Chapter Seven – Childish Ploy

Marlene set the last plate onto the dining table, ready for dinner as she took her place across from Denzel. The two of them eyed one another, reading each other's expression. As her eyes scanned across Denzel's look, she gave a small grin as she recognised it. Turning, she studied her guardian who was still situated behind the counter, slicing up the chicken fillet for the Caesar salad she was preparing.

"Tifa?" Marlene called softly. When she finally caught her guardian's attention, she took in a deep breath. "When's Cloud coming home?" She inquired with a hint of hope in her tone.

When Tifa didn't make eye contact, the hope dwelling within Marlene fell flat.

"I doubt he'll be home. He's busy these days." Tifa replied, unable to endure the children's saddened expressions. For the past few days she had seen it far too many times to last her a life time.

"But we've barely seen him…" Denzel cut in.

At those words, Tifa glanced up at the little boy who was staring at her with a hurt look spread evenly on his face. She couldn't blame the children for being so demanding. They'd been very patient with the situation between her and Cloud that they finally couldn't take it anymore. She knew they were feeling unwanted, but she simply had too many problems to handle that she couldn't comfort them, no matter how hard she tried.

Moments lapsed before Denzel finally broke the eye contact, his head shifting around to face the door. It was quiet as three pairs of eyes studied the door handle to the entrance. They watched as the doorknob twisted, gradually opening. As the figure slowly stepped into the light, unhurriedly coming into view, all Tifa, Denzel and Marlene did was blink in surprise, not believing their eyes. When the form was fully inside the house, the light revealing a blonde spiky haired man, he turned to discover the children staring at him with wide eyes, a grin slowly tearing onto their faces.

"Cloud!" Both Marlene and Denzel shouted in union as they half jumped out of their chairs.

Stunned momentarily, as he felt the impact of their hug, Cloud ruffled both children's hair as they pulled away from him.

"You're back for dinner." Denzel grinned, sitting back at the table again, his eyes never leaving his mentor.

Before anymore words were exchanged, Tifa broke in.

"Dinner's ready." She announced, bringing her bowl of salad onto the dinner table, hesitating to take her seat across from Cloud.

It was a rule the children had created a couple of holidays ago that had forced the adults to sit in their assigned position they were in. Now as Tifa sat down awkwardly, she refused to look at Cloud.

Dinner started off with the children chattering and grinning, both adults remained cool and collected, but making it discreet at the same time. Just as things started to feel like it should for the children, it immediately plundered when both adults glanced at one another coincidentally. Both adults not expecting the reaction they were about to give. At the sight of Tifa, Cloud abruptly stood from the table, his eyes averted to the floor. A hushed silence took over the room as he excused himself and left. For minutes, Denzel was only able to gaze at Marlene numbly, the two of them shocked at Cloud's sudden exit. Their eyes travelled over to Tifa as she gave a weak grin.

"Let's eat," she whispered, a tiny speck of anger alighted within her.

By the time dinner ended, the anger had finally got to her as she cleaned. She half slammed dirty dishes and cups into the sink, not noticing she was scaring the children. As sense came back to her, she noticed the children were no where in sight. Letting out her pent up breath, she blamed everything on herself.

She was angry at herself for not dealing with her issues in a more mature manner. She knew that there was a healthier way in dealing with this misunderstanding between her and Cloud, but she had chosen the other alternative; getting the children involved. And after tonight's episode, when Cloud made such a big scene, she sensed she would have to make a move soon. She didn't want to make the children unhappy anymore; and knew hers and Cloud's prolonged conversation would have to take place shortly…

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Cloud didn't understand what took over him as he continued to walk briskly in the dark. He didn't know what caused his sudden outburst, but he knew the moment he locked eyes with Tifa, was the moment he felt the need to get away. Seeing her had made him remember her words from the other night, which caused him to feel that stroke of pain in his chest. He felt defenceless when she was around. He felt out of control, wanting to explain everything to her, but scared that she might damage whatever was left of his honour and pride.

With his hands in his pockets, he felt the intricate carvings on the smooth, ivory box, reminding him of his visit to the pawn shop. It had been days since he'd visited the place, but no matter how hard he pushed himself to trade in the ring, he simply couldn't. Maybe it was the fact that he felt so attached to it, but whatever it was, it was the reason that caused him to hold onto the ring and not give it away.

As he continued walking hurriedly down the dark street, images of the children flashed before his eyes as he recollected their smiles that greeted him when he returned from work tonight. A rush of guilt overtook him as he realised he had let the children down. It was supposed to be a happy dinner tonight, but after his reaction, he knew the children were far from being happy.

Reaching a secluded area, Cloud removed his buster sword from its strap that rested on his back and began swinging it. He intended to get rid of all his worries by training real hard tonight. Even if it meant striking his heavy sword onto trees for hours and hours he would do it, as long as it ceased his thoughts and gave him peace for just one night.

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Both Denzel and Marlene sighed in unison, ready to call it a night. They were tucked in bed comfortably, but sleep was nowhere near as the two of them sighed aloud again. It had been three days since they had arrived. For three strenuous days, they had tried to endure the awkwardness that forever roamed in the atmosphere when Tifa or Cloud was around. Things had changed, and it definitely wasn't for the better. So far, their three days consisted of watching Tifa continuously clean and mop the floor even though the place was sparkling clean. It also included watching Tifa and Cloud avoid one another (neither of them exchanging words) as if it was a game they were playing. It didn't take long for the children to discover their guardians' unusual behaviour, and it also didn't take long for their odd manner to finally take its toll on the children.

Their meals were bland or overly seasoned, their conversations with their guardians incorporated of barely any words, and dinner… Well dinnertime was the worst (tonight's dinner to be exact). It had come to the point where both Marlene and Denzel were dreading the next dinner together. As Denzel lay in bed, his eyes wide open and staring into the dark nothingness, his mind drifted off, recalling the events at dinner which caused him to be in such an unpleasant mood. Lying on his side, he gazed outside the window. Looking at the trees in the distance, a plan concocted in his head as the first grin in hours took place on the little boy's face.

"Ne Marlene?" Denzel whispered as he shifted onto his left side to face the little girl.

Marlene's eyes reluctantly flew open to spot Denzel's blue orbs staring right at her. "Mmmm?" She responded tiredly. It had been a long day.

As excitement tore through the boy's body, he quietly explained the plan that occupied his head. When the boy finally finished talking, he waited for Marlene's response. At first, there was nothing.

"You think it'll work?" Marlene asked with enthusiasm, clearing the tension.

Denzel shrugged, "It's worth a try."

Then there was silence again as the children imagined their plan taking place and succeeding. An identical grin spread widely on both faces. The only thought they had in their minds, was the thought of succeeding with their childish ploy. It was time they had taken matters in their own hands…

A/N: A brand new chapter, for a brand new mission (to be exact, a 'childish ploy')... Will they succeed? Well, you'll just have to wait and see! I hope you enjoyed this chapter... Review when you can (positive feedback or negative feedback is fine, as long as it's constructive)! Much appreciated :D Keep safe, and I'll be back!

(Note to AngelAerith: To clear up a matter, this story revolves around 'Final Fantasy VII Advent Children' not the game. And thanks for the first flame, I appreciate your opinion, but how does writing about things that inspire me, make me a 'dumbass'?)