Dang, I forgot the disclaimer...
No fan who doesn't assume the identity of Square-Enix and/or its affiliates have the legal right or the right to call Final Fantasy 7 their own.
They do however, have copyrighted privileges concerning the story they personally created and own regarding this game. That includes me. :-)
Here goes, enjoy.
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Promises... The fundamental building block in which hope could be built upon. Promises are created to rekindle the fires of hope of those who need something to hold on to. Promises are powerful yet delicate. It is powerful enough for people to hope yet delicate enough to be easily broken.
This sadly, is partly true to a wanderer- a restless, remorseful soul who kept no promise fulfilled. Or so he thinks...
"Hey, you goin' to move your butt or are you goin' to keep muckin' around?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry Barrett." with heavy feet, the poor man caught up alongside his impatient friend. He has many friends; friends who are more than capable of helping each other whether emotionally or physically. However, it still pained him. 'We lost someone dear to us... To me... Because of an unfulfilled promise...' He remembered his failure to prevent a tragic ending to that friend and his failure to uphold that tragic promise to her. He felt a sharp pain in his heart, just by thinking about it. But there are still more of those. Searching through the rubble of his mind, he found bits of broken promises from the heap. 'Tifa... I almost lost you in the reactor that... I promised... An empty... Promise...' he discarded that thought, hoping not to remember it ever again. He cared so much for his childhood friend and that memory remains as a deep scar, a constant reminder to the fool who broke his promises. It is such a deep scar that it adds more pain to his heart. He wanted to run away from all this pain, from his worthlesness, from his full capacity to hurt others because of him... And his promises.
"Hey, thanks a lot you guys! I'm glad both of you are here, you've been great helpers to me in the bar."
Yet he had to live with it...
"Eh, don't mention it, Tif. It's been kinda productive, workin' here and all, helpin' ya. How's Marlene?"
"Up in her room," she nods her head at the direction of the stairs. "Sleeping."
"Aryt, I'll jus' go an' check on her." Barrett trudged towards the set of stairs and proceded to ascend them.
"Don't wake her up!"
"I won't!", came a muffled reply.
Tifa smiled as she turned her head to face Cloud. He was staring into the emptiness of the floor. "Hey Cloud..."
Cloud didn't reply. He was lost in thought.
Tifa frowned and waved a hand in front of his face, "Hello?"
No answer.
Tifa took the moment to examine the guy. She was just a good friend to him yet she saw him differently. The weird hair, those beautiful blue eyes, an innocent face... She liked him a lot due to those. And when she got to know him much better, she walked a step further on her feelings for him. She cared for him a lot more than a bestfriend would; she cared deeply for him. She wanted to reach deeper into the facade of those eyes and help him, or if possible, let him know how she really feels about him but right now, she'll focus more on helping him with his 'problem with promises'. She has done much to help him, making her forget that the only thing left to do is for him to help himself. And that, she can't do. It's now up to him. A small grin started to spread on her face as a mischievous thought came across her mind. She held up a hand, over his head. She resisted the urge to touch his cheek for it may snap him out of his reverie, which she intended to do using a different approach. She found it surprisingly difficult but she managed. Her hand reached the target: a spike of his hair, and playfully tugged at it.
"Ow!"
She giggled, he was sooo cute! "Good evening Mr. Strife,"
"Huh? It's evening already? But-"
"Nah, I was just kidding." Tifa replied, stiffling another giggle.
"You like taking advantage of me" Cloud spoke, rubbing the part of his head which Tifa tugged at.
Tifa helped Cloud to a seat. Sitting down beside him, she spoke, "Well, you like being taken advantage of. Anyway, same problem again?"
Cloud looked down at his hands and sighed, "Yeah." He looked at Tifa, " You know, I really appreciate everything that you did to help me. Um, still have any advice?"
"I told you Cloud," she pressed a finger to his chest, "you're the only one left who has to do something about it."
"Yeah, I know..."
"You'll be able to work it out. I believe in you."
Cloud replied with a smile, 'With you by my side, I'm starting to believe in myself as well.' Cloud could not run away- away from this problem, away from the pain he feels and he can inflict because of this one person beside him. Her radiance melts away the gloom. Tifa is Cloud's inspiration, she is why Cloud has been able to face this. All of it is washed away by her simple smile. His feet would always lock in place, preventing him from running away. 'You believe in me... Tifa...' then suddenly, it dawned on him. He denies the fact that he likes her because right now, he loves her already. He realized that she is precious to him. He would do anything to ensure her happiness and safety. With this new realization came a new resolve: He will protect her. He promises to himself that he will protect her no matter what. And this time he will not break this promise or any other promise for that matter. Never shall he dwell in the broken glass of empty promises. "Thanks a lot Tif."
Tifa flashed him her sweetest smile. "Well, gotta fix the stuff you guys bought." She patted Cloud on the shoulder then proceded to stand up when suddenly, a firm yet gentle force held her hand, preventing her from leaving. She immediately glanced at her hand to find Cloud's hand around it. Then, she felt the force from his hand pull her close to him. Cloud caught her in a warm embrace. She felt her body relax as she hugged him back. 'Cloud... You're so warm...' For her, it felt so good and so... perfect... She wanted to fall asleep in his arms.
But what she did not know was that her own embrace had completely wiped all of Cloud's problems away...
Promises... The fundamental building block in which hope could be built upon. Promises are created to rekindle the fires of hope of those who need something to hold on to.
In this moment, Cloud now has someone to hold on to, to fight for, to promise to...
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A/N
Hello, this is my first time to write a FF7 fic. Haven't written anything in for around 2 years.. I'm getting rusty already. Anyway, Hope you guys enjoy it!