Instinctively, Cloud wrapped his arms protectively over Tifa as soon as he heard the urgent scream. Up ahead, he saw Shadow Creepers heading straight towards them. The bestiaries released a nasty snarl as they leaped into the air, preparing to pummel their claws into the couple. Cloud hovered his body over the female while simultaneously using his blade to deflect the attack. With a thrust, he forced all three creatures to bounce back into a heap of metal. They looked dazed but retaliation flared in their eyes.
You two stay back, I got this one! exclaimed Cid as he rushed to his leader's side. He gripped his spear tightly as he keenly watched the creatures regaining their energy. As soon as they soared through the air again, the pilot stood defensively over his two comrades and raised the tip of his weapon. He let out a low rough snicker as he watched each of the Shadow Creepers reduce to nothing but black energy that dispersed as soon as they rammed themselves into the spear's head.
Cid, are you all right? Tifa asked with concern. She spotted red scratches all over his arms; most of them appeared fresh.
Seeing that their surrounding was safe for the time being, the pilot knelt besides the two and shook his head. I'm fine. These scars don't bother me at all. Look, we don't have much time. It looks as if Bahamut will destroy this entire city if we don't do something soon.
Cloud watched as the summon hovered over the city complex once more. This time, it was raiding another sector. Anger and sorrow overwhelmed him as he grimaced from watching the summon release another energy of fire. More screams filled the air, clogging his ears and making them immune to hear anything but the desperate cries. His whole body shivered. He suddenly felt so mentally weak. He could have stopped Bahamut but because he had ALWAYS been weak, he couldn't do a damn thing to protect the innocent lives that were taken by the moment.
A cold palm against his cheek suddenly brought him back, the screams slowly diminished from his ears. Staring at him was a pair of perplexed dark orbs. Tifa traced the side of his face once more with her hand before she allowed her long fingers to soothingly run down his back. Cloud...your whole body is burning up! What's wrong?Yeah, snap out of it kid. You're scaring me. The pilot blew out a puff of smoke before he helped both of his friends up.
I'm fine. It's just that those screams...and Bahamut...they're making me sick. Groaning, he rubbed his head before changing the subject. Where are the others? Are they OK?
Cid nodded. Yes, they're all on the Sierra. I came to check for you two. We better get going as well. This way.
Cloud and Tifa hurried after the pilot as he let them through a wayward maze of rubble and metals. Neither of them could believe that their beloved city was reduced to almost nothing in matter of minutes. Tifa was relieved that she did not spot any dead bodies sprawling on the ground as she ran pass the heaps. However, she did spot many injured refugees seeking shelter inside destroyed buildings. She momentarily stopped as she watched all the hurt denizens. Cloud placed a hand on her shoulder, silently urging her to move on.
It will only be worse if we don't stop Bahamut.You're right...
Forcing herself to look away, she continued on. His touch caused her to feel hot all of a sudden. Their rather intimate encounter slowly crawled back from the recess of her mind. Even in the middle of the chaos, she couldn't forget what happened between her and Cloud and she couldn't help but wonder what could have happened if Cid did not call out their names. She felt weak partially from her injuries but mostly from her emotions. She was so close to his lips...or perhaps she imagined it. Maybe she was so dazed from the hit that she conjured up the illusion herself. But that couldn't be, could it? She knew she felt his skin against her cheek, his warm breath against her lips.
Shyly, she stole a glance towards him from the corner of her eyes. He was focusing on treading across the arduous path, occasionally clearing the way for them both. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull her gaze off of him. For the first time, she was relieved that her long black tresses served as something useful. The long layers of black hair kept the side of her face hidden.
Tifa, is there something wrong?
Or not.
Cloud stopped in his tracks as soon as he caught her eyes staring at him. He brushed back her long hair and was alarmed to find that her face was flushed.
Tifa felt her face burning too although she wasn't quite sure if it was from the exhaustion from running or her emotions flaring once more. She tried to speak but her lips wouldn't even budge. She always felt weak within his presence.
Cloud asked again. This time, his voice was stronger and filled with deep concern. Do you need to lie down and rest? Are you hurt?N-o...I'm fine. Really... she whispered. She bowed her head in embarrassment while moving through the rubble.
