Blue Ocean - Chapter 1
By: Bahamuts AngelVII
A/N: This is kind of OOCness. A lot of people don't think that Tifa tried to be friends with Aeris... She did. Well anyways, italics mean thinking. Oh. And guys, I added a little something to the flashback!!! Oh, and in the flashback they're about... thirteen. Unless they were already thirteen. Then they're the same age. Oh well. I also know you guys thought my prologue was good, and I'm sad to say you'll probably be disappointed with this first chapter. I have a tendency to mess everything up. And there are a few spoilers if you haven't gotten past the first disc.
"C'mon Goldie. We're gonna go to Aeris's church. Where Cloud is...Let's go." Tifa said.
Tifa and her Chocobo glided on the clear blue ocean to get to Midgar. The ocean spray woke Tifa up completely, and she smiled. She felt like she was back on the journey with Cloud and the others. It made her feel good. Goldie "Warked" when Tifa started laughing. As they drew closer to land, Tifa became quieter, the happiness becoming uneasiness. Finally, they reached Midgar. Tifa tied her Chocobo's reins to a bent up street light, and picked her way around the rubble and trash. She finally found a clearing, and there was Aeris's Church. It seemed like it didn't even feel the impact of meteor.
Tifa looked around, and saw Cloud's Chocobo. Cloud... She was afraid to look in the church, afraid not to. She decided to peek inside, first. She would have felt like a fool if she just barged in and Cloud was there alone. He would probably call her crazy.
She slowly pushed the door open and peeked around the door. Cloud was sitting in the middle of Aeris's flower bed, facing the front of the church. He looked up at the sky, as if he would find Aeris there. Finally, her sweet voice spoke out of the darkness.
"Cloud...I love you so much. I'm so glad you came to visit me. I knew you would come." Aeris said.
"I love you too, Aeris. Why did you call me here? Where are you?" Cloud asked, looking around.
"You can't see me because I do not have that ability yet, but never mind. I have something to tell you. There is a way I can come back. But... I don't know if you would do it." Aeris's sweet voice became silent. She waited for Cloud to answer.
"A-Aeris, I would do anything for you...Tell me, what is it?!" He was anxious to find out what he needed to do.
"You need to sacrifice someone so I can live." Her voice was silent for a moment.
"Well, what's wrong with that?" Cloud asked.
"It has to be...Your closest friend..." Aeris said responded.
Cloud looked down at his hands, unsure of what to say. "Sacrifice my closest friend? Tifa is my best friend, but...She's...I love her so much. She helped me out of the life stream, she did everything for me. I can't throw it all away..."
"I'm sorry Cloud. I didn't want it to be like this. Sacrificing one to save another? When I first read the Ancient scriptures, I wasn't sure if it was real... But now I know, it is... Cloud, are you willing to take the chance?"
"Aeris, isn't there some other way?" Cloud asked.
He was getting worried. Tifa was sitting there, and she tried not to cry. A small whimper escaped her lips, but she quickly shut her mouth. What would Aeris and Cloud do if they saw her? Oh, no... Aeris isn't really here in the church. What if she can see me now? Does she see me? If she does is she going to say anything about it? I'd better get out fast... Only one sparkling tear escaped her flickering ruby eyes. I would gladly give my life for Aeris and Cloud. Well, maybe not gladly, but if it means that Cloud will be happy, I guess that I would. Tifa started to listen to their conversation again.
"Cloud... I know how much it hurts. I'm so sorry you had to... to decide. If... If you want me to come back, Cloud, you must sacrifice her. I know it's hard, Cloud, but you can do it... But you must hurry. The blue moon is coming up soon, and if you must sacrifice her on that night, at exactly twelve. I can help you Cloud. Haven't I always helped you?" Aeris asked him.
"Aeris! There must be some other way! I won't sacrifice Tifa!" Cloud shouted up towards the sky.
"Cloud, this is the only way. Please, if you want me back, then you will sacrifice her. You will."
"Aeris," Cloud began, and when he didn't get a response he yelled, "AERIS!"
"..." Was all he got.
"WAIT, AERIS!" Cloud cried out, but his voice echoed back to him, taunting him, reminding him of what he could never have...
Tifa had crept back to the entrance and stood up, like she just got there. She slipped outside the door and breathed in deeply. She wanted to make sure she didn't start crying again when she entered. Once she was sure she was fine, she smoothed down her hair and her skirt.
