A/N: First I'd like to make one BIG apology to those who really didn't like the fifth chapter. I was bored, just got out of school and was ready to post something that I struggled with as far as writing goes. Yeah, to some it seemed like Tifa's the slut and Cloud's bound for heartache but know this, it took me almost a month to figure out how I was going to incorporate the Turks and a few other characters into the story. On another note this is an ANGST/ROMANCE fanfic. People should know to expect these things! It's more than cliché. It's meant to be all emotional and make the reader hate or sympathize with the characters. I almost pulled the story, so just be grateful I posted at all. Yeah, people think I should have done this or that, but alas, I try to listen, but it just doesn't work out that way. Sorry, yet again.

Disclaimer: Kyonkitchi and Co. does not own any Square Enix franchises, especially ones that have "Final Fantasy" in their titles.

Cloud raced through the streets on Fenrir as rain began pouring down. Everything was a blur. He couldn't concentrate on anything. He began feeling like the pit of his stomach was going to give way soon. It was the same feeling he had one year ago, right before Sephiroth killed Aeris. He looked up at the gray and black sky and sighed. He pulled over and continued to stare at the sky. "What's going on?" he asked himself. As thunder rolled in the distance, he shook his head and started the engine again.

His taillights streaked through Edge as he sped all the way back to Seventh Heaven. Something didn't feel right. As he parked Fenrir, he noticed Reno trying to sneak out of the bar. Without thinking, Cloud found himself pining Reno against the side of the building, holding him up about half a foot from the ground by his collar.

"Hey, Chocobo-head! What's up?"

"What were you doing in Seventh Heaven?"

"Damn, can't a guy just go to a bar and relax?" Reno shrugged. Cloud glared at the Turk as he gripped Reno's collar tighter. Reno grinned nervously, knowing that if he wanted to, Cloud could mangle his body into something so horrifying it would make even Vincent squirm.

"Cut the shit, Reno. What were you doing in there?" Cloud growled. Reno chuckled and looked Cloud dead in the eye. "Why don't you go in and find out? I'm sure she's just dying to tell you all the juicy details, Cloud!" Reno laughed. Cloud dropped Reno and punched him so hard it nearly broke his jaw off.

He ran through the door to find no one inside. "Tifa?" he called. No answer. "Tifa!" he began to grow frantic. "Tifa! Where…" he trailed off. He heard quiet sobs coming from upstairs. He ran up the stairs and looked in the kid's room. Pausing to regain his composure and gather his thoughts, he began to hear the sobs again. They grew louder and louder as he inched closer to the bathroom door. Carefully, he opened the door and saw a very distressed Tifa in the bath tub. It looked as though she had been in there for hours trying to scrub her skin off.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the words just wouldn't come. Maybe something to cheer her up, but he just couldn't think of how to do it or what to say. Tifa looked at him with fear in her eyes. She hung her head and kept crying. "Cloud," she sobbed. "I'm s-so sorry…I'm s-sorry…" Cloud stared at her, speechless. Tifa kept crying as Cloud inched closer to her. "What happened?" he asked timidly. Tifa looked at him, her tear-streaked face just pleading with him not to make her say it. She shook her head and clenched her fists in frustration. Cloud was motionless, staring at her, wondering what could have happened to make her act like this.

"Tifa, tell me what's wrong," Cloud said stoically. Tifa shook her head again as she curled her long legs to her chest and wept into her knees. "Tifa, tell me," he said again. She was silent. Everything seemed to grow quiet. It seemed like forever before someone broke the silence.

"Teef, I just need to know what the hell happened," Cloud said quietly. Tifa shook and looked up at him. "Cloud," Tifa began. "I…I think I did something really stupid…More than just really stupid…"

"Hmm…mind getting out of the bathtub and telling me the whole thing?"

"I-I guess so, Cloud."

"You'll know where to find me then, Teef," Cloud said as he made his way out of the bathroom and into his room. He heaved a heavy sigh and looked around, looking for an answer. "Just what the fuck is going on!" he shouted. His question echoed through the empty building. Tifa poked her head through the door and glanced at the confused blonde.

"Uhm…Cloud? You wanted to know something?" Tifa asked meekly. Cloud nodded and motioned for her to sit beside him. Tifa sighed and looked helplessly at Cloud. "You really need to know?" she asked. He nodded and she sighed again. "Cloud," she began. "I know we've been friends for almost as long as we both can remember, and that we'll always be there for each other, but being friends just isn't enough sometimes. It just isn't!"

"Tifa, I know," Cloud said. Tifa sighed again before she started again. "I need more than just a knight in shining armor, Cloud. I love you, with all my heart and I wish I knew exactly how you felt about me. I just can't stand the thought of ever not seeing you again, Cloud! It scares me to death!"

"Tifa! Just tell me what the fuck happened while I was gone!"

"Reno…he came in…right after you left and…he…he…" she started. Cloud's eyes filled with disbelief. "Tifa…no...Not him…why?" Tifa hung her head. Cloud stared incredulously at her while her eyes began to well with tears. Cloud sighed and shook his head as she started to cry. "Tifa…look here…" he said. She obeyed and stared into his eyes as Cloud held her chin up and gazed back into hers.

"I don't care what he did to you. He could have fucked you six ways to Sunday and it wouldn't bother me," he said blandly. Tifa couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How can he be saying all of this? Why is he saying this?" she thought.

"But," Cloud said. "It would bother me if you let him have you because you loved him." Tifa stared at Cloud, her tears emptied down the sides of her face. He wrapped his muscular arms around her shaky frame and held her in a tight embrace. "Tifa," he whispered in her ear. "I care about you more than anything in the world." Tifa's eyes grew wide as the blonde warrior held her close. She stopped crying and buried her face into his shoulder.

"Teef, look here," he coaxed. She obeyed yet again, before she could say anything, he gently pressed his lips against hers. Her body relaxed in his arms as he pushed her on the bed. Tonight, he'd make it up to her. Tonight, he'd show her just how much he cared, just how much he wanted her to be his.