Chapter Seven – Emotions

Tifa brought the one and only ice pack out of the freezer and wrapped it in a cloth. She turned to face the two males who both looked battered and bruised. Handing the ice pack to Nicholas who had a large purple bruise forming on his lower back, he took it gratefully and placed it in position as she went back to grab ice for Cloud. The atmosphere was silent; both figures hadn't exchanged a single word.

Sighing softly, Tifa held her breath for a while, contemplating as words escaped her mouth. "Nick I want you to meet Cloud." Tifa breathed, waiting for his reaction. When she received nothing in reply, her gaze fixed onto Cloud's blue ones. Clearing her throat she said in a muffled tone, "Cloud, this is Nicholas… He's the one that took me in for two years." She explained as he shifted to face Nick.

At first Tifa thought the two of them were going to throw one another quick glances just to acknowledge her words, but when Nick raised his free hand in a gesture, all Tifa did was hold her breath, waiting for Cloud's reaction.

"Hi I'm Nick," he greeted with his hand outstretched for a friendly handshake.

Cloud studied the hand and hesitated for a moment, leaving Nicholas hanging there. A few moments lapsed before he finally placed his gloved hand in Nick's, shaking it cautiously as a grin broke onto Nick's face.

At Nick's smile, Cloud managed a one of his own which barely remained on his face for a second. "Cloud," he responded.

"No hard feelings." Nick smiled, pushing his icepack back into place.

"None taken," Cloud responded before realizing his lip was bleeding as he turned back, fixing his eyes onto the tabletop.

He felt a little awkward. Tifa had told him about the events in her life for the past two years a couple of hours ago. She had informed him of losing her memory, and then told him about Nicholas taking care of her and providing this new bar in which she had named and now owned. All her accomplishments that occurred for the past two years made Cloud feel like an outsider. He didn't know much about her anymore. It appeared so much happened without him a part of it all.

Whilst she was designing and renovating the bar with Nicholas, he was on his motorbike searching for her. He traveled far and wide in hopes of finding her, and now that he did, he felt so discomforted. She had accomplished so many achievements, moving on without the slightest thought that he existed. He had been quite the opposite from her. He barely accomplished anything, and never did he forget about her. All the hard work had finally paid off when he set his ocean blue eyes onto her brown ones this morning. But now it seemed he was brought back to the start because she couldn'trecall anything abouthim, she wasn't the same…

Breaking out of his reverie, he discovered Tifa and Nicholas were both in deep conversation. He watched as Tifa nodded her head and Nick stood up from his chair. Apparently, he had been in deep thought for a while now.

"I better get going," Nick stated. "It's late." With that last comment; he gave Cloud a small grin. "I'll see you tomorrow." He added before turning back to face Tifa. "I'll lock the door after myself; you better tend to Cloud's wound." With that last remark, he disappeared out of the door as a hushed silence took over.

Tifa stared at Cloud. He had an unreadable expression as she placed a handfull of ice into a cloth before approaching him.

"Here," she whispered as his right hand reached out for it. She pulled her hand back, shaking her head, "Let me…" She breathed as he slowly dropped his arm to his side and sat still.

Tifa stood over him and placed a warm hand under his chin, tilting his head slightly so she could study his wound properly. She softly dabbed the area around his cracked lip where it was swelling, before her eyes trailed off to study his wonderful features. Even with her memory lost, it was strange how she felt like she'd know him forever, as if she hadn't really forgotten about him, but merely blocked him out of her life.

As her hand stayed glued to his chin, she found herself desperately trying to remember him. His blonde hair, the blue eyes, that smooth nose of his she remembered vividly, but yesterday she could barely recall seeing these features before. There was no doubt Cloud Strife made a big impact on her life, otherwise she would have fully forgotten about him.

Staring down into those beautiful eyes he possessed, Tifa went numb as words filled her head. I promise to protect you… I promise… She heard, pulling away from him. The voice sounded familiar, it was a child's voice, full of so much wisdom. She didn't need to know whose voice she had just heard, but she could feel that it was his. Ever since she had bumped into him, more of the past returned to her. She knew she was regaining her memory slowly, but it all didn't make sense yet.

"What are you thinking of?" Cloud whispered, startling her. He'd been observing her expression, able to read her like a book.

Tifa fell back to reality as she gazed at the cloth in her hands. "You've been looking for me for two whole years, and you never lost faith?" She questioned as she took a seat and commenced dabbing away again.

Cloud thought about her inquiry… She was right. There were times that he lost faith in himself, but he was always too proud to be defeated. "Never in you…" He answered solemnly, leaving some words out. Her features were delicate and soft as she leaned in closer to his face, examining his wound. She wasn't looking at him; instead her attention was more on his lip, it was clear that she wasn't really focusing on his wound.

Flashbacks of what occurred on the last night he saw her seeped into his mind. God had given the two of them another chance, and Cloud wasn't going to lose this opportunity. Losing her made him feel as if he'd been through hell and back. Ever since the final battle with Sephiroth, all he could think about was Aeris' death. He blamed everything on himself, thinking that he was the only one hurting when Tifa was hurting too…

Now gazing at her, Cloud knew she didn't have a clue about their past. A part of him was relieved that she had forgotten, and yet the other part of him wished she remembered it all. The only thing he understood was that he was her only hopeto regain everything. He was the only one that could help her recall the past, whether if it was good or bad. He couldn't afford to leave her for the experiences he went through, she was always a part of. Cloud wanted her to be a part of his life... Just like before.

Their eyes locked together and all he could do was stare. She appeared to understand the look in his eyes for she lifted her head to be facing him squarely in the face so that he could get a clearer view of her. For a few moments, the both of them were in a trance. Cloud was recollecting every little detail on her face as she locked her eyes on him, hoping to remember. The closeness and her innocent gaze made him pull her into a tight embrace. It had been so long since he'd seen her; it had been a hell of a journey.

Tifa didn't know what happened, all she knew was that it felt right to be held by Cloud Strife.

A/N: Lookie here, an update!A new chapter for you readers out there. Once again the storyline is slow, but then I wanted this chapter to be just about Tifa and Cloud. I do believe there's no animosity from both Cloud and Nicholas, so all is good. Hope you readers enjoyed it, and please review! Cheers

- Just Mystical -