((Guah. This took forever, and it's sooo short! I need to get writing more again. Oh well, please review. I know this isn't as good as the first, but it'll get better. I promise!Oh, and a twist in one of the pairings.))



"The planet is suffering..." Nanaki said quietly. He stood on the ledge of the mountains near Cosmo Canyon. The group decided that a break was needed, and this was the ideal place for all but two. Cloud and Tifa were left in Nibelheim, despite the fact they hadn't spoken in over a week.

"How can you tell?" Reeve inquired. Yuffie looked over, her legs swinging back and forth. Nanaki sat, staring at the sunset.

"I can feel it in the canyons....the cries of the planet echo off the walls..." He said. Everyone seemed throughly confused by the comment, with the exception of Vincent. Nanaki continued, noting their confusion...

"I have grown to be a part of this canyon, as it is part of me. I am the protector of it, and know many of its secrets. I can feel its suffering, and it is great now." A wave of slight, understanding nods went through the group, and none spoke for some time.

"How's Aeris doin'?" Yuffie asked. Nanaki turned towards the group.

"Her condition is the same as it has been since Jenova first revealed herself." Yuffie grumbled something about Nanaki talking too much like Vincent, but both pretended not to hear.

"Anyone talked to Cloud or Tifa?" Reeve inquired. An angry grumble from Cid and Barret, head shakes from Yuffie and Nanaki, and a simple 'No' from Vincent were his answer.

"They need their time alone. They'll call when they've straightened things up." Shera said. She'd been silent untill then, but she knew the situation well enough. She'd endured it enough times to know. More nods and grumbles.

"We can't be wastin' all our fuckin' time waitin' for them to sort out their damned personal problems." Cid suddenly burst out.

"It won't be long." Shera replied calmly. Cid replied with more swears.

"We should get rest. If you do not wish to waste time, we can begin researching in the library here." Nanaki said before stalking off towards the town. One by one the others followed, untill only Reeve and Yuffie remained.

"What's up, Yuffie?" Reeve asked, and edge of concern in his voice. Yuffie looked at him, then down at the botom of the canyon.

"Nothing....just been thinkin'..." She sighed, not looking up. Reeve tilted his head to the side.

"Wanna talk about it?" He didn't know what he was saying. There was no way in hell he wanted to talk to a teenage girl about her problems, yet, he couldn't stop himself.

"Not really." She said, swinging her feet back and forth. Inwardly, Reeve let out a sigh of relief. He'd almost gotten himself in a bit of trouble for a second.

"But since you asked..." DAMN! Reeve cried out in his mind. Just when he thought he was safe.

"Well...you know how Cloud is some times...an ass." She paused for a second, and looked over to be sure Reeve was still there.

"I just feel real bad for Tifa...cause I know how much she likes him. And after what he said to her....." Her voice trailed off. She didn't want to discuss what she was afraid of happening...especially not with Reeve. She'd never really taken the time to talk to him, or get to know him before.

'Probably because he was a plushie before...' She thought to herself.

"...what? What is it?" Reeve asked. He actually found himself interested in what the young ninja had to say, which surprised him greatly.

"...I'm afraid that Tifa might go and do something because of what he said. And I know Cloud can be a major jackass at times....most of the time actually, but she still likes him, no, loves him. And thinking that he hates her....I know what that kinda thing can do to a girl's mind....." Yuffie trailed off again, sure by now that Reeve got the point. He nodded.

"Tifa's a smart girl. She knows better..." Reeve tried to assure her, but knew he didn't. The thought hadn't crossed his mind, but now that it had...

"Cloud really cares about her too...and that would make it that much worse......" Yuffie rubbed at her eyes tiredly.

".....as much as I dislike Cloud at times....I don't think I could handle it if Tifa was gone....because I know Cloud would be soon after..." Reeve sighed. He noticed tears begining to stream down the young ninja's face. He knew he had to do better than empty words to comfort her. He pulled her in his arms, and let her cry into his chest.

"It's okay, Yuffie. Everything will turn out fine." He stroked the back of her head. She hugged him tightly, as if holding on for dear life. A long moment had passed before she finally pulled away from him and wiped her eyes with her hands.

"We should get back to the observatory. Everyone's probably worried." Reeve said, standing. He helped Yuffie to her feet, and they started back towards the canyon.

"Reeve..." Yuffie said quietly.

"Yeah?" He replied.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it..." Reeve definately didn't expect to be thanked by the young ninja, but wasn't displeased. He just never thought her to be the kind to have any bit of manners in them.

"Oh...and Reeve..." She said, a bit louder.

"Yeah?"

"If anyone finds out about this, you're dead meat." Reeve smiled.

"Don't worry." He smiled, and quickened his pace to keep up with the girl.

"I won't tell."


"Tifa! Please open the door!" Cloud shouted, knocking on the door to Tifa's childhood home in Nibelheim. Cid had dropped them both off in Nibelheim to give them time to cool off, and straighten things up. Tifa insisted she didn't want to straighten anything up, but Shera somehow convinced her to go stay anyway.

Nibelheim was empty. After Meteor the Shinra actors left the town, leaving it just as they found it. Cloud wasn't the rebuilt town's biggest fan. Something about it seemed too unreal for him....or maybe too real. Things were just as they were, maybe too much so.

"Go Away!" Tifa's voice came from inside the house. She didn't want to talk to Cloud, to be hurt again. She felt fresh tears sting at her eyes. She still cared for him, even after what he said. She didn't want to love him any more, after he told her what he did, but she couldn't help him.

"I'm not leaving, so you might as well let me in." Cloud called. He was determined to make things right with Tifa. He knew he ruined everything he was so carefully doing, every word he said, every action he made, it all crumbled. Sephiroth-no-Jenova, had ruined his life again.

"Just leave! I know you don't wanna talk to me, and I won't make you!" She yelled back. Cloud could hear the tears in her voice. He knew he hurt her deeply, but it still hurt when she cried because of him.

"I do want to talk to you! I'm sorry for what I said...it was a lie! I love you! Don't do this!" Cloud yelled, hot tear building up in his own eyes.

"You're lying! How can I believe you!? Just go away!" Tifa yelled. She checked the door's locks, making sure they were all secure. Cloud struggled against the door for a moment, then sighed, and turned away.

"Fine! I'll go! But you know we'll still have to be together whether you like it or not! Jenova's back, and we both have to fight it!" Cloud yelled, before walking sadly back to his house. Tifa slid down against the door, letting her tears flow. Sobs didn't try to make their way out, the pain was beyond that.

Cloud was right. They'd be together for the fight against Jenova, but the thought of more time with Cloud only made her feel worse. Now that he'd confessed that he really didn't care about her, he'd be with Aeris in an instant. Tifa had reasoned.

She couldn't see why he'd try and stay with her. Sure, Aeris was in trouble now, but he'd save her. He'd kill Jenova, and free Aeris from her powers. Like some twisted fairy tale, where Tifa was the girl left behind. The girl not good enough.

Tifa kept crying, into the late hours of the night. She fell asleep long after morning had broken, and Cloud had started out to the Nibelheim mountains, Tifa never knowing he left.

((A/N: Bwah haa haa! Cliffhanger kinda. Hope you all like. Continue to review!))