Something to Live For

Chapter Four: Mistaken Promises

Disclaimer: I nono own Final Fantasy…

I'd like to thank Jaymee and my cousinnnn… Yeah, they've helped, a lot. Please Review people :P (Actually my cousin just pestered me to finish the chapter, but that's something else to talk about)

"Cloud! I don't care about you anymore! Why don't you ever listen to us? " – Marlene

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"T-Tifa..." Cloud's eyes burned, and he needed anything, anything to make the pain stop. But no tears came out, no tears came to stop the burning. Marlene and Denzel were quietly sobbing next to him, hands cupped over there mouths. There on the floor, was Tifa, scratches and bruises covered her delicate body, her face was pale. There she was, one of the strongest people Cloud knew, lying there motionless.

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Cloud sat next to Tifa's still form, watching her. An oxygen mask was placed over her nose and mouth, and the oscilloscope placed next to her, making a small beeping noise every few seconds

He wanted to cry, he wanted to cry so much. Just to let out a little bit of his burdens. He broke his promise. He broke it. He promised Tifa that whenever she was in danger, he'd come save her. He'd be her hero. He promised Denzel, that'd he'd be there.

But, he was just doing his job, right? He didn't do anything wrong... right?

But why did he still have that guilty feeling inside?

"Mr. Strife?" Cloud looked up to see a middle-aged man standing there, holding a clipboard and tapping a pen against his chin. A doctor.

"Will she be alright?"

"We're going to run some more tests on her, so if you cloud please wait outside for a moment." Cloud nodded and got up, pushing the chair backwards a bit and nearly knocking the IV's over. "Do not be so nervous, Mr. Strife. We'll make sure Miss Lockhart is in good hands. We are trying our best."

Cloud nodded again and left the room. Slumping down in one of the waiting chairs, he placed his head in his hands and rocked it back and forth. He knew that something bad was going to happen. And now look where he was. In the hospital, waiting to see if Tifa was going to make it through okay.

"Cloud!" Upon hearing his name, he looked up and saw a teenage girl running towards him, she seemed to bring some familiar friends along, also.

"Yuffie!" Yuffie came to a stop and bent over panting. Some nurses and patients glared over at the disruption and Cloud waved at them as a sign of apology. "I got your call, what happened to Tifa?" She asked, her voice barely above whisper. Looking behind her, Cloud saw that Cid, Barret, and Vincent were there as well. Cloud sighed and shook his head.

"I... I don't really know. When I got back to the bar..." He took in a deep breath, and tried to continue again, but with the flashbacks and the memories.. it just pained him to try and explain.

"Where were you when this happened to her?" Everyone turned around to look at Vincent. It wasn't like him to socialize or question unless he had something important to explain. Everyone's eyes came back onto Cloud. Did they really think that I left?

"I.. I was out doing deliveries." They all sighed in... what seemed to be.. relief?

"Don't take it out on yourself so much. It wasn't your fault that this happened. It couldn't be helped, you weren't there." For some odd reason, Yuffie's kind words helped. But just a little. Actually, barely. But it was a tiny step. Baby steps come first, after all.

"Mr. Strife." The doctor from before came in and nodded, "and.. friends." It was probably one of those moments where if this whole thing was an anime, the doctor would sweatdrop at the group of intimidating looking people in the hospital, all here to see a young woman. "You may go in and see Miss Lockhart again, the nurses and myself have run the tests and are going to look over them one more time."

"Is she doing okay?" Cloud asked. The doctor let out a small nod again.

"It's nothing too serious, I assure you of that." Nothing too serious? What was that supposed to mean. Nevertheless, the AVALANCHE members went down the long hallway to Tifa's room. Yuffie wanted to scream at the sight. Tifa, covered in caked blood, scars, and bruises, lying on one of the really white hospital beds. And they were all pretty sure Cid and Barret wanted to say something, but they were at loss for words. And even if they did say something, it would be inappropriate to say in a hospital. (A/N: I wonder how many times I've said 'hospital' in this fanfic...)

Everything was so still in the room. It was eerie. They felt as if they moved, everyone would crash down and Tifa could get hurt anymore. The stillness was disrupted as someone laid a cold hand on Cloud's shoulder.

"Calm, down, you're shaking." The blonde looked up to see Yuffie, as pale faced as he's ever seen her. Even after all the times she's gotten motion sickness, this would have to be the worse. Of course, Tifa was important in all of our lives, Yuffie and Tifa were the only girls in the group after Aeris died. It seemed like Aeris was the one that kept things together. Even after death she helped everyone cope. Cloud couldn't help but mutter under his breath 'Aeris, where are you?'

The familiar footsteps were heard coming in. The group turned around to face, yes, the same doctor. He wore a worried expression on his face and his brow furrowed together a bit. He let out a weary sigh. Cloud jumped up, worry written all over his face.

"We looked into this a bit more and..."

"And? What's wrong? What happened?" Cloud was definitely losing his patience with this guy. He was taking up time, time he could be using to help Tifa. Vincent, Yuffie, Barret, and Cid were pretty worried by the doctor's look on his face, also.

"Miss Tifa Lockhart appears to be in a coma."

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I know, this whole chapter was boring and all about Tifa, but I couldn't avoid it. I really couldn't.

This was probably the hardest chapter for me to write. Being the dumbass I am. I had to research stuff, blah blah blah. But I promise, when I get the game (which will probably be tomorrow depending on whether they have it in stock or not) the chapters will be more efficient.

There will be one more chapter and that will probably end part one, sooo yeah. Please Review.