She opened the door and cringed as it creaked open. She wished it didn't make so much noise. She glanced towards the spot that Cloud had been before, but he wasn't there. Finally, she spotted him. The view made her want to cry, but she knew she had to be strong.
There Cloud was, his whole body shaking, his head buried in his face. His hands were soaked with tears, and they ran down his cheeks and dripped off his chin. The tears stained his already dark blue shirt even darker. He was too busy drowning in his own misery to hear Tifa whispering his name and walking close to him. Finally, when she put her hand on his shoulder, he quickly snapped up and turned around.
"Tif?" He asked, unsure whether he was really seeing his friend or not.
"Yeah... It's me. Cloud, are you alright?" Tifa asked, and she took a place next to him.
"... Yeah... Well, I saw Aeris... Or rather, heard her." Cloud said. He didn't look directly at her.
"Really? Cloud... This is so big. I mean... wow..." Tifa said, her real emotions coming through.
Cloud repeated the whole conversation with Aeris over to Tifa.
"Well, Cloud. I don't know what to say... Except, you know I'm your best friend. I'll do anything for you. You can give me up if you want." Tifa suddenly seemed very intent with making a cuff mark on the dirt.
"Tifa! Don't say that! I would never sacrifice you. Tifa, I'm so scared. I know this isn't the biggest decision, but I really don't know..." Cloud said.
"Cloud... I'll do anything to make you happy! It doesn't matter what. Cloud, if you're happy I'm happy. Even when I'm gone, I guarantee that I'll be watching over you." Tifa replied, her voice quaking with every word.
Cloud noticed she said the word 'when', as if she expected that he would want to give her up to get Aeris back. He stood up and hugged her.
"I don't know what to do..." He muttered.
"Cloud, let's go and see this "Ritual" that Aeris has to do." Tifa said, taking control.
"... Okay. Tifa, I'm trusting you with this... Let's call the rest of the gang later. They'll understand. Should we go now? We both have Chocobos."
"Umm...Sure. Let's go!"
Cloud and Tifa set out on their Gold Chocobos, riding next to each other. They chatted about the old times, when Aeris was still alive, and small things they remembered. When they reached the ocean, they didn't know which way to go.
"Cloud, where are we going to go now?" Tifa asked openly.
"Ummm... Let's go to Wutai. If we need to fight anything, we're gonna need our materia back for a while." Cloud decided.
Yuffie had made a quick stop after the fight with Sephiroth to drop off the materia, just in case Cloud and the others decided they wanted to keep it. Tifa realized it was a brilliant plan. If Cloud said he wanted it, Yuffie would have an excuse. So no matter what, Yuffie won.
Tifa smiled fondly of Yuffie, and then turned to face Cloud.
"Great idea! Come on, I'll race you!" Tifa yelled.
They picked up speed across the ocean. They laughed like old times, and Cloud looked over at Tifa. He loved her dazzling cherry eyes, and her chocolate brown hair. The added spray of the ocean glimmered. He absolutely loved his best friend. Tifa looked over at Cloud and smiled and laughed. To Cloud, Tifa had the most magnificent smile. It could brighten anyone's dreary and lonely day.
"What are you looking at Cloud?" Tifa asked. She blushed and turned forward.
"N-nothing..." Cloud told her.
"I was looking at you." He murmured under his breath.
"What was that Cloud?" Tifa asked again.
"What?! I didn't say anything!" Cloud exclaimed.
"Okay...Whatever you say." Tifa laughed.
Cloud laughed with her.
"We're almost there! I'm gonna to beat you Cloud!" Tifa called to him.
"No you're not Tifa!" Cloud replied.
They both pushed their Chocobos as hard as they could. Cloud reached the beach first. He stood there waiting for Tifa. Tifa's Chocobo stopped at the beach, and she went flying right into Cloud's arms. They toppled over, and Tifa fell on top of Cloud.
"Are you alright, Tifa?" Cloud exclaimed.
"Yeah! I'm alright because you saved me." Tifa blushed again and helped Cloud to his feet.
"Yeah right! You could've saved yourself. Aeris always needed my help." Cloud replied. He appeared to be in deep thought.
"Cloud? Are you okay?" Tifa lightly touched his arm.
"What? Yeah...Yeah, I'm okay. Let's go to Godo's house!" Cloud and Tifa entered Wutai.
