=D If you're up to this chapter, you must actually like this fic! Thanks to
all who reviewed and gave me encouragement, please continue to do so! Sorry
for keeping you all waiting, I love cliffhangers though. O.o But the
chapter's here now, so enjoy! And please, give it a chance. I know half of
you will probably just quit reading right after you see the second
paragraph, but keep reading the story... *beg* I'm not gonna leave it at
this...
~*~
{ CHAPTER XI ~ SHATTERED HOPE }
Cloud smiled. The light of the fireworks reflected off his face, making it glow in pastel colors. "I love you too, you know that."
Tifa almost smiled back. She almost said something. -Almost.- Within a moment, she realized that Cloud was just a sadistic bastard who had no feelings or emotions whatsoever. He loved her because they were friends, companions on their journey. Nothing else. Yeah, she -knew that.- 'Congratulations,' she thought to herself, 'You're a total idiot!'
Tifa wanted to disappear from this hell hole, to just be alone forever. Cloud had shattered everything she had, all her dreams and wishes. He practically told her, 'Wake up to reality. You're a hopeless bar maid who lives in the slums.'
The Gondola neared to a stop. Tifa and Cloud walked off. She looked back at Cloud, then walked ahead, up to the rail. She stood there silently and stared at the stars. Tears suddenly crowded her face and she burst out crying.
Cloud placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's not what you wanted me to say..."
"Damn right, it's not!" Tifa hissed. She turned and raised a hand to slapped Cloud, but thought better of it. Tifa instead fell to the ground and wept into her hands. "You just ruined everything..."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, crouching beside her. "But I can never learn to love anyone... It's too hard for me. How can I give affection if I've never felt it?"
Tifa realized then, that he didn't care at all. He only thought about himself and money and would never love another human being. That's why no one except her loved him. Tifa was the optimist of the group, the one who never gave up on anything. Of course she'd be the one to fall in love with an idiot like Cloud. Hot tears stung her face and she looked down, hiding them from Cloud.
"...I know that you love me in another way... But I just can't fall in love. Ever." Those words burned into her. That's the moment that Tifa decided that she would become a pessimist. She was too hurt to ever smile again. "Don't you understand?" he questioned.
Without a word, Tifa nodded. Then she stood up and wiping the tears from her face, headed toward the Event Square. If there was only one person left in the world who would always want to be her friend, it was Yuffie. Cloud called her name, but she wouldn't turn back. Ever. A bitter, evil smile formed on her face.
~*~
"Yuffie, what's wrong?" Tifa asked, nearing the child. Yuffie had been running, but Tifa was wrong-she wasn't crying. She leaned on a wall behind the Wonder Square, a perfect hiding place.
"I think..." Yuffie blushed. She pulled Tifa into the corner. "I think Vincent likes me."
Tifa didn't know what to do now. She wanted to laugh at the thought of Vincent actually having a crush on a person. She wanted to ask if Yuffie had any alcohol tonight. She wanted to fall down and cry again, because even Yuffie had someone to lean on, in a way.
Vincent suddenly ran over. He was clearly worn out from running, a rare sight. "Yuffie!"
Tifa was angry now. Maybe she didn't have any friends left at all. "I'll just go now..." She turned and began to run, her destination being the Highwind. Vincent neared closer to Yuffie.
"Why did you run off?" The cold, unwelcoming tone returned. And for a second, Yuffie had thought that he had grown up.
Vincent could see that Yuffie was hesitating. He was starting to get impatient, and though he was very good at covering up his feelings, Vincent couldn't tolerate this. "Tell me already."
"Okay," Yuffie gave in, "But don't laugh at me or anything..."
'Vincent laughing, that would be a sight,' Yuffie thought, a smile creeping across her face. But she had seen him express enough emotions for a day. She gathered her courage into four small words.
"Do you -like- me?"
That shocked Vincent. But it was hard to tell, because he maintained that expressionless look on his face. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been watching me all day yesterday... You didn't even complain when we got partnered together twice. And, well, you -kissed- me!" Yuffie lowered her head, but kept her eyes steady. "Looked like you were enjoying it too, seeing how you smiled and all."
What Yuffie expected at the moment was plain silence. Then maybe footsteps, walking away from her. And what she heard was what she least expected.
Laughter.
