprised to see Aeris is smiling at him.
"How's your wound ?", she asks with caring tone. Cloud chuckles softly. "As long as we're not in the fight for next days, I guess I'll be okay….".
"Have something to do tonight ?", she asks out of blue, staring directly into his eyes. Cloud remains silent for a second, and replies, "Nope. I don't have any plan yet….Hey, what's the matter ?".
Aeris does not reply at once, she looks uncertain. Cloud now approaches her, and after he is right in front of her, he speaks with gentle voice, "Just tell me…anything….". Aeris lifts her face and meets Cloud's eyes. She smiles to him as she asks, "Care for fulfilling your another promise ?".
Cloud stares into Aeris' eyes confusedly. Before he says anything, Aeris already adds, "…Gold Saucer….".
Cloud's eyes go wide to hear her words, he is going to say something, but again, Aeris cuts him off, "Meet me there tonight…at 7". Without waiting for Cloud's response, Aeris quickly spins her body and runs inside, leaving Cloud in the spot, totally confused.
"So…what's the result ?", Cait Sith greets Aeris as she just enters the bar. Aeris turns to the cat on the big moogle and replies, "I…I don't know…I didn't hear his answer…I was really afraid if he said 'no'…so I left him after I told him to meet us there, tonight".
"Well…if it already happened…let's hope the best. I'll meet you there tonight", Cait Sith concludes the conversation, "I wish you the best, Aeris….".
"Thanks, Cait Sith, you're very helpful…", Aeris responds with soft voice. Cait Sith, although he is a cat-creature, can feel there is mixed feeling inside Aeris' heart, reflected from her emerald green eyes. The cat-creature captures a hope is filling her heart, but he also captures uneasiness from her. More about it, he cannot figure it out. He just knows he will feel very sorry for her if the spiky-head would not come tonight, since it means their plan will be useless.
Cloud is still standing on his spot after Aeris left him. He does not think about things Aeris asked him, he is thinking about her. He feels there is something strange about her. She tried to act normally, but deep inside it, he feels that she is concealing something. He is seeking one word to clearly express her, until he finds one : sadness.
AUTHOR'S POST-CHAPTER NOTE :
Well well well….even Vic, a.k.a Aeris-Cloud's son feels sorry for Tifa and thinks Tifa deserves Cloud too, and Tifa cannot let Cloud go, meanwhile, Aeris asks Cloud for another date on Gold Saucer. Hey, what kind of love triangle is this ? Or to be exactly, what kind of fanfic is this ? CloRis ? CloTif ? ^_^.
Just another thought for you : having Vic as Cloud-Aeris' son doesn't mean this fanfic will be CloRis, moreover, Vic has submitted to his fate that Tifa also deserves Cloud although it means he won't be born at all. But, at the other side, Aeris (and Cait Sith) are up to something. No…don't think she's a whore that will seize Cloud in disgraceful way…no…I never develop Aeris' character like that. All I can say is, Aeris and Cloud's date will be A NICE thing on next chapter, IF ONLY CLOUD REALLY COMES TO THE GOLD SAUCER !! Heeheehee….
Okay, thanks for you, readers…and I appreciate Akira Makie's review a lot. You successfully guessed who Vic is…great !!
As usual, I'll be very happy if you press the button below to submit a review ! ^_^ Tata for now…!