Disclaimer: I do not own FF7 (geez no wonder nobody updates things anymore, it's too painful to write the disclaimer..XD)
Lockheart016: thanks for all the reviews. And sorry I didn't get to update sooner TT…darn I wasn't able to fulfill my promise of updating every week ..XD
My Cloud
Catching a cloud…
And in a blink of an eye, Sephiroth had punched him. It hurt; it hurt a lot not only physically. It was so difficult for Cloud to just reside there knowing that he could've done something, but no he doesn't want to fight anymore.
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Several punches were striking Cloud Strife, he felt pain shoot through his body, it was agonizing, each and every second of it, not only physically. All this was happening to him but he didn't move, he made up his mind...he wasn't going to fight. He just stood there, bearing every hit. His eyes were closed, trying to not think of the hurt, all he was trying to think about was his love: Tifa…she was the one who was giving him strength, the hope of her accepting him after this gave him a new light. She was everything that meant to him, her smiles, joyful voice, these were the only things which kept him from falling.
After a few seconds, minutes, of hell, the punches which were inflicting him stopped. But the throbbing pain was still there.
"What happened to the Cloud Strife I knew?" he heard an arrogant voice, Sephiroth violently grabbed hold of his hair pulling it up making his foe's face be at equal height as his , but Cloud only responded with a growl, the silver haired man pushed him back causing him to land on the ground. Cloud took his time to sit down and face Sephiroth the ache from the punches were still affecting him very much, and he was starting to become wobbly
Clenching his fists Cloud watched as his enemy paced back and forth, in front of him "Cloud , Cloud , Cloud, what happened to you? Are you sick? Why, you were the one who started this all remember?" He said in a conceited voice
"Shut up, Seph" Cloud said aggravated, he hated hearing Sephiroth mock him, he was the loser not him, he'd always fight back
"If you want me to shut up, get up and fight" the egotistical voice turned into a somewhat annoyed voice
Cloud sneered Huh, I still piss off this idiot even though, I'm not fighting back he felt triumphant for a second "I'm still not fighting you" he said in a husky voice, still keeping his word to himself
"The notorious Cloud Strife is backing away from a fight?" He looked down and gave Cloud a disgusted gaze, Cloud's triumphant feeling faded away and went back to his goaded self "You have just wasted my time Strife" Sephiroth backed out and walked away from him "Next time I'll make sure you fight back, that friend of yours is getting it". Cloud's eyes bolted open, Tifa? He knows Tifa? Cloud watched as his figure slowly started to disappear because of his distance
"Shit! How the hell am I going to explain this to Tifa now and that maniac's after her" Cloud said raising his arms up, examining the bruises he just got from Sephiroth. He was still sitting in the same spot His rival left him in.
"Cloud" he heard a familiar feminine voice, the bruised teenager turned his head around and he saw Tifa approaching him. Tifa was so worried; her eyes were filled with anxiety as she knelt down to see what had happened to the man she cared so much about and Cloud didn't feel any better than her, he was equally anxious knowing that Sephiroth might go after her, and if that was the case he'd be ready to kick Sephiroth's ass off.
"Cloud, what happened, i- I heard your scream?" Cloud, suddenly, felt relieved and all the thoughts of his enemy faded away from his head because of seeing Tifa beside him now and knowing that she was this worried. This really took is mind off his enemy and he concentrated on her. He was happy and amused to see how panicked Tifa was.
"..So …I …heard it and -and tried to go here as fast as I could but then there was this kid..who was..and he needed, so I… and I… and I couldn't resist helping him, are you okay?And now I got- I got here and all I saw was that silver haired man who was beating the hell off you..But then I couldn't go near…and.. I … What…" Tifa's long stream of words just kept going and going, it wasn't making any sense anymore she was just too panicked but Cloud didn't mind he just stared at her. His thoughts were wandering off, he looked at her so intently that he didn't absorb, or even try to absorb any word that came out of her mouth, he just watched. He was pleased to know that she cared this much, he couldn't help but give a small smile.
Tifa stopped talking as she noticed the blond gazing absorbedly at her, she arched her eyebrows "What's wrong?" she said, her eyes still filled with concern. Cloud shook his head slowly, and without warning he put his hand behind Tifa's head and pushed it towards his shoulder making her lean to him, he put his other hand on her back making her go closer to him(A/N: So they were practically hugging, but Tifa wasn't hugging back. get it? )", they stayed like that for a few moments.
