I do not own any of the rights of Final Fantasy 7. It all belongs to Square Enix.

The story arch of the last chapter didn't disappoint me but I was disappointed with how I presented it. It was also on the short side, not very entertaining at all.

I know I said this would have Romance too but I'm working up to that point.

Just be patient with me and you guys can take turns hitting me until I complete this.

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Chapter. 3 – His Reason

Cloud slammed his drink down hard, he was furious with Barret yet again. Barret had commented on Cloud's sense of style. What did his style have to do with how well he was leading the team he thought to himself?

"Look, All I'm sayin is you look like a fag with that spiky hair of yours," Barret argued.

Cloud looked at him with a cold look. Apparently he hadn't even been able to enjoy one meal without Barret saying something stupid. Everyone was at the dinner table eating except for Yuffie and Tifa, Cloud had wondered where they were but he knew those two well enough and didn't really worry too much about it.

"It does look a little bit on the fruity side. I mean god damn your hair looks like the ones I've seen at adult parties," Cid added.

Barret chuckled and couldn't help himself but jokingly ask, "So you like them Fags, Cid?"

"The Fuck I don't. Nothing goes up this man's ass but a suppository," Cid replied.

Everyone had a good laugh at that.

"Hey, where are Yuffie and Tifa?" Cloud asked.

There was an eerie silence for a moment.

"Dunno, Need some proof you aren't a fag?" Barret asked apparently not satisfied with making fun of Cloud, Tifa walked in as Barret finished the sentence. She had a look of concern on her face.

"Hey Tifa, where have you been?" Barret asked. Tifa gave him a look of sadness. Their eyes almost seemed to say he'd done something wrong. "Whoa, what's with that look?"

Cloud looked at Tifa. He had seen this kind of look before, every time she had been sad.

"I'm just worried about Yuffie," Tifa started. She raised her eyes toward Cloud. "She's not been doing too well since Aries's death," Tifa finished. Cloud gave a look of calm insight.

"Eh, the little ho has nothing to be worried about. We take care most of the things and all she really does is take up space and eat our food," Barret complained.

"You idiot, she's younger than us and she's hurting on the inside," Tifa explained.

Cloud decided to change the subject. He hated how Barret always did this, mocking everyone but himself. He was too proud for his own damn good.

"So, where are we headed?" Cloud asked.

"There's a rumor a crazed man in black was spotted somewhere near here," Cid informed.

Everyone remembered just how Sephiroth had been his or her biggest concern. He was slowly becoming quite the foe. Cloud recently found out he had been a puppet controlled by Sephiroth. Sephiroth had raped his mind and forced him to do his bidding. Cloud wanted nothing more than to end all of this; it was his sin to carry.

"Hey Cloud, can I talk with you for a moment?" Tifa asked.

"The usual spot?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah, The Chocobo stable," Tifa answered.

They went to the stable for the conversation.

"So, Yuffie's having nightmares?" Cloud asked.

"I'm worried, they aren't normal. She hurt herself pretty badly. I think she's really disturbed," Tifa explained.

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?" Cloud asked.

"I'm going to try my best helping her," Tifa gave Cloud a weird dazed look. "Could you tell me why you treat her different from the others?" Tifa asked finally.

"Well, Everyone treats her so differently that it reminded me of myself. The real me…" Cloud's voice trailed off at the horrible memories of being a puppet.

"That's right, we weren't even as close as you thought. I, like the others had picked on you, I really am sorry for that," Tifa said.

Cloud gave her an accepting look.

"So, what's your reason?" Cloud asked. Tifa blushed in amusement knowing how Cloud could always get answers from females. He always had a way with the girls, something that made Barret furiously jealous.

"I…I think I…Cloud, do you think if you really loved someone, wouldn't you tell them?" Tifa asked in an unsure voice. Cloud gave her a confused look trying to figure out an answer she was looking for.

"I dunno what this has to do with Yuffie but…with my knowledge that there isn't a forever for anyone, I'd tell someone I really loved them. I never really got that chance with Aries and I don't think I'll ever be in love or have that chance again," Cloud looked down in sadness.

"Your so honest, unlike that oaf Barret," Tifa said.

Cloud embraced Tifa. They hugged each other knowing that they would always be friends no matter what. Yuffie was walking toward them when she saw the sight. She looked to them in sadness. She knew she had lost her chance…

She ran away in tears when Tifa finally noticed her.

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Well, that will do for this chapter, much better chapter than the last one.