Unsatisfied, Cloud gently grabbed her arm and halted her. He walked in front of her and studied her face again. God, she was so beautiful. He wanted nothing to more than to kiss her long black lashes that fanned across her eyes and then trail his way down to her red lips where he would forever seal his love and promise to her.
Cloud...I'm really fine. Just a little tired from running but I'll be OK... Tifa forced a smile as she looked up.
Cloud reached out and held one of her hands. He didn't know why he neglected to do so in the first place. Perhaps he wasn't sure if that's what she wanted. He wanted to say something but before he could get a chance to, Cid interrupted.
Hey! You two love birds! Can you hurry it up? We don't have all day!
Tifa wanted to just run and hide after hearing Cid's comment. In fact, she would have done so if they weren't in such a predicament and crisis. She blushed, unsure of what to do or say next. Even though she caught a hint of humor in the pilot's comment, he had created an awkward situation of her and Cloud.
Um...I guess we better get moving. Cloud gave her hand a firm squeeze before leading her through the remnants of the city again. Cid's comment was truly embarrassing and he had no idea how to deal with it since he never had any experience when it came to love. He wasn't sure if he was even capable of loving. The only thing he was capable of doing was bringing pain and distress to those around him. People had to suffer the wrath of evil because of his foolishness and carelessness. Maybe he was brought to this Planet as a cursed existence. He couldn't save Zack, Aeris, or his mother. He had failed to help Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse and only gave Barret more heart ache as a result. He couldn't even count how many times he nearly lost Tifa, and now, the whole Planet is in danger again.
If anyone deserved to die, it would be him.
His friends certainly did not need to be dragged into this ordeal. They were all innocent people sucked into his vortex of misery and because of it, their lives would never be the same. Death will always linger around them, taking their life at the very first opportunity. He knew what he had to do and he had to do it alone to ensure everyone's safety. He would no longer be the selfish puppet that would only take and never give.
He heard loud engines rumbling; the Sierra finally came into view. Cloud stopped for a moment just to observe the beauty of the airship. It held a striking resemblance to the Highwind but the Sierra was definitely larger. It's body was coated with fresh polished metal, unlike the rusty sheath of the Highwind. He saw lines of glass windows adorning the side of the airship, which eventually led to the main wide frame of glass shielding the cockpit. He grinned slightly as Yuffie jumped up and down and waved to him from the height. All of AVALANCHE were OK and he wanted it that way.
His smile suddenly faded as he recalled what happened to the old airship. Cid would be devastated to hear the news of the Highwind.
Cid...about the Highwind... he started.
No prob kid. Vincent already told me everything. I can't say that I'm not disappointed that the Highwind is no longer here but the important thing is that you rescued all the children.Wait, what happened to the Highwind? Tifa asked curiously. She didn't even get a chance to get any details about the rescue mission because of all the turmoil around them.
When we were trying to get to Midgar, Bahamut destroyed it. It's all gone now. Cloud could still hear the children's screams and feel the harsh wind whipping his face as the ship spiraled out of control. He was relieved that the journey did not turn into a complete nightmare. However, it could have been if something had happened to Marlene and Denzel when they dashed off into Midgar by themselves. He even failed at watching kids. How pathetic was he going to get?
Look Tifa. We're all fine now so please don't stress over it... Cloud reassured her when he saw the look of horror on her face.
I...don't know what to say... she admitted.
Say nothing. I did it because I swore to you that I would bring the kids back safely. It's about time that I start keeping my word.
The engines of the ship roared louder as the platform started to shake. Cid opened the door of the Sierra, ushering the two inside. He already spotted one of his pilots starting the ship. It was going to take off within a few minutes. We better get in. It's our only chance of getting to Bahamut.
Thank you Cloud...for everything you have done and I do believe you will keep your word... The young brunette was sincerely touched by his statement. There was so much more she wanted to tell him but she knew that now was not the time. She saw Cid waiting at the ledge up the steps. He tapped his foot impatiently before finishing the last bit of his cigarette.
Come on. We better get going... she whispered to Cloud. She assumed that the lack of nicotine was really getting to Cid and she didn't want to do anything that would further annoy him. She tugged on his hand that was till holding on to her own, leading him up the stairs with her.
