Chapter 16
"Tifa?"
"What's up?" Tifa inquired, still uncertain why Cloud had to leave their presence for the conversations sake. "What did you want to talk about?"
"What happened after I died?"
Why would she want to know that?... "Well... We had a ceremony in your honor and-"
"No-no I mean... With you and Cloud?" Aeris asked hesitantly, afraid of Tifa's reaction. Please... don't explode...
"What?" Tifa barked, eyeing Aeris closely. Who does she think she is to have access to such information... personal information... what a player... she's playing it... come on now... start acting all innocent... you little spoiled brat. Just because Cloud gives you everything you want, doesn't mean I will...
"Because I feel like I'm just in your way...-"
"Really?" Tifa laughed, somewhat amused. And all this time, I thought you were clueless...
"...Yes... And maybe knowing some past situations will help out." The Cetra long-established with sincerity written all over her appearance. Her countenance... I wish she'd just... no...
"Well right... After you died, honestly, I dated Vincent because all Cloud did was talk about you..." I bet she'd love to hear that... jerk...
Eh?!? What?!? "Vincent?" The Cetra questioned, completely taken over by the surprise and interest this topic had caused her. "How did it ever work, your relationship I mean? How did you ever communicate? I mean, Vincent isn't the most talkative man."
Huh... that was unexpected... "We didn't really talk, we just kissed," Tifa smiled, remembering past events that had so graciously taken place.
"What happened?" Aeris mumbled shyly with deep interest.
"... One day Cloud gave in... and... Vincent saw us together..." Doesn't she even consider the emotions these kinds of memories could bring up?... What a jerk, she IS clueless after all...
"Did you love him?" Aeris questioned, starting tears stinging her beautiful shining eyes.
I my gosh... she's so sad... "I have for the past ten years..." Tifa replied sarcastically, frustration and anger filling within her mind and tone of voice. She quickly suppressed her urges to brake anything she could, for the sole reason of not wanting Aeris to know how she really felt deep down inside.
"Ten years?-"
"YES! Ten long wonderful years. Any more questions?" The vituperative Combatant demanded, showing her stretch of patience was at the max.
Aeris stepped back, frightened from her harsh voice. No matter what I do, she misunderstands me... because she wants to... She must just think I'm a clueless idiot, whose heartless and isn't considerate of others feelings... I wish she'd try to see that I do care... The Cetra looked away for a moment, then continued, her voice quavering from the desire to let out her emotions with tears. "No... but... Tifa... I'm not trying to take him from you... Please understand that."
"I never said otherwise," Tifa spat, shrugging her shoulders to show she meant no harm. She must have gave this conversation a lot of thought... must have concluded that thought from some past interaction, thinking that I actually care what she does... doesn't she have a life?
"Yes but, then why are you so short with me; Tifa," Aeris began, tears flooding from her huge mako reflective eyes, as Tifa became noticeably concerned and compassionate for the young, struggling Cetra's sincere sentences. Aeris looked up and caught Tifa's gaze, returning her expression with a firm, meaningful one. "I didn't mean to come into your life and ruin everything. I don't remember you, nor do I remember Cloud, but I never had any intentions of taking him from you. I love Rufus ShinRa, and I can't stand the fact that while I'm out here, free form worries and test projects, he's still stuck in Hojo's horrible lab."
Tifa sat up straight at Aeris's heartfelt expressions, showing she was listening attentively. Huh?... Rufus?... what... and all this time... Oh... "Rufus?" The fair Splendor questioned softly, to convey she understood and was grateful for this collective information.
Aeris swiftly wiped away her flowing tears, then continued in a much softer tone, and gentle haste, "I hate not knowing my past... I hate it... Why do hate me so... Vincent too? I just can't handle this... I-I-Uhhhhhh-" Aeris sobbed out, running from Tifa's presence before she could respond to anything that had just happened.
The Glowing Goddess couldn't handle any of it anymore. She wanted to get away; to run and never turn back; to sink into the shadows and never return. She didn't. care where she ended up, as long as it was far from these people and Hojo's merciless lab. I have to get away... I can't stay here any longer... Rufus... I'm sorry... Please forgive me... Aeris ran past Vincent and Cloud, who watched motionlessly as she ran up the fleet of stairs, to her layer.