A/N: Hey guys. I'm back. I'm back. Okay…very small and very boring chapter coming up. A lot of talking and trying to understand. You may be able to skip this chapter.

NOTE – 1 of the Shout-outs may contain a tiny spoiler but it's not that important. It'll be obvious why in a few chapters.

Summary – After a small argument, Tifa and Cloud reveal their feelings for each other. Cloud realises what he's going to miss by leaving but he doesn't change his mind. He leaves something with a very, very upset Tifa, before flying off on his Neo Bahamut. How will the rest of AVALANCHE and the SeeD's take it?

Chapter 20 – Breaking The News

---------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------

Everyone was relaxing in Tifa's bar that morning, but two people were missing.

Cloud and Tifa.

Barrett sat at the bar, talking with Cid. They were both worried about their two friends. They had never disappeared over night without telling them. And what if the Mako-Mutants had got them. They both doubted that the pair could handle them by themselves.

Everyone else was chatting, sleeping or just doing their own thing. Both Irvine and Vincent were polishing their guns, quietly talking. Selphie and Yuffie were playing with Zell's Triple Triad cards. Yuffie learnt the game and had already bet Selphie several times. Squall sat on a couch, cleaning his Lionheart while Rinoa watched Angelo, who was trying to encourage Red XIII to play with her by pawing his head. Reeve stood in a corner, making some modifications to Cait Sith. Everyone else was still in bed.

Everyone turned towards the door as they heard someone walk in.

"TIFA!" Barrett shouted, going over and hugging her. She returned the hug and lowered her head, so he couldn't see the tear trails. "I'm glad your safe girl!" He noticed her looking down at the floor.

"Hey Tifa? You okay?" he asked her softly, and raised her face with his hand. As soon as he saw her face, he was full of concern. "What's wrong Tifa? What you been crying for?"

She didn't answer. She walked past him and walked to the stairs. But she was stopped by Cid placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey Tif." he whispered, "Where's Spike?"

Tifa looked at him. He could see that her eyes were watery again. Was it because he had mentioned Cloud? His question was answered straight away.

"He left Cid." she whispered back. "He left…and he's not coming back." She ran upstairs before Cid could say anything.

Cid was filled with shock. He couldn't believe Cloud had left. Especially with the Mako-Mutants around. He silently turned back to the others and decided to break the news.

* * * * *

Tifa reached her room, ran in and closed the door behind her. She didn't want to cry again. But she couldn't bare the pain that was inside of her. She lay down on her bed and shut her eyes, fighting the tears back.

That was when she realised that she still had something in her hand. It was the thing Cloud had told her to keep safe. She still didn't know what it was. She slowly opened her hand and saw a green Materia sphere. The name of it was written on the side.

'ULTIMA'

It was a very powerful and dangerous magic. It was also Cloud's favourite. She clasped her hand around it again and held it against her chest.

She finally broke down and sobbed into her pillow.

* * * * *

The large group of fourteen where silent that evening. Almost all of them had been upset or angered by the news.

"I canna believe the little bastard ran away!" Barrett growled angrily.

"He didn't leave because he wanted to Barrett." Vincent told him in a calm voice.

"The hell you sayin' Vince?"

"I'm saying…that Cloud knew that he HAD to leave. It was either that, or see every one of us die at the hands of the Mutants."

"But we woulda fought against them." Zell pointed out, punching one of his palms.

"That's true," Vincent agreed, "But we would eventually have lost. The Mutants were stronger, each time the attacked. Also, they would have known where we were, even if we went into hiding."

"How would they do that?" Quistis asked.

"Because of the Mako in Cloud's and the Mutant's bodies, they are able to 'Sense' each other, without the use of materia."

"WHAT!" Squall exclaimed. Everyone looked at him. "Did you just say Cloud has MAKO in his body!?"

"Yes."

"But how?" Rinoa asked. "Cloud told us that Mako was poisonous. Also that he knew that first-hand."

"If you are exposed to a high level of Mako, yes you can be poisoned." Vincent explained "Cloud was involved in an accident that gave him Mako-poisoning. But that's not important."

"Because of their ability to 'Sense' Cloud, they would attack us when the sensed him. And I don't think it's just Cloud they're trying to kill."

Everyone was confused at his statement. Who else would they want?

"Hey, hey. Me, me, me, me, me!" Selphie volunteered, waving her hand in the air.

"Yes, Selphie?"

"Remember what happened when the Sentinel was attacked. They only went for Cloud and Squall. When they got knocked off their Bahamuts, the Mutants flew away."

Everyone looked at Squall, they're question answered. But another question came to mind.

"But why would they want me?" Squall asked no one in particular.

"I don't know Squall…" Vincent said, "…but I have a feeling we're going to find out eventually."

---------------------------------

A/N: Sorry if this chapter was boring guys. I ran out of ideas for this one but I have some for Ch.21. There is a big gap in time between this chapter and the next. Stay tuned.

Shout-outs –

Fr33k S+Yl3 23 – Thanks again for the review. I was thinking of switching to Squall and Rinoa in the last chapter but I did say that it would be TOTAL CloTi. And don't worry. They'll see each other again.

Mako-Magic – I definitely wrote the last chapter with the idea of no one hearing her. I wonder what Squall would've done if he WAS nearby. Hmm? Probably kick the crap out of Cloud. Who knows?

KuramaHasPrettyEyes – I'm really sorry if my fic got you bored in the first few chapters. This is my first fic after all. But I'm glad you're starting to like it.

Natsu-Aoki – I hope you will continue reading this and thanks for the compliment.

cloudude55 – Well? How did your fic go? And thanks again for reviewing. You've reviewed almost every chapter.

Jessica Holmes – Well, Jessie I'm glad that I cheer you up. lol. Again, Chapter 4 of your fic was excellent. Good Luck with your GCSE's and, again, don't rush your update. Later.