Hmm? What's up? She turned around, surprised to find that Cloud stopped in his tracks. His features held a look of dismay and no matter how hard he was trying to hide it, Tifa could see right pass the facade of normality.
I...promise you will be safe and I won't let you or any of the others die... he solemnly began.
Cloud? What are you saying...? His words were already scaring her and she didn't even know what he was talking about. Thank you for promising that but-
She never got a chance to finish her sentence. Cloud pulled his arm away from the brunette and pushed her into Cid's arms, causing the pilot to tilt over by surprise. Tifa looked back with a mixture of hurt and confusion.
Take care of her Cid.
He roughly slammed his palm onto a button of the side panel and waited for the perfect timing. The seconds that ticked by felt like eternity as he waited for the door to seal the Sierra. It did not take long for Tifa to realize what Cloud was trying to do. She reached out to grab hold on to him but he coldly shoved it aside. It was so painful for him to do so but he couldn't feel attach to her, not now. He couldn't even force himself to turn back to look at her because he knew he would face a pair of beautiful tear stricken eyes if he did. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on the mechanical door. As soon as he saw his slight opening, he jumped through the crack and landed back on the the obliterated city.
He watched as the remainder of the gap was sealed by the door of the Sierra. The airship was already suspended in mid air and it would be futile and deadly for them to jump at such extreme heights. He was glad that Cid was there to prevent Tifa from defying all logic by jumping after him. Cloud knew where her loyalties lied and that only pushed him to finish off Bahamut before Tifa and the others got hurt from fighting the summon.
Please! We have to hurry and find him before he... Tifa sighed in frustration and walked away from the pilots. She had been trying to persuade them to make the ship move faster despite the fact that it was already going at the maximum speed. Her eyes nervously roamed the grounds beneath her through the glass. She saw people running for their lives. There were so many of them that it was almost impossible to tell which one of them was Cloud.
She couldn't believe that he acted so cold and just took off. When was he going to learn that he wasn't alone in anything and that he had friends to support him? She couldn't believe he just left her again after she expressed how much she needed him, how much AVALANCHE needed him.
a light voice emerged behind the brunette.
She turned to see Yuffie offering her a tiny smile. She forced a grin as the younger woman placed a hand on her shoulder. It'll be OK... she encouraged. Hey! We ALL know how strong Cloud is! Remember, he took on Sephiroth so Bahamut should be nothing! Ain't that right Tiff?
Tifa couldn't help but laugh. It was true that their leader took on Sephiroth: the malformed entity of God. She was so scared that she was going to lose him when he fought his enemy, but in the end, he pulled through as the victor. Now, she could only hope that he would make it through another whirlwind of chaos.
She lost track of her breath as the Sierra pulled closer to Bahamut. She felt herself drowning in the shattering symphony of the loud ruckus from the engines and Bahamut's cries that reverberated throughout Midgar. She spotted Barret and Cid in the corner loading up their weapons with fresh ammunition. She silently wondered if the guns could actually deal enough damage to even render Bahamut unconscious. Yuffie could help with her long range weapon as well but even with the ninja's aid, could these three actually defeat Bahamut? As much as she wanted to, there was no way she could fight the summon at such a close range and the rest of the party, save the two gunman and the ninja, were also in the same situation.
Is that Cloud! Yuffie cried in shock.
Tifa instantly turned around and the rest of the members rushed behind her. An iridescent beam streaked pass the windows of the Sierra. Tifa squinted hard, trying to determine if the beam of light had Cloud encased within. As the airship ascended with the streak, Tifa saw the outline of the buster sword through the almost blinding force.
she yelled through the window even though she doubt the blonde could hear her. She tried to get his attention by pounding on the glass with her fists but he seemed oblivious to her callings.
Tifa let out a startled cry as she fell against the hard ground. The entire ship became unblanaced, rattling from side to side as the steam of light was thrust into Bahamut. A gargantuan black shadow blanketed the glass, preventing eyes from seeing pass the windows.
Tifa held her breath, scared to witness the other side once the shadows disband.
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Author's Notes: Yay, AC is almost out so that was why I needed to get this chapter out ASAP. Hope it was somewhat enjoyable. I will not go into details about Cloud fighting Bahamut or Kadaj because this is suppose to be Cloud/Tifa so expect the conclusion of this fic soon!