((A/N: Sorry the last chapter was so short. Please keep reviewing!))
"Tifa, come on. Let's go back inside. Everyone's waiting...we....need to figure out how we're gonna deal with this..." Cloud whispered. Tifa didn't seem to want to go talk about what they'd have to do, since at this point it seemed like killing Cloud was it.
"...y-yeah..." Tifa said quietly, holding onto Cloud's hand as they walked inside. Everyone who was speaking got quiet when they entered, which made Tifa feel even more uneasy.
"so....what've you all come to?" Cloud asked. Nobody seemed quite as somber except for Vincent, who seemed maybe even more-so than usual.
"There is a possibility......that it is not you who is keeping Jenova alive......" He said, in his usual cold tone of voice. Cloud lefted an eyebrow, and Tifa seemed hopefull, as she gripped Cloud's hand tighter than before.
"...I'm listening." Cloud said, expectantly. Vincent sighed, and looked straight into Cloud's eyes, making a chill run down his spine. He waited a few moments before speaking, definately raising the level of suspense for Cloud, and Tifa.
"...there is still another with Jenova cells. If you recall, Lucrecia......" He stopped speaking, because Cloud seemed to understand, as did Tifa.
"Vincent...I'm so sorry...." Tifa struggled with tears. Sure, she was overjoyed that Cloud may not have to die, but she knew Vincent's feelings for Lucrecia.
"Hey...man...I'm...if she....this is my fault...I mean....maybe it still isn't her........it could be me......." Cloud said, scratching the back of his head. He didn't have the slightest clue on what to say at a time like this. Tifa felt worried, if Cloud was just trying to comfort Vincent, it was one thing, but Cloud wasn't really the type of man to do that.
"...no...I don't think it could." Vincent said, coldly. "The cells in your body are dead...Jenova had no control over you...not in the end. You killed Sephiroth. Jenova would've never allowed that." Vincent shook his head slowly.
"So I guess we're goin' to that damned cave again?" Cid grumbled. The whole deal with the cave, and how long it took to get there, and how it couldn't be reached by airship...it all annoyed him terribly. Cloud sighed.
"Just Vincent and I will go...because we're most directly involved. We don't need everyone going...it's kind of a personal matter...." Cloud explained. Tifa didn't seem to pleased with this, because she pulled her hand away from Cloud's.
"What about me? Am I not involved with this!?" Tifa demanded. Cloud looked at her, slightly caught off guard. He didn't expect Tifa to want to go with them.
"You don't need to come...Vincent and I are both closest to this. I'm not saying you're not involved. It's just...I could die, and Vincent could lose someone who he actually has shown some feeling apart from indifference towards. Even loves...."
"And I CAN'T lose someone I love from this all!?" Tifa yelled, before storming outside again. Cloud didn't follow her, just sighed, bowing his head.
"You're jes' gonna let her run off?" Barret asked. His voice was quiet, but had a strong undertone of anger.
"She won't go far." Cloud said quietly. He didn't need to deal with this too. Of course, Tifa was right in what she was saying, but this trip could be dangerous. If Lucrecia was keeping Jenova alive, she could be harmful. Sure, Cloud knew Tifa was a good fighter, but he wasn't going to put her life in danger if he could stop it.
"We'll head to Junon in the morning. That's where the submarine's docked. Vincent and I will head to the cave, and be back by dark if all goes as planned. If we're not back, and you don't hear from us by the morning, equip yourselves well, and see what you can do to fight her...." Cloud said, looking at the ground. Vincent seemed to be the only one to completely understand what Cloud was saying.
"You think Lucrecia's going to fight you?" Nanaki asked. Cloud nodded, grimly.
"If the Jenova cells inside of her are still strong, then she'll probably be ready to fight us..." Cloud explained. Nanaki nodded.
"You should rest now...you're going to need to be well-rested if you want to be at your best strength." Nanaki said.
"I need to take care of something first..." Cloud said, heading for the door.
"Tifa?" Shera asked, and Cloud nodded. "Don't say anything you're gonna regret." she warned. Cloud smiled, and nodded again, fishing his hand around in his pocket.
