Chapter 17

"Aeris!" Tifa called out, fumbling into the hall before the two questionnaires. "We had a miscommunication. Some things are really bothering her, for instance, did you know she loves Rufus?," Tifa whispered, commencing the stairs.

"WHAT?!?" Cloud bellowed, his heart piercing with pain.

"I've got to talk to Aeris." Before Vincent or Cloud could respond, Tifa hopped the stairs two at a time and ran to Aeris room with no hesitations excitable. She leaned silently against the door, subconsciously tapping at the frame as she pressed her ear gently against the wooden creases. "Aeris? Please talk to me... I don't hate you... We had a miscommunication. It's not you I'm angry with... I'm just really confused... Please don't blame yourself..."

A few seconds of silence followed The fair Fighter's inquiries, then a very faint, muffled voice penetrated the thick walls softly, "...Please... I want to be left alone."

"Are you okay?" Tifa frowned, admiringly fingering the beautiful molding carved upon the door.

"... Yes... I just need some sleep, that's all... please leave me alone... Please."

Oh Aeris... I hope you'll be alright... I know exactly how you feel... "If that's what you want... Well... good night... I'll see you tomorrow... okay? Okay." With that said, Tifa left the awkward moment behind for the past to fiddle with, having demands to meet and settle, such as closing down the bar and facing unwanted distance with Cloud. I hope she'll be okay

"Hey, Tifa?" Cloud questioned, wiping the rim of a glass cup with a dry towel. Tifa and Cloud stood behind the serving counter in the bar of "Tifa's 7th Heaven", getting things ready to close. The bar was half few with weary people, all shapes, sizes, styles settings and smells, with story tellers that danced before their audiences with magnificent tales, winning the attention of countless amount of travelers, including the fair fighters of the land; Tifa counted among the group.

"Huh?" Tifa questioned, still hanging onto the words flowing from the speakers. Just before she turned to face Cloud, she caught sight of a male figure that looked vaguely familiar. She immediately snapped back to look over his face closely, and found he looked a ton like an old friend she used to be well acquainted with. Huh?... Who does he look like... I swear I've seen him before... but-

Just as if in response, the tall, dark figure made it's way up to the bar counter, making eye contact with Tifa, as if he too knew her. Tifa only questioned in response, asking with a physical expression for what he wanted. "Give me one round-"

"Of?" Tifa inquired, bending over the counter seductively in attempts of making Cloud jealous for the sole reason of seeing if he still cared about her.

"...You."

"Eh? Heh..." Tifa blushed in anxiety, pausing for words, "I'm sorry, I'm not on the market."

"Pity." The mysterious man replied, leaning against the counter, his elbows resting on the tops. Cloud paused from his work for a moment, on noticing the way Tifa was performing her duties before the man in front of her, jealousy hacking at his nerves.

"Do I know you?" Tifa smiled boldly, grabbing for a glass cup.

"I hope so... What's your name?"

"Tifa-Tifa Lockheart. What's yours?" Tifa smiled, fingering the mysterious man's right sleeve, that was rolled up two inches under the sleeve of his coat. Before The unknown man had time to respond, Cloud stepped up and gently pulled Tifa aside.

"I'll take this one."

"Wha-?"

"I've got it, go finish the dishes. They need to be done." Cloud frowned, fire flaring within his eyes.

"... Ooookaaaaay, whatever." The fair fighter exclaimed, knocking Cloud in the arm with her shoulder as she made her way back towards the dishes. She looked back one last time, smiled at the stranger, then went on with her daily duties, victory ringing within her ears.

Zack took the glass from Cloud quickly, then leaned back against the rail of the counter, desiring to take in the stories going around the bar at that time. The Ex-Soldier walked angrily up to Tifa, grabbed at her right arm and flung her around to face him head on. "Tifa? What was that?"

"What?" Tifa inquired, giving no signs of knowledge or answers.

"What? What do you mean; What?!? I saw the way you were acting." Cloud barked, her nose wrinkling up in anger.

"What are you talking about. This coming from a man who make's out with Aeris behind my back?" At the mention of the Cetra's name, Zack's snapped back and took sight of the fair fighter and the Ex-Soldier quarreling one with another, his attention completely taken by the tumultuous scene.

"...-Wh-That's a-What?- Who said that?"

"I'M NOT AN IDIOT CLOUD!" Tifa confirmed, eyeing Cloud with extreme anger and frustration.

Cloud's heart began to pound, as truth finally began to fill within their conversation, Why is she doing this... can't she understand anything?...Huhm... Before the Ex-Soldier responded, he wanted to go over his words mentally, and choose the best facts that really needed to be covered; the truth. "Tifa. You're right... It's just that..." Cloud began softly, Tifa still brilliantly shining with fire in her eyes. "Aeris... I use to love her- and... Having her come back in our lives after all that time has really taken a toll on my ability to function... Please understand that. I promise that there wont be any more communication between us in that way, okay? -"

Tifa looked to the side and bit her lip in satisfaction, her arms still crossed over her pounding chest. So he was making out with her... He confirmed it and he didn't even notice... That's just like him... Should I forgive him... Uhh... Huhm..., "I'll forgive you... on one condition."

"Anything?" Cloud pleaded in sincerity.

"You promise to never turn on me again..." Tifa smiled, loving the fact that she had complete control over his actions for just one moment.

Cloud grinned in acceptance, then kissed Tifa on her cheek, beaming brightly, "Promise." Tifa hoped this promise actually stuck, she knowing Cloud so well, knew he made promises and never really kept them. But the look in his eyes, and the sincere strain in his voice, make Tifa feel that he actually meant everything he said, and that things might actually start looking up for her.

"... Thank you..." Tifa laughed, sinking into Cloud's arms as she grabbed ahold of his necking, bringing his lips to meet hers. With those events taking place, Zack left the bar with much more information he would ever have thought he could collect in one night, in relation to Aeris; his missing victim. Smiling brightly, he hopped onto the motor bike, the very motor bike Aeris had escaped on, and left to find Kilik and Sephira, desiring to return to Hojo's Lab as soon as possible.