Ah man, cheers to everyone who took the time to read and give me reviews, they're really motivating. You have my thanks.


Chapter 07:

"Now what the hell was that for, you damn cat?" Cid shouted at Cait Sith.

"I meant no harm," was Cait Sith's response. He muttered incoherently to himself.

Without further hesitation, Tifa rushed out of the bar in pursuit of the running Cloud. She had a decently good idea to where Cloud was heading. The rest of AVALANCHE stood up, each of the members looking at one another. Barret was about to join the pursuit after Tifa's vanishing figure down the streets, but Red VIII leapt on top of him.

"Red, stop it, get off of me!"

"I don't believe it as wise to interfere with Cloud and Tifa. Besides, it is our fault for Cloud's possible reinforced confusion and Tifa's revived worry," Red explained.

Vincent strayed closer to the door and shut it. He locked the door and turned to the rest of the group, who watched him closely. He said slowly, "I agree with Red. It's best we leave those two to their own matters."

"Cloud's past has been a great manipulation of his current life. The fact is that Cloud and Tifa are childhood friends as they both share common memories with certain events of the past. We may think we know those two, but we only know a mere portion of their characters," Red continued.

Vincent nodded in agreement. Barret shifted his attention from Red to Vincent to Red again. The two judicious and idealistic members of their group never cease to persuade him toward the better ideas. "Eh, I don't get those two sometimes," he said at last.

"We're not meant to understand everything," Vincent said in reply.

"I have faith in Cloud and Tifa's future," Shera joined in, "I can tell they care a lot more about each other than they imagine."

"I bet Spike-o doesn't get what he imagines," Cid mentions, "As for Tifa… she knows how she feels. Damn, I sound like a goddamn smarty!"

Barret chuckled, "We got us a handful here. Let's all keep in mind that we'll help each other stay on our feet for this point on."

"Agreed," everyone said in unison.


Tifa was moving as fast as she could, but the fading of Cloud's outline on the roofs of the buildings was imminent. Tifa decided to take a detour; since she was confident she knew where Cloud was heading. She stopped in her tracks and dashed through the alleyways.

Cloud soared from building to building, regardless of how high or short they were. He was without his colossal swords, making his leaps even grander. He knew Tifa was behind him, but he didn't care. He just needed to find solitude for some time. Cloud ignored the shouts from civilians beneath him as he continued his way into Sector 5 of Midgar. This area had not been renovated for a period of time. Fortunately, the area had not been exceedingly damaged like other areas of Midgar, and no service or organizing groups have set out plans to reconstruct Sector 5. Cloud steadily slowed his pace down as he closed in on the Sector 5 Church. Reminiscence overtook him. Cloud halted immediately, shouted, and put his hands to the sides of his head. No more. Just… stop haunting me. He eased himself and took in a breath before entering the old church.

He took a step into the flower patch and observed his surroundings. The pool of healing rainwater that rid victims of their Geostigma was still full in the middle of the church. He looked to the sides where the pillars stood and noticed a figure in the shade. She uncrossed her arms and walked towards Cloud. Tifa.

Cloud expected to see Tifa here in the church, but not so soon. "Tifa," he asked, "How did you know I was here."

He thought for a moment and restated his question before Tifa opened her mouth to answer. "I mean, how did you get here before I did?"

Tifa scowled just slightly, but then switched her lips into a smile and said sweetly, "You're not the only one that visits this place." It's the truth, Tifa told herself. Even sometimes an advisor like her needs outside wisdom.

Cloud shifted his position, as if uncomfortable. "That still doesn't answer my question…"

"I took a shortcut."

"Oh," Cloud said quietly. The solitude he imagined he would find was not here. Nevertheless, Cloud remained in the spot he was standing in.

Tifa continued walking until she was face to face with Cloud. She took his hands in hers and asked, "Do you want to go back right now?"

Cloud's face remained the same: emotionless. His feet remained planted on the ground and his breathing firm and unchanging. "No," he whispered, "I'd like to stay here for a bit."

Tifa nodded and asked, "Would you mind if I stay here with you? You know, so I can keep an eye on you?"

I would love that, Cloud heard his inner thoughts take over. "I wouldn't mind. You're more than welcome to keep an eye on me," he said instead.

Tifa grinned nonchalantly, hiding the frown she wished to express. That was not the answer she wanted to hear, but it was not exactly the worst of answers, in which Cloud may ask her to leave. Tifa nodded and sat in front of Cloud, who was still standing. "Come on. Sit down for now," she suggested.

Cloud obeyed and sat down, now both of them facing directly across from each other. Cloud scratched his head and in a rather peculiar way, said, "Thanks for being here―you know―with me."

Almost the perfect words, Tifa thought. She wanted to smack herself for dreaming of stupid scenarios where Cloud would serenade to her or speak the most pleasant of words to her. That's just stupid. This is nothing more than infatuation, she told herself. Still, Tifa helplessly smiled, this time without hiding any other expressions.