A short, soft laugh that flowed beautifully. Something that just wouldn't be possible from Vincent. But he was actually laughing, showing an emotion. He noticed Yuffie's curious stare and stopped abruptly, blushing slightly.
"Maybe I was smiling. But that really meant nothing." Vincent was clearly denying, but he continued shamelessly. "I must admit, the only emotion that I feel toward you is a protective love. You've become one of my best friends, and being the youngest member of the team, you need all of us to watch over you."
"But I only see you watching over me... No one else pays attention to me."
"Could that be because you're looking only at me?" Vincent emitted a small smile. "You'll see if you look closely. Everyone else cares too."
Vincent turned on his heel and walked away, the smile remaining on his face. Yuffie slumped down to the ground and folded her hands over her knees. She tried to place this whole scene away into her memory. It was interesting, as well as... Nice. Maybe Yuffie was still confused over half the things that Vincent said to her. Maybe not all her questions had been answered. Maybe she felt too new to this concept of Vincent sharing his feelings with someone, and would never get used to it.
But then why did Yuffie feel like she was flying?
~*~
Tifa ran across the Gold Saucer, heading for the exit. She hadn't been running for such a long time, but was already out of breath. Strange, she was -never- out of breath. Her years of martial arts training hadn't allowed weak points like that.
She glanced around, her crimson irises darting from one person to the next. They landed on the door that led outside. Tifa pushed her way through the crowd and reached the door. She made her way out and breathed in the fresh night air. It was cold and warm at the same time, sending feelings of relaxation through her.
Tifa started to sprint toward the Highwind, parked on the other end of the field. But it wasn't long before she simply stopped in the middle.
"Stop following me!!" she hissed and turning, dived at the person behind her. It took moments for her to realize that she had tackled Cloud and was in a position that threatened to break his neck. Tifa let go of him, breathing heavily. She kicked him in the ankles, trying to prove her disrespect toward him, and started walking across the field again.
"T-tifa..." Cloud gulped and stood up, shaky from her attack. He looked up at her with pleading eyes, though she didn't see, nor care. "Please...listen..."
Tifa didn't stop walking. She kept her eyes set on the path like a mindless droid. At the moment, all she really wanted to do was fall beside Cloud and heal him with the few potions she carried, to tell him that she was sorry and everything would be alright as long as he was happy. But the selfishness in Tifa's head took over and told her to keep walking, never to look back.
Cloud gathered his energy into one final attempt. "Firaga!" A circle of fire headed for Tifa, burning her feet and tripping her. She lay on the ground moments, her shoes ragged from the flames and her feet burned and bloody. She began to cry softly. The grass caught her tears, yet it was now turning bloody from her feet as well. Cloud dragged himself over to her and held his hand to Tifa's feet, muttering "Curaga." Green light surrounded her, some of the pain disappearing. But the tears remained. She refused to get up.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Cloud whispered, his voice hoarse and listless. He took Tifa up into his arms and placed his hands on her back, letting her tears soak his shirt. Tifa sobbed softly, uncontrollable tears flowing down. This time she couldn't let them stop, wouldn't let them stop.
"W-why..." she whispered, leaning against him. The rest of the words were blocked by more tears and couldn't come out. What she wanted to ask Cloud was why he simply didn't care.
"You know why, Tifa." He lifted her chin with one finger and stared at her. "But I don't want to disappoint you..."
'Too late,' Tifa thought bitterly.
"...How about... I make you another promise? I always keep my promises, and this time it won't be any different." Cloud smiled softly, and at that moment, the moonlight collided with his eyes, turning them a pale green Lifestream-like color. Tifa stared at his eyes intently, getting lost in the depth.
"I promise that I will come back to you in one year..." Cloud directed his gaze at the dark sky, searching, hoping. "And I will be ready to fall in love."
"...Do you mean that?"
"Of course. Just remember what I promised you and the promise will become a reality."
Tifa pulled herself away from Cloud and stood up, trying to keep her injured legs steady. She smiled at him and turned to walk. Not toward the Highwind, but toward the Gold Saucer. This time, Cloud followed.
~*~
-_-;; Kinda crappy, eh? Don't stop reading just because of the angst!!! ^^;; There's gonna be a lot of skipping around in the next few chapters; in fact, this is pretty much the beginning of 'Part II' of this fanfic. ^-^ It's where a lot of the romance and stuff will actually begin. Please bookmark this fic or something, I promise that I won't just leave it behind! And finally, review and encourage me!