Tifa felt the same thing she felt that time when they both fell down and Tifa was on top of Cloud, she had that same intoxicating feeling. She liked that feeling, she liked that feeling of being near Cloud, she felt so safe, so protected and she somehow felt special in his arms. She never wanted it to end like last time, but unfortunately…
"C-cloud?" she started
"Hmm?" he was still 'relishing' their hug
"Wha-What are you doing"
Cloud, finally fell out of his daydream, and got back to his senses, and so he immediately let go of Tifa "Nothing. Thank you"
Tifa was still blushing, but she wasn't shy even though she knew Cloud would notice it, she smiled at his words and stood up, and brushed her bangs off her eyes "Let's go and fix you okay?" she said holding her hand out to Cloud, he instantly took it and got up "I have some stuff at home, we can treat those there"
"Are you sure it's okay, I mean isn't it awkward to let some beat up guy into your house? What would your folks say?" Cloud said scratching his nose
Tifa just gave a small laugh "My mom's in the office, my dad's on a business trip and Sora has baseball practice" she smiled again (O.O…they're going to be alone! .. :p)
"Well okay…" Cloud said while walking off to the direction Tifa was going to. The girl was happy to see that Cloud didn't break anything, that he was still able to walk properly
The walk to Tifa's home was okay; Tifa spent the time checking on Cloud's condition, this was better than the times they'd walk together without anyone saying a single word, the times where both of them felt uneasy and trying to guess what's on each other's mind. This time it was as if no trouble went between them. And this made Cloud glad, though he knows that she probably only acted nice because he was injured.
The stroll was soon over and they reached the front of the Lockheart residence. Tifa opened the gate and the two proceeded. Tifa assisted Cloud to sit in the brown velvet couch in their living room. He comfortably sat down and waited for Tifa to come back with the medical supplies
Hmm ... this is a cozy place Cloud thought, his thoughts quickly went back to what Sephiroth said : "Next time I'll make sure you fight back, that friend of yours is getting it"…damn that man, if he lays a finger on Tifa, he's going to get her. Oh great! I have to make sure Tifa's always with me so I can protect her
Will I tell her? …
Not even a few minutes passed and Tifa came back with a first aid box in her hands, she approached Cloud and knelt down to treat his bruised knee.
"Don't worry Cloud, I know what I'm doing, it doesn't really look bad" she said trying to make Cloud feel better, and she continued to treat the knee without looking at Cloud, then she spoke again "You know you're lucky nothing bad happened to your face, your girlfre- .."
"Sorry" Cloud said silently, cutting off Tifa
His voice was so low that Tifa could've missed it but she was paying attention to him "For?"
"For being an ass" Cloud said seriously while looking down at her, his companion was still fixing his bruises, still not looking up at him
It took a moment for her to respond, finally, Tifa sighed, looked up, and began to speak "No I-It's okay, I understand, I…I should have let you explain. You didn't fight back didn't you?"
"Yea I didn't. But Tifa you were mad..and-.."
This time the young lady was the one to cut him off she looked at him straight in the eyes "Okay..Okay, I got mad, but it's just because you lied to me, I thought you'd trust me. And besides you said sorry several times so I'm fine" she gave out a forgiving smile. Silence filled the room and the young lady spoke again "Why didn't you fight back, I thought you were the toughest guy in the alley?"
"I wanted to prove to myself that I could do things without fighting and for you...also for someone who's very dear to me" Cloud was referring to Tifa when he said 'someone dear' but he knew he couldn't break the ice just yet.
"Oh" Tifa said kind of disappointed at what she heard, he had someone special, and it wasn't her, it was probably his girlfriend…
"Tifa, I'm sorry again, I guess I was just scared of losing someone, someone, like a friend, like you" he felt something prick his heart when he said the word 'friend'
"I'm not going anywhere Cloud" she gave him a reassuring smile
Cloud smirked "And besides I'm protecting my image for someone, I like"
"Huh, but don't you have a girlfriend?" Tifa asked with a dubious look on her eyes
"Yea uh..about that" Cloud couldn't look her in the eyes "I –i-uhm..broke up with her, yea I did, the night I heard you knew…b-but don't tell anyone, I don't want them to make a fuzz out of it"
Believing everything he said Tifa got up and started treating the bruises on his arms, she smiled to herself having as she felt hope in her heart.
