Chapter 8

Cloud and Tifa snapped in Aeris's direction at the sound of her angelic voice, taking sight of her moments after scanning the large room before them. The fair fighter feebly walked up to the mystified rose, with hands to her lips in disbelief. Aeris instantly recognized Tifa from the picture, which she had seen of her, but wasn't sure of what kind of connection they may have had in the past, so Aeris just stood and watched, not wanting to insult or hurt anybody.

Aeris looked up at Vincent desperately for help, who only turned away in response. The young Cetra panicked, not wanting to part from the one man she was actually used too. Vincent... Why are you leaving me... "Vincent," The distraught brunette murmured, not wanting to converse with the couple in front of her. Don't just leave me, I need your help...

Cloud walked up to Aeris and made eye contact with her. How is it possible?... Cloud questioned rhetorically, his expression completely blank. Aeris looked away as invisible emotion took part in their physical communication.

"Hi..." The baffled blonde spoke out, breaking the silence. Cloud's eyes were staring into Aeris's soul so strongly and intensely that weakness began to take a hold of Aeris's body. He looked over at Tifa, who exchanged wondering glances back at him on how they were going to brake into a helpful conversation with somebody who had died so long ago. What do you say to somebody you care about, who's been dead for so long...? Cloud asked himself, searching for an answer...

"Aeris?" Tifa began, her words piercing through the Cetra's mind. "Do you remember us?"

"...No..." Aeris's replied hesitantly...But I feel I should for some odd reason... I wonder what kind of relationship I had with these people... I wish I could remember. Why does he stare at me so intimately, like he's known every secret there is to tell... almost as if he were once in love with-

"Tifa. Please leave." Aeris jumped as Cloud unexpectedly crushed the flow of the conversation with his commanding words.

Leave? Tifa questioned herself, taken aback, "Leave?..." Cloud gave a slight nod, keeping his eyes on the frightened figure in front of him, soaking in every inch of her body as if she were going to disappear once again at that very second. "Al-alright, if that's what you want..." Without any more words exchanged, Tifa left the room alone for Cloud and Aeris, in search of Vincent.

"... ... ... ... Cloud?... ... ... ... ...Uh..." Aeris began, not sure of how to start up a non existing conversation with the mystified man in front of her. "... Uhm... hi."

Cloud made no indications that he was going to answer, but just stared deep into her reflective emerald, mako eyes as she trembled under the tension. What is that look in this man's eyes...? what does he want from me-

Cloud stepped forward and grabbed Aeris close to him, as he had wanted to do for so long. Aeris hands fell limp beside her from the simple fact of not really being sure of what to do in a situation like this. "I missed you so much," Cloud whispered into her bear shoulder, breathing heavily onto her fair, soft skin.

...Ehhhhh? Sweat drops appeared leisurely as Aeris froze in complete shock, Oh, I wish he'd leave, Ahhhh.... Aeris thought to herself, not liking the physical contact she was having with this unknown man, whom was hugging onto her so obsessively. Cloud pulled away slowly to look into her insightful, glowing green eyes, as he pulled her hair away from her unclothed shoulder. I wished he'd leave... Vincent, why did you go? The trembling beauty looked away from Cloud's piercing eyes, only to take sight of his huge, ragged leather boots. Cloud placed his hands gently around Aeris's small arms, bringing her to press against his warm chest. Her skin is so soft... She smells so sweet... Why does she tremble so much...

Aeris kept her head low not wanting to look into this strange, unfamiliar man's face. A thick blush crawled over the Cetra's cheeks as the distinct thump of Cloud's heart pounded against her quavering body so tenderly. Ahhhck.... Help-



"Hey." Tifa called out to Vincent as she walked into a mystical room, remarkably lit with wavering candles.

Vincent looked over his shoulder to meet Tifa's longing gaze, standing to his feet to greet her. "... Weren't you talking to Aeris?" Vincent stepped up close to Tifa, reading into her expression. What did Cloud do this time...?

"Yeah," Tifa smiled, hiding her real feelings. She paused, swiped her bangs free from her face, then continued in a doubtful tone, "But... I felt like Cloud needed time alone with Aeris."

Why does she give into Cloud so easily? Vincent wondered to himself, knowing the truth behind Tifa's words. "... Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine," Tifa commented easily, tugging on her tough, frayed gloves.
"Why do you excuse his behavior?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I can see it in your eyes, Tifa-"

"He has his reasons, Vincent," Tifa stated calmly, raising her voice above Vincent's, which was something she didn't normally do to that kind of man. Facts flooded into her head, heightening her fury and frustration with Cloud in her life.

"Excuses you mean?"

"... Please stop. Don't state the obvious. I already know-"

Vincent kept quiet, not wanting to lie to comfort Tifa. This behavior of Cloud's had gone on four years after Aeris died, and on the fifth year, Cloud had finally began to take reality in. Now that Aeris's was back, his emotions changed entirely with Tifa again, just like they had back then, when he first met Aeris. It's pathetic at how much pain you will go through Tifa, for somebody you know doesn't and never will truly care about you in the way you do for him...

Tifa flicked away the starting tears, immediately changing the subject, "I need to be off soon, I have to close down my Bar."

Still, Vincent kept quiet because he wanted her to listen to what she was saying, which to him was on the foolish side of life. More a subconscious lie, then veracity.

"...Cloud does care about me."

"I never said otherwise."

"Well... he does." I hope... Vincent. Why do you do this to me... I know the truth, and I can see what's going on... but. I can handle things-

If you want to lie to yourself, fine. "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes. ... Vincent?"

"... Yes." Vincent made eye contact with Tifa, as she tried to find words to fill in her question.

His eyes, Tifa trembled, They are so... stimulating..."Will you keep Aeris here, until things get sorted out."

"Why?"

"Please? I don't want her near Cloud... I know that sounds selfish... but..."
"Yes." Vincent replied, understanding completely what Tifa meant.
"Thanks," And with that, Tifa turned on her heel and left the room.