Chapter Twelve – An Unexpected Fate

The music played softly, echoing throughout the church. All eyes, including the familiar ocean blue ones were set on the woman draped in white as she gracefully made her way down the aisle. As Tifa unhurriedly walked by the various pews, a weak grin overtook her face. She was tired and her body was numb, and she didn't know what was happening to her. Just one more day… She thought. I have to last for one more day. Her pace slowed with each step she took, her vision fading as the muscles on her right arm began tightening. Fighting to keep her composure, she forced herself to keep walking, oblivious of the pain that was running through her right shoulder and arm. She had waited forever for this day; she didn't want to wait anymore.

Just a little more. Tifa thought subconsciously as she neared Cloud. His hand was outstretched towards her as the pain in her arm grew. She didn't want to admit it, but deep down within; she was panicking, knowing that there was something seriously wrong with her body. Focusing on Cloud again, she tried so hard to reach for his hand as her energy was draining away.

Cloud watched as Tifa closed the distance between them. It appeared within the short stride down the aisle, her expression and energy grew worse. Now that he had a closer view of her, she looked exhausted and particularly pale. It was evident she wasn't feeling well as she gave him a lopsided grin, the light in her eyes fading. With his arm still outstretched, she stepped towards him, her hand barely touching his before she… collapsed.

Muffled cries in the background echoed throughout the church as Cloud caught her frail form in his arms. The last thing Tifa remembered was seeing Cloud with a fearful expression etched on his handsome face. With that last image, she surrendered to the darkness.

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Flashback: three weeks ago...

Two pairs of footsteps rang through the run down church as the figures passed the fallen pillar, winding their way to the hollow patch where the pool of 'holy water' laid. Tifa released Cloud's hand, allowing him to go his own way for a while as she studied the irreparable pews behind her. At the very sight, it had brought back unwanted memories. Her hand brushed across one of the wooden pieces, as she recalled the battle that had occurred within this very church. With her hand running down the broken piece of wood, and her mind falling in another world, she remembered the emotions she had felt when she fought Loz. With nothing but the occasional echo of footsteps, nothing broke her out of her reverie as Cloud moved to stand by the pool.

His eyes widened at the sight, puzzled, and unable to comprehend what was happening. Remaining immobile, and gaping, he realized the water was drying out.

"Tifa." Cloud called.

She heard him, her head whirling around to look at him as her hand scraped harshly onto the splintering segment of the broken pew.

"Ow." She cried, her eyes darting back towards her scathed hand, seeing the deep cut as blood oozed out.

Her head lifted, examining the piece of wood that had inflicted the damage, as she spotted a black substance smeared onto the wood. Tifa didn't think much of it as Cloud's hand grasped hers tightly, pulling it close to his face. He began to bring it to his lips, but she halted him.

"It hurts." She gasped, pulling her hand away.

Using herleft hand, she rummaged through the various pockets, attempting to find a tissue, only she found none. Staring at the blood, she observed as a white cloth draped over her wound. Tying the cloth securely, Cloud gazed at Tifa for a while, smiling slightly at her expression.

"I promised to protect you," He breathed, "My promises have no end." He stated.

Wide brown eyes met blue as a face-splitting grin over took her wonderful features, forgetting about the pain in her hand. Her infectious grin affected Cloud as he found himself smiling back before he shifted to face the pool. It plagued him that the 'holy water' was drying away rapidly. What if the Geostigma syndrome was still around? He thought, leading Tifa over to the pool. They both stared at the sight, the two of them sensing that the loss of 'holy water' was a bad thing but they could do nothing about it…

End of Flashback

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The room was unnervingly quiet as everybody watched the resting Tifa who, within the ride home appeared to be lose all her colour. Majority of the clan were all huddled in her room, filled with worry, observing Cloud who was examining Tifa's right arm. Black coloured bruising were spread over her arm, and almost immediately, everybody realized what was wrong.

"Geostigma…" Cloud whispered unbelievingly. He had seen the symptoms before since he was once a victim of the disease.

"I'll go and bring some of the water back from the broken down church." Yuffie stated.

"No," Cloud countered. "I'll go." He stood, and took one last glimpse of Tifa's fatigued form before he hesitantly exited the room.

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The sun had set as Barrett brought out some dinner for the group. He noted he had really bad cooking skills, since he had burnt almost everything, but the food was still edible. Scanning the room, the unsettling atmosphere engulfed him as he studied his friends. Pure melancholy roamed in the air as nobody spoke, waiting anxiously for Cloud's return. A part of Barrett was relieved that he had stayed downstairs with the children instead of being upstairs and receiving the news of Tifa being diagnosed with Geostigma. And yet the other part of him wished he had followed Cloud to the church since the entire group were suffering.

Placing the few plates down, he began to be affected by the mood, and was thankful that the children had gone to bed. At least they didn't have to put up with the glumness everyone exhibited. Everything had turned out wrong today. What was supposed to be a joyful day had ended tragically.

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Marlene and Denzel sat beside the sleeping form of their guardian. Marlene held Tifa's left hand in her small ones as Denzel observed the dark marks on Tifa's right arm. His delicate hand ran across the markings as he noted how severe they were. It was obvious Tifa was suffering.

"Ne Marlene." Denzel whispered softly.

The little girl's violet eyes met his blue gaze.

"What's taking Cloud so long?" He asked, only to get no answer.

They sat in silence for a while before Tifa's movement caught their attention. She sat up abruptly, wincing in pain as the muscles in her arm tightened, black pus oozing out. Minutes lapsed before the spasm subsided; she lay back in bed, her breath uneven as she stared at the children, suddenly aware of their presence. A weak grin overtook her face in an attempt to be strong.

"I'll go and call daddy," Marlene stated as she began to leave, but Tifa shook her head, halting the child.

"No Marlene," Tifa spoke in a ragged tone. Her eyes searched the room. "Where's Cloud?" She breathed.

"Cloud's on his way." Denzel mumbled in reassurance as he placed a hand onto Tifa's and Marlene's hand. "You should rest." He advised wisely, remembering his days in bed from the illness.

The two children watched as Tifa closed her eyes. It was only when her eyes were sealed that they managed to gaze at one another, a disconcert look on each young face. They were a little scared, since they had never witnessed a weak Tifa before. And now that they were alone, with no Cloud to watch over them, or protect them, they huddled closer to the bed.

It was clear then, that everybody in the house had put all their faith in Cloud, wishing he would return soon.

A/N: And here I have faith for you to review (since I think I'm losing peoples' attention in this fiction) :( Or maybe I'm simply insane... +shrugs+

But anyway, surprise surprise! I bet you readers didn't expect this event did you? Heck! I didn't expect this to happen myself (it just literally popped into my head), so I hoped you enjoyed this chapter.

Well off I go to prepare the next chapter. Keep safe.