Tifa and Cloud walked over the bridge and into Godo's home.
"Hello? Godo? Are you home?" Tifa called out into the house.
"Who's there? Is that you Tifa?" Godo replied back.
"Yeah. It's me and Cloud!" Tifa called as she walked down the empty corridor.
Cloud followed her and looked in the rooms hoping to see some sign of Godo. At the end of the corridor, he looked in a room to see Godo organizing the materia from Cloud and his companions. The glowing orbs sat on small pillows in a giant glass case. Cloud never realized how much materia that they actually gathered. He smiled at the materia. He remember his first one...
"Hey Godo!" Cloud came up and slapped him in the back.
"Hey kids! How's it goin'?" Godo replied laughing.
"Good. We came back though. We need to borrow some of our materia back for a while. Just me and Tif." Cloud answered him.
"Okay...just take what you like!" Godo laughed again and strode out of the room.
"Thanks Godo!" Tifa yelled after him.
"No problem! Just be sure to return it." Godo replied.
"Cloud, what should we take?" Tifa turned towards Cloud and asked.
"Hmm... A few summons, some restore materia, revive, ultima... HP plus materia... That should do it!" Cloud answered as he picked up the materia.
Cloud passed some over to Tifa, who quickly attached it to her gloves. She examined her gloves. They were a little frayed around the edges, from when Tifa hit and punched wild beasts and creatures unmercifully. They helped a lot in their battle with Sephiroth.
Just then, Godo walked in and told them they could stay the night. Cloud almost rejected his idea, but then looked out the window. It was surprisingly late evening, and the sun was starting to set. He nodded and thanked Godo.
"Well, that's great. You can stay in here. Now, I'm going to go prepare dinner. Why don't you go out and enjoy the sunset from the mountain? I hear it's very beautiful and romantic." Godo winked and walked into the kitchen.
Awkwardly, Tifa and Cloud stood uncomfortably beside each other. When it came to romantics, neither one of them were that good. Tifa wished she could be better at expressing her feelings, but sadly it wasn't so. Finally, Cloud wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"So, Tifa. Should we go to the mountain?" Cloud asked.
"Sure." Tifa said, blushing.
He led her up to the mountain, holding her hand the whole way so she wouldn't fall. When they got to the top, Tifa looked at the sunset. She gaped and stared.
The sunset was so beautiful, the sun radiating a stunning orange-red hue, and the clouds around it were turned purple, red, orange, and pink, reflecting off the suns rays. Tifa wished she could hold this view within her reach forever. She didn't understand. She always had to do something in the face of beauty. She just stared until her eyes burned. She turned to face Cloud.
He was also gazing into the deep orange sun. He finally noticed her looking at him, and he smiled gently. The smile played on his lips, then jumped to play on hers. She smiled even wider when he put his arm around her shoulder.
"It's so beautiful..." Tifa asked.
"Yeah... Yeah. It really is." Cloud responded.
They watched the sun keep setting, until they could only see orange-red beams on the horizon. The clouds turned purple and blue and up above Tifa the skies were turning jet black and the stars started twinkling. It reminded her of so long ago, when she met Cloud by the well...
Flashback
"Sorry I'm late. You said you wanted to talk about something?" Tifa asked Cloud. Her sparkling blue dress shimmered with the light of the stars above.
"Come this spring... I'm leaving this town for Midgar." Cloud mumbled, wondering if Tifa could hear him. She did.
"...All boys are leaving our town." She said, a little more to herself then to him. He looked up at her, and then walked behind the well. He got up on top and looked down at her. She smiled up at him.
"But I'm different from all of them. I'm not just going to find a job. I want to join SOLDIER. I'm going to be the best there is, just like Sephiroth!" Cloud said, a little louder. Tifa turned away and looked at her feet which were dangling over the well's edge.
"Sephiroth... The Great Sephiroth. Isn't it hard to join SOLDIER?" She asked, looking back up at him.
"...I probably won't be able to come back to this town for a while." He started mumbling again, and Tifa stood up. She walked up to him, and she looked upwards. Their faces were only inches apart.
"Will you be in the newspapers if you do well?" She asked, almost whispering.
"I'll try." He said. He hadn't backed away yet, although part of him told him to.
"Hey, why don't we make a promise? Umm, if you get really famous and I'm ever in a bind... You'll come save me, all right?" She asked. She reached up and pushed back some of his spiky blond hair.