~*~
{ CHAPTER XI ~ SHATTERED HOPE }
Cloud smiled. The light of the fireworks reflected off his face, making it glow in pastel colors. "I love you too, you know that."
Tifa almost smiled back. She almost said something. -Almost.- Within a moment, she realized that Cloud was just a sadistic bastard who had no feelings or emotions whatsoever. He loved her because they were friends, companions on their journey. Nothing else. Yeah, she -knew that.- 'Congratulations,' she thought to herself, 'You're a total idiot!'
Tifa wanted to disappear from this hell hole, to just be alone forever. Cloud had shattered everything she had, all her dreams and wishes. He practically told her, 'Wake up to reality. You're a hopeless bar maid who lives in the slums.'
The Gondola neared to a stop. Tifa and Cloud walked off. She looked back at Cloud, then walked ahead, up to the rail. She stood there silently and stared at the stars. Tears suddenly crowded her face and she burst out crying.
Cloud placed a hand on her shoulder. "That's not what you wanted me to say..."
"Damn right, it's not!" Tifa hissed. She turned and raised a hand to slapped Cloud, but thought better of it. Tifa instead fell to the ground and wept into her hands. "You just ruined everything..."
"I'm sorry," he whispered, crouching beside her. "But I can never learn to love anyone... It's too hard for me. How can I give affection if I've never felt it?"
Tifa realized then, that he didn't care at all. He only thought about himself and money and would never love another human being. That's why no one except her loved him. Tifa was the optimist of the group, the one who never gave up on anything. Of course she'd be the one to fall in love with an idiot like Cloud. Hot tears stung her face and she looked down, hiding them from Cloud.
"...I know that you love me in another way... But I just can't fall in love. Ever." Those words burned into her. That's the moment that Tifa decided that she would become a pessimist. She was too hurt to ever smile again. "Don't you understand?" he questioned.
Without a word, Tifa nodded. Then she stood up and wiping the tears from her face, headed toward the Event Square. If there was only one person left in the world who would always want to be her friend, it was Yuffie. Cloud called her name, but she wouldn't turn back. Ever. A bitter, evil smile formed on her face.
~*~
"Yuffie, what's wrong?" Tifa asked, nearing the child. Yuffie had been running, but Tifa was wrong-she wasn't crying. She leaned on a wall behind the Wonder Square, a perfect hiding place.
"I think..." Yuffie blushed. She pulled Tifa into the corner. "I think Vincent likes me."
Tifa didn't know what to do now. She wanted to laugh at the thought of Vincent actually having a crush on a person. She wanted to ask if Yuffie had any alcohol tonight. She wanted to fall down and cry again, because even Yuffie had someone to lean on, in a way.
Vincent suddenly ran over. He was clearly worn out from running, a rare sight. "Yuffie!"
Tifa was angry now. Maybe she didn't have any friends left at all. "I'll just go now..." She turned and began to run, her destination being the Highwind. Vincent neared closer to Yuffie.
"Why did you run off?" The cold, unwelcoming tone returned. And for a second, Yuffie had thought that he had grown up.
Vincent could see that Yuffie was hesitating. He was starting to get impatient, and though he was very good at covering up his feelings, Vincent couldn't tolerate this. "Tell me already."
"Okay," Yuffie gave in, "But don't laugh at me or anything..."
'Vincent laughing, that would be a sight,' Yuffie thought, a smile creeping across her face. But she had seen him express enough emotions for a day. She gathered her courage into four small words.
"Do you -like- me?"
That shocked Vincent. But it was hard to tell, because he maintained that expressionless look on his face. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been watching me all day yesterday... You didn't even complain when we got partnered together twice. And, well, you -kissed- me!" Yuffie lowered her head, but kept her eyes steady. "Looked like you were enjoying it too, seeing how you smiled and all."
What Yuffie expected at the moment was plain silence. Then maybe footsteps, walking away from her. And what she heard was what she least expected.
Laughter.
A short, soft laugh that flowed beautifully. Something that just wouldn't be possible from Vincent. But he was actually laughing, showing an emotion. He noticed Yuffie's curious stare and stopped abruptly, blushing slightly.