At least his girlfriend is out of the way, but now he's eying someone else, oh God, when can you be My Cloud
"Well this new person in your heart must be very special for you to take that defeat" Tifa said again wanting to get more information bout her new antagonist
"Well, yea, she's special, and besides I'd die for people I love"
"Naah" Cloud looked at Tifa with curiosity "Dying is much too easy, I'd rather live for people I love, ne?" Her childhood friend just nodded after realizing and absorbing what she's just said
"Hey Cloud"
"Yes?"
"Uhh..can I ask you to make another promise?. Not that I'm a clingy bitch or anything, but, can you promise to have no more secrets?"
"Yes sure...do you know that when i take a bath i-"
Tifa laughed "Cloud, you know what kind of secrets I meant" she said rolling her eyes
"Of course I promise" Cloud said but Tifa sensed some doubt in Cloud
"And Cloud I also promise to give you time" she sweetly smiled
Silence once again filled the room; Cloud just observed Tifa as her delicate hands treat his bruises, then a question just popped out of his mind
She's so wise she's probably the one I should ask..but I concerns her?..ah what the hey
"Hey Teef remember about the person I was telling you about?"
"Yea?"
"Look, I want to tell her how I feel but then I'm afraid of losing her, I'd die if she rejected me"
Pain shot through Tifa's body again, not knowing that the girl he was referring to was her, but Tifa mustered up all her guts and answered the question "It hurts to lose someone who belonged to you, but Cloud, don't you think it hurts a lot more to lose someone who was never yours but changed your life" Like what's happening to me right now, damn it Cloud "and besides if she leaves you it's not even worth crying for, what's worth crying for is someone who's stayed with you, no matter what happens" Tifa looked at Cloud with a sweet smile
"Than if that's the case I should be sobbing for you right now"
Tifa nudged her companion's shoulder "Okay, okay I was kidding" Cloud said again "But seriously, you are worth anything..everything" Tifa blushed at Cloud words, and that little glint of hope in her, just got bigger…
The peaceful atmosphere in the room broke down as Cloud stated "The guy who was beating me up, Sephiroth…"
"What about him?" Tifa alleged, she was starting to worry again
"He told me that he'd make sure I'd fight him next time"
"Well then don't I don't want you fighting again Cloud Strife" Tifa stated
Aw, crap how am I going to tell her that the reason why I'd be fighting is her…? But I just told her to have no more secrets
"Cloud , what is it?" she asked again noticing the worry in Cloud's eyes "You told me no more secrets, please tell me?"
"Look, you told me I could take time to tell you things right? I just need time now, I promise, I will tell"
Tifa took Cloud's hand in hers "Sure Cloud, I understand"
Damn she's making it sooo hard for me...but not now, not yet
After treating his injuries Tifa walked Cloud home, Cloud was embarrassed by this though, he didn't like the fact that a girl was escorting him home. Tifa noticed this and assured him that it was okay because he was injured. They finally reached the house and Tifa bid Cloud good bye, he watched her as she walked way from his home. And a part of him was absolutely regretting that he didn't tell her. Cloud wanted to be there right now, he wasn't sure if she'd make it home safely.
Cloud lied down on his bed, checking his watch every minute or so, he was restless, he picked up the phone and called Tifa's home assuming that she should've already gotten herself back
Ring…Ring…Ring…
The phone was answered
"hello?"
"Teef"
"Oh Cloud, why?"
He was debating with himself again whether to tell Tifa or not, he didn't want Tifa to worry about the fact that Sephiroth could come any second, after hearing several 'hellos' from Tifa he finally made up his mind "Uh Tifa…Make sure the doors are locked okay? And I'll fetch you tomorrow, wait for me okay?"
"Well sure okay" a confused Tifa answered "Well gotta go Cloud, Sora just came home and mom asked me to cook dinner..bye" she put down the phone
"Bye"…
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Aww..darn Cloud and Tifa are acting like they're married already…XD
Lockheart016: I'm disappointed at myself for this chapter..it had a long delay and it was short..ER..I'm really really sorry…and I'm not even sure if the composition was good…darn..sorry sorry sorry
Oh and don't judge the story yet, if you're thinking it's going too smooth... :p
Anyway Read and Review…PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE…I need fuel
Hehe..so how was it?..too fast?too slow? Was it out of character?Were the descriptions fine?
Oh and thank you again to the reviewers