Cloud saw this smile, a genuine smile that he recognized. It was the similar smile that Tifa gave him when he dipped Denzel into the healing water to cure Denzel's Geostigma. But this smile wasn't a smile of gladness or of relief; this time it was more of a smile of satisfaction. Cloud smiled in return, trying to smile as genuinely as Tifa did.

Tifa locked her eyes on Cloud's face. An irresistible smile. An irresistible man. Tifa felt these words pass through her mind and heart over and over. She felt herself lean forward, but restrained herself the best she could. Cloud noticed Tifa's mental conflict and her physical uneasiness. This time, Cloud was the one to offer his hands. Tifa felt herself involuntarily moving her hands to merge with Cloud's. She wanted to pull back and remain still, but she did not restrain herself this time.

"For all those times you stood by my side, helped me, or even attempted to help me, I never thanked you once―" Cloud began to say.

Tifa shook their hands playfully, trying to maintain the atmosphere around them as innocent as possible, "Yeah, you did. You did thank me."

"Umm, no, I didn't. I could have sworn I didn't."

Tifa leaned forward, but she kept herself at a reasonable distance for both Cloud and her. "I can see the gratitude in your eyes."

Cloud was puzzled… again. "Really. I… never would have guessed that you'd have the ability to do that," he said, poorly hiding his perplexed state.

Tifa felt herself lean closer again, "There are still a load of things you don't know about me…"

Tifa didn't bother restraining herself this time as she fell into Cloud's arms. She had her face pressed into one of Cloud's shoulders as she placed both her hands on his chest. "Like, do you know this is the most comfortable position for me?"

Cloud gave in. She's more than just your friend. Way more. "I know now. And it's true, it is pretty comfortable." He had his arms around her back, gently stroking her as he spoke. "I think you know everything about me already. We fell in the Lifestream, and my memories unraveled for your viewing. I was out cold. Pity."

Tifa closed her eyes, remembering their one night together the eve before the climactic battle with Sephiroth. "I only know so much about you, Cloud. I know nothing about how you think or what you think." He nodded and Tifa let out a small sigh. It was an intimate moment for the both of them.

"Cloud," she continued, "The world's finally at peace…"

"Yeah," Cloud said calmly.

"…but is your heart at peace?" Tifa finished.

"His will be soon," a voice said from the background. Cloud and Tifa both disengaged and looked towards the doors of the church. A fleeting image of Aerith came and went, appearing and fading in a matter of seconds.

"Aerith…" Tifa heard herself whisper. She glanced at Cloud, who simply stared. Tifa put her hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Cloud, are you… okay?" She feared that Cloud's past may overthrow his will once again. However, Cloud merely smiled and returned a look to Tifa.

"It was nice to see her again, right?" he asked smoothly.

So he really, really did forgive himself? Did he really move on? Tifa was ecstatic inside, completely overjoyed. Only one thing was left on her mind that still troubled her.

"Then Cloud, what's still bothering you?" Tifa asked, "Because it's troubling me the same."

Cloud sighed and said without looking at Tifa, "I already told you."

Tifa creased her eyebrows, "What did you say was bothering you?"

Cloud turned and faced her. "All that's left is me seeking your forgiveness―wait―before you say anything, let me finish."

Tifa closed her mouth and nodded, allowing Cloud to continue. "I know I wasn't the greatest of friends. I was never really able to protect you from harm, even though I specifically promised you that I would do so―" Cloud put up his hand for a second, "Wait," he repeated as he noticed Tifa opening her mouth again to speak. "I think you already know that I joined SOLDIER to impress you, to be able to protect you in the future upon my promise to you. You already know my memory was screwed up, but having a messed-up memory was no excuse for how I acted. I was neglectful and ignorant. You remained by me through all that time without arguing or complaining… and what do I do? Not a thing. I paid little or no attention to you before and after the face-off with Sephiroth. I left you and the kids at the bar too many times to go unnoticed. I regret all that… forgive me."

Tifa remained silent as Cloud spoke, with his gaze slowly shifting from Tifa's face to his own feet. Her eyes started to water and Tifa wrapped her arms around Cloud, resting her head against his chest. She then kissed him on the lips as passionately as she possibly could. She closed her eyes and let her heart take over. It's not infatuation. It's love. She broke off and rested her head on Cloud's chest again. "Fine, Cloud. I forgive you. Did you ever get my message on your old phone…? Remember, I said, I never despised you. Not even once. I love you."

Cloud moved his arms and wrapped them around Tifa. Her body was quivering to some extent, and Cloud squeezed his arms around her a little tighter, protecting and shielding her. The two of them stayed in that position next to the healing rainwater pool, as time ceased to continue to pass.