"Maybe I was smiling. But that really meant nothing." Vincent was clearly denying, but he continued shamelessly. "I must admit, the only emotion that I feel toward you is a protective love. You've become one of my best friends, and being the youngest member of the team, you need all of us to watch over you."
"But I only see you watching over me... No one else pays attention to me."
"Could that be because you're looking only at me?" Vincent emitted a small smile. "You'll see if you look closely. Everyone else cares too."
Vincent turned on his heel and walked away, the smile remaining on his face. Yuffie slumped down to the ground and folded her hands over her knees. She tried to place this whole scene away into her memory. It was interesting, as well as... Nice. Maybe Yuffie was still confused over half the things that Vincent said to her. Maybe not all her questions had been answered. Maybe she felt too new to this concept of Vincent sharing his feelings with someone, and would never get used to it.
But then why did Yuffie feel like she was flying?
~*~
Tifa ran across the Gold Saucer, heading for the exit. She hadn't been running for such a long time, but was already out of breath. Strange, she was -never- out of breath. Her years of martial arts training hadn't allowed weak points like that.
She glanced around, her crimson irises darting from one person to the next. They landed on the door that led outside. Tifa pushed her way through the crowd and reached the door. She made her way out and breathed in the fresh night air. It was cold and warm at the same time, sending feelings of relaxation through her.
Tifa started to sprint toward the Highwind, parked on the other end of the field. But it wasn't long before she simply stopped in the middle.
"Stop following me!!" she hissed and turning, dived at the person behind her. It took moments for her to realize that she had tackled Cloud and was in a position that threatened to break his neck. Tifa let go of him, breathing heavily. She kicked him in the ankles, trying to prove her disrespect toward him, and started walking across the field again.
"T-tifa..." Cloud gulped and stood up, shaky from her attack. He looked up at her with pleading eyes, though she didn't see, nor care. "Please...listen..."
Tifa didn't stop walking. She kept her eyes set on the path like a mindless droid. At the moment, all she really wanted to do was fall beside Cloud and heal him with the few potions she carried, to tell him that she was sorry and everything would be alright as long as he was happy. But the selfishness in Tifa's head took over and told her to keep walking, never to look back.
Cloud gathered his energy into one final attempt. "Firaga!" A circle of fire headed for Tifa, burning her feet and tripping her. She lay on the ground moments, her shoes ragged from the flames and her feet burned and bloody. She began to cry softly. The grass caught her tears, yet it was now turning bloody from her feet as well. Cloud dragged himself over to her and held his hand to Tifa's feet, muttering "Curaga." Green light surrounded her, some of the pain disappearing. But the tears remained. She refused to get up.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Cloud whispered, his voice hoarse and listless. He took Tifa up into his arms and placed his hands on her back, letting her tears soak his shirt. Tifa sobbed softly, uncontrollable tears flowing down. This time she couldn't let them stop, wouldn't let them stop.
"W-why..." she whispered, leaning against him. The rest of the words were blocked by more tears and couldn't come out. What she wanted to ask Cloud was why he simply didn't care.
"You know why, Tifa." He lifted her chin with one finger and stared at her. "But I don't want to disappoint you..."
'Too late,' Tifa thought bitterly.
"...How about... I make you another promise? I always keep my promises, and this time it won't be any different." Cloud smiled softly, and at that moment, the moonlight collided with his eyes, turning them a pale green Lifestream-like color. Tifa stared at his eyes intently, getting lost in the depth.
"I promise that I will come back to you in one year..." Cloud directed his gaze at the dark sky, searching, hoping. "And I will be ready to fall in love."
"...Do you mean that?"
"Of course. Just remember what I promised you and the promise will become a reality."
Tifa pulled herself away from Cloud and stood up, trying to keep her injured legs steady. She smiled at him and turned to walk. Not toward the Highwind, but toward the Gold Saucer. This time, Cloud followed.
~*~
-_-;; Kinda crappy, eh? Don't stop reading just because of the angst!!! ^^;; There's gonna be a lot of skipping around in the next few chapters; in fact, this is pretty much the beginning of 'Part II' of this fanfic. ^-^ It's where a lot of the romance and stuff will actually begin. Please bookmark this fic or something, I promise that I won't just leave it behind! And finally, review and encourage me!