Fresh yellow petals glided through the air only to slowly descend against an unconscious brunette. Every muscle in her body tensed as she struggled to lift herself but the pain only elevated with each attempt. She gritted her teeth as she stared helplessly behind her thick lashes at the mysterious silver headed man who just destroyed the perfect peace in the church that was present a minute ago. It was funny. A minute ago, everything was fine. Marlene was standing beside her picking the bright yellow blossoms but now the little girl was no where to be found. She felt so pathetic that she couldn't even defend herself but more importantly, she couldn't defend a helpless child. That anger motivated her to seek revenge. She tried to stand again but only slumped back down into the nest of stained glass and wild flowers. The wooden floor creaked as her head collapsed on top of it once more. The leather clad man in front of her chuckled and grinned wolfishly, allowing his two canine like teeth to gleam in triumph.
No victory could have been sweeter than taking down Tifa Lockheart.
Well, except maybe for Cloud Strife.
With a final sneer, he disappeared through he broken doors of the old abandoned church. Tifa's heart skipped a beat as a young girl's scream echoed through the halls a few moments later. The cry was replaced by a loud engine steering to life.
Tifa muttered. She clenched her fist in rage knowing that the mysterious stranger had just left with Marlene. She felt so defeated, so alone...just like seven years ago. Sure she had the little orphanage kids and she would always be there for them but who was there for her? Her glossy wine tinted eyes sparkled with fresh tears as she uttered the name of someone who had fragmented her heart into pieces she could no longer piece together.
God she missed him so much. Why did she always have to be the one he abandoned? He left her in the past for seven years. When they were finally reunited, she thought there could finally be a bond between them; the same bond that she always felt with him but just something he never seemed to return because there was an obstacle in the way. There was always an obstacle but for the first time, it was not Shinra. No, it was an innocent and pure angel. It was Aeris Gainsborough. Even after her death, Cloud still remained attached to her. Maybe not in a physical sense but in a mental and emotional sense. He left the group after the world crisis was over and it has been two years since she had last seen him.
She choked back a soft cry but somehow the tears ran freely from her eyes. Maybe it was the dark and gloomy atmosphere outside the church or the pounding of the rain against the panes of glass that made her heart twist and writhe in agony. Emitting a soft sigh, she tossed her bruised head to the side where the position seemed to be more comfortable. Her pulse was racing and the throbbing pain would just not cease. Loud rings filled her ears. She wanted to scream, to end the alarming rings but nothing escaped her lips. The rings continued. For a moment, she could have sworn they were coming from a distant source but the double images and distortions filling her eyes only sent her back to the unconscious world and out of reach with the physical.
Unable to bear it anymore, her soft wine colored orbs fluttered shut. She welcomed the endless darkness but most importantly, she absorbed the brilliant sapphire irises staring back at her.
she whispered to no one in particular.
They were so bright, so beautiful. She raised her hand, allowing her long slender fingers to carefully reach for the illuminating blue light. A faint smile graced her tender lips as she received a response. His strong hazy arms reached across the back of her head to firmly support her. His touch was warm and loving, making sure it did not cross any of the injuries. She felt her slumped body rise as another arm encircled her delicate form. Was she dead? Was she in heaven? Was she being taken away into the embrace of the Lifestream where she would eventually return to the Planet? Something so smooth and gentle brushed across her forehead. It was softer than the feather of chocobo and lighter than the air itself.
Am...I dying...?No. You're not. A voice replied firmly with a hint of fear.
That voice. It sounded so close, yet so far. It sounded so familiar, yet so foreign. Who was it? The voice had such a healing effect. At that moment, Tifa felt all her vital organs functioning again. Her harsh jagged breathing became stable, her pulse returned to its normal pace, and she no longer felt so lethargic anymore. Her keen senses were being returned to her. Suddenly, her ears detected the sound of a flicker and the loud ringing were now drowned out into the peaceful tranquility. Even the rain ceased. What used to be the pouring downfall became tiny droplets of water cascading down the panels. Not a single sound was audible save for the low breathing which she couldn't tell if it was from herself or perhaps it was coming from another source of life.
Finally, she regained enough strength to somewhat open her eyes. Immediately she was blinded with Mako infused orbs that were filled with concern.
But...were they real or were they just an illusion that she was fooling herself into thinking that they were real? She was a master of illusions. After all, she had been living in one for almost all her life.
Is it...really you?Yeah...it's me. The blonde mercenary replied with shame and guilt hidden behind the words. He bowed his head in shame, allowing the long locks of spikes to roam wildly against the brunette's face. After one look into her eyes, he realized that nothing has changed about her even after the past two years except her hair was alot shorter than it used to be but her porcelain face still remained beautiful and perfect, just like he had remembered it to be. Every feature from her eye brows to her lips appeared to have been strategically strewn to fulfill any men's fantasies. Her rosy pursed lips parted slightly as if she was about to say something but suddenly, she looked away from him.
Cloud questioned, nudging her gently in his arms. His heartbeat quickened at the thought that she was going to collapse again.
She couldn't look at him. Every lonely night, she dreamt of being in his arms but when morning came, she had to create a shield around herself to keep her emotionally stable. It kept her from crying in front of the kids in the orphanage; it kept her strong so why should she let her guard down now? She would be fine on her own. She has been for the past two years. She didn't need him...did she?
Cloud was a bit taken back at her sudden coldness. Her words were always said with such ardent feelings but never so monotone and harsh with bitter resentment. Was that what she was feeling at the moment? Resentment against him? Yes, he could understand that and he couldn't blame her either for it. He deserved every bit of anger and hatred she had towards him.
Cloud? Do me a favor...Leave me and go find Marlene. She...was taken away.I know. I tried to call you but you weren't picking up...and when I got here, I saw that...man head off with her but then I saw you here...Why didn't you...follow them?...My impulse was telling me to follow them...but my heart was telling me to go to you. Tifa...I was so scared that you might have...you know.
Where were you when I needed you the most? You left my side for the past two years, so why are you suddenly with me now? You should have just let me stay here and die...perhaps I would have been happier.
Exhaustion filled her eyes. All of a sudden, her eye lids became heavy and the darkness consumed her once more, but not before she uttered, You're late...
The mercenary placed another gentle kiss to her forehead. No words or actions could ever make up for what he had done to her. He abandoned her when she was vulnerable and needed him the most.
Tifa...I know. But...I swear I'll never be late again.
Author's Notes: My first AC fanfic. I just love the couple so much and everyday, I've been nagged by my unconcious to write something pertaining these two. Thank you for reading and maybe in the future, I will continue with AC fics.