"What?" He asked her. He heard her perfectly, but he wondered exactly what she meant.
"Whenever I'm in trouble, my hero will come and rescue me. I want to at least experience that once." She explained further.
"What?" He asked again. He understood completely, but he wondered if she was serious or if she was just kidding. There faces were very close now, there noses practically touching.
"Come on! Promise me!" She whispered, and put her hand on his neck. He reached out closer to her.
"All right... I promise." He whispered back, and the gaps between their mouths disappeared.
Tifa noticed Cloud had very sensuous lips, very full and smooth. Finally, she felt his lips leave her, and she yearned for more. She didn't say anything. She looked up at the stars, and so did he. They both saw a shooting star. Tifa closed her eyes gently and wished on the star. When she opened her eyes, she saw Cloud's were opening too. She looked at Cloud and murmured the words she never thought she could force herself to say, but when she did, it felt perfectly right.
"I love you, Cloud."
End Flashback
Now, the sky was completely black, with only the brightest stars shining in the night sky. A blue hue hovered in the sky, and Tifa felt like crying. It was so beautiful; it sent shivers down her spine. Cloud once again wrapped his arms around her. She rested back into him and they sat together in that position for a long time.
Tifa breathed in Cloud's smell, and she wished she could stay like this forever. He held her tightly as the cold air wrapped around them. She felt her legs starting to get cold and she just held on to Cloud tighter. She then felt a blanket fall on her legs. Cloud had brought a dark blue blanket to cover her up. She smiled.
Tifa wondered if Cloud remembered their first kiss. She wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't, because of all his trauma and confusing his life. She mustered up the courage to ask him... No, to probably confuse him even more.
"Cloud?"
"Yeah."
"Do you remember..." She began, unsure of whether to continue.
"Remember what? Tif?" He asked, shifting his position to look at her.
"When we... Our... Kiss...?" She forced out the words one at a time.
Tifa looked away so she wouldn't have to see the look on Cloud's face, lest it be disgust or confusion, or any other face for that matter.
"Kiss..." He whispered, almost as if he was pondering the words, then he nodded.
"Yeah, yeah. I remember our kiss. I... That was... I loved it." He said, and it was his turn to blush.
"Really? Me too." Tifa asked him, and she smiled.
The awkwardness had once again found its way into their conversation. Cloud had an idea, but wondered if Tifa would go for it. He collected his courage. Cloud placed a kiss on Tifa's mouth, and she found herself wrapping her arms around him. After a few moments, they let go and smiled.
"Just like before, isn't it?" Cloud asked.
"Yeah, just like before." She replied.
The air was still chilly, but the atmosphere was a very romantic one. At least, it was, until Godo's voice pierced through the air and startled them both.
"Tifa! Cloud! There you are. I was afraid something happened to you!!! It's going to get below zero degrees up here, and you're just sitting around and..." Godo started, but realized they were in the middle of 'something'.
Ah, well, it's too late now, little kids. Godo thought to himself, and continued on with his stern lecture. Poor Yuffie. She must've gotten one of these everyday. Cloud thought. He felt some sorrow for the girl who stole their materia practically once a week. Those times are over. I need to adjust. He thought again.
"You could freeze to death! Come one, let's go down. Follow me." He said as he turned around.
Tifa and Cloud followed him down the mountain, holding onto one each another. Cloud did his best to keep Tifa from falling. She held onto him until they reached the bottom of the mountain, and then she let go. They ran ahead of Godo and bounded up the stairs. It was cold outside, and Tifa was starting to feel the effects because she was no longer by Cloud. The inside of the house was very warm, and Tifa was grateful.
After a splendid dinner, Cloud and Tifa were alone, sleeping in Yuffie's room. The lights were out, but the full moon from outside provided a solemn but beautiful lighting. Tifa crawled next to Cloud.
"Cloud, since I'm going to sacrifice myself, do you think we could go to Gold Saucer for one last time? I would really enjoy it." She asked him.
"Huh? Tifa, you're not sacrificing yourself! But yeah, we can go to Gold Saucer." He said.
He playfully pushed her over, and she giggled and pushed him back.
"Cloud... I am going to sacrifice myself. I know... I've always known that you two were right. I've seen you, Cloud. When she was around there was this sparkle in your eyes. But when she left us, the light behind your eyes went out. There was a sparkle only she could give you. She loved you, Cloud. I know you loved her too." Tifa said, now very serious.
