Chapter Thirteen – Disappointment & Vows

The moment Cloud dismounted Fenrir, trudging up the driveway empty handed was the instant the crew knew something had gone wrong. Rushing to the door, Barrett opened it to reveal Cloud who was evading all pairs of eyes for a while. He stepped into the unsettling atmosphere, silent, creating tension, before managing to conjure words to explain and point out the distressing truth.

"There was no water…" He stated in a low tone, his voice barely a whisper but his words lingered in the room for everyone to comprehend. Nobody could digest those words, and Cloud wouldn't have been able to too if he hadn't seen the pool with his very own eyes.

Vincent was the first to speak. "Maybe there are other regions that might contain the 'holy water'." He stated.

Cloud shook his head, his fists clenched tightly, oblivious to the pain that tweaked in his hands. They were raw from digging the dried up patch, but he remained immobile, refusing to admit defeat.

He had hoped that if he dug deep enough, there might be some water to cure Tifa's pain, but as he spent minutes digging, he realised there was nothing… Not even a drop. At the bare sight of the pool, he had called for Aeris' help… Only she was nowhere. It was as if she had abandoned him... To be more precise, she had abandoned Tifa.

Everybody kept silent at the news but Yuffie couldn't tolerate the quiet as she reached into her pockets, retrieving the wedding rings.The groupwas disappointed with the news Cloud had brought, but she felt that today wasn't a day to lose hope. Giving her attention back to the rings, she grasped them from her pockets. It was time she reminded Cloud and everyone else what today's purpose was. With the jewels in her right hand, she stood before Cloud, her arm outstretched. Small, slender fingers loosened to reveal the two silver rings; catching the attention of everybody in the room, most importantly; it caught the eyes of the blonde.

"This belongs to you." She whispered, waiting as he obtained the jewels.

He gave a nod of understanding before his head cocked up, studying the steps. Filled with renewed hope, he stood straight, no longer slumping as he began the trek to Tifa's room. The rest of the group stood immobile, waiting until it was time.

The journey to Tifa's room was one filled with various thoughts…. mainly consisting of guilt. Cloud wanted to be strong, but his confidence fleed him with every step he took. Reaching theentrance to Tifa's room, he hesitated for a moment, not wanting see her lose faith because he couldn't retrieve the 'holy water'. At the moment, Cloud felt he was dying… It pained him to know that he could do nothing to ease her pain. It made him angry that he couldn't fulfil the childhood promise he made; because right now, Tifa was suffering alone.

As doubt swirled in his head, commanding him to turn away, the bedroom door stood ajar like magic. Two tiny figures slid out from the room, catching the blonde's attention. The moment the two pairs of eyes settled onto Cloud's figure was the moment two face-splitting grins occupied the young faces.

"Cloud!" Denzel called, his eyes searching his guardian for the cure to Tifa's illness. His smile slowly fell when there was nothing in his guardian's hands.

The little boy's blue eyes returned to meet the blonde's face. "Tifa…" He drifted, shifting back to face the now closed door.

Cloud watched the scene before him. He'd seen the hope in the children's eyes fade after they realized he brought nothing to ease Tifa's pain. He wanted to assure them that she would be fine, but the white lie wouldn't come to his lips. Before an air of awkwardness could exist, Barrett had come to the rescue.

"There ya are." He said to the children. "Dinner's ready. I thought ya will be hungry."

Cloud observed as Barrett hustled the children downstairs. Just as the tanned man disappeared, he threw Cloud an encouraging nod.

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The pain racked every pore on her body; her eyes were clamped shut in an attempt to ease the pain. As the spasm continued, she found her free hand grasping onto a dark shirt in a vice-like grip. Arms engulfed her, pulling her into the warm realm of Cloud Strife. It was then that the pain had alleviated, her expression altering from hell to heaven.

"I'm sorry…" Cloud whispered into her hair, holding her tightly. Those two words was the only thing that he could convey correctly.

