A small ray of sunshine peeked through the small window on the second floor of the Seventh Heaven. It was the first indication that it was morning. A sweet and warm aroma filled the small room with the light sounds of plates resonating against each other. The scent was strong, delicious, and powerful enough to wake her from her slumber.
Tifa shifted in her blanket of warmth to face the source that had awakened her. She opened one eye and immediately smiled at the sight. She extended her hand from her covers to pat the arm of her accompaniment. She tried to sit up but winced as a surge of pain ran throughout her back. Vague memories from the previous night whizzed through her head although she couldn't recall anything specific except for the fact that everything around her had spinned out of control.
Miss. Tifa...are you okay? A young meek voice asked.
Yeah, I'm all right Marlene... Giving the child a wide grin, she stroked her hair and retied the messy bow that was falling out of place. Content with how it turned out, she accepted the cup of tea from the saucer and took a sip. She wrinkled her nose. The liquid was mostly sugar and water; there were hardly any hints of herbs. The young girl waited patiently for her response like a chef preparing to hear the praise or criticism for his dishes.
It's perfect! She answered immediately. She saw a wave of relief wash over Marlene's face. Patting her head, she took another sip before placing the cup back on to the saucer. Thanks. How did you know I needed that?Mr. Cloud said that you might be hungry.Cloud? He's here?Yup! He never left your side. Marlene's statement shocked her. She never expected him to stay. Why would he anyway? He was just the same cold and aloof Cloud who was indifferent to other's emotions. She reached out her hand to affectionately pat the younger and tender one. The instant her fingers touched Marlene's, the young girl pulled away. Tifa shot her a confused frown but the girl only shook her head. When she reached out her hand again, her fingers slipped right through the tender flesh. What was going on? Why was Marlene's hand suddenly intangible? In a blink of an eye, the girl vanished into the air.
Someone was calling her. Was it Marlene? She tried closing her fingers around the child's hand again but something felt different. This hand was much larger and it was rough. It belonged to a man.
Her eyes shot open with ruby meeting sapphire orbs.
Tifa...you're finally awake... observed Cloud. Oh, I brought you some tea. He set the small cup and the saucer down on the small table beside the bed. I'm so glad that you're all right. You've been out for quite some time.Why are you still here? Her voice was sharp and somewhat bitter. She instantly retrieved her hand as if it had just been scorched and brought it close to her chest. The scent of the tea was alluring and even started to tickle her nostrils but she stubbornly turned her head to avoid both the liquid and Cloud.
Unfortunately, she missed the quick flash of pain across her leader's face.
Sighing, he got on his knees and knelt beside her. He reached out, wanting to touch her but pulled back,deciding against the action. Instead, he faltered a few words. Tifa, you know I'm here because I care about you and I couldn't just leave you by yourself after that fight!Yeah but you care about her more... she whispered ruefully. She could already feel her eyes stinging with tears.
Look...I'm okay now. You can go back to whatever you were so busy doing for the past two years. I can take care of myself. She felt her anger rising inside of her. Her voice intensified with resentment. She felt her previous bitter tone returning. Her head hurt and she was in no mood for an argument. Why couldn't he just go?
Look. I know you're upset with me but you should just take it easy right now. Here, drink this and rest up. He picked up the cup again and offered it to her. He was starting to lose patience as well. Why couldn't she just understand that he was trying to help her? He nudged her gently on the shoulders but didn't prepare himself for what occurred next.
Long raven strands whizzed across his vision and when they cleared, he found shattered glass sprawled all across the wooden floor. He shifted his attention from the floor to the woman next to him. Her brilliant wine colored orbs were burning passionately with anger. He could have sworn her lips tugged into a crude satisfied smile. She tossed the blankets away. She didn't need heat. The fuel of rage was already seeping throughout her body.
Do you really think a simple cup of tea can make up for everything Cloud? It would have been better if you hadn't shown up at all! She laughed scornfully to herself but soon the laugh dissolved into an incoherent mourn, almost as if she was singing a requiem. She curled her knees and brought it close to her chest. Not knowing what else to do, she tightly hugged herself and tasted the salty tears that now streamed freely down her cheeks.
Do you know what could have happened if I didn't show up? Do you? DO YOU? I'll tell you. You would have been lying there dead! That crazy man would have killed you! Annoyed at the situation, he lifted himself up and with heavy thuds, walked over to the window. He crushed his heels into a rather large piece of glass. In a way, the action relieved part of his own tension.
The entire room became silent within seconds save for the soft cries from Tifa and the occasional small grunts from the leader who now positioned himself in a way that concealed his profile within the dark shadows. The rain outside started pouring again but it provided no good distraction for him. Instead, with each drop rolling down the panes, he only thought of her. He forced himself to rivet his gaze to the city below but he couldn't control his reflex of craning his neck slightly to check on the woman. She was still in the fetal position, hurt and vulnerable. He wanted to run to her side and embrace her quivering body but he knew she would just slap him away.
He didn't blame her anger. In fact, he blamed himself. He was the cause of her misery. He never kept their promise. He was no hero. He was a failure.
Cloud rammed his fist firmly into the wall with his white knuckles digging into the concrete material. He had a sudden urge to just take the whole thing apart. His sapphire eyes burned with such ire, almost as if his gaze alone could burn down the harmless white solid. Although he has aged over the two years, his mind and heart were still torn into pieces. He was confused, probably worst off than when Sephiroth had him under his manipulations.
But why? Cloud couldn't come up with an answer to that. He spent two years living in solitude because of it.
You know, I spent alot of time fixing that wall. Try not to break it please?
The blonde immediately turned around. Her eyes gazed right into the depth of his soul. He felt his own lips curve into a small grin upon hearing her light hearted comment. Oh. Sorry about that. He pulled back his hand and retreated from the walls while wincing at the dent and ripples he caused.
Tifa shook her head and playfully sighed. The corner of her eyes were still red but the tears ceased as long slender fingers wiped away the last drops. She puffed the pillows behind her and then stretched her sore legs out, giving them space to relax instead of being under pressure. It's okay. I can easily fix it.Heh...you know, not many woman know how to do that.What are you implying Cloud Strife? She raised a single delicate brow.
Nothing. I should keep my mouth shut now.
Tifa couldn't help but release a tiny giggle. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she stay mad at him for at least five minutes? She really missed the times when they used to joke around even if it were years ago. I...I had to learn. When I reopened this bar, the place was a wreck! Luckily, some nice people taught me. If the job got too complicated, I would just hang pictures to cover the spot. She pointed to some photos that were proudly displayed right next to the window.
Cloud walked to them and gently ran his fingers over the glossy sheets. Most of the pictures she had taken were with Marlene, Denzel, and some other kids from the orphanage. The remainder of the pictures were drawings done by the children. The one with a huge yellow mop of scribbles caught his attention. In the center of what appeared to be a face were two bright blue circles and below that was a shaped arc.
She noticed him staring at that particular drawing. Oh, that's you. It was done by the talented Marlene.Hmph, that doesn't look a thing like me.Yeah...well you were gone for so long that Marlene couldn't fully depict you, except for the trademark hair.
The guilt that he worked so hard to repress was starting to resurface across the icy barrier of his heart. Her words had pierced it. Another uncomfortable silence followed but this time, he was grateful that the rain outside was pounding. It was enough to drown out the incoherent string of curses he was muttering under his breath.
Author's Notes: Well, there's chapter II. I will continue on with this fic if I can come up with some more ideas. Of course that will depend on what Square is willing to release to us! Thank you for reading and please leave a review!