"But, Tifa. I love you too... You've been there for me. I can't throw it all awa—"He started.
"Cloud. If you let me go, I will be happy. You'll be happy... because you'll have Aeris. Cloud, tell me. Are you really happy?" She asked him, her eyes boring into his.
"Of course I am... Well... Actually, I really miss Aeris." Cloud murmured, saying word by word.
"Exactly. Just let me go." She said.
"I... I... Okay. But I don't feel good... About you leaving." Cloud replied.
"Why?" She asked him.
"Well... You knew Aeris. She was so, I don't know. Immature? Maybe not. But she didn't seem to cope well when others were sad... I mean, what if I got lost in the life stream again? Only you can help me, Tifa. Aeris wouldn't be able to do anything. Tifa, you're the light of my life. I... You are my true friend." He answered.
Tifa was taken aback. She never really saw this side of Cloud until now. The only other time she saw it was when Aeris died... How she hated to think about it. But nonetheless, it came back into her memory.
Flashback
Cloud's group headed to the City. Cloud looked around and saw Aeris locked in prayer up on a beautiful altar. The crystals shimmered green, purple, and blue. Cloud signaled the others to stay where they were, and he jumped up to where she was. Suddenly, Cloud lost control of his body he pulled his sword out. He held it high above his head, getting ready to bring it down on Aeris, making her die.
"Cloud!" Yuffie cried out.
"Stop it!!" Tifa said, afterwards. Tears stung her eyelids.
"Ugh... what are you making me do?" Cloud muttered to himself.
Cloud stopped himself, but it was too late. He looked up to see Sephiroth coming down at incredible speeds, with his masamune pointed down, ready to go right through Aeris. Cloud couldn't react fast enough. The masamune cleanly cut right through Aeris, and she fell forward. Right before she died, she saw Cloud's face. Sephiroth disappeared, but his voice boomed out in the darkness. Cloud watched Aeris's hair band split, and her white materia bounce its way into the deep depths of the clear water. He could see it shining a bright yellow color.
"...Aeris. This can't be real!" Cloud screamed, reaching down to cuddle Aeris's body in his arms.
"Do not worry. Soon the girl will become part of the Planet's energy. All that is left is to go north. The 'Promised Land' waits for me over the snowy fields. There I will become a new being by uniting with the planet. As will this girl..." Sephiroth said calmly.
"...Shut up. The cycle of nature and your stupid plan don't mean a thing. Aeris is gone. Aeris will no longer talk, no longer laugh, cry... or get angry.... What about us... what are WE supposed to do? What about my pain? My fingers are tingling. My mouth is dry. My eyes are burning!" Cloud yelled out.
Tifa and Yuffie never saw him like this. So full of emotion. They were about to run up to hug him, but Sephiroth kept talking.
"What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings too?" Sephiroth said, his voice angry.
"Of course! Who do you think I am!?" Cloud was confused, alone, afraid. He didn't want to hear what was coming next.
"Ha, ha, ha.... Stop acting as if you were sad. There's no need to act as though you're angry either. Because, Cloud. You are..." He said.
Sephiroth stopped, and they were greeted by another Jenova creature. They defeated it with swift ease.
"Because, you are... a puppet." Jenova finished for Sephiroth.
"I'm... a puppet?" Cloud asked himself.
His world spun around him. The Jenova disappeared, and all Cloud was left with was Aeris's lifeless body. He held her close. Tifa and Yuffie ran up. Yuffie stood above her, then turned around abruptly and cried on Cloud's shoulder. She then left. Tifa came up and she bent down. She reached out and stroked Aeris's cold face, her green eyes, eerie and open. She tried holding her tears behind her eyes, but it was no use. They spilled out and she followed Yuffie back down. Cloud held Aeris, and brought her to a deep spot in the water. He folded her arms across her chest and dropped her into the depths. Aeris fell down and rested peacefully on the sand bed.
Cloud felt like crying, but he knew it would leave a bad impression. So he bottled it up and joined his friends back on the shore.
End Flashback
"Tifa?" Cloud asked.
"I... Sorry. I was thinking about the day when Aeris... You know..." Tifa responded.
"I was too... Sorry..." Cloud said.
He turned away from Tifa. He didn't want her to see that he was crying for what was the first time in years.
A/N: Whew! That was really long. Sorry... It was bad wasn't it? I KNEW IT.