"Don't worry...I'm not planning on it." He smiled again, and headed out the door. He was surprised when he walked out of the room, and saw that Tifa wasn't waiting just outside. He was sure she'd be there waiting for him, keeping him from leaving.
"Tifa!?" He called, looking down over the railing. No sign of her. He headed down to the village, and made his way to the Cosmo Candle. She wasn't there either. A could fear began to creep up on him. If she wasn't in the town, she could be in danger. There were monsters out there...
Cloud looked outside of the town, towards the Highwind. He prayed that he would find Tifa inside, and took off towards the airship.
"TIIIIIIFAAAAAA!!!????" Cloud screamed through the airship, running around. He poked his head into the rooms as he ran around. Tifa sat up in her bed, still crying. She heard Cloud's heavy footsteps, and his yelling.
"In here Cloud!" She called, though she wasn't sure why. She hadn't really planned on talking to him, but he sounded pretty worried, and she didn't want him thinking she ran off or something. Cloud ran into her room, and stood there, panting slightly. He made his way over to her bed, and sat down next to her.
"You should've told me you were leaving Cosmo..." He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed the top of her head. Tifa hugged him back, the last bits of anger she had for him melting away. "...I was worried you'd left...." He said quietly.
"Sorry." Tifa said meekly. Cloud rubbed her back comfortingly. He kissed her again, then placed his hands on her shoulders, and pushed her away to look at him.
"Don't you EVER run off like that again!" He shouted. Tifa looked down, tears welling up again. Cloud didn't mean to make her feel bad, she'd just worried him so much.
"I'm sorry, Cloud" She insisted, still staring at the ground. Cloud hugged her tighter, afraid she might run off again if he didn't.
"You can't come, Tifa. It's dangerous...I'm not sure that Vincent and I will be able to do this on our own...." Cloud knew that he'd said the wrong thing, the moment the words came out of his mouth.
"If you two can't do this alone....why can't I come and help!?" Tifa asked, quietly. Cloud sighed, and kissed her neck.
"I need you to stay here and keep watch over everyone here...make sure that we keep researching this thing...and if anything happens, call." Cloud instructed. Tifa nodded. She still didn't want to be left out of this, but being in charge of everyone else for a change might be fun.
"And you'll call to check in?" Tifa asked. Cloud nodded, and kissed her forehead. She seemed to accept the idea, so Cloud grabbed her hand, and lead her out of the airship, towards Cosmo Canyon.
"Tif...you busy tonight?" He asked quietly. Tifa smiled and shook her head.
"Then...meet me tonight up on the cliff right before sunset....we'll watch the stars come out together." Tifa smiled, delighted with his idea...it sounded like the perfect romantic moment. That made Tifa wonder if Cloud actually thought it up. But, regardless of its origin...the night would be great.
"Sounds wonderfull..." She said, gripping his hand. A mischevious smile crept up on Cloud's lips, as he looked up at the sky. He felt a few wet droplets on his forehead.
"It's starting to rain..." He commented, smiling wider by the moment. Tifa looked confused.
"What, exactally, are you planning Cloud Strife!?" Cloud grinned widely, and grabbed Tifa in his arms, running towards the village.
"Hey!! Put me down!!" She yelled, gleefully. She giggled, and pretended to struggle, Cloud smiled again, as he had been since he picked her up.
"If you insist....." He pretended picked her up over his head, and dropped her, making her scream. He knelt down and caught her, just before she hit the ground.
"CLOUD!" She screamed, jumping out of his arms. He laughed, and ran up the stairs to the observatory. Tifa ran after him, by now thoroughly soaked from the rain pouring down overhead.
***
((A/N: Another short chapter! Guah...next time will be a short one as well...just the next evening with Cloud and Tifa. But after that it'll start up again ^^ I've decided to do a bit more with side-couples when they make the trip to Lucrecia's Cave....maybe not who you expect either ^^ Please Review, as always...I should be updating sooner this time!))
