Chapter 2

Time gone by and without I realized 2 years had passed. But the death of Aerith still fresh in my mind as it occurred yesterday. Sephiroth, the person Cloud had ever trusted, murdered her. But he accused himself for causing Aerith's death. He couldn't let off himself. He couldn't stand that idea anymore. Maybe that was the explanation why he was gone, fleeing. And I, I was please looking her, died, because I wished one day Cloud would fall in love with me. But part of me understood that it was a silly dream because Cloud only considered me as his pal.

"Kringg…" the phone rang. It must be from someone who was looking for Cloud.

"He's not here anymore." I said to an invisible man.

"Kringg…" the phone rang again. Well, what can I do except to answer it? . I past a room where Denzel, an orphan like Cloud, remained lying because a disease called Geostigma infected him and a girl waiting for him named Marlene, Barret's younger sister.

"Hello, Strife delivery service. We'll deliver anyth… "

"Tifa, right?"

"Who is this?"

"This is Reno. Do you remember me? "

"I remember you."

"Can I talk to Cloud? I have a message for him."

"…" Cloud…huh?

"Hello? Tifa?"

"Ah yes?"

"Can I talk to Cloud?" he repeated.

"Cloud isn't here. But you can tell it to me and I'll convey it to him."

"Mmm… please tell him that Boss want to meet him."

"By boss you mean Rufus?"

"Right and don't forget Boss is waiting for him."

"Okay, I'll tell Cloud."

"Bye."

"Bye" well, I guess I had to tell him. So I pushed buttons connected to his phone.

"Tllt…tllt…"Oh God, I hope he answered it.

"This is Cloud. I'm busy right now. Please leave a message after this sound." I was dumb to even imagine that he would answer it.

"Piiip"

"I got a phone call from Reno. He said it's a mission from Rufus and they're waiting for you in Healin." Okay! Now, what I was gonna say? I had told him the message.

"Cloud… How have you been doing? Fine?" I guess only that question I could ask him. I had lost my word.

"Kringg…" I just had walked back.

"Geez…not again"

"Tifa? Tells Cloud 'anyway, just hurry.' Thanks," He said before I even started to say thing.

"Wait, Reno!" But he had already put the telephone. What was wrong with him? Again, I dialed his phone number and again, the answer machine answered it.

"There was another phone call from Reno. 'Anyway, just hurry,' he said. He seemed a little weird, though. Be careful." I put the phone back. Sigh…I wonder if Cloud was fine.

"Tifa…" shocked by that voice, I fell the phone. I keel over to see whose voice was it.

"Ah, Marlene…"

"Sorry" she apologized.

"It's alright. What's wrong?" her face…

"Was that telephone from Cloud?"

"No, it was from my friend."

"I see," she was displeased. Oh no! What must I do?

"W…why don't we go somewhere? I know a good place here," I suggested.

"Really?" she cheered up a bit. "But what about Denzel?"

"Denzel is sleeping, right? Let him sleep well. We are disturbing him. I mean, he need time to be alone." I added, seeing her worried face

"But…"

"I'm fine, Marlene. Just go with Tifa. You need refreshing," said a boy voice.

"Denzel!" said Marlene and me at the same time.

"Denzel, you're not supposed to leave bed!" she reminded

"Marlene, Denzel is right. You need refreshing."

"Are you really fine?"

"Yes" convinced Denzel, smiling.

"If Denzel said so…" and so we went to an abandon cathedral. In the center of it, was a group of white flowers. Near it, I saw indication that someone was occupying this cathedral. Impossible! This place was supposed only known by Aerith, Cloud, and me. Cloud! Was it really he?

"Cloud is living here?" I guess Marlene was thinking as I was.

"Looks like it"

"What is it?" she pointed a locked box. Was it materials? I shook my head as a replied. Eh? What was that lied on the box? A bandage?

"Just like Denzel's! Is Cloud sick too? Sick…so that was the reason he left.

"He could just tell us," I said, it was rather to myself than to Marlene. Were we so that unreliable that he couldn't tell us? Or…

"Did he leave because he's sick?" Marlene asked. She was confused; I could see it from his face.

"He thinks he's going to fight them by himself"

"Fight?"

"No…he doesn't have the will to fight." Yes, he didn't have any will. He even didn't have will to survive. He was a hopeless man now. I couldn't do anything to help him. Aerith…what would you do if you were me?

"Tifa?"

"Let's go home, Marlene"

"No! I want to meet Cloud" meet him? …She was right! Why should I afraid to meet him? I didn't even try.

"I see…you're right. Want to meet him, right?

"Yes"

"Hey, what should we do when we meet him?"

"Go home, together!"

"Before that, we'll lecture him" I said, smiling.

"Agree" so it settled. Marlene was so happy. She was picking flowers, and humming at the same time while I sitting on the box, watching her.

'Brak!' the door opened. Cloud? No, it wasn't Cloud! Marlene was coming toward the stranger- she thought it was Cloud-. Fortunately, I could stop her. The stranger was coming to us. It was a man with spike, gray hair.

"Wanna play?" he asked. And when I stand still, he said, "I see, you don't want to. Where's mother?" he came closer. He became more and more closer to us. I held the grasp tighter. But he stopped abruptly. "It stinks." He said while he closed his nose. Aerith…she guarded us.

"Hey, where's mother?" he repeated.

"There's no one here," I answered.

"Then let's play." I didn't know what he meant by play. But one thing for sure he came here seeking something and ready to do everything to earn it. I let off Marlene so she could lurked herself. I had on my gloves and was prepared for battle. He looked astound.

"Heh. This should be fun" I began attacking with fast speed. But I was sure he had foreseen It. Because..

"Wh…" I felt a shock and I fell. Ugh, I didn't expect he used stand gun. I couldn't lose here. So I rose and began attack again. I see, he could avoid me but how about this? Alright! Eh? He grabbed me at feet, spin my body and threw me. Fortunately, I could keep my balance by using the wall as support Unbelievable. He is strong. But! I wouldn't give up either. I was strong too. I jumped from the wall and attacked him. Ok! Kept this pace and I could win. Yes! I won.

"Tifa!" Marlene came to me. 'Tllt…tllt…' what was that sound? I saw a movement. Was it he? Was this sound come from his phone? And I was right. He answered it.

"It's not here" It? "I'm not crying! …Got it. I'll bring it." He closed the phone. "Time to finish this." A table? It was useless. What! When did he…? Ugh!

'Puk' she chucked something at him. Was she trying to protect me by taking his attention? She is kind but she had to think more about herself! He came toward her.

"Cloud" it was useless, Marlene. Cloud wasn't here and I couldn't shield you anymore.

"Run" I shouted. Ran, Marlene. I couldn't move so I couldn't protect you. So ran! She still didn't budge. I begged you, please RUN! Save yourself! M…my… vision kept and kept out of focus.

"Tifa! Tifa!" I heard Cloud's voice from far away. And after one or two minutes I finally aware where I was.

"You're late"

"Who did this?"

"Someone I didn't know." Wait a minute! There was something wrong. ! "Marlene!" ugh! My head is h…u…r…t…

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