Nanaki found Tifa right outside her room, waiting for him. She saw the look on his face and could tell that this was going to be bad.
"Lets go in your room." Nanaki motioned towards the door and they entered. Tifa sat on her bed while the cat jumped to sit next to her. He painstakingly told her of his and Clouds conversation.
Tifa immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed until it hurt. He was willing to stay there all night if she needed him to; he hated seeing her in such pain. He cared for Tifa, maybe even loved her, but he always dismissed the thoughts. He knew it would never work, so he tried his hardest to ignore it.
"W-why would he do this? He brings me down here…and…and…" she couldn't finish and once again buried her face in Nanaki's neck. She thought Cloud loved her. She was hurt, but not shocked. She knew that she wasn't the one he loved, she always knew, but the prospect of being without him, or alone, was overwhelming.
Now that she thought back she realized how blind she was. The days where he wouldn't talk turned into weeks. He was a lump on the couch that just stared at the TV…even when it was off. When they made love he didn't do anything, it was her doing all of the work, and neither came off satisfied.
After a few minutes Tifa gathered herself and regained her composure. She released Nanaki and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the floor, silent tears still falling. All she had hoped would work was just obliterated.
"Well… what do I do now?" she asked herself more then anything.
"I don't know what all I can do for you, but you may stay here as long as you need." Nanaki felt such sorrow for the girl. He would have given up anything at this moment to have arms to wrap around her, to shield her from the pain.
"Thank you, Nanaki" she hugged the cat. "I'm gonna get some sleep"
"Ok, you know where I'll be, if you need me" the lion jumped off of the bed and walked towards the door.
"Nanaki," he turned around to face the sorry girl. "Again thank you, I don't ever know how I can repay you." She smiled broadly, that was enough thanks.