Stained Souls

Chapter 8: Savage Garden

Nights have passed all the same for Cloud. Hour by hour another light would dim then soon let out by the house's care taker, Tifa. From there she would go back to her room on the upper floor and close the door. Cloud imagined Tifa slipping out of her worn clothes and fall into bed with only her under garments. But then it was after that phase that Cloud loathed the most. When all motion, noise, distraction halts to a sudden stop and Cloud is left alone with the sound of his sighs.

That's what happened for this night. To keep worry out of his way, Cloud stayed in his room until the normal waking hour approached. At eight the stomping feet of the kids were heard, alarming Cloud to get out now or the reason that the kids waked him up would soon leave. He didn't plan anything for this morning. No messages were told to be delivered to Vincent on the weekends so he slumped a little in his walk until the notion of Reno came to his mind; bringing about a hop to his stride.

"Cloud?" Cloud pivoted to find its speaker three feet below. He knelt down to Marlene wearing his attention-face.

"Yes?" he said in a quiet tone.

"Tifa told me she will be in church for the day and wanted me to show it to you." Her face lit a smile when she announced it was going to be her to take him.

"I'm not sure Marlene of that," Cloud scuffed. "Never went to churches and I also need to see someone by noon." His words didn't fault the child's positive expression.

"Well then I'll take you!" She grabbed a finger from the dazed Cloud and began to lead him out of the house. While the little toddler gabbled about how far the church was Cloud was still confused by her answer having any relation at all to his. Marlene was right in one thing. The church wasn't even a 5 minuet walk and already its grand scale building emerged from the identical steel buildings.

"I know this church…" Marlene looked up at Cloud who was staring at the broken foundation before him.

"Well you should. This was Aries' church a long time ago. Now Tifa and I plant flowers all day when she's off. It's really pretty!" She bolted up the crackling steps and swept past through the broken doors but Cloud stayed behind. A malice air surrounded the palace of worship. The ex SOILDER could feel the building glare simmer over his skin, but it stood tall with no hint of emotion as of all buildings do.

That was a long time ago. My sins have lifted by now and if not then screw them! This is just a memory from that time. Cloud took a deep breath. I will not fear a memory. He made his way up the stairs and past the doors without any lightening striking him down.

Layers of dust, cobwebs and vandalizes cloaked the church's beauty. The aisles were still in place and most stained glass windows were intact but the alters were crushed, statues were shattered and pages out of what might have been some form of a book laid scattered around where the alter should have been.

The ex SOLIDER marched his way down the aisle in triumph. You'd think you can keep me out! The thought alone brought him to walk boldly, almost with malevolence. He heard giggling from the far right and saw that it came from Tifa and Marlene in the courtyard, surrounded by flowers.

As he stepped closer to the floral circle he never saw so much beauty and color since he was a child. It if wasn't for his other companions he might have cried. But that's impossible. The training of SOLIDER beat that function out of him also, he can't cry anymore. At least he doesn't know how.

"Cloud!" Tifa peered up to see the surprised Cloud. "I didn't think you'd come! Come here!" She signaled a seat by her side. He hesitated before sitting next to her, trying hard not to destroy a stem. Tifa's plan of getting him to sit next to her was accomplished. Now she thought rapidly for a way to get him to talk. The angel of silence fell between the two for some time. Only the movement of dirt could be heard from the couple.

Cloud was a bit awkward and disappointed that he couldn't even talk to his best friend easily. "You did a good job—''

"Yah! It's coming along!" Tifa nodded with Cloud nodding as well. Another fog of quietness broke between them. "I was very surprised you would come. Normally,"

"Normally what?" Cloud didn't want to be snappish but Tifa's accusations were very much wrong.

"Well…normally you don't go to out this early." Lie. There was something that Tifa was going to say but Cloud's statement made her think twice and he could sense it.

"You mean, normally I don't go planting in abandoned churches."

"Look forget about what I said! Don't go all sarcastic just by one comment!" Tifa shot back.

"Well I don't need your comments Tifa! I never did but you still won't shut up, won't you?" Cloud got up and began to measure distance between them. He still wanted this conversation to go on. He needed to know something right now and somehow Tifa wanted the same.

"Marlene? Can you be a good girl and let me and Cloud talk for a while?" Marlene was watching Cloud in horror, startled how loud his voice got in so quick a second. She didn't ponder why and quickly left them to find Denzel.

"You know I never liked that you were going to SOILDER—'' Tifa began softly.

"Yah! You criticized me for doing it every single day before I left!" Cloud snapped.

"And look where's it's got you!" Tifa won the silence this time. Cloud had nothing to say back.

"You leave everybody behind. Don't call, don't write, don't even care what's happening with us! All because of her death!"

"Don't even criticize me on my mourning!" Cloud almost lunged at Tifa but she stood up straight in defiance.

"I understand that you are sad about her death. So we all were and still are…But a lot more people died other then her! What about your mother!...ZACK! What about him? When was the last time you were remembering the times you laughed with him!" Cloud couldn't bear to look at her. His mako blue eyes searched the floor in a pitiful stare. She's right. But there's one thing.

"I loved her," Cloud murmured barely reaching Tifa. Tifa had her back turned in anger before but now another face washed across her angered one. But what about me? Don't you love me?

She didn't dare say these words aloud to anyone. Cloud's words were meant to explain why he frowned so, why he was depressed and different from the entire world. Yet they unknowably slashed deep cuts into her already nicked heart. The early warnings of tears were stinging her eyes and she began to wipe them furiously.

"You should go," Her voice was on the brink of sobs. "Marlene told me you have a meeting with someone. You should carry on your way now." Her head was hung so the tears wouldn't show behind the thin wall of ebony hair. Tifa sat herself down again and carried on digging holes as she was before.

Not only was there is poisoning silence in the air but a shattering tension flamed between the two. Cloud didn't want to be in her presence any longer. Now that he knows that she believes Aeris' death was nothing more then a number of other's tragedies in the war. It enraged him that every time Tifa referred to her the title was basically spat out like poison from her lips. Since when did Tifa hate Aeris?

Cloud didn't want to think too much on the topic. He left without a glance back at Tifa, leaving a cold presence in the courtyard. Reno would be waiting for him soon at the hotel. It kinda left Cloud feeling disgusting and dirty. Before he got in a fight with his friend over his love's death, now he's heading out for a good fuck. Cloud hesitated for a brief second. Should I do this? But the image of Reno's eyes tempted him to walk faster to the inn. What was once doubt in Cloud was now anticipation.

When he left the church behind him and his troubles Marlene watched him jog down the stairs as she hid behind a door. She wasn't smiling now. It seemed a red string of hate was still tied between Cloud and Tifa and it made Marlene wonder what was wrong with Cloud. "But she loves him?" Marlene said to herself. "Why should he be mad about it?" The question was left unsaid and the child thought it best to not hurt Tifa anymore.

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