Tifa's eyes fluttered open at his words, comprehending them before the image of a dried up pool entered her mind. She remained placid in his arms, shaking her head in reply before controlling her uneven breath. It was evident that she was weak, but she fought on to be rid of the disease. After waiting for Cloud for so long, and now that she finally had him, she wasn't going to lose him without a decent fight.

Pushing him softly, he held her at arms length, gazing at her with sad eyes. She hated that look. It was as if he had lost all faith in her. As if he was going to lose her for sure.

"I'm not going anywhere Cloud." She informed in a barely audible tone. "I'm not going anywhere because you're here with me."

Those words of reassurance poured warmth into the blonde as he caressed her cheeks, his fingers trailing to her lips. This was the Tifa he knew. The Tifa who always remained hopeful and strong at pessimistic times, she was the woman that appeared to be the last one standing, bringing those that have fallen, back onto their feet no matter what state she was in.

His eyes studied her. He had so much to tell her, but felt that it was too much to say, so he did what he thought was better than words. Cloud used his hand to tilt her chin up, making it easier to make contact with her lips. He could only stare for a while, as his eyes met hers, her face leaning into his. For a moment, everything played in slow motion, the only sound that filled their ears was the loud racing of their hearts. As two warm lips linked together, hands instinctively took over. Cloud buried his hands in her hair as her arms wrapped around his neck. This rush of emotion was familiar as the kiss deepened.

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Almost everyone downstairs waited patiently. Yuffie was the only member that couldn't wait any longer as she paced the room impatiently. She turned her eyes to the stairs before scanning the room. The children were preoccupied with poking their burnt food.

"I think it's time." Called the ninja as she began to walk up the stairs.

Barrett gave the petite figure a look of warning. "Cloud'll call us when he's ready." He stated.

"It's been thirty minutes. At this rate he'll never be ready!" Yuffie exclaimed, making her way up the stairs before Barrett could protest.

First she was alone, and the next thing she knew the whole clan was right behind her. Opening the door, she had a short glimpse of Tifa and Cloud pulling away from what appeared to be a kiss.

"So that's why you've been taking so long." Yuffie called with no discomfit, as Tifa's cheeks burned red.

Cloud remained immobile as his senses returned to him. As the group crowded Tifa's room, he recalled what his mission was. He sat up, his hand searching within his pocket, withdrawing the rings as his gaze returned back to see Tifa blush. Denzel and Marlene were pushed forth by the group as they each grabbed hold of one ring. Cloud glanced at Tifa in question as her eyes ran across the rings and the children before she nodded, a smile overtaking her tired face. This wedding was different compared to others.

"I do." She breathed her lips numb from Cloud's kiss.

Everybody watched with bright eyes as Cloud slid the white-gold ring onto Tifa's slender finger. She marvelled at the jewel before picking up Cloud's ring from Marlene. She raised an eyebrow in questioning but Yuffie cut in.

"And do you Cloud Strife take Tifa Lockheart to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the ninja inquired as the blonde gave a nod of his head.

"I do." He whispered weakly as Tifa slid the ring onto his wedding finger.

The brunette began trembling involuntarily but she fought on till the end.

"I now pronounce you as husband and wife." Yuffie half shouted in excitement, before she grinned at her next few words. "You may kiss the bride." She stated.

For a while it left everyone's mind that Tifa was ill. However, they were reminded of the disease when Tifa closed her eyes, falling forward as Cloud caught her in a hug. It was clear time was running out and the brunette needed immediate treatment. Yet the only problem was… there was no treatment available.

A/N: The kiss was inspired by Tifa's "Words isn't the only thing to let someone know how you feel." This chapter was exciting to write, and I hoped you enjoyed every bit of it. I hope this was a 'thrilling' scene. And I hope this wedding is unique to all the other ones you've read about in other fanfictions! ;P

After reading the reviews, and overwhelmed by the support, I want to dedicate this chapter to my fellow readers/ reviewers. Infiinite thanks guys (If I could, I would give each of you a great big hug!) :D

Cheers